Anti-corruption drive should be balanced with economic growth: German envoy

---

German Ambassador Frank Meyke suggested that the current anti-corruption drive should be balanced with economic growth and public interest so both the tasks advance concurrently, reports UNB.
"It needs a right balance -- fight against corruption and protect economy and public interest," he said, adding that the fight against corruption should not lead to more harm than good to the general people.
Meyke made the remarks at a talk with Dhaka Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at DRU auditorium Monday.
The envoy said volume of bilateral trade has decreased in first six months of 2007 due to political unrest and extreme political confrontation in the second half of last year.
However, he expressed the confidence that the election roadmap and legally binding reforms of political parties would be "decisive factors in regaining the confidence of buyers and achieving strong export growth for Bangladesh again".
In recent years, bilateral trade increased to 1.86 billion Euro in 2006 from 988 million Euro in 2002. This represents 88 per cent increase in four years.
Meyke said German investment in Bangladesh amounted to about 50 million Euro only, but he said there was considerable potential for expansion.
The European diplomat spoke in favour of creating a "sustainable political climate congenial to foreign investment, with democracy and human rights stabilised and strengthened".
Asked about lifting ban on political activities and withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said the restrictions could be withdrawn gradually with the progress on party reforms and the election roadmap.