The business leaders of different sectors have expressed mixed reactions over the proposed national budget of Bangladesh that was placed in Parliament by Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday.
The leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBBCI), Dhaka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (DCC) and the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) have welcomed the budget terming it as 'industry and investment-friendly' budget in its immediate reaction after announcement of the budget.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders feared of hampering their business due to hike in the source tax and capital machineries import tax.
FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad said in his official reaction that the businesses of the country have been facing trouble due to political unrest, high interest of bank loans and duty and infrastructure problems. The government has given special allocation for the infrastructure sector in the proposed budget.
The Finance Minister has asserted to establish 30 economic zones in the country. The government also has a plan of establishing around 100 more economic zones across the country. It will bring major changes in the industrial sector and attract more investment, he added.
The newly elected President of the federation also said that the education, health, social safety net programme, infrastructure, law and order and employment sector have been given importance in the proposed budget.
Terming the hike of income tax level of individuals as positive, Matlub said the FBCCI earlier proposed the government to set the individuals income tax level at Tk 2.75 lakh. But, the government fixed it at Tk 2.5 lakh.
He urged the government to reduce the interest rate of bank loan and ensure coordination between revenue and finance policy in the budget.
DCCI President Hossain Khaled said the initiative of completion of the Padma Bridge and allocation in the agriculture sector is very much positive for the
country.