Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia created a unique combination between the public and private sectors in Bangladesh’s business and economic landscape, said BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday.
He made the remarks while speaking at a doa and remembrance programme organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICC Bangladesh), where 18 business bodies paid tributes to late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Moyeen Khan said former President Ziaur Rahman had taken Bangladesh close to a free-market economy, but it was under Khaleda Zia’s leadership that the country truly entered a full-fledged market-based economic system.
“The year 1982 was a time of extreme crisis for BNP. Following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, senior party leaders decided to bring Khaleda Zia into politics to fill the vacuum. With time, it has been proven that the decision was absolutely right,” he said.
BNP to strengthen business bodies to cut red tape, boost economy: Khosru
Highlighting Khaleda Zia’s role in economic reforms, Moyeen Khan said she strongly emphasised privatisation while simultaneously creating a balanced and effective synergy between the public and private sectors.
“She (Khaleda) paid attention to business leaders and the affluent class, but at the same time she remained deeply committed to the welfare of the poor,” he said.
About the business community, Moyeen Khan said many believe politicians run the country, but in reality, the economy and the nation are driven by businesspeople.
“There was no lack of coordination in Khaleda Zia’s approach. That is why Bangladesh’s economy and business sector flourished remarkably during BNP’s tenure,” he added.
Referring to Khaleda Zia’s political legacy, Moyeen Khan said she was the architect of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and led the country’s eight-year struggle against autocracy from 1982 to 1990.
“The 1991 national election was the fairest in Bangladesh’s history. The people elected Khaleda Zia with confidence, a trust they had placed in her from the very beginning,” he said.
Eighteen business bodies recall Khaleda Zia’s economic, democratic legacy
Moyeen Khan noted that Khaleda Zia had the ability to take rational and courageous decisions, citing her commitment at the 1995 Social Summit to allocate one-third of national income to social protection sectors, a pledge she later implemented.
“She spoke little, but when she took decisions, they were bold,” he said.
Moyeen Khan also said Khaleda Zia had boundless love for the people, which was reciprocated by the nation, as reflected in the massive public turnout at her funeral.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were also present at the programme, alongside presidents, secretaries and senior leaders of the 18 business organisations.