TDS Desk:

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said that his government is focusing on short-term reforms rather than mid-term or long-term changes in various critical sectors of the country.

“Now we’re trying to reform, but it would be short-term, not mid-term or long-term. We’ll leave a footprint behind so that you can at least walk on it. We’re confident you won’t avoid our footprint as whatever we’re doing is for the welfare of the people. Ultimately, it is the people who will exert pressure on you to follow this path,” he said.

The finance adviser was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of PKSF Day-2024 at the PKSF Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.

The Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is celebrating its 35th founding anniversary with the theme of ‘Finance for Inclusive Growth’.

Dr Ahmed said that mid-term and long-term reforms should ideally be the domain of a political government. “Undertaking mid-term and long-term reform initiatives is not appropriate for a transition government, whether interim or caretaker, in the absence of a political government,” he added.

Dr Ahmed also noted that Bangladesh currently receives support from the international community. “Everyone – multilateral or bilateral agencies, foreign countries – has extended their support to us,” he affirmed.

He further highlighted issues within local institutions, noting, “We have many high-rise infrastructures here in Bangladesh, but good institutions are scarce. There is a lack of capable individuals, transparency, and honesty.”

He stressed that, without efficient institutions, even well-designed projects cannot be implemented effectively.

Lauding PKSF as a “world-class organisation,” the adviser urged its leaders to maintain this standard and commended PKSF for its capacity-building efforts, both within its organisation and among its partner institutions.

The event’s special guest, PKSF’s founding managing director Badiur Rahman, joined PKSF chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, who presided over the function, while acting managing director Fazlul Kader delivered the welcome address.

Established on November 13, 1989, PKSF provides loanable funds to over 200 partner organisations (POs) across the country. As of June 2024, PKSF’s partner organisations have collectively organised 20 million members, of whom 92 percent are women.

The total number of borrowers stands at 15.2 million, with 92.76 percent being women.