The work of the reform commissions that was scheduled to begin from yesterday (Monday) has been deferred, as the interim government has decided to hold another round of dialogue with the political parties before that, press secretary to the chief adviser Shafiqul Alam told the newsmen on Monday.
The dialogue will start soon, he said, adding that the government felt that this dialogue will help the reform commissions start their functions properly.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Alam said, may provide another 3.0 billion US dollar to Bangladesh in addition to the previous commitment of 4.7 billion dollar. IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus in New York had indicated the availability of a new loan.
During his meeting with the chief adviser, the IMF chief had said that after getting report from the IMF team that concluded a review Monday last, the multilateral donor body would decide about the additional support.
Asked about the financial commitment from the international community during the visit of the CA, he said the country would get $3.5 b from the World Bank, $199m from UN for Rohingyas humanitarian aids, and 400 million euro for the renewable energy from the European Union.
Alam said during the UN visit 12 top global leaders had bilateral meeting with Dr Yunus which was an unprecedented happening, as previously head of the governments from Bangladesh has bilateral meetings with two or three global leaders.
Around 50 meetings, out of which 12 were with top global leaders, including US President Joe Biden,
"Everybody wanted to meet him and those who met him extended their support to the interim government," he mentioned.
World leaders also extended full support to the reform programme of the present government
Responding to another question he said none of them raised the issue of the tenure of the government or the time frame for elections
Replying to a question regarding the army chief's comment on the election time frame in an interview with the Reuters, he said that in the interview the army chief also had said that elections will be held after the necessary reforms.
"I think it was personal opinion of the army chief" he added.
Stating the government view he said "People will decide about the time frame of the election... whether it will be held after 12 months or 16 months or 6 months" he added.
Asked whether Awami League will be invited in the dialogue he said the council of advisers could give reply to this question better.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com