Dhaka: Highlighting that maintaining economic stability and strengthening further the financial and banking sector are the priorities of the government in economic fronts, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed today stated that the interim government aims to transform Bangladesh into a ‘welfare-oriented’ state. ‘The aim of the government is that Bangladesh becomes a ‘welfare-oriented’ state. this doesn’t only mean providing food support or development of roads, but also encompasses a wide range of areas like ensuring security, pensions, jobs, and health,’ he emphasized.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Finance Adviser made these remarks while addressing a function marking the launch of the ‘UPension App’ of the National Pension Authority. The event was held at the Finance Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat, where Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder presided over the ceremony. NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek participated as special guests.
The Finance Adviser underscored the priorities of maintaining economic stability and further strengthening the financial and banking sectors while also focusing on developing the capital market. He highlighted the need to address issues in the insurance sector. Dr. Ahmed mentioned that by December, the National Board of Revenue would be divided into two separate divisions, ensuring efficient operations.
Regarding the pension schemes, Dr. Ahmed described the initiative as a promising attempt, stating, ‘We’ll try to resolve the issues that need to be fixed as quickly as possible, and the common people need to be convinced that they will benefit from such schemes.’ He acknowledged the initial steps taken but expressed optimism about future returns.
Speaking about the app’s launch, the Finance Adviser commended the Pension Authority for its efforts, suggesting that the app should be made more user-friendly for pensioners. He also touched upon the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW), which provides businesses with a streamlined process for obtaining licenses and certificates, underlining the need for similar developments in education and health sectors.
Dr. Ahmed emphasized the importance of skills development for employment generation, highlighting the gap between industry and academia. He criticized the lack of investment in research and development by local businessmen, noting the government’s challenges if overburdened with all responsibilities.
In response to questions, Dr. Ahmed discussed the potential inclusion of university teachers in the universal pension scheme and addressed concerns about black money, indicating efforts to curb its creation and prevent it from being siphoned abroad. He assured that the Ministry of Finance is supporting law enforcement to maintain order and facilitate the upcoming elections.
Finance Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder announced the government’s target to include all public servants under the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS). He noted the similarity to India’s universal pension system, expressing gradual intentions to achieve comprehensive coverage. Since its inception in 2023, approximately 375,000 individuals have enrolled in the UPS.
Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority Md Mohiuddin Khan also spoke at the event. The Universal Pension Scheme offers accessible registration through the website www.upension.gov.bd, allowing payments via Online Banking, Credit/Debit Card, and Mobile Financial Services. The available schemes include Probash, Progoti, Surakkha, and Samata.