Staff Correspondent:

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Friday (May 23) said he is facing a wide range of challenges beyond the purview of his ministry.

“Many criticise us, calling us ineffective. Criticism is fine, but such comments do not create a good impression outside. It damages the country’s image,” he said while addressing an event at Dhaka Residential Model College.

The event — the national round of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2025 — was chaired by Hossain Zillur Rahman, former adviser to the caretaker government and chair of the Olympiad organising committee.

On the upcoming budget, Salehuddin said, “There has been talk of various tax exemptions. The day after the budget, we will have to answer many questions. But determining what the public wants is not easy.”

“The IMF couldn’t impose everything they wanted. We’ve reached a compromise,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said, “Our GDP has grown by 1% each decade, but the benefits have not been evenly distributed, increasing inequality.

“The growth has also not created enough jobs, and youth unemployment has risen. People have been suffering from high inflation for the last two and a half years. A one-sided, politically driven economy only pushes society backwards.”

Masrur Arefin, managing director of City Bank, presenting the keynote paper, noted, “In the past nine months, while major achievements may be few, one key success is the curbing of malpractice in the banking sector.

“Money laundering has been halted. However, political uncertainty is once again on the rise.”