Salman for changing mindset of bureaucrats to attain goals of 2021, 2041

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman today called for changing the mindset of the bureaucrats and public servants to attain the government's goal for becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.

"All of you (bureaucrats and public servants) will have to change your mindsets to become a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041," he said.

The PM's adviser was addressing the inaugural session of the workshop on the State Owned Enterprises and Corporations to apprise their best practices and expanding the field of mutual cooperation held at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) under the Prime Minister's Office organised the function. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid spoke at the session as special guest.

With Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Nojibur Rahman in the chair, Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs at the PMO Md Abul Kalam Azad made the key-note presentation.

PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hasan was also present. Salman said in his last nine months as the PM's Adviser, he has noticed that mindset has changed to a big extent at the mid-level and senior level officials of the government.

"But, when it comes for decision making or taking collective decision, the change of mindset is not taking place in such pace which is expected," he added.

He also noted that in order to face the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution like the artificial intelligence, nano technology, robotics and quantum computing, there is a need to change the mindset of all including the public servants and thus work in a concerted way to attain the desired goal.

Highlighting the importance of the public sector alongside the private sector, the PM's Adviser said that many opine that there is no such need for the public sector as they should only create enabling environment and act as a facilitating role.

"But, I don't agree with them as there is a need for the public sector in many areas like almost parallel to the private sector as where there is an important national interest is involved, there is a need for the public sector," he said.

Noting that the public sector must be efficient like the private sector, Salman cited the example of Indian oil, which is the number one company in the list of Fortune 500 due to its efficiency and profitability and it is also cent percent owned by the Indian government.

"If they (Indian Oil) can succeed, then why we don't? I think we've also such prospect of gaining such success," he added.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said one of the success stories of the country's power sector is that the consumers are now getting uninterrupted power supply alongside increased power connections.

Citing a comparison of the country's Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Petrobangla with the other global successful companies in the power and energy sector, Nasrul said those global companies are highly efficient and generating more revenues than the local companies and corporations.

In this regard, he said that time consumption in decision making is creating inefficiency to some extent in the whole process of the local enterprises and corporations.

The state minister also opined that if installation of all the pre-paid gas meters is completed across the country, then it would be possible to save a hefty amount everyday.

Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs at the PMO Md Abul Kalam Azad said Bangladesh is confident to set an example as a leading SDGs achiever in the course of transformational development path to the cherished dream.

Three separate presentations on best practices of the Mobarakganj Suger Mills Limited, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited and Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation were made at the session.