‘We are pulling economy back from edge of cliff’

The interim government has been striving to rescue the economy from the brink of collapse since taking office, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said yesterday.

"We are pulling the economy back from the edge of a cliff. Only those who have worked from within can fully understand the state of the economy at that time," he said.

"We've taken responsibility, not power," Ahmed  said.

His remarks came at the launch of his book "Governor's Memoirs" at the ICAB auditorium in Dhaka.

The event, organised by Bonik Barta, also featured a discussion on the book's themes and insights.

Speaking about his book, Ahmed said it not only covers his tenure as governor of Bangladesh Bank but also reflects on various experiences from his life.

The first edition of the book was published in 2019. This time, additional insights have been included, he said.

Economist Mahbub Ullah said Salehuddin's career depicted the power of education in achieving success.

"The book details his journey from a lower-middle-class background to policymaking roles, with no hesitation in sharing his story," said Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at Centre for Policy Dialogue.

Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir of Dhaka University said, "A governor must have an understanding of politics. Salehuddin Ahmed had a practical grasp of national politics, which aided him during his tenure."

Rushidan Islam Rahman, former research director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, former NBR Chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid, former banker and writer Faruk Mainuddin, and Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder also spoke at the event.