Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Finance Adviser to the interim government, today emphasized that political considerations will not interfere with commercial dealings with India. “We’ll purchase products from suppliers based on competitive pricing, swift delivery, and quality. Discussions are ongoing with suppliers from Myanmar, India, and other nations while keeping these factors in mind,” Dr. Salehuddin said after back-to-back meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs (ACCEA) and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP). Addressing statements by some Indian politicians about halting exports to Bangladesh, Dr. Salehuddin dismissed such claims as irrelevant to actual trade dynamics. “Politicians may say many things. Exporters don’t pay attention to them. If there’s commercial interest and surplus goods, exporters will sell their products, whether to us or someone else,” he said. He added that if political interference arises, experts in the exporting country would likely oppose such measures. Finance Adviser Dr. Saleh Uddin asserts firm stance on black money, says govt will recover funds siphoned abroad Dr. Salehuddin rejected claims of market instability, assuring that the government is taking proactive steps to maintain a steady supply of essential goods. “The market will remain stable during the upcoming Ramadan as we’ve implemented measures to increase supply,” he said. Acknowledging the complexity of the supply chain, he urged the public to remain patient. “Many factors and people are involved in the supply chain. There are several issues that need addressing, but we’re working on them.” On the soaring price of edible oil, Dr. Salehuddin admitted, “Yes, the price has increased significantly.” He attributed part of the issue to syndicates and intermediaries within the supply chain, noting that while some provide legitimate services, others, including extortionists, manipulate the market. “Understanding politics is hard, but understanding among extortionists is very easy,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges posed by such organized groups.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said that the government is actively working to restore investor confidence in Bangladesh’s capital market, with a focus on both short- and long-term stability measures. Following a meeting with the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) at its headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Dr. Salehuddin addressed reporters, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing current market challenges. “We are committed to resolving existing and past issues in the stock market so that both local and international investors feel secure in their investments,” Dr. Salehuddin said. “Our approach includes both immediate measures and long-term plans to build a sustainable and robust capital market.” Finance Adviser urges banks to ensure rigorous loan scrutiny and inclusive lending He further noted that the discussions centered around key issues, including liquidity challenges and mutual funds, to ensure a more resilient market structure. BSEC Chairman Khondokar Rashed Maqsood, also present at the meeting, emphasized that several policy concerns were raised with the Finance Adviser. “I outlined key policy issues, and we anticipate that the ministry will make some visible, swift decisions to address pressing problems,” he said. The discussions touched on critical areas such as negative equity, liquidity support, tax reforms, buyback policies, and banking sector reform, all aimed at stabilizing the market and providing investor reassurance. The Finance Adviser also consulted with committees investigating stock market irregularities, signaling the government’s intent to tackle regulatory issues head-on.