Finance minister criticises CPD 

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday criticised the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) for its sweeping statement over the country's economy.

"The CPD walks on its own way. Our position is not the same as theirs. Our position is for the country's people and their welfare. I do not know to whom they are liable," said the minister.

"They are also the people of Bangladesh, why will they expect anything that affects the country? Our competitor countries grab any negative report on Bangladesh the CPD discloses," he added.

The finance minister made the statements while briefing reporters after emerging out of a meeting with Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Naoki Ito at the former's office in the capital.

It is necessary to scrutinise from where the CPD gets money. Bangladesh Institute Development Studies gets funds from the government, the minister said. 

"How many employment opportunities have they created? How much they pay in taxes?" he questioned, adding only talking is not enough, working is a must. 

It is not always they talk negative about the government. On many occasions, they criticise in a constructive way. But they exaggerate while talking something constructive, the minister said.

They do not advise the government about good things but make negative comments which is very sad, he added.

"This year our export growth is not good. Other countries in the world are facing the same problem. What is the situation of India?" he said.

Bangladesh saw a 12 percent rise in export earnings last year. This year the export growth decreased, but remittance inflow increased. At the end of the year, it will be known where the economy will go, he informed.

On last Sunday, while disclosing its report styled "State of the Bangladesh Economy in fiscal 2019-20", the CPD said the economic growth of Bangladesh has no similarity with three indices – investment, industrialisation and employment. That is why, the present GDP growth is not pragmatic, observed the leading think-tank of the country. 

"If the economic growth is not realistic, how did the poverty rate come down to 20 percent which was 56.7 percent in 2001?" the finance minister questioned. 

"It has been possible for stable macroeconomic situation and continued growth in the country. Except this, we don't have any other magic in our hands," he explained.

The real picture would have come in view, had the CPD reviewed the performance of Bangladesh on global perspective, he also said. 

Kamal said a trade war is now going on across the world while some sort of unrest is going on in Europe over Brexit. 

"Under the circumstances, our export trade may face some risk and pressure. But despite intense global recession, the progress of Bangladesh did not stop, "he added. 

Replying to a query, the finance minister said the reform that the CPD suggested for the economic development has already been mentioned in the last budget.

Talking about the meeting with the Japanese ambassador, he said, "Currently we have many ongoing projects with Japan. We discussed about the implementation of these projects. We're interested to work with Japan on more mega projects as they give us credit on soft terms," he said.