IMF delegation holds meeting with BNP

A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has held a meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to discuss the country’s economic situation, reforms, and policy priorities.

The meeting was held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Sunday, November 9. The BNP later confirmed the matter in a press release.

According to the statement, the IMF delegation was led by Chris Papageorgiou, Adviser to the Bangladesh Mission Chief. The BNP delegation was led by the party’s Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Also present were BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Ismail Jabiullah, Zia Uddin Haider, and the party’s Organising Secretary Shama Obaid.

During the meeting, the BNP side said that to ensure sustainable economic stability in Bangladesh, reforms in the financial sector, tax system and social sectors are essential. The BNP believes that long-term growth is not possible without establishing accountable and transparent financial governance.

The meeting discussed the preliminary findings of the IMF’s ongoing mission review report. The key discussion topics included new technical assistance for harmonisation and reduction of VAT exemptions, improving the GDP-to-tax revenue ratio by increasing corporate tax, reforming the banking sector, and raising social sector expenditure.

The IMF delegation appreciated the BNP’s proposed reform-based and policy-oriented approach. The statement said the meeting raised expectations for enhanced future policy dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.