Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, a renowned economist and policy analyst, has disclosed that significant irregularities have been uncovered within Bangladesh's banking and energy sectors over the past 15 years.

Debapriya made the statement during a dialogue on the ‘Current Economic Situation and Launching of Open Budget Survey 2023 Results’ held at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) on Thursday.

Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), International Budget Partnership (IBP) and Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) jointly organised the event.

The committee on the ‘White Paper on the State of Bangladesh Economy’ is set to submit its final report on the financial sector to the chief adviser on Sunday, with plans to publicly disclose it on Monday, he said.

He pointed out that huge looting had taken place, particularly in the banking and energy sectors, and these issues will be highlighted in the forthcoming report.

"The committee formed by the government to prepare the white paper was given three months' time. Our work has already been completed. We have received millions of data. Editing is underway. Hopefully, we will hand it over to the chief advisor next Sunday," Debapriya said.

He went on to say, "Many initiatives have been taken to bring about changes in the economy through the change of government. If we cannot return the wealth that has been created through corruption to the people, what kind of revolution is that?"

Debapriya explained that the white paper committee had prepared the report after three months of discussions, reviews, data collection, and verification, involving secretaries, businessmen, citizens and relevant individuals and institutions.

The 12-member committee was formed on August 28, under the leadership of economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, to highlight the overall economic situation of the country.

The committee has been reviewing both the sector-wise and macroeconomic conditions.

Dr M Abu Eusuf, a Professor at the University of Dhaka; Dr MA Razzaque, the Chairman of RAPID; Shawakat Hossain Masum, the Head of Online at Prothom Alo; Anarul Kabir, a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance; Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha, the President of ERF; and Abul Kashem, the Secretary of ERF, among others, joined the event.