"I'm not worried about the size of the proposed budget. I have concerns over its proper implementation," said Akbar, former finance adviser.

He however said three challenges -- power sector development, putting inflation into a tolerable level, and ensuring private sectors' continuous contribution to the economy -- need to be considered.

Terming the proposed budget 'exceptional' since it has been prepared by a non-partisan government, he said, "It's really a heroic part of this budget that the government is going to consider people's opinions. Such a provision was never seen before."

He said the difference between tax imposed on finished import goods and raw materials came down to 15 percent from earlier 20 percent according to the proposed budget.

Since such a measure might affect domestic industries, he said the business community may take the issue to the finance adviser.

He also appreciated the initiative of imposing 45 percent corporate tax on the mobile phone companies. He said it would help cut the huge repatriation of money by the mobile companies, who now may be interested to offload shares through the capital market.

He said it is the responsibility of the government to properly implement the budget. But as the major shares of the development budget (almost 49 percent) usually come from development partners, proper budgetary implementation would be difficult in line with donors' conditions.

Akbar thinks the government should take immediate measures to develop the power sector. He said no major initiatives were taken in this sector by the last political government and even by the caretaker government so far.

Welcoming the tax exemption on some essential commodities, he suggests stocking up significant amount of rice and wheat so that the step may allow the government to use it as a tool to check inflation.

He said private sector contributes significantly to the implementation of the budget and so public-private partnership is required to implement the big budget.

Asked about the government's provision for keeping huge bank borrowing [proposed Tk 7,253 crore], he said it adversely affects the economy. Because significant amount of the borrowed sum may be used to adjust liabilities of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, he explained.

The proposed 16 percent revenue target is not ambitious, he said, adding, such a target would help the revenue collection institutions become more effective.

In response to a question, he said the proposed budget did not put the Tk 350 crore laundered money under any head. This money, though not a significant amount, can be used to create another budget head, he said.

He said the country's agri-scientists' tendency of leaving the country would decrease as the proposed budget concentrates hugely on encouraging agriculture research.

He also thanked the finance adviser for keeping his word by allocating Tk 750 crore for diesel subsidy.

He also appreciated the proposed allocation for social safety, small and medium enterprises and employment generation.