The BBA Program Office of the School of Business and Economics of United International University (UIU) organized the Post-Budget Discussion Program 2024-2025 at UIU Campus, United City, Madani Avenue, Dhaka on Saturday.
A K Azad, member of parliament and chairman, Ha-Meem Group was present as the chief guest.
Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), was present as the keynote speaker.
The event was presided by Prof Dr Md Abul Kashem Mia, vice-chancellor of UIU.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof Dr Salma Karim, director of the BBA Program, UIU and the vote of thanks was delivered by Prof Dr Mohammad Musa, dean, School of Business of Economics, UIU.
Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzak, chairman, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), Mahbub Ahmed, former secretary (Finance), Government of Bangladesh and Prof Dr Mohammad Omar Farooq, head, Department of Economics, UIU were present as respected discussants in the session.
The panellists presented their valuable views on various possibilities, issues and a detailed discussion on Bangladesh Budget 2024-25.
The chief guest A K Azad said that the development sector budget is crucial to strengthen the country’s economy, but in this year’s budget in Bangladesh, the allocation for the development sector has been very low. For public welfare budgeting, all kinds of irregularities should be removed and government accountability should be ensured.
“We have to remove social differences, otherwise the society or the state system will collapse. That is why everyone should be given equal importance in the budget,” he added.
The keynote speaker Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman said: “Our budget is much smaller than other countries in the world. This year’s budget has been made without matching with real work. In our country, payments start before the completion of the highest projects."
“Therefore, a major part of the revenue has to be used for repayment of debt finance. This year’s budget should focus on the purchasing power of people and make social programs more dynamic,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor of UIU Prof Dr Md Abul Kashem Mia said: “The middle-class people in the country are spending their days in great difficulty. Corruption can be easily identified and removed through using technology.”
Heads of different departments, faculty members, officials and other distinguished guests were present in the program.
