Prime Minister's Financial and Planning Advisor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir announced that discipline in the financial sector will be restored and operational costs will be gradually reduced to increase development. He stated that the economy will be democratized, regional disparities will be eliminated, and the economy will be made accessible to everyone. Titumir made these remarks during a budget discussion titled 'Budget in Times of Crisis' organized by Chorcha at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital on Saturday morning. The main guest at the roundtable was Titumir, while the special guest was Planning State Minister Mo. Junayed Abdur Rahim Saki (Junayed Saki). The discussants included former Finance Secretary Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Managing Director of Apex Footwear Syed Naseem Manjur, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh M Masrur Riyaz, President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem, President of ICMAB Kausar Alam, Dean of North South University's School of Business and Economics AKM Waresul Karim, researcher and activist Maha Mirza, among others. The event was moderated by Chorcha Editor Sohrab Hasan.
In his speech as the chief guest, Titumir said, 'A large budget is being allocated to stimulate the economy, aiming to increase investment and employment without raising tax rates. Revenue can be increased without increasing tax rates. A stimulus fund of 60 billion taka has already been announced. This time, we will restore discipline in the financial sector.'
Planning State Minister Junayed Saki commented that waste might be more significant than corruption, hence eliminating waste should be the primary goal of the budget. He said, 'We are trying to reduce waste from the Planning Ministry. It is observed that power plants exist, but transmission lines are missing. Hospitals exist, but doctors and nurses are absent. Clear signs of poor planning are evident in these sectors. These will be addressed.'
Economist M Masrur Riyaz said, 'Controlling inflation should be the government's top priority. As it increases, demand is decreasing. Business operations are also becoming problematic. I am not sure if increasing electricity prices is the right time.'
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said, 'There is a revenue deficit of 1 lakh crore taka in the first 9 months of the current fiscal year. The new budget aims for a total revenue target of 6 lakh 95 thousand crore taka. If we try to achieve this, we will face tax terror. Whether or not the National Board of Revenue is reformed, the policy and implementation branches should be separated.'
