Staff Reporter:
Adviser to the Prime Minister on the ministries of Finance and Planning Dr Rashid Al Mahmud Titumir yesterday said the government is committed to building a new Bangladesh in the global arena founded on democracy, social justice, human dignity and inclusive economic transformation through the collec-tive strength of people from the plains, hills and all regions of the country.
“We want to build a democratic, humane and welfare-oriented Bangladesh based on equality, dignity and social justice. We believe this new Bangladesh will stand proudly in the global arena through the collec-tive solidarity of people from the plains and hills, women and men, youths, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Adviser was addressing at a function as the chief guest titled “Pre-budget shadow parliament keeping ahead the challenges of containing inflation in budget” at the Bangladesh Film De-velopment Corporation (BFDC) in the capital.
Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron presided over the shadow parliament.
Titumir said the government wants to establish a humane and welfare-oriented state where development opportunities would reach every citizen regardless of class, gender or geography.
He said the country inherited a “fragile and devastated economy” where ordinary people, businesses and even the government itself have been facing severe financial stress.
“Many lower middle-income families have slipped below the poverty line over the last several years. Society itself has experienced a fracture,” he said, adding that the crisis had deeply affected youth aspira-tions, employment opportunities and social stability.
He described Bangladesh’s tax-GDP ratio, which remains below seven percent, as a major obstacle to achieving dignified national progress.
“A country can’t move forward with honor and self-confidence when its tax-GDP ratio remains so low,” he said.
Titumir said the government believes the current economic challenges can be overcome through coordi-nated fiscal and monetary policies, expansion of employment opportunities and restoration of public confidence.
“The people have given this government an overwhelming mandate because they believe we can trans-form crisis into possibility, just as we have done during difficult moments in the past,” he added.
The adviser said inflation in Bangladesh is largely structural and driven by ‘oligarchic control’ in several sectors of the economy.
“A handful of groups determine prices in key sectors. This oligarchic system has increased inequality and suffering for ordinary people. We want economic democratization through broader participation of peo-ple in economic activities,” he said.
He alleged that patronage-based policies and monopolistic practices in sectors such as power and LPG had intensified inflationary pressure and weakened economic resilience.
Referring to the employment crisis, Titumir said the government’s foremost priority is to create jobs for youths and restore hope among the younger generation.
“A young person must be able to see light ahead. Employment is the central issue. Investment must in-crease because investment creates jobs, savings and future opportunities,” he said.
He said the government is pursuing balanced regional development to ensure that economic growth is not concentrated only in a few urban centers.
The adviser highlighted plans for agricultural modernization, revitalization of the Haor and wetland re-gions, restoration of canals and water systems, and implementation of the proposed Padma Barrage pro-ject to address salinity, irrigation shortages and environmental degradation in coastal and drought-prone areas.
“We want integrated and universal development, not such development concentrated in one region, one city or one sector. Diversification and inclusion are essential,” he said.
Titumir said women’s empowerment, rural entrepreneurship and small-scale industries would receive special attention under the government’s development strategy, including the “One Village, One Prod-uct” initiative.
“Women’s advancement is the driving force of social progress,” he said.
The adviser also stressed the importance of building a sustainable and climate-resilient future, saying the government wants to move gradually away from fossil fuel dependency and promote green development initiatives.
“We want to leave behind a livable planet for future generations,” he added.
Criticizing what he described as “loot and plunder” under the previous fascist administration, Titumir alleged that many costly infrastructure projects had been undertaken without proper planning or public utility.
“Buildings were constructed, but there were no services, no skilled manpower and no meaningful public engagement. Development must be centered on people, not on empty infrastructure,” he said.
The adviser further said the government would continue necessary projects while ensuring accountabil-ity, transparency and effective use of public resources.
He also announced that data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) would soon be made openly accessible for researchers, journalists and citizens to promote transparency and evidence-based policy-making.
“We believe information should remain open and accessible to all. A modern democratic state must en-sure the free flow of data and knowledge,” he added.
