ICSB organizes pre- budget seminar

Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB) has organized a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme titled “Pre-Budget Discussion: Addressing Economic Challenges” on Saturday at the auditorium of BIDA, E-6/B Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207.

Renowned economist & former governor of Bangladesh Bank and chairperson of Unnayan Shamannay Dr Atiur Rahman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Professor Dr Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka graced the occasion as the Special Guest.

Mr Sabbir Ahmed FCA, managing partner, Ahmed Sheikh Roy & Co., Chartered Accountants presented a keynote paper on "Pre-Budget Discussion: Addressing Economic Challenges".

Mr Mohammad Asad Ullah FCS, President of ICSB delivered the welcome speech, while Mr M Nurul Alam, senior vice president and chairman of the seminar and conference sub-committee of ICSB chaired the session.

Mr Md Zakir Hossain, secretary & CEO of ICSB invited and introduced guests on the stage and welcomed all the participants.

In his welcome speech,Mr. Mohammad Asad Ullah thanked everyone for joining the seminar of ICSB.

 He especially thanked Dr. Atiur Rahman and Professor Dr. Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee for being present to share their special insights. He also thanked the keynote Speaker Mr. Sabbir Ahmed FCA, for his informative keynote Paper presentation.

He also mentioned tightening the control of inflation and undertaking strong measures to reduce the rising cost of essentials, fiscal and financial measures for clean energy, protecting public health, incentivising education and environment.

He also focused on raising revenue collection by expanding the tax net to create more fiscal space and to have special attention to food production, social protection, subsidies for agriculture and health.

He also mentioned for taking strict measures to ensure good governance and restore discipline in the financial sector of the country.

Mr. Sabbir Ahmed FCA, Managing Partner of Ahmed Sheikh Roy & Co., Chartered Accountant, presented a Keynote Paper on "Pre-Budget Discussion: Addressing Economic Challenges".

In his presentation he comparatively analysed the last five years budget. He also discussed about current social, economic and global contexts. He also mentioned that budget cannot solve monetary issues like Doller crisis, default loans, banking sector reforms, etc.

Chief guest Dr Atiur Rahman elaborately discussed on the existing and looming economic challenges and way forward for Bangladesh. He said that for this year government may be going for a conservative budget. We need to focus on stability of macro economics and need to increase the spread of revenue collection and it should be digitised.

He also mentioned to especially consider the education, health sector. He said to increase the special incentive for agriculture and mentioned that our Prime Minister always says that we do not give subsidy to agriculture but it is an investment. 

Finally, he mentioned to careful thus the tax of middle income people do not increase and allocate Special budget for environmental management.

The programme was attended by a decent number of members of ICSB, government officials and professionals from different fields.