Preparing simultaneously for JS, local govt polls: Yunus
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday that the interim government is simultaneously preparing for both the Jatiya Sangsad and local government elections.
The aim, he said, is to ensure that “local government is truly local and a government in practice.”
Professor Yunus shared these plans during a meeting with Nicola Beer, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.
The Chief Adviser highlighted the government's commitment to reform and its focus on holding transparent and efficient elections.
Nicola Beer expressed her support for the interim government’s reform agenda and assured assistance from the European Union (EU). "We back the Interim Government and its reforms,” she said, emphasising the EU's technical expertise in areas such as governance and development.
“If there is anything we can do, please let us know,” she added, commending the government’s visible efforts to implement its reform initiatives.
Professor Yunus described this period as an opportune moment for advancing critical issues. He sought EIB’s collaboration in tackling corruption, promoting renewable energy, and devising a comprehensive development plan for the Sundarbans mangrove forest, including its river system and surrounding areas.
Additionally, Yunus requested EIB support for developing Chittagong Port, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and benefit eastern Bangladesh, as well as neighboring areas in India and Myanmar.
He also emphasised the importance of improved water management in northern Bangladesh to address developmental challenges.
Professor Yunus recalled his earlier discussions with EU President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. Topics included fighting corruption and accelerating Bangladesh’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He also noted recent meetings with EU envoys where potential areas of cooperation were further explored.
The meeting was attended by Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhory, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky, and EU Ambassador Michael Miller, among others.
