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workshop on Study and Strategy meeting of Climate Change & Debt Campaign in Bangladesh

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equitybd
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A two-day workshop is held on 17-18 Sept’2011 in Dhaka on the issue of future campaign strategy and actions on Climate Change and Debt & International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that is facilitated by Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator of JS-APMDD (Jubilee South Asia & Pacific Movement on Debt and Development). It is jointly organized by the JS (Jubilee South) network members of Bangladesh. Both local and national campaign organizations e.g., EquityBD, Humanity Watch, Bangladesh Krishak Federation, JS League, SUPRO along with its network members of district level, Unnayan Onneshan , VOICE and some independent campaigners and activists have participated in the workshop. See the following table for the details of participants.

Related Paper [Equitybd_Report on JS Workshop] [APMDD Campaign]

South Asia Social Forum to be held in Dhaka 18 to 22nd November

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 28th August 2011. Today through a press conference South Asia Social Forum (SASF) formally launched. The press conference held in CIRDAP auditorium at Paltan, where formal statement was read out by Professor Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University. Among other in press conference, were attended by Dr. Quazi Kholiquzzaman, Chairman , PKSF, Justice (Retd) Golam Rabbani, Cultural Activist Nasir Uddin Usuf, Rasheda K Chowdhury, CAMPE, Kushi Kabir, Nijera Kori, Hamida Hossain, ASK, Farah Kabir, Action Aid, and Ziaul Haque Mukta, Oxfam. The press conference was moderated by Hilal Uddin of Angikar Bangladesh, as Coordinator of SASF General Council.

Related Paper [SASF_Press_Release] [SASF Press Brief] [Video]

Transparency and Social Audit for Climate Action Plan Demanded

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 24th July 2011. Today in a seminar title “Climate Victim and Civil Society Opinions from Six Division, Bangladesh Climate Action Plan 2009, Participation and Coordination” civil society organizations has demanded Transparency and Social Audit in implementation of Bangladesh Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009. The seminar has jointly organized by Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) and Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) the two civil societies and right group network.

The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chief Moderator EquityBD; Chief Guest of the seminar was Dr. Hasan Mahmud, State Minister of Forest and Environment; Dr. Quazi Kholiquzzaman, Chairman, Polli Karma Sohayak Foundation (PKSF) speaks as Chief Discussant; two Member of Parliament (MP) Sohrab Ali Sana and Gias Uddin Ahmed, and Shamsuzzaman Dudu, adviser to the opposition party leader; Golam Mortoza, Editor Shaptahik; Rafiqul Islam, Chief Reporter New Nation; has also spoke on the occasion. Among others one climate victim Akther Kamal from Coxsbazar, who lost his land in Kutubdia island due to sea raise, Mehedi Hasan from Khulna a right activist working for the rights for Aila victims, Zakir Hossain from BAPA and Nagork Uddogue, Badrul Alam from Krishok Federation also spoke in the seminar.

Sayed Aminul Haque from EquityBD presented the key note, with five key recommendation, which includes need of high level political coordination, integration in 6th five year plan, institutional reforms of different government agencies for decentralized implementation and a demand for preparation of regional version of climate action plan.

In response to demand from civil society participants Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud mentioned that he will consider conducting half yearly such a dialogue on implementation of climate action plan and he also said that he will encourage social audit of different project implementation in this regard. He described and reiterated his commitment to go forward along with the participation from opposition party and civil society members for climate negotiation in international level and also for climate project implementation in the country.

Golam Mortoza, the Editor Shaptahik, questioned that some of the civil society or expert who are participating as a part of government negotiation team hardly working for interest of the country. Zakir Hossain of Naorik Uddogue demand full transparency and social audit of climate action plan project implementation. Rafiqul Islam of New Nation has expressed worried that climate fund hardly being properly utilized. Climate victim Akhter Kamal demanded especial attention should be given on climate forced displaced and migrate population in national level. Hasan Mehedi from Khulna raised question whether people from environment ministry has sufficient authority and capacity to coordinate the implementation.

Dr. Quazi Kholikkuzzaman of PKSF has reiterated that, BCCSAP is a living document, this has to be reviewed and revised, and he emphasized to develop people’s capacity through people participation and implementation with decentralized local government.

Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [BCCSAP Compile Report] [FGD Report_Agriculture]
[FGD Report_Infrastructure] [Presentation bccsap]

Climate funds under single autonomous board with democratic ownership have demanded

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 19th July 2011. Today in a press conference Campaign for Sustainable Livelihood (CSRL) and Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) the two network of right based civil society organizations in a press conference held in Dhaka Reporters Unity demanded full transparency of climate resilience fund, they have also demanded a single autonomous body to manage all donors and government fund on climate adaptation. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chief Moderator EquityBD, written statement read out by Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Coordinator EquityBD, Ziaul Haque Mukta Member Secretary CSRL has given detail elaboration of the position paper, among others Jibanondo Jayanta of SAF and Mohon Kumar Das of Leaders Bangladesh spoke on the occasion.

The climate resilience fund in fact BCCRF (Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund) is a multi donor’s trust fund, at present which has contribution of $ 128 million so far from UK, EU, Denmark and Sweden. According to the agreement with government of Bangladesh, although the fund is owned by Government of Bangladesh but for the time being it will be managed by World Bank, the bank will charge 1 % for this. Ten percent of the fund will be allocated for non government organization, which will be managed by Polli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). In last 19th May there was first meeting of BCCRF and first trench allocation has been announced, CSRL and EquityBD was making concern on that.

In the written statement CSRL and EquityBD has given give four specific demand i.e., (1) full transparency of project selection and approval process, they demanded website from three implementation agencies; (2) inclusion of four conditions as a built-in project implementation i.e., (a) corruption risk assessment, (b) information disclosure policy, (c) complain response mechanism, and (d) participation index; (3) full disclosure on detail modalities of building capacities of government with time line toward full ownership of the government, (4) full autonomy for PKSF in project implementation, with full disclosure on freeing from conflict of interest, finally (5) all climate fund should be brought under a single autonomous board with democratic ownership. The group criticize the present pattern of membership of government board which in fact mostly with government policy makers, they demanded a “democratic ownership” in this regard, i.e., the board should be with the participation of policy makers from both government, opposition, civil society, media, local government and climate victim representation.

Download Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English_press] [Position Paper Bangla] [Position Paper English]

Subsidy in Agriculture to Gain Food Self Sufficiency is a Must

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 14th June 2011. Today fifteen civil society organizations leaded by EquityBD has organized a rally in front of national press club, they criticizes Finance Minister for submission to IMF conditionality that has reduces subsidy in 2011-12 budget, government has been trying to receive $ 1 billion loan from IMF as a budget support, they mentioned that enhancing subsidy is a must to gain food self sufficiency. They reminded that gaining food self sufficiency in 2013 is in vision 2021 and in election manifesto of Awami League too that government should not back track from this promises.

The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD, while spoken by Abdul Majid Mollick of Bhumihin Somitee, SM Saikat of SIRAC Bangladesh, Shipra Rani Das of Kishani Shova, Feroze Ahmed of Lead Trust, Jibanondo Joyanta of Shurrakkha and Agragoti Foundation, Prodip Kumar Roy of On Line Knowledge Centre, and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD. The fifteen organizations are Arpon, On line Knowledge Center, Lead Trust, VOICE, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Manush Manusher Jonny, SIRAC Bangladesh, Shurakha and Agragoti Foundation, Karmajibi Nari, Prothikrit, DCI, Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood, Bangladesh Krishna Shove, Bangladesh Bhumihin Shomiti, and EquityBD.

In a statement fifteen organization has placed four specific demand which are (i) Finance Minister should enhance subsidy in agriculture, rather then reducing its, there must be road path on how to gain food self sufficiency in shortest possible time (ii) BADC have to be strengthen especially in respect of producing and preserving local seeds, (iii) keeping provision of compensation by Hybrid companies who market failed seeds, and (iv) detail reporting in budget on what are the agriculture research happening in the country and how much government is being allocating money in this regard.

