TBT DESK: Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday warned against economic misinformation and stressed the need for greater transparency, stronger auditing, and enhanced training for journalists and investigators to safeguard Bangladesh’s economic interests and bolster public trust.

He was speaking at the inauguration of academic programmes of the ERF Institute and a seminar on ‘Financial Transparency in Corporate Sector’ at the ERF auditorium in the capital.

The adviser criticised what he termed “clever manoeuvres” by certain actors to divert funds and siphon them abroad. He said these practices highlight the urgent need for robust oversight by Bangladesh Bank and other regulators, and for auditors to adopt more rigorous, evidence-based methods.

“The problem is not only that money moves, but that it moves in ways that evade ordinary scrutiny,” Dr Salehuddin noted.

Dr Salehuddin also cautioned that some media coverage amplifies narratives that can weaken institutions or empower authoritarian forces. He urged journalists to be constructive, fact-driven, and balanced in reporting.

“When we speak positively about what is working, that helps build confidence; reckless narratives do the opposite,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of investigative journalism, recommending short, practical training programmes focused on verification, analytical methods, and case studies. Journalism education, he argued, must highlight hands-on fieldwork — such as interviewing farmers, tracing supply chains, and validating statistics.

Calling for audits that “go beyond paper exercises,” the adviser said investigators must develop intuition and methodology to follow the money.

“Audit cannot be a paper exercise — it must verify where numbers come from and how they were generated,” he stressed.

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder lauded economists and financial analysts for shaping pragmatic fiscal policies, recalling how their recommendations influenced the government’s choice of a realistic budget amid inflationary pressures last year.

“We had initially thought of going for a larger budget, but based on your recommendations, we opted for a more realistic and relatively smaller budget. This credit goes to you,” he said.

He assured that expert opinions will continue to be valued in future fiscal planning.

Other speakers — including FRC Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan and ICAB President NKA Mobin — echoed the need for institutional discipline and rigorous verification systems.

The finance adviser praised the dedication and patriotism of professionals in both public and private sectors, calling for closer engagement between regulators, economists, auditors, and journalists.

“Accurate, constructive reporting and disciplined auditing must go hand in hand to support national development,” Dr Salehuddin concluded.