Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday said that the business community and the people of the country will be happy with the upcoming budget of FY 2023-24.

He said the government has the sympathy of the people including the business community as they are providing a large portion of revenue, which contributes much to the development of the country, reports UNB.

He also appreciated the people's excellent contribution to economic growth of the country overcoming several barriers including Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

The finance minister said the global economic growth projection is estimated at 2.9 percent this year down from 3.5 percent last year, while Bangladesh’ economic growth is over 7 percent. It has been possible for the outstanding resilience of the people.

He expected that Bangladesh would emerge as one of the world's 20 largest economies by 2031.

In response to different issues raised by businesses, the NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said the revenue board does not want to confine the tax-revenue in the legal frame, or file a case against the businesses.

He also urged the businesspeople to provide tax and VAT as part of their responsibility  to make a developed Bangladesh.

Abu Hena also called upon businesses not to be frightened in facing the challenges of the LDC graduation issue, rather it is better to improve adoption in technology and production of domestic industries.

The FBCCI president Md Jasim Uddin gave seven-point recommendation for the budget of FY 2023-24 including a safeguard measure of CMSMEs, tax exemption, bond facility to expand exports, keep a stable supply chain of essential goods, modernisation NBR, reduce economic discrimination by employment and preferring technical as well as employment oriented education.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul