ERF celebrates gala night

The Economic Reporters' Forum yesterday honoured eight journalists for their excellence in business journalism and one economist for his service to the country's economy.

Monzur Ahmed of Bangla-language daily Prothom Alo and Obaidullah Rony of Samakal jointly won the Best Economic Reporting award in the banking category.

Fakhrul Islam Harun and Sujoy Mohajan, both from Prothom Alo, won the accolade in the consumer rights and capital market categories respectively.

Sohel Parvez, a senior reporter of The Daily Star, was awarded for his reporting on the macro-economy, while Alamgir Hossain of Jamuna Television won the award in the TV reporting category.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith handed the awards at the ERF Awards Night at the capital's Sonargaon Hotel.

Shamsul Huq Zahid, joint editor of The Financial Express, and Shahiduzzaman, editor of the News Network, were given the gratitude award for their contribution in establishing the association.  Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud, a noted economist of the country, was given the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the economy.

Speaking as the chief guest, Muhith said he is proud of being a part of the current pace of economic growth, and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving him the opportunity at the twilight of his life.  

“I am very lucky. I used to dream that the country will march ahead. Today, Bangladesh is no longer a basket case.”

Prof Rehman Sobhan, a noted economist, called upon the finance minister to make a budgetary allocation in order to promote investigative journalism in the country. Sobhan, the chairman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, also urged reporters to work hard to get information and practise journalism without fear or favour.

ERF President Sultan Mahmud and General Secretary Sajjadur Rahman also spoke.