Preserve interim govt's stabilising measures

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday called on the upcoming elected government to duly recognise the foundational work and stabilising measures, undertaken during the interim government's tenure, emphasising that the coming months are crucial for consolidation before the transition.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2025 ceremony, held at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital's Shegunbagich area, Dr Ahmed said the interim government has worked to create stable structures for the next government.
"Now the responsibility is to consolidate the work and give the structure properly to the next government," he said, adding that the future government may refine the framework, but should preserve its core stability.
Dr Ahmed said the interim authority had spent much of the year pulling the economy and financial sector "back from destruction" following the turmoil surrounding the Uprising.
"The economy is not destroyed. Rather, it is rebounding and in a better condition now compared to the challenging period experienced in August," he said, pointing to improvements in foreign exchange reserves and exports.
He added that international institutions recognise Bangladesh's reform efforts and have a positive perception of the country's progress.
Dr Ahmed criticised the previous administration's emphasis on megaprojects, saying some had effectively turned into costly "monuments" with limited real benefit for ordinary citizens, noting that lessons must be drawn to ensure accountability and restraint in future development.
Looking ahead, the adviser said the next three months are "crucial" in ensuring a smooth transition. He emphasised that the next government must refine and coordinate the existing structures to move the country forward "more effectively".
Dr Ahmed also stressed that national development must extend beyond economics, underlining the need for improvements in education, healthcare, and social security to build a happier and more developed nation.
Addressing the journalists, he called for balanced and responsible reporting, while congratulating the 27 award-winning journalists honoured across 24 categories.
The 10-member jury board, led by The Financial Express (FE) Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, reviewed a large number of submissions from the reports published or broadcast between September 2024 and October 2025. The FE editor thanked the jury members for completing the "mammoth task".
Nagad, which supported the awards in 2021, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting journalistic excellence.
The event was chaired by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, with the welcome address delivered by General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel. Special guests included Nagad Chairman Kaiser Ahmed Chowdhury and Administrator Md Motasem Billah.
The 27 award recipients are: Mohammad Helemul Alam (The Daily Star), Muhammad Salah Uddin Jashim (Jagonews24.com), Sajjadur Rahman (The Business Standard), Rafikul Islam (The Daily Sun), M A Noman (Daily Amar Desh), Ziadul Islam (Daily Amader Shomoy), Md Shakhwat Prince (The Business Standard), Md Shariful Islam (The Daily Star), Dipan Nandy (The Daily Star), Harun-ur Rashid (Daily Kalbela), Md Abu Saleh Rony (Daily Samakal), Md Rahenur Islam (Sokalsandhya.com), Md Shawkat Ali (Daily Desh Rupantor), Md Jasim Uddin (Dhakapost.com), Ehsanul Haque Jasim (The Daily Sun), Shamsul Haque Mohammad Miraj (Daily Kaler Kantho), Shah Md Rashedur Rahman (DBC News), Abu Jahed Md Salim (Maasranga TV), Alamgir Hossain (Jamuna TV), Rajib Ghosh (DBC News), Md Emdadul Haque (Channel 24), Md Yousuf Ali (DBC News), Sushanta K Sinha (Ekattor TV), Shahnaz Sharmin (Ekattor TV), Mahde Azad Masum (Boishakhi TV), Mousumi Islam (The Daily Sun), and Hasan Arif (The Daily Rupali Bangladesh).

bdsmile@gmail.com