People first, free market later: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said even though Bangladesh adheres to a free market ideology the government must rein in prices to meet the needs of the people. ‘We can have a free market economy only after safeguarding the rights of consumers and meeting their needs,’ Hasina said on Thursday. ‘We will also have to take measures by considering the demands of the people, access to the world market and producing the goods that have demand in the global market,’ she said, adding ‘We’re moving out of an LDC phase, but we don’t want to rush ahead,’ according to a news agency.