Chief adviser seeks UNDP's support for reforms

The Press Release was first published in The Daily Star. Click here to read the original publication.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today sought the support of the United Nations Development Programme to carry out vital reforms in wide-ranging areas such as judiciary, police, election commission, tax administration and land registration.

The chief adviser said the interim government was committed to carry out vital reforms in Bangladesh's key institutions to hold a free, fair and transparent election and help people truly enjoy the benefits of the "student-led revolution".

The 2006 Nobel Peace laureate made the comments when the UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller paid a courtesy call on the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

Professor Yunus said Bangladesh immediately needs far-reaching digitalisation efforts -- including designing simple solutions -- in tax and land administration sectors so that a citizen can pay taxes or register their land and sale their properties without any hassle.

"Why do we have to go to the tax office? No one should have to go to the tax office to file a tax return," the chief adviser said.

Yunus said Bangladesh needs vital reforms "to build a modern police force" and ensure a rule of law in the country.

He said his government would also seek support from the UNDP for reforms in the judiciary and election commission.

"We are committed to hold free, fair and transparent elections," said Professor Yunus.

"It is a good occasion to ... reorganise the systems," he said, referring to the student-people revolution.

UNDP Resident Representative Liller offered the UN agency's full support for the wide-ranging reforms the government is willing to take.

UNDP officials attending the meeting said the agency was also ready to support Bangladesh's export diversification efforts.

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