Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought support of the United Nations Development Programme to carry out vital reforms in wide-ranging areas such as judiciary, police, election commission, tax administration and land registration.
The Chief Adviser said the Interim Government was committed to launch vital reforms in Bangladesh's key institutions in an effort to hold a free, fair and transparent election and help people truly enjoy the fruits of the student-led revolution.
The 2006 Nobel Peace laureate made the comments when UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, said a spokesperson of the CA.
Professor Yunus said Bangladesh immediately needed far reaching digitalisation efforts -- including designing simple solutions -- in tax and land administration so that a citizen can pay taxes or register their land and property sale without any hassles.
"Why do we have to go to the tax office? No one has to go to the tax office to file a tax return," the Chief Adviser said.
Professor Muhammad Yunus said Bangladesh needed vital reforms "to build a modern police force" and ensure the rule of law in the country.
He said his government would also seek support from the UNDP for reforms in the judiciary and election commission.
"We are committed to free, fair and transparent elections," said Professor Yunus.
"It is a good occasion to challenge everything. These are opportunities. We have to find out how to reorganise the systems," he said, referring to the student-people revolution.
UNDP Resident Representative Liller offered the UN agency's full support for the wide-ranging reforms.
He said the UNDP had a long collaboration in Bangladesh but much of their funding was slowed down by bureaucratic processes.
UNDP officials attending the meeting said the agency was also ready to support Bangladesh's export diversification efforts, green transitioning, help in easing businesses and fighting climate change.
They said they would also like to reassess the country's investment climate, especially detecting the key constraints.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com