Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed launched UPension App of National Pension Authority at Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo PID

DHAKA, Aug 13, 2025 (BSS) – Highlighting that maintaining economic stability and strengthening further the financial and banking sector are the priorities of the government in economic fronts, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the interim government wants to turn Bangladesh as a ‘welfare-oriented’ state.

“The aim of the government is that Bangladesh becomes a ‘welfare-oriented’ state … this doesn’t only means to provide food support or development of roads, but also means a wide range of areas like ensuring security, pensions, jobs, and health,” he said.

The Finance Adviser said this while addressing a function marking the launching of the ‘UPension App’ of the National Pension Authority as the chief guest held at the Finance Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat.

Presided over by Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek spoke as special guests.

The Finance Adviser said that the priorities are now to maintaining economic stability and strengthening further the financial and banking sectors as well as developing further the capital market. Besides, some issues are there in the insurance sector and those need to be fixed, he added.

By this December, he said that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) would transform into two separate divisions. “We’ll do it,” he said. 

Regarding the pension schemes, he said “I think, this a very good attempt … we’ll try to resolve the issues which needs to be fixed as quick as possible and definitely the common people need to be convinced that they will get benefits through such schemes,” he added.

He said this may be a small step, but it will one day pay back.

About the launching of the app, he said that Pension Authority has done a ‘good job’ through rolling out this app….”It should be made more user friendly much to the ease of comfort of the pensioners,”

He mentioned that with the launching of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW), the businesses now need not to go here and there for their licensing and certificates, rather they get such facility under one platform.

Apart from carrying out huge infrastructural works like big bridges, he said such kind of development is also needed in education and health sectors to ensure ease and comfort of the people….this also touches the life of the people.

“We’re trying our best to advance and we’re not in a bad position. The launching of the ‘UPension App is a one step forward,” he said.

Citing that skills development is very important for employment generation, the Finance Adviser said that the linkage between industry and academia is much less here. “We’re trying to align the training and education system,” he added. 

He alleged that the businessmen in the country do not tend to invest in research and development (R&D) while it often becomes difficult for the government if all depend on the government for everything.

Answering to a question, Dr Salehuddin said that if the teachers of the universities could be enrolled into the universal pension scheme, then it would be a positive thing.

Replying to another question on the trend of generating black money, the Adviser said, “There are two things –- sources and process -– related to the creation of black money and we’re trying to stop those sources,”

“Now, there is some check and balance…We’re watching closely so that the trend of black money can’t expand further and can’t be siphoned off abroad…”

Responding to another question the Finance Adviser said that his ministry is providing necessary support to the concerned authorities to maintain the law and order situation…”We’ll provide all necessary support from the Ministry of Finance to successfully hold the next election,”

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder said that the government has a target to bring all public servants of the republic under the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS).

“Ultimately our goal is to bring the government employees under this Universal Pension Scheme,” he added.

The Universal Pension Scheme is a government-led, contributory pension programme aimed to bring all citizens aged 18 and above under a structured retirement safety net.

In this connection, he mentioned about the pension system in India where everyone is under one universal pension scheme.

“We will do that gradually,” he added.

He also mentioned that since the inception of the system in 2023, some 375,000 persons have been enlisted in this UPS.

Executive chairman of the National Pension Authority Md Mohiuddin Khan also spoke at the programme.

Any person can visit www.upension.gov.bd website to complete the automatic registration process in Universal Pension Scheme with ease and make payment through Online Banking, Credit Card/Debit Card and Mobile Financial Service (MFS). 

Universal Pension Schemes: (1) Probash (2) Progoti (3) Surakkha and (4) Samata.