B Mirror Report: Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today clarified that the government has no plans to increase taxes on the private sector.
He made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions following a view-exchange meeting with local administration officials at the Sylhet Circuit House this afternoon.
Addressing queries about recent statements by the Finance Minister, Muktadir said the comments had been misinterpreted in the media. He noted that Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains considerably lower than that of neighbouring countries.
“Because the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio is low, a significant portion of revenue is spent on meeting regular government expenditures, making it challenging to allocate sufficient funds for development activities,” he explained.
He emphasized, “The Finance Minister referred to increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, not raising taxes on the private sector.”
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne were present at the meeting.
Speaking to reporters afterward, the Commerce Minister said the market situation during the Holy month of Ramadan remains stable. He noted that while prices of certain items, including lemons, had temporarily risen during the first days of Ramadan, they have now returned to normal levels.
As the minister overseeing the Ministries of Commerce, Textiles and Jute, and Industries, Muktadir also mentioned that, in advance of addressing challenges following Bangladesh’s post-LDC graduation, a letter has been sent to the European Union seeking a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
He added that similar agreements will be pursued in phases with Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The minister further assured that all outstanding wages and salaries of industrial workers would be settled ahead of the upcoming Holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
After the meeting, the Commerce, Labour and Employment, and Water Resources Ministers visited erosion-affected areas along the Surma River and Chenger Khal River.
