Budget 2022-23: Kamal determined to ride out uncertainty
AHM Mustafa Kamal, whose life has been full of struggles, had dreamt of becoming the finance minister, so he consciously entered politics.
FY 2022-23 budget to be cautiously larger
The government is preparing the budget in a cautious way, refraining from increasing expenditure by too much of an extent, keeping in mind the ongoing global economic crisis stemming from the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam said.
Target more export, remittance
The government plans to boost exports by promoting large industries and send a record number of migrant workers abroad to raise foreign currency reserves.
WB revises down growth forecast for Bangladesh
Taking into account the Ukraine war, the World Bank reduced Bangladesh’s economic growth projection to 6.7 percent for the next fiscal year from its January forecast of 6.9 percent.
New VAT likely for handsets, internet
The government is likely to hike value-added tax (VAT) on broadband internet and impose a 5 per cent VAT on handsets manufacturing in the upcoming budget, which will increase handset and internet prices from next fiscal year.
Elderly poor, others: Govt to shelve safety net expansion plan
The government is going to discard its plan to bring all elderly poor under its social safety net programmes in 100 more upazilas in a bid to prevent the non-poor from misusing the support.
Govt to miss inflation targets in FY22, next year
The government has set an inflation target of 5.5 per cent for the next fiscal year although the prices of basic commodities are sitting at elevated levels for higher commodities prices globally amid lingering supply chain disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Block allocations: Focus shifts to war fallout from jabs
The government is not keeping a separate allocation for vaccines in the next fiscal year’s budget as it pulls back from vaccine procurement given the high inoculation rate and low infection rates.
Foreign aid disbursement up 58pc in 10 months
Foreign assistance disbursement jumped 58 per cent in the current fiscal year’s July-April period thanks to spending for vaccination, one-time budget support and implementation of mega projects, including that of the Russia-funded Rooppur nuclear power plant.
Budget 2022-23: More tax for the rich
Bank accounts with upwards of Tk 1 crore in balance are set to face a higher excise duty next fiscal year as the government looks to collect more taxes from the relatively well-off to get close to the lofty revenue collection target.