Describing the situation a ‘hard situation’interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said the world will do more business with Bangladesh if the country, as a nation, could collectively get over the “mess”.
“We will have the world’s attention. The world will look to us for inspiration, and the world will want to do more business with us,” he said when leaders of the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh, called on him at his office at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The business delegation led by ICC-B President Mahbubur Rahman greeted the Chief Adviser on his assumption of the leadership of the Interim Government, saying the country’s businessmen fully support him in his new role.
“It’s a very hard situation that we are in now. But it’s also the biggest opportunity that we can get. Our job is difficult, but very much doable,” Prof Yunus said.
Professor Muhammad Yunus thanked them and said that his administration inherited an economic mess, but he was confident the situation would soon improve with the introduction of vital reforms.
The ICC-B leaders urged the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate to carry out much needed reforms without a haste to bring back stability in the economy, according to Chief Adviser’s press wing.
They said the previous government left the country in ruins. Deep reforms and restructuring were needed in the banking sector, revenue administrations, education, and industry, they added.
“We are a witness to what happened over the last 15 years. The Bangladesh private sector is with you 100 per cent,” Mahbubur Rahman, the ICC-B President, said.
Professor Muhammad Yunus asked the delegation “to think outside the box to achieve greatness as a nation”. He said: “If we can make the young people’s dream come true, we can make the nation’s dream come true.”
Senior business leaders, including FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Tapan Chowdhury, Kutubuddin Ahmed, AK Azad, Simeen Rahman, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Fazlul Hoque and Mohammad Hatem attended the meeting.
WTO looks forward to working closely with Yunus
Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has written to interim government chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, noting that she looks forward to “working closely” with Prof Yunus in maintaining and strengthening the multilateral trading system.
“At the WTO, we are working on several pressing trade issues, and I look forward to working closely with you in maintaining and strengthening the multilateral trading system,” said the WTO DG in her letter congratulating Prof Yunus on his appointment as Chief Adviser of the interim government.
Chief Adviser’s press wing shared the letter on Tuesday.
She said Prof Yunus’ premiership comes at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions and also of challenging times for Bangladesh.
“I am convinced that under your leadership, stability and prosperity will prevail,” said Dr Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General.
As a core participant in the multilateral trading system, she said, Bangladesh has enjoyed the benefits of global trade and has always been a strong supporter to the WTO.
“I will always have very good memories of the times when we worked closely together at the Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation,” said the Director General.
