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The then finance minister M Saifur Rahman introduced two major reforms: the floating exchange rate of the local currency against the US dollar and the VAT system.

“Sometimes even economists hesitate to acknowledge such important reforms carried out by Saifur Rahman as both a political leader and finance minister,” Debapriya Bhattacharya added.

But reforms during the interim government faded out, despite many initiatives being taken, he said. It undertook several initiatives but failed to implement them.

Debapriya Bhattacharya was speaking at the agreement signing ceremony between the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) and Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, held at the ERF office in Dhaka.

Under the agreement, ERF and Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh will jointly work to train journalists both in Dhaka and outside the capital on reforms and the progress of commitments pledged in electoral manifestos.

At the discussion, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said his government has been working to introduce allowances for retired journalists, with his ministry currently drafting eligibility criteria for the benefit.

He added that the government is also working to formulate an advertisement policy so media outlets can benefit from government advertising.

Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, said economic reforms cannot take place without democratic reforms.

He also criticised the interim government’s signing of the US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States.

Shamsul Huq Zahid, editor of The Financial Express and a member of the media reforms commission of the interim government, expressed disappointment that not a single recommendation suggested by the commission was implemented.

Shawkat Hossain Masum, head of Online at Prothom Alo, suggested conducting impact analyses on reform progress so journalists can report based on the economic impact.

ERF President Doulot Akter Mala and ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem also spoke.