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Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said Bangladesh will negotiate a new programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that protects national interests and economic stability, stressing that the government will not accept any conditions that undermine public welfare.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said the previous IMF programme, agreed by the former government, contained several conditions that were not compatible with the priorities of a democratic and elected government.
“Our concern is not simply securing funds, but protecting the country’s interests,” he said. “As an elected government, our foremost priority is to safeguard the interests of the people and the economy. Any programme we enter into will fully protect the interests of Bangladesh.”
The finance minister said the government had withdrawn from the previous IMF programme because it considered several of its conditions contrary to the public interest.
He also announced plans to modernise the country’s visa policy to boost economic activity and strengthen international confidence in Bangladesh.
According to the minister, a simplified and more business-friendly visa regime would encourage more foreign tourists and investors to visit the country, while enhancing Bangladesh’s global image as an attractive destination for trade and investment.
