Adviser to the interim government on the Ministry of Finance Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the present government has been receiving a very good response from all quarters of the society and international communities in carrying out its activities.

“It’s a matter of optimism and happiness that we’re getting a very good response from all quarters of the society and international community,” he said.

The Finance Adviser was addressing the opening ceremony of the ‘PKSF Day 2024’ as the chief guest held at the auditorium-1 of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in the capital’s Agargaon area.

The theme of this year’s PKSF Day was ‘Financing for attaining inclusive growth’.

Founding Managing Director of PKSF Badiur Rahman spoke at the function as special guest.
Presided over by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, its acting Managing Director M Fazlul Kader gave the address of welcome.

The Finance Adviser said during his participation in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF Group last month in Washington, he was very busy to attend a good number of meetings.

“Whoever I talked with during the meetings, all of them showed positive response . . . all of our bilateral, multilateral development partners offered their hands of cooperation,” he added.

Noting that the potentials of the country and its people are immense, the adviser acknowledged that there are contributions from the farmers, labourers, and even RMG workers towards the country’s development, but it is unfortunate that they often remain behind the curtains.

“Now time has come to fulfill their aspirations,” he added.
 
The Adviser said all now have a very positive impression about Bangladesh and thus urged all concerned to supplement the government’s efforts in moving forward the country.

Terming PKSF as a ‘world class’ organization, the Finance Adviser directed the PKSF officials and employees to deliver their best in maintaining such reputation.

He also mentioned that PKSF is a model institution and other entities of the country should follow the PKSF in terms of its honesty and transparency.

He said with the passage of time, PKSF has grown alongside its associate organizations and this is the convenience of an institution.

The Finance Adviser said earlier the donors used to inquiry whether the NGOs are partners of the PKSF before lending their support.

Dr Salehuddin said that various sorts of indiscipline were created in different sectors over the years while the interim government has been trying to restore those.

 “We’re trying our best, but things are not easy…”

Turning to the issue of carrying out reforms in various sectors, he said that the interim government has been carrying out short-term reforms and want to the keep a ‘footprint’ to the successive political government on which they would move forward and thus carry out the long-term reforms.

Dr Salehuddin, also a former central bank governor, said that he was very much delighted that the operations and coverage of the PKSF have increased a lot.

Speaking on the occasion as special guest, Badiur Rahman said if the country could not pick up its pace in science and ICT in line with the global standards, then it would not be possible to move forward much ahead through only poultry and cattle farming.

Lauding the role of the country’s womenfolk in moving the country ahead, he said the womenfolk can create a miracle and it is a matter of pride and happiness.

He also urged all concerned to deliver their utmost efforts from their respective positions in building the nation.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan said that a sustainable, well-groomed and innovative organization is needed for any country, adding that PKSF is such kind of an organization.

Since its inception in 1990, the PKSF has been providing multipurpose financial and non-financial support to some two crore poor and underpreveiledged families through some 200 associate organizations across the country.

Four beneficiaries of the associate organizations of the PKSF highlighted their experiences at the event. Besides, a documentary was screened over the overall operations of the PKSF.

Secretaries of different ministries and divisions, chief executives of the associate institutions of PKSF and other officials were present.