Stressing the need for eliminating corruption, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said Bangladesh has no future unless corruption is eradicated.

"Like the people of our country, the international community also wants us to be free from corruption because they seek to expand trade with us. Without eliminating corruption, business and trade cannot thrive. Bangladesh has no future unless corruption is eradicated," he said in a televised speech to the nation this evening. 

He said the interim government prioritises ensuring a corruption-free administration.

Beyond maintaining transparency during the tenure of the current government, it is committed to establishing systems that will prevent future administrations from corruption, the chief adviser said. 

"Corruption not only inflates costs to an unimaginable extent but also distorts all institutional structures. Government policies, institutional frameworks, and officials’ responsibilities, however well-documented, become meaningless in practice. The country operates under an unwritten system, forcing the government, businesses, investors, and every citizen to comply with it," he added. 

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Dr Yunus said the government is focusing on minimising physical interactions between citizens and government offices to combat corruption and bureaucratic harassment. “As part of the prevention of corruption, a decision has been taken to introduce e-filing in all government offices.” 

E-filing will reduce corruption by providing real-time tracking of files within offices, he said, adding, “The government is working to implement online services in all sectors where digital access is feasible. Citizens are often forced to pay exorbitant sums to access essential services. We are committed to ending such financial exploitation and harassment." 

The chief adviser urged citizens to provide feedback on how to simplify online services and encouraged individuals to email their suggestions.