Jibananda Joyanta of Shurakkha and Agragoti Foundation has mentioned that even adhering the WTO policy government can enhance subsidy around 10 % of total agriculture products, which is now around 1 % only. Abdul Majid Mollick of Bangladesh Bhumihin Shomiti mentioned that Awami League government has a profound fame for giving importance on agriculture, government should protect the fame. SM Saikat of SIRAC Bangladesh mentioned that, along with reducing agriculture subsidy government has also reduced budget in social safety net and also in health and population services, which is indicating that government gradually withdrawing from social welfare services.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Chief Moderator EquityBD has mentioned that, still developed countries is giving huge amount of subsidy in their agriculture, in USA it is in fact per day around $ 400 million, in Europe it is per day per cow around $ 6, as they have surplus products, they want to make Bangladesh as dumping ground for those. He reminded how USA manipulated Bangladesh government during 1974 in using food autarky situation, he also mentioned that how advance developing country like India shown dilly dally approach in selling 5 lac tons of food even after their commitment. He mentioned that without self sufficiency in food country will hardly be able to gain political and economical sovereignty in global politics.

Download Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Bangla Position Paper] [English Position Paper]

Revised VAT policy will create burden on poor

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 6th June 2011. Today in a seminar at national press club, title “Internal Resource Mobilization and Pro Poor revenue collection Strategies”, organized by EquityBD a network of civil society rights groups, speakers urged government to prepare pro poor and revenue mobilization policy and they urged government to review of its revised VAT (value added tax) policy as they expressed that the new VAT policy in fact ultimately create burden on poor. The seminar was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, while main speakers are member of the BNP standing committee Lt. Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman; Monoronjan Shil Gopal MP, Professor Md Ali Asraf and Tazul Islam two MPs, who also the members of parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry, Dr. Mahbub E Rashid of Health Rights Movement and Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, and prominent economic journalist Asjadul Kibria and Kawsar Rahamn have also spoken on the occasion. Sayed Aminul Haque of EquityBD has presented key note paper.

In key note presentation EquityBD mentioned that future government investment will be mostly dependent on internal revenue mobilization of government, while foreign aid flow is gradually shrinking, he mentioned that direct tax in revenue mobilization is 18 % while indirect tax contribution is 82 %, where VAT is a major part. He mentioned that in developing countries even in countries like in India and Srilanka, contribution of direct tax is around 70 %, 33 % and 31 % respectively. He urged that direct tax net should be expanded. At present only around 50 % TIN (tax identification number) holders are regularly paying taxes. It is also urged that government should take policy measures to bring the invisible economy in the surface which is around 37 % of GDP. Some audit firms assist corporate houses for tax evasion, EquityBD urged to make country’s audit firms more transparent and accountable. EquityBD mentioned that new revised VAT law which has drafted in view of IMF prescriptions contains 31 changes and in fact which will create burden on poor.

Dr. Mahbub E Rashid mentioned that, government tax policy in fact is not redistributive that there will be equity and justice in the class relation of the society. Asjadul Kibria gave several examples that tax policy has structural injustice that it discourage who are self employed, he also mentioned people who pay taxes from hard earn income they are deprived from services. Mahbubur Rahman of WBB Trust has gave an example that how 2 million floating people in Dhaka city pay higher amount for using public toilet with low quality services. He mentioned that foreign companies are getting tax relax facilities that they are repatriating a huge level of profit from the country.

Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahamn mentioned government must emphasized in reduction of corruption and different public expenditure so that there will be public confidence to pay taxes. He oppose enhancement of VAT expansion which is a regressive policy toward poor people. Monoranjan Shil and Tazul Islam two MPs stressed the need of internal resource mobilization as government need to be more responsive to its citizen, but they also acknowledge that poor entrepreneur in rural area should be exempted from revised VAT policies. Professor Asharf Ali MP acknowledged that tax and all other administration must be more transparent and accountable so that people will be able to realize that their money is being properly utilized, he gives emphasize on expanding tax net for direct tax rather then expanding VAT up to rural area.

Please Download Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position Paper Bangla]

[Position Paper English] [Bangla_presentation] [English_presentation]

Finance Minister is urged to Allocate Budget for TeleTalk, the Public Company

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 28th May 2011. Today fifteen civil society organizations leaded by EquityBD has organized a rally in front of national press club and express worries on monopolies of foreign companies in telecommunication sector, they have urged the Finance Minister to announce special allocation for the public company TeleTalk. The fifteen organizations are Arpon, On line Knowldege Centre, Aeso, SDO, MABS, Lead Trust, Prodip, Protikrit, BNNRC, Voice, Bangladesh Bhumihin Somiiti, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Manoush Manusher Jonny, Sirac Bangladesh and ACI. They have mentioned that telecommunication now like a basic human right and it is not a luxury any more, and it is also related to keep state sovereignty and security.

