NEW YORK, Sept 27: Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said his government is committed to improving business environment in Bangladesh through reforms, seeking businessmen's partnership in the country's new voyage.
"No country is perfect. Neither is Bangladesh. But I see an emerging Bangladesh that is committed to upholding freedom and justice. We are firm to improve our business environment through multipronged reforms that we have initiated," he said.
The chief adviser came up with the remarks at the US-Bangladesh Industry Roundtable organized by the US-Bangladesh Business Council at the Westin New York Grand Central here on Thursday (local time).
"I am here to hear from you and open to get suggestions to improve our investment environment. We seek your partnership in this new journey," he said.
In his remarks, Prof Yunus said his interim government has started working on creating an environment where business can flourish, and entrepreneurs can thrive.
Any business needs stability, predictability and a corruption-free environment, so a key priority of his government following restoration of the law-and-order situation is to undertake deeper economic and financial reforms, he said.
A committee comprising experts is working on publishing a white paper that would establish the benchmark of the economy and encourage reforms by end of December, the chief adviser said.
"Surely you are aware of why it is critical for us to undertake significant economic reforms as corruption and systemic irregularities eroded fiscal and monetary discipline," he said.
"In around a month's time, we could significantly reduce revenue shortfalls and make Taka stable. Bangladesh Bank has stopped printing money. Instead, we are using non-inflationary measures to tackle deficit," he added.
Turning to different development projects taken by the previous government, he said politically motivated unproductive development projects have been dropped.
"Depending on the stage of implementation, we are evaluating opportunities for cost savings in the remaining work and considering cancellation of non-viable projects," Prof Yunus said.
"We are charting reform paths to address the inherent weaknesses in revenue sector. Our reform measures are already acknowledged. Over past two days, World Bank President, USAID Administrator and indeed President Biden acknowledged these and mentioned rolling out critical financial and non-financial support," he added. — BSS
