What they say

Selim Jahan  
Former director at UNDP USA

The efforts to combat inflation are inadequate, somewhat on an ad hoc basis. The measures taken so far are mostly on the demand side. The government is concentrating only on policy measures, not on institutional issues.

Manzoor Ahmed 
Professor emeritus at BRAC University

We have not seen any significant initiative to reform the education sector from this government so far. The education sector has remained stagnant for long. This budget offers no real way out. I must say we are deeply disappointed.

Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez)
President of BCI

Budget does not offer steps to ensure a conducive environment for investment and lacks direction to drive industrial growth. It can't be considered investment-friendly. Revenue measures rely on increasing both corporate and individual taxes.

Selim Raihan 
Executive director of Sanem

Despite cuts in import duty for some goods and few other measures, the budget lacks preparation to face LDC graduation challenges. An uncertainty is noticed in investment climate and business environment which needs to be addressed. 

Syed Abdul Hamid
Professor of DU

Health ministry must focus on spending its entire allocation. They should identify the reasons behind underutilisation and make efforts to ensure that 100 percent of the fund is spent. Not a single taka should be slashed from original outlay.