The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD, spoken by Rafiqul Islam Pothik of Protikrit, Zahidul Alam of BNNRC, SM Saikat of Sirac Bangladesh, Feroze Ahmed of Lead Trust, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somiti, Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Shipra Rani Das of Bangladesh Kishani Shova, Sayed Aminul Haque and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD.

The civil society group has drawn attention of the policy makers through a written statement, the group claim monopoly of foreign companies in telecommunication sector has four major problems, i.e., (i) a huge population now a days dependent on foreign companies for such services, if they stop service for any differences with government, then it will be a big problem and will have devastating effect, (ii) profit bills which have to be send to their country of origin is being paid in dollars, such a repatriation is a threat to dollar reserve of the countries, while we have priority to purchase food and other necessary items from abroad with these reserve, (iii) it is also a threat to the state security while all information being pass through the server of these companies, and moreover (iv) the foreign companies has a tendencies to intervene in our national policy decision through, through their Ambassadors and especially through World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation has mentioned that, foreign direct investment has done hardly any good for any developing countries, so here is a need for good competition for both public and private sector. Zahidul Alam of BNNRC has mentioned that, foreign companies look for profit, while we need to invest in our public company, which should look to minimize growing digital divide. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD has mentioned, as government announced massive plan for Digital Bangladesh in its vision 2021 and Six Five Year Plan then, and if there is no state sponsored infrastructure like Tele Talk mobile network, then whole financial benefit will go to the pockets of foreign mobile companies. Speakers urged Finance Minister to announce plan and allocation in budget 2011 -2012 to strengthen the public company TeleTalk in this regard.

Please Download Press Release [Bangla] [English] [Position Paper Bangla] [Position Paper English]

Initiate District Budget, Scrap Colonial Top down Process

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 21st May 2011. Today fourteen rights based civil society organizations, leaded by EquityBD
organized a rally in front of national press club urged Finance Minister to keep his promise which was
given in parliament last year and to initiate district budget, they mentioned the present budget
preparation as colonial top down process, they also said without District Budget there is no alternative
to achieve Vision 2021. Fourteen civil society organizations comprise Arpon, Ahish, Online
Knowledge Center, EquityBD, Eso, SDO, MABS, Lead Trust, Prodip, BNNRC, Voice, Bangladesh
Bhumihin Somiti, Bangladesh Krihsok Federation, and Sirak Bangladesh. The rally was moderated by
Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD, while it was spoken by Swapan Bhuiyan of Krishok Forum,
Subol Sarkar of Bhumihin Shomiti, Kalu Mondol of Krishok Federation, SM Saikat of Sirak
Bangladesh, Feroz Ahmed of Lead Trust, Dr. Sohel Iqbal and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD.
SM Saikat of Sirak Banlgadesh said that, present budget has no participation of people and even of
political leaders, there are no means that from district level people will be able to monitor this, and it is
one of the reasons that corruption being increased. Feroz Ahmed of Lead Trust mentioned the top
down process basically responsible of growing trend that which are responsible of increasing regional
disparity. Subol Sarkar of Bhumihin Somiti mentioned that Finance Minister hardly take any
participation or organize any consultation with Farmers, Finance Minister only take participation from
business people and urban elite, which is not a fair process in a democratic society.
Dr. Sohel Iqbal of EquityBD mentioned that at present in view of the legal regime it is the Prime
Minister and Finance Minster has the authority to prepare and made addition in the budget, even
Member of Parliaments has no authority. He urged to review the process.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, remind the Finance Ministry launched a concept paper in last
budget session title “Unified Budget and District Budget” with a course of action that during this
financial year there will be at least one district budget initiative in each of the division. He quoted the
concept paper that has mentioned that budget process must have to change if the government wants to
achieve vision 2021 and achieve 8 % growth by 2012-13. He urged Finance Minister to give
explanation in the parliament on this as the there are hardly any action on this. Mostafa Kamal
Akanada of EquityBD concluded the rally with three demands first Finance Minister must declare a
process of reform in budget process, second the Ministry must initiate district budget in view of its
concept note and third, government must ensure available information on sector wise allocation in
each of the district offices for mass monitoring.

