Inflation is much lower in Bangladesh than many countries: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said that inflation is much lower in Bangladesh than other countries including the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany and  Turkey, and even the neighbouring SAARC countries.

“The inflation is the highest in the USA in the last 40 years and it is 8.6 percent while it (inflation) is 9.1 percent in the United Kingdom, 7.9 percent in Germany, 17.1 percent in Russia, 73.5 percent in Turkey and 9.6 percent in the Netherlands in the 40 years.

On the other hand, the inflation is 39.1 percent in Sri Lanka, 13.8 percent in Pakistan and over seven percent in India,” he said.

The minister added, “The inflation was over six percent in our country till the month of May and currently it has increased to seven percent which has been published in today’s newspapers.

This low inflation in the country is only possible for Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The prices of commodities are decreasing gradually in the global market and we hope that we will benefit in one or two months.”

Haasn told reporters after unwrapping the cover of seven volumes on Padma Bridge-based news published by the Press Information Department (PID) at its auditorium at Secretariat in the capital, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Principal Information Officer Md Shahenur Mia was present there.

The minister urged BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to read the news as he was a teacher.

Replying to another query over a rally of BNP, Hasan said about 50 people were gathering and holding a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club. They gave such threats of movements many times in the thirteen and a half years, he said adding, but, the countrymen gave the opportunity to Awami League to run the state.

In fact, he said, such threats create mockery and there will be no benefit. The next polls will be held in proper time as per the constitution like all other parliamentary democratic countries including India, the UK, Continental Europe, Australia and Japan, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

He said polls will be held under the Election Commission and the present government will discharge its duty as polls-time government.

In the function, the minister extended thanks to the PID for publishing the book on Padma-based news.

He said the Padma is the most droughty river in the world after the Amazon River and there is no bridge on the Amazon River. It is a unique incident of constructing a bridge on the droughty Padma River, he added.

The minister said it is not only a bridge, it is a symbol of ability, pride and dignity of Bangalees. Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proved again that no bloodshed and conspiracy could stop her, he added.

He said the country is marching ahead through uprooting all obstacles and conspiracies under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh would reach its destination as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the country would turn into a developed nation by 2041, said Hasan.

He said Taka 53,000 crore was given as subsidy in the country’s power and energy sector in the last fiscal and the Premier’s directive on saving power is appropriate. The whole world is going through a recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war, he added.

He said electricity is being used cost-effectively in all countries across the world including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Even a message has been sent to all of the US a few days ago urging us to be economical while using power and energy, Hasan added.