'Proposed budget did not address macroeconomic ills'

The proposed budget for the next fiscal year did not address some macroeconomic ills and the different core issues to facilitate the businesses, economists and businessmen said today.

The government did not consulted with the businessmen before finalising the draft of the proposed budget although the businesses are vital stakeholders of the economy, they said.

Moreover, their opinions were not sought before finalising the income tax law and the amendment of the banking companies act.

As a result, the businesses' opinions are not reflected in the banking companies act, income tax law and the proposed budget.

A group of businessmen and economists made the comments at a consultative meeting on the proposed budget, organised by Md Siddiqur Rahman, industries and commerce secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, at Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka.

Planning Minister MA Mannan, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and Former MCCI president Nihad Kabir also attended the discussion.