Please Download Related Paper [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position Paper Bangla] [Position Paper English]

Autonomous Board with Democratic Ownership emphasized for Climate Trust Fund

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 26th April 2011. Today civil society rights group in a press conference held at national press club said that, transparent and effective use of climate trust fund which has been contributed from national revenue is a pre condition to draw attention of donors, they also emphasize to form autonomous board with democratic ownership like PKSF and IDCOL under the Forest and Environment Ministry to manage the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF). They have also caution the Ministry not to embark on outsourcing of the fund. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, while it was spoken by Ziaul Haque Mukta of CSRL (Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood); position paper was read out my Mahbub Hasan of Coastal Development Partnership. Other members of the group are On Line Knowledge Center, Arpan, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Bangladesh Kishani Sohva, and Center for Global Change, Development Center International, Lead Trust, and La via Campesina, Sirak Bangladesh, Uddipan and Voice. The press conference was also attended by Prodip Kumar Roy of On Line Knowledge Center, Abdul Kader Hazari of Arpan, Syed Aminul Hague and Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD. .

Ziaul Haque Mukta of CSRL mentioned that, there were only media reports on NGO funding which consists of 1.5 % of the total fund, there are hardly any reports on 98.5 % of funding to government projects, he demanded more detail information on those projects, which should be under media and public scrutiny.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD appreciated the Minister’s immediate response on media reports who has gives some how an assurance of reconsideration of the process. He also mentioned that while the Minister well coordinated all the government and non government groups for international negotiations, it is expected that he could also be taking considerations of all concerns in this fund management, that which should be an example of transparent, effective utilization both in country and abroad.

In the position paper / press statement thirteen organization leaded by CSRL and EquityBD has also mentioned that, while the present nature of fund management is “government ownership” i.e., being comprised of government minister, secretaries and bureaucrats, in contrast the democratic ownership means the participation of representatives from opposition, media, local government and civil society. The group has demanded four criteria of integration in all projects in this regard which are (i) corruption risk assessment, (ii) information disclosure policy in view of right to information, (iii) complain response mechanism and (iv) participation matrix.

Please Download Related Paper [Bangla press] [English press] [Position_paper]

Money Contraction and VAT Expansion Plan will be Devastating.

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equitybd
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Dhaka, 19th April 2011. Today thirteen right based civil society organizations leaded by EquityBD protested government plan to take 1 Bln $ loan and fulfillment of its conditionality, they urged government not to take the loan as such conditionality especially money contraction and VAT expansion are anti poor and anti country. The rally and human chain have held in front of national press club, participated by Arpan, Bangladesh Bhumihin Somitee, Bangladesh Ksihani Shova, Coastal Development Partnership, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, EquityBD, Lead Trust, La via Campesina Bangladesh, Media Foundation for Trade and Development, On Line Knowledge Center, Prodip, VOICE and Uddipan. The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD; other speakers of the rally are Ziad Iqbal Khan, Subal Sarkar, Syed Aminul Haque, Prodip Kumar Roy and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.

Zaid Iqbal Khan of Krishok Federation mentioned that, as government has already withdrawn bank ceiling on loan there will be reduce level of loan flow for long term investment and there by on new employment. And this will create new crisis. Subal Sarkar of Bhumihin Shamiti stated that, in line with IMF conditionality government will have reduce subsidy in fuel and fertilizers ultimately and there by it will create problem for farmers. Sayed Aminul Haque of EquityBD mentioned that, the country still has comfort level of remittance flow and export growth, import cost might has increased but even with WTO provision government can reduce import, thus government has no need of embark on IMF loan. Prodip Kumar Roy of On Knowledge Center stated that always IMF proposes Value Added Tax (VAT) expansions, in fact which always creates burden for poor people, government has plan to 26 % increase of VAT from next budget year and which is anti poor.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD mentioned that due to the IMF conditionality economic chaos and pauperization has created in the country like Chile, Zaire, Romania, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Latvia and Greece, he forecasted that may be Bangladesh will face the same situation by next years, and indications are already there. He demanded that the government must disclose all foreign debt agreements including of IMF and must place in the parliament. Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD has mentioned that IMF always create debt burden of a country, now Bangladesh has per capita foreign loan of $ 152, by the year 2014 which will be around $ 202, he demanded that the country must have a study on that how much the country has the capacity to take burden of new foreign loan of future. He urged government not to embark on IMF loan.

Please Download Related Paper [Bangla_press] [English_press] [position_paper_bangla]

[Position Paper English]

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