Finance
Sheikh Hasina More attention should be given to foreign funded projects: PM
Dhaka, Jan 24: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered to pay more attention to foreign funded projects.
She gave this order in the planning commission meeting held after nine years to prepare the country's development plan. Commission Chairperson Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting held at the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Wednesday (January 24).
In the meeting, the Prime Minister gave some instructions and said that special attention should be paid to reduce inflation. Those concerned with the implementation of the project i.e. the project managers should take appropriate training measures. More work needs to be done to make up for the time lost due to national elections.
She said, "Our goal is 'Smart Bangladesh'. For this, digital system should be introduced more effectively in all areas. Foreign loans or grants should be looked into so that they can be discounted quickly. More attention should be paid to foreign investment."
The Prime Minister said that the supply chain should be maintained within the country. Land cannot be left uncultivated. Production should be increased. Research should be increased. We have to get out of codependency. You have to walk with self-respect. Project manager can be appointed by the project manager panel. A guide line can be made in this regard. It may be called 'Expert Panel'.
She said that the Ninth Five Year Plan cannot be relied upon too much in outsourcing. Jute and jute products, leather and leather products, ICT, digital devices etc. should be looked into. Attention should be paid to the water and shipping sector.
The meeting was attended by Alternate Chairperson of the Commission Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Vice Chairperson Planning Minister Abdus Salam, Planning Commission members and Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar. Earlier, the last meeting of Planning Commission was held on January 21, 2015. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been formed to ensure proper implementation of the foreign loan dependent projects. The committee will review after two months. This committee will look after whether the foreign loan or grant projects are being implemented properly or not, whether money is being released properly or not.
