BoI chief-CPD encounter

This is a matter of shame not only for our respected economists but also for the nation as a whole. We are to delve some depth to see where the wrong lies. Mr. Mahmudur Rahman said in the BBC interview that he was branded as a rajakar (collaborator) by the said CPD persons. Should we believe this? If the allegation is true then I question the sagacity of those respected economists.

Excellent commentary. I am extremely disappointed by the BoI chief and his recent actions. I had earlier some respect for him monitoring his activities via the media and his efforts to bring in FDI to Bangladesh. I thought he is a well-travelled gentleman and a pragmatic person.

Differing views and criticism are norms in any democracy, just come to the

USA and you will see cartoons of Bush and his team and constant barrage of differing views in the media and civil society. Folks even call Bush a liar. Do you see him go to the court and file defamation suit every time somebody says something? This is part of the package if you are a public figure. Everybody I talked to in LA was stunned by the events.

Reza, Los Angeles

Foreign investors are a lot more savvy and thorough than Mr. Mahmudur Rahman cogitates. While the packaged image of Bangladesh offered by BoI might attract passing interest, actual investment decisions are preceded by considerably more information gathering and analyses. In this regard the researches carried out by organisations such as CPD, TIB, et al provide a valuable service. While the findings might not always be hunky-dory, investors at least have the luxury of making an enlightened decision. Given a choice, investors would always prefer information to propaganda. In fact, propaganda rarely sways an investor.

Mr. Mahmudur Rahman has now inadvertently revealed more to foreign investors than planned. A wounded high-ranking official is a perilous entity. In its quest for vengeance this entity is nonchalant about compromising legal and institutional protocol. Patriotism currently seems to be the justification for pathological arrogance.

Kaiser Kabir, Banani, Dhaka