Adviser to the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Salehuddin Ahmed has said that China and Canada will continue their support in the development of Bangladesh.
“We have talked with the ambassadors of China and Canada. We urged them to continue their technical and financial support. They assured us that they would do more than they usually do,” he said on Tuesday.
The adviser of the interim government shared the development while responding to journalists' questions after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Canadian High Commissioner (HC) Lilly Nicholls at the secretariat in Dhaka.
Asked whether the agreements signed with China in July would remain in effect or be reviewed, he said, “These matters have not been discussed. We will discuss them at the highest level. We did not cancel or change anything. These matters will be discussed in the cabinet.”
Salehuddin said Bangladesh has proposed reducing the amount of interest and extending the repayment period by an additional 10 years for loans taken from China at high interest rates.
“We have spoken to two ambassadors. What we have started, we will continue. We will try to implement their projects. I have requested them to continue their technical and financial support to Bangladesh.
“They assured us they would provide elevated support. There might be issues, but we will quickly identify and resolve them,” he said.
“The money that will come in the days ahead should be utilised properly for the welfare of people. It should be utilised on time and quality should not be compromised in any way,” added the adviser.
Salehuddin also noted the challenges left by the previous government, saying, "The previous government created some problems. We didn't need to take on so many projects. Now, we have a debt burden. These are unfortunate things. We will try to help as much as possible."
‘Chinese-funded projects will continue’
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Salehuddin, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen assured that the projects funded by China in Bangladesh will continue as planned.
“This is my first meeting with the finance and planning adviser since the formation of the interim government. We had a productive discussion. Our relationship with the interim government will continue. We will work together,” he said.
Yao Wen said that they would continue their projects and there were discussions about the potential of new support.
Regarding concerns over Chinese loan interest rates, he said, "Objections raised by Bangladesh regarding the interest rates were discussed. There is enough opportunity for further discussions on this matter."
Stance on Tk1,000 banknotes
Talking to reporters after Tuesday’s meetings, Salehuddin also said that the decision to withdraw Tk 1,000 banknotes must not be taken lightly.
“The issue of Tk 1,000 notes is not a yes or no question. The matter should be shelved for now. This is not a problem, and such a decision cannot be made easily,” he said.
Asked whether the possibility of withdrawing Tk 1,000 banknotes is a rumour, he said, “I did not say anything in this regard. So I will not comment on rumours. It is a matter of the Bangladesh Bank.”
