Finance minister spoke on raising tax-GDP ratio, not individual taxes: Commerce Minister

Finance Minister Amir Khosru did not speak about increasing taxes on individuals, but rather about raising the tax-GDP ratio, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said.

He made the remarks to journalists after a meeting with officials of various government departments at the Sylhet Circuit House on Saturday morning, February 28.

The Commerce Minister informed that Bangladesh has sent an official letter to the European Union to begin discussions on a free trade agreement. He further said the market will remain stable for the remaining days of Ramadan and the following few months.

Regarding the global market situation, he said a recession is prevailing in the global economy due to the tariffs imposed by the United States. However, timely payment of workers' wages will be ensured so they can celebrate Eid comfortably.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said the Prime Minister has instructed that important public welfare projects be implemented on a priority basis. Special attention is being given to important projects in the Sylhet region, including flood control, river erosion prevention and embankment construction in haor areas.

He further said that as corruption became institutionalised during the previous government's tenure, eliminating it remains a major challenge. However, initiatives taken in the public interest will be implemented free of corruption.

Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury informed that the government is working to reopen labour markets in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and various Middle Eastern countries that had been closed.