Taxes must be increased to tackle tough economic situation: Finance Minister

Taxes must be increased to address the economic crisis, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said. He stated, "We need to increase taxes. At the same time, investment must increase. If investment does not happen, employment will not be created in the country. A major programme of the BNP government is to generate employment. For this reason, we are focusing on domestic and foreign investment."

He made these remarks while inspecting land for a government hospital adjacent to Marine Drive in Patenga, Chattogram, on Friday afternoon. He said, "To overcome the critical economic situation, we must increase taxes. The government is also working on creating new employment opportunities. The government is also working on improving the quality of education."

The minister further informed that promises regarding change in education and radical development in the health sector will be fulfilled. Employment will be given priority in the upcoming budget, and all necessary steps will be taken in this regard.

A hospital is planned to be established at Marine Drive in Chattogram. A nursing institute and an institute for technologists will also be set up there. The minister said, "It will be a general hospital, but there will be several specialised units. People will receive better healthcare more easily. I have given an 11-point manifesto for the Chattogram-11 constituency, known as 11 for 11. Inshallah, I will implement those."