‘Reform was the key of revolution, polls to be held after that’

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said, “The key word of the July Revolution was reforms. His government is determined to carry out those reforms before the elections.”

The Chief Adviser said when ambassador of Sweden Nicolas Weeks called on him at his Tejgaon office on Monday.

Professor Muhammad Yunus invited more Swedish investment, saying the interim government was carrying out vital reforms to ensure ease in doing business in Bangladesh.

The 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate said his government has curbed corruption, made investment in export processing zones easier, and moved to ratify ILO conventions on labour laws.

Ambassador Weeks said Sweden supports the Yunus-led interim government and its move to reform the police, judiciary, election commission and civil administration.

During the meeting, they also discussed aspects of the July-August revolution, the government's reform initiatives, Swedish investment in Bangladesh, and women's role in the mass uprising.

The chief adviser said the situation in the country has stabilised, although some challenges remain including managing high expectations from various groups in the society.  “Managing expectations is a big task. We are trying, but we are very careful,” he said.

Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator of the SDG Affairs, and Shahnaz Gazi, Director General of the foreign ministry, were also present during the meeting.