Plea For an Investment Friendly Budget

Abstract

In this article, Dr. M. Azizur Rahman argues that the Bangladesh economy is at a critical "breakthrough stage," transitioning from an agrarian to an industrial base. He emphasizes that while agriculture remains important, the current economic stage necessitates a heavy focus on physical infrastructure and industrial development. The author identifies a "golden opportunity" for Bangladesh to attract labor-intensive industries relocating from China due to rising wages there. To capitalize on this, Rahman calls for a budget that prioritizes the development of industrial infrastructure, including water, light, gas, electricity, and telecommunications. He also highlights fiscal concerns, noting that less than 1% of the population currently pays income tax, and urges the government to expand the tax net to increase its purchasing power and eliminate budget deficits. Additionally, the article stresses the importance of food security through agricultural research and subsidies for deserving farmers.