Act like an eel to combat influence
Former BB Governor Salehuddin Ahmed advises successors at his book launch
A central bank governor should be a “strategist” and “diplomatic” to avoid political influence or else the economy will suffer, economists said yesterday.
“No country gives full autonomy to the central bank,” said Salehuddin Ahmed, a former Bangladesh Bank governor, at the launch of his book, “Governorer Sritykotha”, at the capital's Brac Centre Inn.
Bangla business daily Bonikbarta is the publisher of the book.
“Almost all governors experience political influence but they act like eels and take a good decision.”
The BB is not taking a strong position to improve the country's financial sector. “It's a very sad thing.”
He went on to urge the central bank to take some tough decisions on the economy as it is facing many challenges now, he added.
Government officials once had the independence to take any decision but the situation has changed for the worse, said AB Mirza Azizul Islam, a former caretaker government advisor.
To make the country prosperous, government officials should be empowered to take decisions.
“The political leaders should have the faith that the officials would not do anything against peoples' best interests,” he added.
Mashiur Rahman, prime minister's economic affairs adviser; M Syeduzzaman, former finance minister; Akbar Ali Khan and Wahiduddin Mahmud, both former advisers to a caretaker government; M Serajul Islam, a former diplomat; and Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of Bonik Barta, also spoke.