PV Desk : Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is set to roll out tomorrow the national budget for the 2018-19 financial year (FY19). This will be the country’s 47th budget and the 19th of the Awami League government while the 12th for Muhith.
The finance minister will start placing the budget at the Jatiya Sangsad at 12:30pm. He will be the first finance minister to place the national budget for the 10th time in a row since 2009.
Last year Muhith placed the national budget with the target of taking country’s economy to the higher growth trajectory. He also outlined a set of plans and strategies to build a prosperous, happy and peaceful country by 2041.
Many expect that this year the finance minister will give priority to the development initiatives those cover the major areas, including infrastructure, power, and education and skill development. Increasing investment and employment will also get focus in the fiscal allocation and policy stance.
The next budget will also give people more space for comfort with increasing the tax-free income limit for individual, reducing corporate tax and expanding the social safety-net.
Rohingya issue is likely to be a major concern for the finance minister, as he has to set a considerable amount aside in the national budget especially for sheltering and feeding over 10 lakh Rohingyas who fled into Bangladesh to avoid military persecution in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.
