Researchers and stakeholders have called for initiatives to increase investment in the upcoming budget.
They made the remark at a roundtable titled “National budget 2018-2019: The last moment’s thoughts” organized by Policy Research Institute and Channel 71 in Dhaka on Saturday.
Zaidi Sattar, chairman of Policy Research Institute, said: “The contribution of export to GDP ratio should be increased.”
He sought reforms in tariff policy. Former Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Asif Ibrahim stressed the need for coordination among regulators and ministries.
He proposed establishing an advisory authority to expedite the implementation of infrastructure projects.
He said the government should form a banking commission to address the problems and irregularities in the sector in the upcoming budget.
Centre for Policy Dialogue’s distinguished fellow Mustafizur Rahman said the government should form a public expenditure review commission to ensure the implementation of the Annual Development Program.
He also urged the government to complete one Special
Economic Zone so that it can be a model.
Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of Policy Research Institute, called for the proper use of subsidies allocated in the budget.
Former National Board of Revenue chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid said: “The government should not change tax related laws every year as it makes the businessmen confused.”
Bangladesh Bank’s Chief Economist Faisal Ahmed, Consumers Association of Bangladesh President Ghulam Rahman, former commerce secretary Suhel A Chowdhury and former finance secretary Siddiqur Rahman Choudhury were also present at the event among others.
