Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday warned against economic misinformation and stressed the need for greater transparency, stronger auditing and enhanced training for journalists and investigators to safeguard Bangladesh’s economic interests and bolster public trust.

Addressing the inauguration of academic programmes of ‘ERF Institute’ and a seminar on ‘Financial Transparency in Corporate Sector’ at the ERF auditorium in the capital, the adviser criticised what he termed ‘clever manoeuvres’ by certain actors to divert funds and siphon them abroad.

Dr Salehuddin said such practices underscore the need for robust oversight by Bangladesh Bank and other regulatory bodies, and for auditors to adopt more rigorous, evidence-based methods. “The problem is not only that money moves, but that it moves in ways that evade ordinary scrutiny.”

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, FRC Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, and ICAB President NKA Mobin attended the event as guests of honour. The session was presided over by ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, with General Secretary Abul Kashem moderating.

The Adviser also urged specialised social auditors and investigative teams to look beyond books and statements and develop the intuition and methodology needed to follow the money. “Audit cannot be a paper exercise — it must verify where numbers come from and how they were generated.”

The adviser also criticised media coverage that, he said, sometimes amplifies narratives that weaken the government or empower fascist.

He called on journalists to be constructive and measured and present verified facts rather than one-day headlines that disappear quickly. “When we speak positively about what is working, that helps build confidence; reckless narratives do the opposite.”

Highlighting the importance of investigative journalism for accountability, the adviser recommended short, practical training programmes focused on verification, analytical methods and case studies.

He argued that journalism education should emphasise hands-on reporting — interviewing farmers, tracing supply chains, and validating statistics — so reporters can produce credible, long-lasting stories that matter to people on the ground.

Using agriculture as an example, he recalled a columnist’s field interviews with farmers and experts that revealed genuine contributions of agricultural initiatives — but also stressed that such reporting must connect numbers to their sources so readers can trust the findings. “If the numbers aren’t verifiable, the story loses credibility.”

The adviser praised the dedication and patriotism of many professionals working in the country’s public and private sectors and urged institutes and media organisations to build institutional discipline and stronger verification systems.

He urged leaders to foster an environment where accurate, constructive reporting and disciplined auditing go hand in hand to support national development.

Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mazumder lauded the role of economists and financial analysts in shaping pragmatic fiscal policies, citing their constructive suggestions during the preparation of the national budget.

He recalled his longstanding relationship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants and other professional bodies, saying that expert opinions have often influenced key decisions in budget formulation.

He mentioned that last year, when the government was considering whether to adopt an expansionary or contractionary approach in the face of inflationary pressures, analytical reports and suggestions from economists played a decisive role.

“We had initially thought of going for a larger budget, but based on your recommendations, we opted for a more realistic and relatively smaller budget. This credit goes to you,” he said.

The secretary said the government values the contribution of economic professionals, even though direct interaction with them is not very frequent. He assured that their policy inputs will continue to be taken seriously in future fiscal planning.

Highlighting the establishment of a modern training institute as an example of joint progress, he said such initiatives reflect Bangladesh’s growing capacity and commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks.

He also expressed optimism that closer engagement with economic experts would further enrich the country’s economic governance and policymaking.