Penchant for last-minute sensitive deals

The Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the two countries on Friday last is likely to take the bilateral cooperation and collaboration to a new high. From duty-free access to several thousands of Bangladeshi products and the vice versa to technology transfer as enshrined in the deal, the scope of economic and technological cooperation between the two nations under the EPA extends far beyond commerce and trade. Duty-free access of apparels from Bangladesh to Japan, the fourth largest economy in the world, at a time when the latter graduates from its LDC status is particularly savouring. 

This agreement is likely to stand out as a milestone achievement for the interim government. But a question will reinforce itself, if the timing for inking the deal was deliberately brought to this last leg of its tenure. Barely a week before the February 12 election, the signing of such important instruments of bilateral relations is hardly judicious for an unelected government. Yet the agreement, unless there are no non-disclosure clauses, is going to be hailed by different quarters. 

In sharp contrast to this, the lingering of stalemate over the leasing out of the New Mooring Container Terminal to a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based port operator, the DP World, points to the fact that the interim government's penchant for clinching big deals for long duration with tremendous and far-reaching economic consequences is insatiable. Even at this terminal stage it wants many such contentious deals to be concluded against the will of local stake-holders and advice of business leaders and economists. Add to this the approval of 135 new projects, many of which are controversial. 

Even within the council of advisers, incongruous opinions persist. For example, the release of the Pay Commission's report on the pay package for government officials and employees at this late hour has needlessly brought the government and the employees on a collision course. This subject should have been off-limit to this interim government but its overenthusiasm is responsible for this controversial situation. One of the advisers tried to defend it by explaining that the government cannot implement the new pay scale but this exercise will make the task easier for the next elected government. The elected government will have no reason to rejoice over this unsolicited help, especially when more than Tk1.0 trillion is involved if the draft pay package has to be made a reality. 

What is particularly worrying is that the trade agreement Bangladesh is going to sign with the USA has non-disclosure clauses. Does a deal involving such secret provisions fall within the jurisdiction of an interim government? Under the deal, the Bangladesh Biman will buy 14 Boeing aircraft with the government providing sovereign guarantee. Boeing aircraft have safety concerns and those who can afford avoid purchasing this aircraft. Similarly, the government has shown its eagerness to procure fighter planes and defence accessories from two other countries. Whether it can sign all these agreements or not is shrouded in mystery. One of the governing motives to seal the agreements so hurriedly may be the projection of the interim government's image in a positive light. 

However, the public are not foolish. The reforms aimed at bringing transparency in governance seem to have been relegated to the back burner. While no education commission was formed at the time of constituting several commissions, now only days before its tenure comes to an end, this government presents a draft education act with no involvement of the stakeholders with the process. This is ludicrous. In fact, this is the result of a casual approach to this vital area of life. There is hardly anything new. It seeks to reintroduce examinations for class I and II and retain universal education up to class V instead of class VIII. 

In fact, the interim government has made a mess of issues by treading where it should not have and leaving the most urgent ones unattended. This is evident from its undue interests in sensitive matters with long-term serious bearing on the country's economy and sovereignty. The twain ---local capacity building and long-term leases ---do not go together, only more so, when the interim government is about to leave if the February election goes well and an elected government is formed. It is time for it to accomplish only the routine duty. It should get prepared to leave before going for an introspection of what it did but shouldn't have done and what it failed to do but should have done on a priority basis.

nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com