FROM PAGE 12

The committee yesterday discussed a draft of the sustainable development strategy, which includes a vision for key sectors such as governance, economic recovery, energy sustainability, and rural development, at its first meeting at the National Economic Council.

Speaking at a press briefing afterwards, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, finance and planning adviser to the prime minister, said the government is moving towards a “welfare state”.

He said the government is set to formulate a new five-year strategic plan focused on “democratising the economy” to ensure every citizen’s participation in national growth.

Titumir called for a paradigm shift in national economic planning, criticising past strategies as “imaginary” narratives that failed to align with reality.

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki was also present at the meeting.

A copy of the draft outline obtained by The Daily Star shows the committee’s governance plan includes implementing BNP’s 31-point reform agenda and the July National Charter.

It deliberates on the formation of an election-time neutral caretaker government and the introduction of a 100-member upper chamber (senate), alongside term limits for the prime minister capped at two terms, the creation of a vice-president post, and measures to ensure a balance of power between the president and the prime minister.

The plan also recommends ensuring restorative justice through the formation of a “Truth and Healing Commission” and building a service-oriented police force under judicial oversight.

The committee called for reforms to the existing justice system, including the establishment of a judicial commission.

To enhance transparency, it suggested open tender, real-time audits, asset declarations, a strong Right to Information Law, an independent anti-corruption commission, and a ban on secret contracts in power and energy procurement.

The committee also outlined a phased economic roadmap, prioritising short-term stabilisation, followed by financial sector restructuring and long-term growth.

It emphasised reforms to improve the business climate, strengthen financial governance, attract foreign investment, and expand support for small and medium enterprises.

The strategy identifies key growth sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, the blue economy, and the creative industries, alongside efforts to diversify exports and boost employment.

In the long run, the committee envisions a significant expansion of the economy, driven by increased investment, improved infrastructure, and greater private sector participation.

Dr Monzur Hossain, member secretary of the General Economics Division, said the outline will be discussed at the National Economic Council, presided over by the prime minister.

Following that, the recommendations adopted will be placed before parliament, tentatively during the national budget session in June.

The committee members are Dr SM Abdul Awal, chief coordinator (SDG) at the Prime Minister’s Office; Dr Mahbub Ullah, economist and former professor at the University of Dhaka; Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of PPRC; Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD); Professor Mustafizur Rahman, also a distinguished fellow at CPD; Dr KAS Murshid, former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS); Dr Zaidi Sattar, chairman of the Policy Research Institute; Dr AK Enamul Haque, director general of BIDS; Dr Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development; and Dr Selim Raihan, executive director of SANEM.

Other members include Dr Rushidan Islam Rahman, former research director at BIDS; Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of CPD; Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of the Campaign for Popular Education; Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director of icddr,b; Professor Dr Akhtar Hossain, chief economist at Bangladesh Bank; Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank (Dhaka Office); Dr Barkat-e-Khuda, former professor of economics at the University of Dhaka; Dr Zakir Ahmed Khan, chairman of PKSF; Dr Mohammad Abdul Majid, chairman of the Social Development Foundation (SDF); and Dr Mirza M Hassan, head of the governance and politics cluster at BIGD.

Also included are Dr ATM Nurul Amin, emeritus professor at AIT; Professor Dr SM Nurul Alam, former professor of anthropology at Jahangirnagar University; Dr Bazlul Haque Khondker, chairman of SANEM; Professor Dr MA Taslim of the University of Dhaka; Professor Mushtaq Khan, of the University of London; Dr Mohammad Zahid Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Krishi Bank; Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice chancellor of North South University; Professor Ismail Hossain of North South University; Professor MA Baqui Khalily of the University of Asia Pacific; Syed Nasim Manzoor, president of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh; as well as the heads of BGMEA, FBCCI, and BASIS.