The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Minister AMA Muhith Monday said an executive order on submitting wealth statements by Ministers and MPs would be in place by the first week of next month, if not by the end of this month, as part of the government's pre-election commitment to ensure transparency.

"A draft on the regulation has already been prepared and it would be placed in the Cabinet at any time for approval," he told reporters after a meeting with visiting Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation Berd Koenders at the Finance Ministry.

"Submission of wealth statements by the Ministers and MPs would not require a law," he said.

Replying to a question, Muhith said, "The wealth statements would help us understand how much wealth a Minister or MP has got before or after completion of his or her tenure in the government and parliament."

Replying to another question, he said the loan defaulters, whoever he or she may be, would not be able to escape. He added that the intention of the government has already been reflected as a list of loan defaulters has been placed in parliament.

He said the bankers are substantially responsible for the sick industries as they did not consider the fact that the projects established with bank loans need working capital for their operations. "We're trying to get back at least the principal amount of the loans to the sick industries," he said.

The Finance Minister said the big loan defaulters having sick industries will have to say good bye through paying back the principal amount of their loans.

He, however, does not apprehend fresh loans to become default as the banks are now aware about it and heading towards Basel-II compliance.

Turning to his meeting with the Dutch Minister, Muhith said Berd Koenders expressed satisfaction that the systematic reform with computerization would contribute towards reducing corruption.

The Dutch Minister also appreciated the list of defaulters as it is not a politically motivated one, he said.

About whitening black money, he said they (foreign diplomats) have been a bit critical, but now they are satisfied as they welcome any effort to expand tax base.

He said Berd also appreciated the awareness level of people here about the development of the country and spoke about a bright future of it. "I informed him (Berd) that it's very easy to aware our people."

Muhith said the Dutch Minister appreciated the dynamic rural economy and stressed the need for making it environment-friendly for sustainable growth.

He said the Dutch Water Resource Minister is accompanying the Development Minister in the Bangladesh visit "to see our water management projects".