IMF meets BNP, discusses financial and social reforms

The IMF team, led by Chris Papageorgiou, its Bangladesh Mission chief, held the meeting at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury led the four-member party delegation.

The other members were BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council members Md Ismail Zabihullah and Dr Ziauddin Hyder, and BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed.

Sayrul said both sides discussed the preliminary findings of the IMF’s ongoing mission review report.

“The key issues of discussions included value-added tax (VAT) harmonisation and the reduction of exemptions under a new technical assistance programme, increasing corporate tax to improve the GDP-to-tax revenue ratio, reforming the banking sector, and raising social sector spending, which the BNP delegation highlighted as one of the party’s key policy priorities,” he said.

Sayrul said the BNP delegation stressed that reforms in the financial, tax, and social sectors are essential to ensure sustainable economic stability in Bangladesh. “They said the BNP believes that long-term growth is not possible without an accountable and transparent financial management system.”

He said the IMF team appreciated the BNP’s reform-focused policy priorities and constructive approach, reports UNB. 

The meeting ended with both sides expressing hope for continued policy dialogue and greater cooperation in the future, Sayrul added.