There is such chaos in the market that the price cannot be reduced even with various measures including tax exemption, said Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
He said this at the 'PkSF Day 2024' event organized by Palli Karma Sahajik Foundation (PkSF) in the capital on Wednesday.
Salehuddin Ahmed said, 'There has been chaos in the market in various ways, people are saying that the prices are not decreasing but NBR has given many benefits. I have reduced the tax, but still the price of daily commodities is not decreasing. People are impatient, that's normal.'
The finance adviser said that efforts are being made to reduce prices, 'I told the chief adviser that reducing prices in the market is not only the job of the Ministry of Commerce. There are many facts here.'
He said, 'even if we are gone, people will remember. Because we did a good job. People will say sir you were there, you were doing such and such. Many people thank us that sir you have done such and such tax work well. People say we are very good at waiving bond taxes. We have also done well in savings. Now auto-renew on savings card. The sooner good things are done the better.'
The financial advisor lamented, 'There are many institutions but there is no institution. There is a dearth of good institutions. There are buildings but no people, there is lack of transparency, lack of accountability. I talk to the governor of Bangladesh Bank every day that you see it.'
Noting that everyone around the world is giving positive comments, the financial advisor said, 'No one is turning their back on us. Went to World Bank-IMF meeting, stayed for 7 to 8 days, we are tired of doing so many meetings, everyone is positive about us. We have been harassed while doing the meeting. Everyone wants to talk to us. But the most important thing is that there are some conditions but the conditions are not difficult. Everyone raised their hands.'
Regarding the country's development, he said, 'Bangladesh has potential as a whole. The country is progressing due to the contribution of the country's agricultural laborers and garment workers. We will work with people to fulfill people's desires. We are doing our duty. We will do short term reforms, not long term reforms. The elected government will make long-term reforms. We can't do everything we want, we also have some restrictions.'
The theme of PKSF this year is 'Financing for Inclusive Growth'. Badiur Rahman, founder and managing director of PKSF, was present as a special guest on the occasion.
Fazlul Quader, Acting Managing Director of PKSF gave welcome speech on the occasion under the chairmanship of PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Chief executives of PKSF subsidiaries, officers and employees of PKSF participated in the event.
