Chattogram business leaders, responding to the Finance Minister’s budget speech, expressed high hopes of speedy implementation of some mega projects in the port city.
They also said that export and import of commodities would continue to be operated as usual despite the crisis faced by the coronavirus.
Expressing happiness, they mentioned that the implementation of mega projects like the construction of road tunnel under Karnphuli river, Laksham - Chattogram rail line project and Airport Elevated Expressway will be completed in time.
In the proposed budget the Finance Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal mentioned that 51 percent of the 3.32 km tunnel under the Karnafuli river has been completed, the double track high-speed railway line from Dhaka to Chattogram via Comilla / Laksam would also be completed on time.
The minister mentioned keeping the momentum going of the construction works so that they are completed on time despite the corona crisis.
The Minister said that the construction of the new container terminals, overflow yards, bay terminals and bulk terminals has been proposed to increase the cargo handling capacity of Chattogram seaport.
Mahbubul Alam, President of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries demanded speedy implementation of these projects to boost the economy.
Alam appreciated the proposed reduction in advance tax on import of raw materials for local manufacturing industries from 5 percent to 4 percent, and increased in the period of concession from two times to four times which he said would greatly help the local entrepreneurs.
To increase the time without penalty and interest to the taxpayers who failed to file returns due to the epidemic is an appropriate and timely decision, Mahabubul Alam said.
“At this juncture of the global pandemic, the proposed budget of FY 2020-2021 is indeed timely and bold,” said Manwar Hakim Ali President of Chattogram Women's Chamber of Commerce.
In response to the proposed budget, she said that the world is facing economic uncertainty due to the current coronavirus epidemic. The announcement of such a budget out of affordability in these difficult times is extremely timely and people-friendly.
“However, the government would have to face challenges in implementing the proposed budget with a deficit of Tk 1.90 lakh crore. Increasing the allocation in the health and education sectors, the total allocation of Tk 10,000 crore to deal with the epidemic will bring relief to the people,” she added.
AJM Nasir Uddin, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation said that the proposed budget that highlights social security is the main focus of this year's budget as it reflects people's desires.
