Next budget being prepared based on ‘questionable GDP’: Amir Khasru

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has alleged that the national budget for the next fiscal year is being prepared based on a questionable gross domestic product (GDP).

"Through this, we see the continuation of the budget of the deposed fascist government. There is nothing that is being done differently from that ousted government,” he said while addressing a discussion, arranged by Citizens’ Platform on the upcoming budget at a city hotel on Monday.

“We have to raise questions about the government’s considerations on the ongoing local and global situation in formulating the budget,” he said.

The BNP leader said, “The main responsibility of the interim government is to take necessary steps to take the country towards a democratic transformation. We are not seeing any certainty over the tenure of the government, the timeframe of the election and the post-election situation of the country.”

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury questioned the government’s stance on the issue of a ‘humanitarian corridor’ near the country’s border with Myanmar. He stressed discussions with stakeholders before taking a decision in this regard.

The former commerce minister also outlined an economic model for Bangladesh, focusing on lessened control on businesses. “The economic model for the country in future will be ‘we are open for business’”.

Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Finance Division, Ministry of Finance), was present at the programme as the chief guest.

Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Convenor of the Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), presented the keynote at the event.