Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has called for maintaining “good economic practices” to ensure sustainable economic development, stating that professional accountants can play a key role in this effort.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) International Conference 2025, organized by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB).
Speaking at the event, Sheikh Bashiruddin highlighted the immense potential for Bangladesh’s economic future.
“Having worked with the government for the past ten months, I’ve seen that a truly golden future awaits our country,” he said, adding: “If we can ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of resources, we can certainly rise from our current position.”
He warned that a failure to do so would lead to a “kleptocracy,” or a system of government by thieves. “We are working tirelessly to break free from the cycle of kleptocracy,” he added.
Bashiruddin pointed out that billions of dollars have been laundered by manipulating economic data, often under the guise of business activities.
This widespread corruption has created a significant amount of “criminal capital,” which has undermined fair market competition. He affirmed that the current government is taking steps to stop such unfair practices.
The SAFA conference, which brings together accounting professionals from across South Asia, has the theme “Reform. Reskill. Reimagine: The Future of Bangladesh Economy.”
Over 600 professional accountants, economists, policymakers, corporate leaders, and business executives from SAARC countries are participating in the event.
Among the special guests who addressed the ceremony were Md. Obaidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Asfaq Yusuf, President of SAFA; Dr. Md. Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council; N KA Mubin, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB); and Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, President of ICMAB.
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), delivered the keynote speech. The conference also features three technical sessions where leading experts from various sectors of SAARC countries are discussing GDP, economic growth, artificial intelligence, automation, and the evolving role of the accounting profession in a changing global trade landscape.