Terming the massive victory of Awami League (AL) led grand alliance as good for economy, leading academics, economists, business leaders and bankers on Monday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should give special attention to implement its election pledges to keep up the country’s development spree.
They suggested proper implementation of the commitments made in the election manifesto, saying the victory of AL will help maintain the rising trend of the economy and development in the country.
In the 11th parliamentary election, the AL-led grand alliance secured 288 seats, while Jatiya Oikyafront and its key component BNP bagged seven. The ruling Awami League won a massive victory with 259 seats.
In the manifesto for the election, AL focused on 33 sectors to work under two strategic plans for making Bangladesh a hunger and poverty-free country, and an educated and secular nation to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and millions of martyrs.
In the manifesto, AL set targets to increase the GDP growth to 10 percent in the next five years and create employment opportunities for 1.28 crore people during the period.
Taking to BSS, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said the election has strengthened democracy and the development process.
“In the election manifesto, AL promised to build a corruption free society for maintaining the development trend. Through the victory, AL has got opportunities to implement their commitment,” he added.
He said the huge public support to the AL reflects the great confidence of the people in the development activities of the last 10 years.
“The new government should start their works immediately to implement their election manifesto and develop the country as per their commitment,” he added.
Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working for betterment of the common people through implementing massive development programmes improving their socio-economic conditions and standard of living in last ten years.
“The election is positive for the country’s economy and development. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the AL-led government is establishing 100 special economic zones, Payra Port and different mega projects for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and creating employment opportunities,” he added.
As per the AL’s election manifesto, he said, “If we can remove corruption from all sectors, we will move forward to make the country an investment hub and achieve the goals, Vision-2021 and Vision-2041.”
Atiur said the victory will help achieve the higher and inclusive growth through ensuring transparency, integrity and technology friendly environment in all sectors of the country.
As per the AL pledges in the election, economist Dr Mustafa K Mujary said the victory will bring changes in all sectors including health, education, democracy and good governance.
He urged all to begin their works immediately for implementing the annual development programmes so that the new government can implement their targets.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the AL led grand alliance for achieving the absolute majority in the election.
He said the huge public-support reflects the great confidence of the countrymen in the ongoing democratic process and the mega development projects of the government.
He said formation of government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the consecutive third time will expedite and strengthen the development activities of the country.
Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) President and Dhaka Bank Managing Director Syed Mahbubur Rahman said the banking sector wants good governance in all sectors for sustaining the country’s development.
