Per capita income will be $12,500 in Smart Bangladesh: Kamal

The per capita income will be $12,500 when the country would turn into "Smart Bangladesh", Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said today.

Less than 3 per cent of people of Bangladesh will be below the poverty line and extreme poverty will be reduced to zero by then, he said in his budget speech.

Inflation will be limited between 4-5 per cent, budget deficit will remain below 5 per cent of GDP, revenue-GDP ratio will be above 20 per cent and investment will be 40 per cent of GDP, Kamal said.

"We will achieve 100 per cent digital economy and science and technology-based literacy. Healthcare will reach everyone's doorstep. All the services required by the citizens will be at their door steps, including automatic communication system and sustainable urbanisation."

A paperless and cashless society will be created, he said.

Most importantly, a society based on justice and equality will be established in Smart Bangladesh, the minister added.