Finance Minister AMA Muhith ruled out Sunday the possibility of further extending the tenure of extended credit facility (ECF) loan of International Monetary Fund (IMF).
"They want extension of the tenure of ECF loan. But, I informed them that it won't be extended. Deals can be signed with them on other issues in the future," he told newsmen after a meeting with visiting board of directors of Asian Development Bank (ADB) at his secretariat office.
Executive director of ADB Maliami bin Hamad led the five-member delegation of the bank.
Asked about the IMF's condition on reform of VAT (value added tax) law for releasing next tranche of ECF fund the minister said, "There is no relation between the reform and the fund release. But they have talked about it."
He dismissed any possibility of facing problem relating to release of the rest two portions of the ECF loan.
Mr Muhith said usually the ADB officials review various issues on such visits. Alongside the review, different bilateral issues, present and future policies and risks were also discussed during the meeting, he said.
Referring to ADB, the minister said the government has been promoting private sector but the investment in this case is not at the expected level. "Raising per capita income is not enough for graduating to a middle-income nation."
He said the growth rate has been hovering at 6.0 per cent for a long period which needs to be raised further.
Mr Muhith also said a special economic zone (SEZ) can be set up for India like China and Japan. "Discussion is underway with India in this connection. If India agrees to make big investment, then such a zone can be established for them. But no place has been selected so far for the SEZ."
He said some 2,500 acres of land were given for the Korean EPZ in 1996 but they could not utilise even 500 acres so far. "They will be given a timeline for use of the land. They will have to hand over the land if they fail to use the same within the deadline. There is no way of keeping such vast land idle in Bangladesh."
Asked if the government will be able to provide infrastructural facilities including gas and power to the SEZs, the minister said they only need power at this stage to establish the zones.
Replying to a query, the minister said Bangladesh was ready to join the proposed China-led AIIB Bank. "We will join them once we get invitation."
Terming Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami a 'bloody party', Mr Muhith said the party has been spreading rumours deliberately about an 'understanding' with the government on the war crimes issue.
Replying to a query about Sunday's countrywide strike of Jamaat he said the strike was not observed by people.
He said, "Jamaat does not believe in Bangladesh. I hate them."
syful-islam@outlook.com
