Economist and trade body leader have hailed Awami League's (AL) election manifesto for the 12th Parliament Election, saying that the manifesto has covered all socio-economic sectors and its proper implementation would help build a smart nation by 2041.

 
Talking to BSS, economist Dr Atiur Rahman and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Mahbubul Alam said it is an inclusive and implementable manifesto and good governance and employment generation have been given due importance.
 
Economist Dr Atiur Rahman said it is a pragmatic, comprehensive, inclusive and implementable manifesto that would pave the country to be a smart one by 2041.

"It is a pragmatic, comprehensive and inclusive manifesto, which has covered every sector of the country, and it is easily implementable," he told BSS in a reaction over the AL's election manifesto this evening.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced her party's polls manifesto for 2024 general election, vowing to build a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 in the morning.

AL's promise to create employment has drawn mass attention in the context of the country's present condition as many higher educated youths are entering the job market every year, but they are facing acute shortage of job, Dr Atiur said.

If voted to power, the party in tits manifesto vowed to engage youth in the transformation and development of Bangladesh as employment opportunities will be expanded for work-worthy, qualified youth and youth, he added.

Dr Atiur quoted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that she said in her party manifesto that AL will continue to ensure that every village has all the facilities of a modern town where self-employment will be arranged in the village to reduce the tendency of the village youth to move towards the city.

To eradicate the employment crisis, the noted economist said, AL promised of taking a series of programmes, including formulating appropriate policies and programmes to build entrepreneurs, expand the small, medium, and cottage and handloom industries and giving training to youths.

As the inflation is a hot issue for now, former governor of the country's central bank 'Bangladesh Bank' said, Prime Minister has vowed to use monetary policy to control the inflation, which a laudable step indeed.
 
Noting that reducing inflation is not enough for its victims, Dr Atiur said to facilitate the people affected by the inflation, the AL also vowed to expand coverage of the social safety net programmes.

AL, in its manifesto, pledged to strengthen the country's banking sector by recruiting efficient manpower, he said, adding that at the same time the manifesto vowed take stern action against the loan defaulters, which will be acclaimed by the general people.

Another important aspect of the manifesto is setting a target to reduce the poverty rate to 11 percent from existing 18 percent, and reduce it to 3 percent by 2041, the renowned economist said.

AL's manifesto also focused on universal pension scheme to ensure social equality, especially for the underprivileged people, Dr Atiur said, adding that the manifesto also paid a special attention to the country's health sector.

Noting that declaring zero tolerance policy against corruption is a most important segment of the manifesto where the ruling party vowed to include the issue in textbook, he said it will win the hearts of the people.

The eminent economist lauded AL's pledges over using digital technology, ensuring electricity for all, handling the climate issues, taking the advantages of infrastructural connectivity and increasing inter-nation cooperation.
 
The manifesto also focused on women's status in the industries and ensuring labour rights as per the ILO convention, Dr Atiur said, adding that the comprehensive manifesto also promised to mainstream the transgender community into the mainstream development and mechanised the country's agriculture sector.

In his reaction, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam applauded the AL's election manifesto and said all points of the manifesto are helpful for building a smart nation by 2041.

AL's pledge to create employment is a big decision to mainstream the workable youths in the country's overall development, he said, adding that the promise of ensuring good governance will play a vital role in attracting investments in country's economic sector.

Pledge of building skilled manpower, smart citizens and smart economy will help the country to become a smart and developed nation by 2041, the president of the country's trade body said.

Mahbub said successful implementation of the AL's poll manifesto will help the country reach the expected height in terms of economic progress in the country.