Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the country's economy is now passing through a bad time.
He said, imports, exports are not having a good time in any country of the world, not just in Bangladesh. Import and exports are declining. This has affected some sectors of Bangladesh. But I hope at the end of the year these sectors will not be left behind. The import and export situation will improve.
He said this while inaugurating the 'BDBL Branch Managers' Annual Performance Conference-2020' in Motijheel on Thursday (Feb. 6).
Bangladesh Developed Bank Limited (BDBL) organized the conference at the bank's head office.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, BDBL chairman and former senior secretary Mohammad Mesbahuddin and Kazi Tariqul Islam addressed the conference, chaired by the bank's Managing Director (MD) and CEO Kazi Alamgir.
The finance minister said the banking sector is not very good, had the banks done well, the banks would not have to be merged.
Mentioning that the country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister, he said that the situation of the global economy was bad in 1997. Then in 2009 the situation again had become bad. But our Prime Minister has salvaged the economy from this position because of foresight. The economic foundation of the country has been laid. And this is the reason that the economy of Bangladesh has been a role model throughout the last 10 years.
The finance minister said there were many 'miss mess' in the banking sector, adding that due to the 'miss mess', the loans in the bank sector have increased. Due to you I am being abused in the Jatiyo Sangsad by the parliament members. You say it has been for me. Not for you?
Addressing as the chief guest, he said, I would hope, not for me, but for the sake of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman try to act responsibly. That will help make the country into golden Bengal.
Addressing the BDBL officials and employees, the finance minister said, I would not say that all of you are bad. There are some people who are bad. Before the Bangladesh Bank or the finance ministry takes action against them, take action against themselves and punish them.
Speaking as the special guest, Governor of Bangladesh Bank Fazle Kabir said, "You have reduced the classified loan. According to the September-December quarterly report, it has dropped from 50 percent to 38 percent. It will have to reduce further. As well as technology risks must be taken into account. Capital reserve rates and deposits should be increased.
He said, private sector growth has slowed down in the country's economy. At present, the growth is 9.3 percent and but the target was 13 percent growth. That's not happening.