The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) held a Discussion Session on “Good Governance and Economic Growth” on Thursday, 20 August, 2009, at the Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka. Mr. H T Imam, Hon’ble Advisor to the Prime minister (Establishment and Administration) was the Chief Guest. Prof. Mohabbat Khan, Senior Most Professor, Dhaka University, was also present as the Key Note Speaker. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, President, IBFB and former Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation, chaired the session.
In his speech, Mr. Imam also said that it was necessary for rule of law, along with true democracy to exist if good governance was to exist in Bangladesh. If rule of law prevailed, then it will be possible to eradicate corruption, which stands as an obstacle to economic prosperity. He also added that if any Government official was involved in corrupt practices, then their employment will be terminated, and in this regard, he urged the ordinary citizens to lodge complaints against all corrupt officials and employees so that corruption can be uprooted from all spheres of life in the country. Furthermore, he said that to encourage agricultural development, the Government has allocated a subsidy of Tk 12,000 crore in the current budget. To supply sufficient electricity to the farmers in the villages, less electricity is being supplied to the cities.
As a Key Note presenter Prof. Mohabbat Khan, also spoke on the occasion. Prof. Khan said that good governance was necessary not only for economic growth, but also to establish true democratic system. He said that the Government has many challenges to face including deterioration of law and order, price hike of essentials, unrest in the education sector, etc. He also emphasized the need to increase the production of more electricity to increase national income and industrialization.
In his speech, Mr. Chowdhury, President of IBFB, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability of the administration in order to ensure good governance. Furthermore, ensuring the rule of law, freedom of the judiciary and human rights is also essential. He also spoke about the activities of IBFB regarding business advocacy and its future plans in this regard.
Others present included Ms. Heather Variava, First Secretary, Economic and Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Mr. Adam Schumacher, Acting Head, Democracy and Governance section, USAID, Mr. ATM Saidul Alam, Vice President, IBFB, and Mr. Tanveer Imam, Vice President (Finance), IBFB.
