Formulating 'sovereign' policy isolated from global trend not feasible: Mirza Aziz
Friday, 7 September 2007
FE Report
Finance and Planning Adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam said Thursday formulating a 'sovereign' policy isolated from the existing global trend will not be feasible for the country.
"In the world of today you can not formulate policy without taking the concerns of the major export destinations, major import sources and those of the neighbours into consideration," he said speaking in a roundtable discussion at the Spectra Convention Centre in the city.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) organised the roundtable titled, "Policy makers and policies: From the past into the future," as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration.
Presiding over the roundtable discussions the finance and planning adviser also underscored the necessity for appropriate research and analytical works before formulating proper policies.
"If you are taking a policy decision it needs to be supported by analytical report." He said.
But, unfortunately the country has limitations in the areas, he pointed out.
Besides, timeframe is also a major concern for the policymakers in formulating a foolproof policy, said Azizul Islam.
Most of the time the policy makers have to run against time as the stipulation to formulate their policies are very stringent.
He said if the policy makers do not get necessary research or analytical support in proper time, they have to abandon the exercise.
Commenting on trade liberalisation, the finance and planning adviser said: "It did take place in Bangladesh, but it has been subsequently compromised."
Commenting on the attitude of the businesses to take continuous advantages from government to protect their industries he said: "There is a need to take a fresh look at their plea for protection."
The businessmen on one hand say they are very much competitive in the world market against China, India and Vietnam, and doing well against these countries and on the other wants 20 per cent subsidy to protect their industries, he said.
Identifying employment generation as an important means for poverty alleviation, the finance adviser underscored the necessity for upgrading the quality of the job seekers.
"Supply can create its own demand," he said stressing the importance of quality manpower.
Chairman of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and former adviser of caretaker government Rehman Sobhan underscored the necessity for formulating policies on the country-specific needs.
He also underscored the necessity for transparency and accountability in the policy measures of the government to ensure a sound and better future.
Former finance minister M Syeduzzaman underscored the necessity for construction of a second Dhaka-Chittagong highway to connect the capital with the port city.
It can be an elevated express highway, if required, for development of the country, Syeduzzaman pointed out.
Former caretaker-government adviser Hafizuddin Khan stressed the need for a clear-cut direction of the country's economy.
Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, another ex-finance minister, emphasised that mobilisation of domestic resources is necessary for development financing.
He was also critical about the activities of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) terming it 'worthless'.
BIDS director general Quazi Shahabuddin said that the research output of his institution provided valuable inputs to the policy makers and development practitioners for designing appropriate interventions for sustainable development and accelerated poverty reductions.
He, however, admitted that the contribution of the BIDS remained less than its potential due to persistent gap between research and policy making.
President of the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Nazrul Islam and noted educationist Moniruzzaman Miyan were among others spoke on the occasion.
Finance and Planning Adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam said Thursday formulating a 'sovereign' policy isolated from the existing global trend will not be feasible for the country.
"In the world of today you can not formulate policy without taking the concerns of the major export destinations, major import sources and those of the neighbours into consideration," he said speaking in a roundtable discussion at the Spectra Convention Centre in the city.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) organised the roundtable titled, "Policy makers and policies: From the past into the future," as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration.
Presiding over the roundtable discussions the finance and planning adviser also underscored the necessity for appropriate research and analytical works before formulating proper policies.
"If you are taking a policy decision it needs to be supported by analytical report." He said.
But, unfortunately the country has limitations in the areas, he pointed out.
Besides, timeframe is also a major concern for the policymakers in formulating a foolproof policy, said Azizul Islam.
Most of the time the policy makers have to run against time as the stipulation to formulate their policies are very stringent.
He said if the policy makers do not get necessary research or analytical support in proper time, they have to abandon the exercise.
Commenting on trade liberalisation, the finance and planning adviser said: "It did take place in Bangladesh, but it has been subsequently compromised."
Commenting on the attitude of the businesses to take continuous advantages from government to protect their industries he said: "There is a need to take a fresh look at their plea for protection."
The businessmen on one hand say they are very much competitive in the world market against China, India and Vietnam, and doing well against these countries and on the other wants 20 per cent subsidy to protect their industries, he said.
Identifying employment generation as an important means for poverty alleviation, the finance adviser underscored the necessity for upgrading the quality of the job seekers.
"Supply can create its own demand," he said stressing the importance of quality manpower.
Chairman of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and former adviser of caretaker government Rehman Sobhan underscored the necessity for formulating policies on the country-specific needs.
He also underscored the necessity for transparency and accountability in the policy measures of the government to ensure a sound and better future.
Former finance minister M Syeduzzaman underscored the necessity for construction of a second Dhaka-Chittagong highway to connect the capital with the port city.
It can be an elevated express highway, if required, for development of the country, Syeduzzaman pointed out.
Former caretaker-government adviser Hafizuddin Khan stressed the need for a clear-cut direction of the country's economy.
Abul Mal Abdul Muhit, another ex-finance minister, emphasised that mobilisation of domestic resources is necessary for development financing.
He was also critical about the activities of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) terming it 'worthless'.
BIDS director general Quazi Shahabuddin said that the research output of his institution provided valuable inputs to the policy makers and development practitioners for designing appropriate interventions for sustainable development and accelerated poverty reductions.
He, however, admitted that the contribution of the BIDS remained less than its potential due to persistent gap between research and policy making.
President of the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Nazrul Islam and noted educationist Moniruzzaman Miyan were among others spoke on the occasion.