B Mirror Report: Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said the interim government has managed to keep the country’s economy relatively stable despite facing numerous challenges, warning that the next elected government will confront even more complex economic difficulties.
Speaking as the chief guest at Sonali Bank’s Annual Conference 2026 at the International Convention Center in the capital, he said the interim administration had taken steps to address immediate economic pressures, but tougher challenges lie ahead.
“The interim government has made efforts to maintain economic stability and overcome several obstacles. However, the challenges awaiting the next government are far more significant,” he said.
Dr Salehuddin acknowledged that the reforms implemented so far were not adequate, though they would provide some support to the incoming government. He stressed that future challenges must be addressed with greater prudence and strategic planning.
Advising Sonali Bank officials, the finance adviser urged them to uphold professionalism during the tenure of an elected government, cautioning that political pressure on banks is inevitable.
“You cannot always refuse directly. Instead, negotiation skills are essential, along with clear explanations of economic policies, banking regulations and audit requirements,” he said, emphasising dialogue and consensus in loan approval processes.
He also called on banks to give greater priority to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rather than large corporate groups, noting that SMEs are vital for employment generation. Loans to large businesses, he said, carry comparatively higher risks.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur attended the event as a special guest.
At the conference, Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury highlighted the importance of enhanced autonomy under the bank’s newly adopted PLC structure, stating that the board should be empowered to appoint and remove the managing director to ensure sound corporate governance.
Sonali Bank Managing Director Shawkat Ali Khan said the bank is targeting a reduction of its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio to 10–12 per cent this year, with plans to bring it down to single-digit levels next year. Once the NPL ratio reaches 9 per cent, he added, the bank will focus on expanding export financing.
Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek also addressed the inaugural session of the annual conference.
Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury presided over the event, which was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Sonali Bank.
