Thursday, February 16, 2006

[Bangladesh] Better ties with donors stressed to cut poverty

from The Daily Star

Staff Correspondent

Eminent economists, civil society members, business leaders and development partners at a roundtable in the city yesterday stressed a broader and deeper partnership between Bangladesh and its development partners for poverty alleviation and sustainable growth.

They suggested giving the poor access to resources through equity share and ownership, removal of trade barriers, free movement of workers and duty free access of goods from developing countries to developed ones.

The government should adopt a visionary approach for removing poverty and steering the nation forward. And development partners should increase the flow of assistance to Bangladesh, the speakers said.

The Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK and The Daily Star jointly organised the roundtable in preparation for a high level conference in London on March 6-7.

Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam moderated the roundtable held at CIRDAP auditorium, and Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad presented the keynote paper on "Tackling poverty: The role of development partnerships."

Participating in discussion, eminent economist Prof Rehman Sobhan placed some specific suggestions for tackling poverty in the country. Poverty could not be alleviated through mere rhetoric, he observed.

Prof Sobhan proposed giving poor people equity share and ownership of assets. His suggestions include upgrading micro financing banks into macro financing ones, establishing 60 high standard educational institutions at upazila level and incorporating a provision in the EU (European Union) rules to ensure equity share for the workers.

He said the development partners could play an important role in giving equity share to the workers of the company which gets duty free and quota free access to the European markets.

The provision could be included in the existing EU rules regarding generalised system of preference (GSP) to the least developed countries, under which products excepting arms (EBA) can enter Europe duty free, he pointed out.

The economist also urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to take an initiative to provide support to enterprises for divesting equity.

He suggested the government to offer financial support to small tea gardens for setting up a unit for processing tea as their products now sell well below the market price.

Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman said the Asian nations also should tell the world its wonderful success stories so that other countries can benefit from it.

He however expressed concern over inequality and insecurity of growth. "We need unhindered fruits of growth".

He noted that after overcoming some extreme poverty problems, Bangladesh is now poised to address new types of challenges.

In his welcome address, David Wood, country representative of the DFID, said Bangladesh is no longer aid-dependent and it is time to develop a new kind of partnership with the development community that goes beyond traditional donor-recipient relations.

These new partnerships will be 'longer-term and broader-based,' he said. They might cover issues such as trade, climate change, reform of international organisations, migration and private sector finance as well as donor projects and programmes.

Wood further said Bangladesh is in a position to move away from being dictated by its international development partners, and towards a broader and deeper development relationship.

He pointed out Bangladesh's successes in different fields including macro-economic stability, positive economic growth for 30 years, expansion of micro-finance and vast network of NGOs.

Primary school enrolment is approaching 100 percent, which is one of the highest rates particularly for girls, in the developing world. Bangladesh also achieved success in health sector and in bringing down infant and child mortality faster than in any other developing country, Wood said.

According to him, the existing relations between Bangladesh and donors have been evolving with the completion of the poverty reduction strategy and hosting of the PRS implementation forum late last year.

The London conference would give an opportunity to share ideas on how to accelerate poverty reduction in Asia.

In his keynote paper, Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA), said poor governance in Bangladesh is a much-discussed issue. There is a lack of transparency and accountability while corruption is pervasive both within the government and in various sectors of the economy and in the society.

Bangladesh can make use of various types of virtuous partnerships towards accelerating poverty reduction but it needs to dismantle the vicious ones which promote corruption, mismanagement, and extremism in the country, he stressed.

The country achieved a respectable annual average 5.3 percent GDP growth since mid-1990s but it is certainly not high when compared to East Asian tigers and China, he mentioned.

The BEA president noted that the growth achieved has however been lopsided and income distribution has in fact steeply worsened. Even if income distribution is improved, it is necessary to accelerate economic growth to gear up poverty reduction, he observed.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, managing director of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), said Bangladesh's economy has grown five to six percent a year but this is not enough. He stressed increased foreign investment in the country.

But inadequate infrastructure including power and transportation, and inefficient operation of Chittagong port are some of the constraints to increasing investment, he said.

Former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan said the government needs in house financial and legal expertise for human resource development for foreign investment and job creation. He also emphasised free movement of labourers for job opportunities.

A section of government officials welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI) but many others discourage it, he pointed out.

The second generation of Bangladeshis in the UK who run around 10,000 restaurants should come forward for a meaningful partnership in taking the country forward, he felt.

Nasreen Huq, country director of Action Aid, said, "We have enjoyed a modest five percent economic growth but there is still a huge gap and children are facing extreme malnutrition due to poverty."

Wrapping up the discussion, Mahfuz Anam said administering a country is a serious business and it requires experience, honesty, commitment and expertise.

"Our ministers and high-level policy makers must acquire knowledge and expertise to run their respective ministries. Giving speeches, making commitments and talking about big plans do not make a country grow," he observed.

