Highlights
- Energy Adviser claims rich people are those who take bank loans and don’t repay.
- Business leaders respond, saying government officials (amla) are also involved in money laundering.
- Comments were made at a BIDA event attended by top businesspersons.
- Business leader Nasim Monzur openly disagrees after the Adviser leaves.
Adviser Criticizes Crony Capitalism in Bangladesh
Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan said that the people who do not repay bank loans or pay their gas–electricity bills are actually considered “rich” in the country.
He made these comments on Thursday at an event arranged by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Dhaka, attended by around 50 top business leaders. The program was chaired by BIDA and BEZA’s Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun.
“Rich People Are Those Who Avoid Paying Loans and Bills”
The Adviser described the development of the private sector as crony capitalism, meaning a system where connections with the government help businesses grow. He said,
“আমাদের দেশে বড়লোক কারা? যারা ব্যাংকের ঋণ নিয়ে দেয় না। সম্পদশালী কারা? যারা গ্যাস বিল দেয় না, বিদ্যুৎ বিল দেয় না।”
Translation: “Who are the rich people in our country? Those who do not repay bank loans. Who are the wealthy? Those who do not pay gas bills, electricity bills.”
He added that he does not blame the private sector alone for this situation. He told,
“ক্রোনি ক্যাপিটালিজমের জন্য আমি বেসরকারি খাতকে দোষ দেব না, আপনাদের দোষ দিতে চাই না—সিস্টেমই ছিল এমন।”
Translation: “I will not blame the private sector for crony capitalism, I don’t want to blame you—this is how the system was.”
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Government Plans to Create More Opportunities
According to the Adviser, businesspeople usually grow their wealth through product manufacturing and innovation.
He added that the government will create more opportunities for the private sector in the coming days.
After finishing his speech, he left the venue for an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council.
Business Leaders Strongly Respond After Adviser Leaves
Right after he left, several businesspersons raised their hands to ask questions.
Apex Footwear Managing Director Syed Nasim Manzur spoke first.
He said that it is not only businesspeople who have become wealthy in Bangladesh—government officials are also involved. Said,
“উপদেষ্টা থাকলে ভালো হতো। বাংলাদেশে বিত্তবান কারা হয়েছেন—আমরা শুধু ব্যবসায়ীরা না, আমলারাও হয়েছেন। … টাকা পাচার আমলারা বেশি করেছেন। ব্যবসায়ীরা এ দায় নিতে চায় না।”
Translation: “It would have been better if the Adviser stayed. It’s not only businesspeople who have become rich in Bangladesh—government officials have too. … Government officials laundered more money. We businesspeople don’t want to take that blame.”
He then addressed Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur:
“ব্যবসায়ী যারা টাকা চুরি করে, গ্যাস চুরি, বিদ্যুৎ চুরি করে—তাদের ধরেন। ওনাদের দায় আমরা নিতে চাই না।”
Translation: “Take action against those businesspeople who steal money, steal gas, and steal electricity. We don’t want to take responsibility for them.”
Source: TBS
