Steady GDP growth vital to keep march towards dev

Bangladesh will have to maintain the steady GDP growth to continue the momentum towards achieving the Visions 2021 and 2041 of the government, country’s leading business conglomerate Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said on Tuesday.

He made the suggestion while addressing a conference of correspondents of daily Bangladesh Pratidin and TV station News24 at East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) conference room in Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital.

Referring to a World Bank statement suggesting that Bangladesh needs to raise its GDP growth to 10 percent in order to graduate to the developed country status, the Bashundhara Group chairman said: “It’s a big challenge for Bangladesh.”

The media outlets of EWMGL have been portraying Bangladesh positively to contribute to the building of image of the country, he said.

“EWMGL newspapers, TV channel, radio and online news portal always lay emphasis on positive news and highlight the potential sectors of the country to be a part of the government’s development activities,” he added.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said: “We are involved in the politics of development. Our business ventures work for the economic development of the country and its people.”

Underscoring the need promoting the pro-liberation spirit to continue the ongoing development process in the country, he said: “The spirit of the liberation war remains very close to our heart no matter what party or ideology comes to the power. All concerned at Bashundhara Group have proved through their activities that they embrace the pro-liberation spirit.”

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan termed drug, corruption and irregularities the biggest foes to the nation and its march towards development. He said the EWMGL outlets have become a strong voice against these ordeals and cover reports showing zero tolerance against the menace.

He called upon the journalists to dig out information on misdeed, irregularities, corruption, persecution and discrimination.

Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam said Bangladesh Pratidin, News24 and other media outlets of the EWMGL are doing objective journalism highlighting liberation war spirit and secularism.

“We have reached a huge number of readers and viewers through objective journalism, which has been possible due to freedom of press ensured by the government.”    

Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haque Milon said Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has made significant contributions to the nation and its economy over the past three decades.

Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury said Bashundhara Group has ensured full professional freedom of the journalists at its media outlets.

“At the daily sun, we have been able to take the newspaper to the strongest position in terms of content, readership and revenue by exercising professional freedom and covering reports for the people,” he said.

SOURCE : Daily Sun