October 24, 2025
DHAKA – Renowned economist Debapriya Bhattacharya today said that it is regrettable that the enthusiasm and dedication the chief adviser showed in regard to the White Paper, taskforce reports and reforms initiatives were not effectively carried forward by his team and bureaucrats.
“We believe that these commitments must be included in future political manifestos. It will be crucial for the new government to maintain this continuity,” he said.
Debapriya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD, made the remarks while talking to the journalists during a regional consultation meeting organised by the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in Sylhet today.
He said, “Reforms are indispensable to build a new Bangladesh and move the country to a middle-income status. To break the anti-reform coalition that has formed, planned initiatives will be necessary.”
Debapriya said, “We believe politicians will recognise this issue and reflect it in their manifestos.”
He said that politicians are now facing citizens and acknowledging past failures. “We expect them to act on the promises they make to the people.”
“Reform is a continuous process. The current government has done some things and left others undone. Before leaving, they should clearly state what will be completed — that transparency is what we advocate. The country will remain, the nation will remain, and reforms must continue.”
Leaders from political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Communist Party, and NCP, alongside representatives of civil society and professionals, attended the programme.