Bangladesh's economy is now very big. After 55 years, the country's economy has grown significantly. Our population has increased. In 1971, the population was only 75 million; now it stands at more than 180 million. As the economy has grown, so has corruption and various disasters. On the other hand, various natural disasters have increased in frequency. There has been a new, terrible fear of earthquakes.

So the country's economy is in various problems. New elections have come. After a long 18 years, people have the right to cast their own votes on February 12, 2026. A new government will come. New challenges await this new government.

The World Economic Forum's (WEF) recent global risk assessment identified crime and illicit economic activities and geo-economic conflicts as the first and second biggest risks to Bangladesh's economy this year.

The new government faces many challenges. I have brought some of them up for discussion for the benefit of the reader.

Inflation: According to the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), inflation is the third risk to the country's economy. Due to inflation, the cost of living of people has increased, real income has decreased. In business and trade, the cost of producing industrial goods has increased.

Production costs have increased excessively. Banks in the country have increased interest rates. But this does not seem to have much impact on market prices. The price of goods is increasing.

Economic Risk: The risk is the country's economic slowdown. After the fall of the dictatorship on August 24, the economy suffered a major setback. There is practically no investment in the country. On the other hand, the government is disoriented under pressure from foreign debt. However, it is moving forward by coping with it. Bad debts, rising interest rates, worker dissatisfaction, a new credit shortage, and a shortage of skilled workers have brought the country's economic activity to a near standstill.

Interest on loans: The interest rate on loans is excessive. The previous government took foreign loans for various domestic and foreign projects, and repayment of those loans, along with interest, has emerged as a big challenge today. The future elected government will have to deal with this additional debt pressure efficiently; otherwise, the country's and people's development will be stuck under it.

Corruption: Corruption and bribery have become the norm at every level of this country. No government office file can be processed without bribery. Even in the import-export sector, if bribes are not paid at every stage, paper approval is not obtained. This bribery trade must be stopped. To do this, this reform must start from the heads of society and the state. I will not accept bribes myself, I will not commit irregularities myself - I must come forward to fulfill my responsibilities. On the other hand, strict enforcement of the law against corruption, bribery and irregularities must be shown. Equal application of the law for all is essential in this regard. The new government must accept this challenge. For this, the DDU must be made as neutral and effective as possible. It must work with an eye on government employees. The DDU must be given the opportunity to work independently. Only then will it be easy to face this challenge.

Law and order: Law and order in the country is still not able to play an effective role. The police force needs to be reorganized. New police and police officers need to be appointed. In the case of appointment, qualified, honest, skilled, and patriotic youth should be recruited into the police force quickly after verification.

Geopolitics and India context: International market restrictions, tariffs, and investment restrictions have affected the country's exports and investments. This is weakening the country's economy and will bring new challenges for the new government. All these problems must be identified, and steps must be taken in advance.

India is our close neighbor. On three sides, India and Burma. On the other side of the ocean, we cannot escape India's influence. We have to conduct strategic politics with India. Our foreign policy has to be based on strong capabilities. We have to adopt a diplomatic strategy that prioritizes the country's interests while maintaining friendly relations.

Investment and Employment: Every year, more than 1 million educated youth in the country are waiting to enter the workplace in search of jobs. Currently, millions of young men and women are unemployed. It can be said that there has been no domestic or foreign investment for the past 2 years. Banks are empty of money. They have lost the ability to invest, and the autocratic government has taken the country's money abroad. Therefore, the challenge for the next government is to create employment for skilled youth. Due to the shortage of gas and electricity, investors have lost their enthusiasm for investment. Many industries are sick today due to the lack of gas and electricity. Many industrial establishments are closing down due to banks' lack of cooperation. Already, thousands of factories have closed. To face this ongoing challenge, the interim government has nothing to do except impose a conference tax.

No. Who do they think controls the bureaucrats: The bureaucrats of the country run the country. Their power is too much. Their hands are too big. The bureaucrats want to pay anyone a price, they are the owners of ten in the country. The bureaucrats are skilled in the bribery trade. The bureaucrats are the owners of the house in Begum Para. More. The new high salary structure proposal has made the bureaucrats' eyes wide. Why did the interim government go to implement the government that was saved by making a high salary proposal, it is difficult to understand. The bureaucrat problem cannot be solved without a competent and talented cabinet in the new government. They are qualified. The public representatives are not qualified. Is it a conspiracy to keep the public representatives in mind? Skilled, Lara thinks the bureaucrats. So. I don't understand. Whomever

Bureaucrats influence decisions. They work slowly when necessary. They hold files when necessary. Controlling and managing bureaucrats is a big challenge for the next government.Begum Khaleda,

the efficient Finance Minister and Governor of Bangladesh Bank, introduced the VAT system. Zia's government. At that time, the late Saifur Rahman was the Finance Minister. The late Shah Abdul Hannan was working at the secretary level. The three people are not with us today. But they have prepared the foundation of the country's economy. In that continuity, the election of the new government's Finance Minister and the appointment of a skilled, honest, and trustworthy Bangladesh Bank Governor are very important tasks. The interim government is carrying out several reforms in the banking and financial sectors. Many reforms are underway. The vicious circle has destroyed the banking sector. The incoming government must be very careful so that the bank exploiters do not get the opportunity to destroy the country's economy again under the umbrella of the political government. The banking and financial sectors must be kept away from politics. Politics and the economy must run in sync. However, they must extend their hands of cooperation without hindering each other's pace.

July Uprising and Reforms: On 5 August 2024, the autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi, India, in the student uprising. On 8 August 2024, the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took over the responsibility of running the country. From the quota movement, the anti-discrimination movement, and later the movement against discrimination, corruption, and irregularities took shape in one go. During the July movement, the youth, student societies, working people, and people from all levels of society came together. To achieve that objective, the interim government took the initiative to move the country forward through this more reform commission. The nation will give its verdict on 12 February through a yes-no vote. Moving forward and implementing the reform initiative is the main and one of the main challenges of the new government.