The Finance Minister said these things to journalists after a meeting with an IMF delegation at the Secretariat on Sunday (July 12).
He said, "Our main concern is not getting loan money, but protecting the country's interests. The government will enter the new program with the IMF by ensuring the interests of the people and the country's economic security. We will not participate in any program that harms the interests of the people."
The Finance Minister claimed that the IMF program taken by the previous government had some conditions that were against public interest and unacceptable for a democratic government. That is why the current government has withdrawn from that program. However, the interests of the country's people will be fully preserved in the negotiations for the new program.
He further said, "Whatever program we enter, there will be no compromise with the country's economy and the interests of the people."
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also informed about the initiative to modernize and simplify the country's existing visa policy to further boost foreign investment and the tourism sector. He said that to build a modern Bangladesh, the visa policy needs to be made more time-befitting. This will make it easier for foreign tourists and investors to come to Bangladesh and increase confidence in the country in the international arena.
After the meeting, the Finance Minister also expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Speaker of the National Assembly and former Acting President Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarker. He said that Jamir Uddin Sarker was an honest, efficient and dedicated politician, whose death is an irreparable loss to the country's political arena.
