Measures against 'big fishes' will be more visible: Salehuddin

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said that strict actions are being taken against major offenders in the financial sector, and the results will soon become more visible. 

"Once it becomes visible, you will see everything," he remarked during a press briefing after a meeting at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM) in Agargaon on Saturday (September 7).

Salehuddin emphasised that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will more easily identify money launderers, as the opportunity to whiten black money no longer exists.

On market manipulation, he said deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to take firm action against extortionists. 

"If extortion decreases, the prices of daily essentials should come down," he added. 

Duties on potatoes and onions have been reduced to help ease the price burden, but he stressed that the focus should not only be on Karwan Bazar; prices in other markets also need monitoring. 

"In Kawran Bazar, goods often change hands four times, which will be stopped," Salehuddin said.

He iterated that the government is adopting a strict stance against those manipulating the market.

Regarding the garment industry, the adviser shared that discussions are ongoing with factory owners, workers, and political parties to reduce unrest in the sector, expressing confidence that the issues will be resolved soon.

On the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, Salehuddin clarified that the focus is on commissioning the first unit before moving on to the second. "Let’s start one unit first," he said.