Wholesale, retail bottlenecks persist despite upturn in imports, says finance advisor

Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed says he is viewing the recent criticism over inflation and unemployment in a positive light. Speaking after a meeting of the Advisory Council on Government Procurement and Economic Affairs on Tuesday, Salehuddin acknowledged that challenges remain in the markets despite increased imports and supplies. “No matter how much we import and increase supply, there remains a problem in the wholesale and retail markets, defying basic economic principles,” he said. “However, recently we have seen a significant reduction in inflation in the non-food sector.” On concerns raised by economists about rising unemployment, the finance advisor suggested that some of the language was deliberately inflammatory. “However, the adjectives they are using are to attract attention. When the private...