The New Nation - Internet Edition

Since Independence our governments have taken colossal amount of foreign loans from various countries and international organisations.

But unfortunately, we have never heard of any accountability and transparency of the foreign loans for last 37 years.

We are disappointed and shocked that not even a single government in power has ever published any comprehensive report or white paper on our foreign loans intentionally or due to negligence of duty and inefficiency.

We strongly feel it is imperative that our government in coordination with our Ministry of Finance and Bangladesh Bank may publish a comprehensive report white paper on our foreign loans for the period from the financial year 1971-1972 to 2006-2007 yearwise for information of the members of public in our greater national interest without further delay.

The comprehensive reporter white paper on our foreign loans may include the following information:-

1) Year of the report 2) Name and period of government in power 3) Amount of foreign loan received and from which country/organisation 4) Amount of foreign loan spent and on what purpose/work 5) Amount of loan interest paid to the loan giving country/ organisation 6) Balance of loan in hand 7) Total amount of loan outstanding since our Independence 8) Remarks, if any.

Would our Chief Adviser, Caretaker Government Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, former Prime Ministers Sk. Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia, Financial Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam and Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed kindly look into the relevant matters and kindly take necessary action in the interest of public service?

O.H. Kabir

Dhaka