In a modern world, Mahfuz Anam noted, governance has become a highly technical affair for which technical qualities must be acquired.

Participating in the open discussion earlier, Angela Gomes, executive director of Banchte Shekha, said, "Poor women do not have any idea how they can export their products and they lack technical skill. We have to find out areas where we can develop know-how and technology. "

A Rouf Chowdhury, director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said Bangladesh has succeeded in securing new markets but it is facing supply constraints.

"We should pursue movement of skilled and semi-skilled manpower though most of the European Union countries are not in favour of it," he said. "But UK is different from others where we have a significant number of our population, and it is a solid ground for us."

Quazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Planning Commission member, said there is a lack of appropriate data in analysing overall poverty situation in Bangladesh. The situation is similar in many other countries.

Hua Du, country director of the ADB, said aid should facilitate trade, and developing countries should be in the driving seats for formulating policies. "This is a partnership and new partnership has started to get a shape."

Talea Rehman, executive director of Democracy Watch, underscored improving the quality of education and a proper monitoring system for it.

The poor will remain poor unless governance is improved, she said.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

SUB : AN APPEAL FOR JUSTICE TO SAVE FROM OPPRESSIVE LAWS

Dear Sir,
From 1972 after independent, Bangladesh Nationals started to establish Industries investing family resources ,adopting innovative technology as self earner , to create jobs for millions of unemployed as well to achieve Economic Freedom when almost everything was damaged due to Liberation War.Commonly know as1st ( first ) Generation Industrial Entrepreneur of Bangladesh
Government also started to help these fast growing PRIVATE SECTOR INDUSTRIES AS IMPORT SUBSITUTES and for EXPORT having fund from International Loan Giving Agencies which were distributed through different Banks from 1979 .
Unfortunately the Owners of these Industries became helpless victims of deep rooted conspiracy and Anti Propaganda. The Bank officials refrain themselves from ascertaining production capacity of imported machineries and to provide required working capital loan in time extending non-cooperation harassment, negligence and fraudulent activities. And all these have been done willingly just to jeopardize the Government Industrial policy as well to terrorize the Owners of Industries of Private Sector finally to occupy the Mortgage Properties of the owner of the Industries under Private Sector.
Due to such activities Hundreds and Thousands of Industries were destroyed by Bank Officials and Policy Maker.
Over and above capitalizing the Illiteracy, Ignorance and Extreme Poverty of Vast Majority Bangladesh Citizens of our people , every things were forced upon the Owner of the Industries of Private Sector in co-operation with their alliances who are busy to convert Bangladesh a Bottom less Country.
Due to which most of the Industries have became in-operatives and have lost their Cash Capitals, Expatriate Capabilities and became helpless victims of oppressive laws.

In 1992 & 1996 Government of Bangladesh identified and registered many Industries as SICK INDUSTRIES declaring not as Defaulter of Bank Loan but victims of Violation of Contract , Negligence , Fraudulent or Malpractices of Bank Officials. And Policy Maker due to Lack of Accountability. And the matter of Lack of Accountability at every stage of Bangladesh is no more a hidden Matter.
THE HELPLESS OWNERS OF INDUSTRIES ARE LOOKING FOR JUSTICE, BUT THE DOOR OF JUSTICE ARE CLOSED Due to Enactment of a Law Know as ARTHA RIN ADALAT ACT ( Bank Loan Recovery Act ) on 1989 which were also amended on 2003 and 2007 . Bank Ruptcy Acts were also enacted on 1997 treating the Owners of Industries under Private Sector like as Slave of Colonial Period WHEN THE HANDS OF THE PRODUCER AND TECHNICIAN OF MOSLIN FABRICS ( which were only produced in Bengal of undivided INDIA) were cut down to stop production of Finest fabrics by Bengali Technicians and Producer.
But surprisingly the ARTHA RIN ACT are not applicable for Nationalized or State Sector .where BILLIONS OF DOLLARS are spend till today without any accountability.

Out of Total of outstanding defaulted Bank Loans, about 60 to 70 % lying with Nationalized / State Sector and less then 10 % are lying with Small and Medium sized Industries of Private Sector of Bangladesh. And Bank Official can explain well about the remaining of the Defaulted Loan Amount.

