Form Saarc Dev Bank as alternative to WB, IMF
Demand non-government organisations
Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a press conference yesterday called for forming Saarc Development Bank as an alternative to World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). They also demanded transparency in the overall process of loan sanctioned by WB and IMF. The press conference was organised by the Alliance for Economic Justice, Bangladesh (AEJB), a platform of 35 NGOs and civil society organisations at Dhaka Reporters' Unity Office in the city. The speakers also called for political commitment of both the government and the opposition ahead of the election for not taking any loan from WB and IMF after a certain period of time. They condemned WB and IMF for not fulfilling its commitments to poor countries including voting reform and the right of access to decision-making. The speakers urged the donor organisations including DFID not to consider WB and IMF as 'Intellectual and Implementation Gatekeeper' while financing in Bangladesh. Instead, they suggested bilateral negotiations. The speakers also slated police harassment in Singapore of Bangladesh representatives who went there to join the annual conference of WB and IMF from September 14 to 20. In a written statement Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, secretary of Campaign for Good Governance, condemned the double standard of WB Chief Paul Wolfwitz for the harassment of around 54 activists from 17 countries at Singapore airport. Executive Director of Voice Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Chairperson of Unnayan Anneshon Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Chief Executive Officer of Voice AHM Bazlur Rahman and Director of Faith and Hope Lutfun Nahar Runu also spoke on the occasion.
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