Home ›› 13 Jun 2022 ›› Corporate
BRAC Business School Professor and economist Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said there were many positive things in the budget proposal for Fy2022-23, but implementation will be one of the biggest challenges for the government.
“Overall, I think all the targets set in the budget are acceptable, but there are problems with its implementation. The budget estimates GDP growth at 7.5 per cent, but I don’t think that’s objective,” he said while addressing a post-budget discussion on Saturday.
The discussion was organised BRAC Business and Economics Forum of BRAC University, says a statement.
On the budget deficit, the economist said, “In the current context, even if the budget deficit is 6 per cent, I would not have objected to that.”
“The Russia-Ukraine war and various other factors have disrupted the global supply chain, including fuel, which has led to a rise in prices and an increase in the number of poor people. That is why it is necessary to increase the social security and ensure proper management so that the real poor can enjoy the benefits,” he said.
Income inequality and regional inequality have increased in Bangladesh, said Mirza Aziz. He said, About 40 per cent of the people in the Rangpur and Barisal region live below the poverty line, which is much less in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong. The implementation of the UN SDGs will not be possible without reducing regional disparities.”
Mominul Islam said according to the proposed budget, private universities would have to continue paying VAT on tuition fees, which are now being brought under income tax. It is a matter of concern. As a result, in the future, these private universities may become completely profit-oriented. He also demanded an increase in the tax-free income limit for lower-middle-income people.