THE LAW OF TORTS & LAW OF CONTRACT ARE MOST COMMON, BUT APPLICATION OF THE SAME HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED IN BANGLADESH .
Due to which BANGLADESH HAS BECOME A HEAVEN FOR REPRESSION / EXPLOITATION forcing the process to increase Poverty line in geometric ration and helping to increase of Lawlessness by large.
The Owners of Industries of Private Sector can not claim any set - off or compensation on the same suit as filed by BANK OFFICIALS or THE LOAN GIVING AGENCIES for Loan Recovery under Artha.Rin Act . for VIOLATION OF CONTRACT , NEGLEGENCES , Malpractices of Bank officials / Policy Maker.
AS A RESULT NUMBER OF SICK / DISTRESSED INDUSTRIES are increasing in every year due to complete lack of accountability of Bank Officials and Policy Maker .
BANK OFFICALS / LOAN GIVING AGENCIES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TOTAL INDEMNITY OF LAW for violation of contract , negligence, Fraudulent Activities , . These have been done to hide out existing high profile malpractices and corruptions as per opinion of Expert Personals.

The Owner of Industries of Private Sector have no Legal Right to protect themselves from the oppression of Bank Officials & Policy Maker and these are no more hidden matter ,rather a part of the on going conspiracy to make Bangladesh a Bottom Less Basket.
Although in all other Country of Asia , Europe or USA ,even in our neighboring country INDIA where there is LAW FOR LOAN RECOVERY KNOWN AS DEBT RECOVERY TRIBUNALS ( DRT ) where the Owner of Industries or all other borrowers are allowed to claim Set off or Compensation in same suit and same court.
But in BANGLADESH Owner of Industries or Other Type of Borrowers of Bank Money are completely deprived of any such opportunity rather provision have been to hide out corruption , negligence, fraudulent activities of Bank Officials as per opinion of Expert Personals giving TOTAL INDEMNITY OR LICIENCE FOR UNENDING CORRUPTION OR MAL PRACTICES .,
And Owner of Industries or Borrowers of Bank loans are completely deprived of any type of JUSCTICE. Common people are facing another type of repression UNDER CERTIFICATE CASE for realization of Government Taxes . small loan of farmers , weavers etc ,
Industrial Entrepreneurs can only file a separate suit for compensation in a separate Civil Court which will be a matter of life long litigation .with no result .
As per Artha Rin Act nothing can be raised against the Order or Decree of Artha Rin Court to Higher Court and also without Payment of 50 % of the suit value or Decretal Amount,
The door of appeal or revision are closed denying the Legal right of Owners of Industries. As per Sections 12, 12 ( kha) , 18(2) & (3) , 19, 20,21,34,40,41,42,44, 47 and 50 of Artha Rin Act.
And these are contradiction of ARTICLE 8, 15, 26, AND 27 of BANGLADESH CONSTITUTION AND THE GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL POLICY AS ADOPTED TIME TO TIME .
There are no other alternative way , but to draw the attention of concern authority of Bangladesh including PATRIOT INTELLECTUAL PERSONS AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO help for restoring EQUAL RIGHT for JUSTICE . and to help to Protect the Owner of Industries including Workers and other supporting Staffs who are already in Distressed Condition due to lapses of Policy Maker an Bank Officials and of the Oppressive Laws .
And to help to restore the accountability in all organizations including BANKS & other Loan Giving Agencies for the greater Interest of Nations please Circulate our humble appeal among Honorable Members , Partners of your organizations or in your News Bulletins and in Printed or Electronic News Media for Transmission this appeal among all organizations working for HUMAN RIGHT , DEMOCRATIC RIGHT and to PREVENT LEGAL ABUSE and OPPRESSIVE LAWS and also to consider the followings :

1-. Humble Appeal before the Government of Bangladesh to allow Owners of Industries to claim SET OFF or COMPENSATIONS for Negligence , Violation of Contract , Fraudulent or Malice Activities when the Bank Officials file any suits for recovery of Loan similar to DRT ( DEBT RECOVERY TRIBUNALS OF INDIA )

2- Considering the heavy Loss / Damages of Government Registered & Identified SICK INDUSTRIES of 1992 & 1996 of Private Sector may be allowed 100 % weaver withdrawing Pending all Suits for recovery of Loan unconditionally as their Loan have already been Written Off.

3- The Existing System of Mortgaging of Landed Properties .for Sanctioning Loan need to be completely abolished .to remove ever growing corruption , malpractices and fraudulent Activities which exist in Banking Sector and are open matter as like day light , rather much Proven Facts under Government Policy of Economic and Administrative Reforms immediately. For allowing rapid Industrialization of Bangladesh

4- All pending suits in Atrha Rin Court may kindly be transferred to Civil Commercial Court abolishing Sections 12, 12( kha) , 18(2) & 18(3), 19,20,21,34,40,41,42,44,47 and 50 of Artha Rin Acts including Sections 28 ( Ks) of banking Company Acts Creating Opportunities similar to other countries or DEBT RECOVERY TRIBUNAL S OF our big neighboring countries for the end of JUSTICE.

5- And to take immediate steps to abolish the system of CERTIFICASE CASE which are nothing but abuse of LAW and worst one like that of COLONIAL RULE .

Suffering Groups of Owners of Industries of Bangladesh.