Momen explains his ‘living in paradise’ remark amid criticisms

Momen explains his ‘living in paradise’ remark amid criticisms

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday gave an explanation for his remark that Bangladeshis remained in paradise compared to other countries during the global recession in the wake of huge criticism.

Momen said that he intended to say that the inflation in Bangladesh was less than other countries under the present circumstances.

‘From this point of view, I said that we are in a better position compared to other countries. But you (journalists) have not mentioned it in your reports that our inflation is less. Many of you tried to twist my comment,’ added the minister.

Momen told this to a group of journalists after attending a programme in Sylhet.

‘You know that the inflation in England is 12 per cent while it is 67 per cent in Turkey, 37 per cent in Pakistan, 150 per cent in Sri Lanka and 7 per cent in our country. From this point of view, we are well,’ he said.

On Friday, after coming out of a view exchange meeting on land requisition for the expansion of Sylhet Osmani International Airport, the foreign minister said that the people of Bangladesh had remained in paradise compared to other countries.

He came up with the comment while the reporters asked him about the present financial situation of the country.

Civil society members on the social media became critical of Momen’s remark at a time when the country is witnessing a tremendous hike in prices of essential