US trade deal affects energy sovereignty: Debapriya

Economist and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, has claimed that the trade agreement signed by the interim government with the United States undermines Bangladesh's energy sovereignty.

Speaking as the chief guest at a pre-budget shadow parliament debate organized by Debate for Democracy in the capital, Dr. Debapriya criticized the restrictive nature of the deal, reports UNB.

"The trade agreement with the US is compromising our energy sovereignty. While the new government claims it will not pursue country-specific foreign policies, this agreement dictates from whom we can purchase oil. Requiring permission for such decisions is a direct hit to our independence," he said.

He also questioned why the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed the release of loan instalments and why the reform proposals prepared during the final days of the interim government have not been implemented.

"A white paper on the economy has been prepared, and various sector-specific reform books have been published. It seems these proposals are now destined for the museum," he remarked, urging the government to quickly form the reform commission promised in the BNP's election manifesto.

Describing the energy and banking sectors as the "two lungs" of the economy, the economist noted that the country is struggling to breathe due to both these vital sectors being beset by crises.