Interim govt inherited 'fragile economy,' stabilised it and restored growth: Press secretary
Referring to key economic indicators, he said the exchange rate of the US dollar remained stable during the government’s tenure
The interim government inherited an "extremely fragile economy" and has since stabilised it and brought it back onto a growth platform, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (5 February).
"In the last 18 months, the interim government has fulfilled its historic responsibilities, including restoring economic stability, establishing discipline in the banking sector, improving the human rights situation and organising an acceptable election," he said while responding to questions at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka, following the Advisory Council's meeting.
Shafiqul added that the people of Bangladesh would ultimately make the final assessment of the interim government's performance over the last 18 months.
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Referring to key economic indicators, he said the exchange rate of the US dollar remained stable during the government's tenure.
"Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh did not experience a sudden surge in the dollar rate or a sharp depreciation of the local currency," he noted, adding that remittance inflows increased to record levels during this period.
On the banking sector, the press secretary said it had previously suffered from large-scale financial irregularities and "plundering," but the situation had since been brought back under control and discipline restored.
Citing food prices as another example, he said food inflation, which had reached nearly 14% in November 2024, had been brought down to around 7%.
Addressing the law and order situation, the press secretary said government success was evident from crime statistics.
"Compared to last year, crime has decreased, which is clear from the figures," he said, claiming that enforced disappearances had completely stopped and no extrajudicial killings had taken place during the interim government's tenure.
"There has not been a single extrajudicial killing during our time," he said.
The press secretary also said one of the interim government's primary responsibilities was to prepare the country for a credible election.
As part of that process, the July Charter has been formulated, and a referendum on the charter is scheduled to take place on 12 February, when people will deliver their verdict, he added.
He further noted that a cultural shift was underway in the country. "Culture was previously monopolised by a few individuals. That has now changed significantly," he said.
