Muhith sceptical about blockade-hit Bangladesh economy growing at 7%

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, who has always insisted that the targeted growth can be achieved, is now sceptical as the economy is being battered by a BNP-sponsored blockade.

He sees BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as the "biggest obstacle" to Bangladesh's development.

"We hoped to achieve a 7 percent GDP growth this year but it's uncertain now," he said replying to a question at a programme in Sylhet on Friday.

Khaleda, who leads the 20-Party alliance, called an indefinite blockade on Jan 5, the first anniversary of the 2014 national polls that her party sat out.

The alliance has clamped several rounds of shutdowns during its violent blockade which has claimed at least 40 lives.

Bangladesh's economy is bearing the brunt as businesses complain of massive losses. Apex trade body FBCCI said they were considering moving the court seeking a ban on violent political campaigns.

Central bank Governor Atiur Rahman, too, expressed concerns on Thursday while rolling out the monetary policy.

He observed that the current political unrest had cast a shadow of uncertainty over achieving the target.

Muhith said general strikes had lost its meaning.

"It's now being used as a tool of violence," he said.

The minister said he fully supported banning shutdowns through law but it would take time.