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Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday lambasted businessmen for "lopsided talks" saying while one group is in favour of lowering taxes the other group is opposed to it.
"You know the businesses very well. I know them even better. They sometimes speak one-sidedly. I have to take decisions considering multiple factors," he said replying to a query over businessmen's claims of unavailability of dollars to open letters of credit.
He was talking to newsmen after a meeting of the Advisers' Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Bangladesh secretariat.
The adviser said that there is no crisis of dollars on the market. "Imports have increased and so have exports." In response to another question, he said the next budget will be placed in June without any delay.
Mr Ahmed said a target has been set to lower the rate of inflation to 7.0 to 8.0 per cent after Ramadan. "We are trying to reduce commodity prices as much as possible both during the holy month and thereafter," he said, emphasising the need for uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.
Mr Ahmed reiterated his firm stance against hoarders, saying all the agencies, including the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection, will get tough with them. He called upon the consumers to bring instances of hoarding into the attention of law enforcers so that they can take immediate measures.
The finance adviser further said that the current account balance has now come to the positive territory, while the financial account also remains at positive side, though maintaining this stability poses a big challenge. He also underscored the need for political stability and proper enforcement of law and order, which is "our first priority."
"When I talk to businessmen, they express concern about it. Businessmen would not feel comfortable if safety can't be ensured for factories, valuables, and warehouses. We agree on this, and we have held talks to resolve it quickly," said Mr Ahmed.
About US President Donald Trump's remarks on providing $29 million for the development of political landscape in Bangladesh, he said, "If it is against the interests of the people in our country, it needs to be scrutinised. We'll make sure so that money can't enter our country in the future for any motivational activities."
syful-islam@outlook.com