The interim government has been in office for about two months. While this period is too brief for a comprehensive evaluation, we can still make a preliminary assessment of its performance.
Dr. MM Akash, an economist and intellectual. The former professor of the Economics Department at Dhaka University spoke with Views Bangladesh about the destructive activities in various industries following the mass uprising, Bangladesh's inclusion in the US travel ban red list, and the issue of changing the national anthem. In an interview conducted by economics writer MA Khaleque and Girish Goiric, Associate Editor of Views Bangladesh, Dr. Akash addressed several pressing issues.
Dr. M M Akash, an esteemed economist and retired professor from the Economics Department at Dhaka University, has recently emphasized the need for confiscating the assets of large defaulters. He points out that many banks in the country are currently experiencing a liquidity crisis. For those banks that are likely to recover, refinancing could be a viable option, while alternative measures should be considered for those that are unlikely to survive. Dr. Akash shared these insights The white paper drafting committee is likely to assess the accuracy and realism of GDP growth indicators and other economic metrics published in recent years. The committee will review the sustainability of the development achieved and propose ways to ensure sustainable growth in the future. While the primary focus will be on macroeconomic issues, it remains uncertain whether the white paper will delve deeply into uncovering past irregularities and corruption. Key areas of concern include the reasons behind low growth rates, insufficient local and foreign investment, and the persistent issue of defaulted loans. However, it is unclear if the white paper will address these specific issues in detail. The concept of the white paper is to identify those responsible for past economic missteps and irregularities, but its exact scope will only become clear as the drafting progresses.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in public awareness against corruption in the country. The main driving forces behind this are local and foreign media. Both national and international newspapers, as well as social media, have extensively reported on several major corruption cases recently. Despite various limitations, mainstream newspapers in the country continue to play an anti-corruption role. Additionally, the internet and social media freely disseminate corruption news, contributing to a form of public awareness. Ordinary people are keenly reading these reports, thereby fostering an anti-corruption sentiment among them.
A gradual transformation has been silently occurring in the rural economy for quite some time now. Upon observation, it becomes evident that the agriculture sector's contribution to the GDP is steadily declining, at least in terms of GDP production. Some sources claim that the current contribution of the agriculture sector to the GDP is merely 14 percent, while others argue that it may reach a maximum of 18 percent. Without delving into the ongoing debate regarding the precise percentage of the agriculture sector's contribution to the GDP, it is undeniable that its significance is diminishing.