CPD's analysis: A regular budget at an unusual time

The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) observed that a regular budget was unveiled while the economy continues to suffer through an unusual time. 

CPD on Friday held a media briefing after Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday placed a Tk 7,97,000 crore national budget for FY2024-25 at the parliament. 

At the media briefing held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka, CPD shared their analysis of the budget. 

CPD's Research Director and Head of Research Dr Fahmida Khatun presented the analysis. 

In the analysis, CPD claimed that the proposed budget has failed to take certain steps to remedy the ongoing economic crisis. The steps taken to control inflation and bring relief to people are also inadequate and weak. 

CPD said, the estimated GDP growth and investment are ambitious and present reality has not been taken into account. 

In her presentation, Dr Fahmida Khatun said that as there is a dependency on bank loans to make up for the budget deficit, the private sector may not receive enough loans and it remains a matter of worry. 

Claiming that the chance to legalise black money is unfair to taxpayers, she said it is morally, socially and economically unacceptable.