Upcoming budget should focus on growth, education and job creation

The upcoming national budget should focus on growth, investment, education, job creation, health, nutrition, and infrastructure development, a seminar in the city was told  Saturday.
The need for ensuring political stability also figured at the seminar organised by Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Unless a political stability is ensured, local and foreign investors will continue to feel reluctant to invest in the country,” said former caretaker government’s adviser Mirza Azizul Islam.
He said huge investment is needed to generate employment, which is critical for the country’s development.
Economists, business leaders, researchers, former bureaucrats spoke at the seminar tiled: Upcoming Budget: Promises and Challenges”. ERF president Sultan Mahmud Badal presided over the seminar, while its General Secretary Sajjadur Rahman presented the theme, according to a news agency.
Most speakers emphasised on restoring Bangladesh’s good image through country branding following the industrial disasters like Rana Plaza collapse and Tazreen Fashion fire.
Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Salahuddin Ahmed said a national budget should consider the needs of the people rather than just incremental increase in size.

Chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said budget should have some policy frameworks for the welfare of the people.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam called for special government support to help garment factory owners relocate their factories which are being declared unsafe by foreign inspectors.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) distinguished fellow Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya said the GDP growth has gone below six per cent in the current fiscal, the fourth consecutive fall in the country’s growth rate.