Finance Advisor said that the current government is implementing various reform programs to resolve the crisis in various sectors including finance, capital market and banking inherited from the previous regime. Salehuddin Ahmed. He said this in an exclusive interview given to the national news agency BASS on the occasion of the completion of three months of the interim government at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Regarding the formation and functioning of the White Paper Committee, Economic Re-Strategical Committee and other committees, the advisor said, “Reforms in these sectors have become imperative. Otherwise the crisis will spiral out of control.”

Regarding capital market reforms, Salehuddin Ahmed said that a task force is working to monitor market trends and prevent manipulation in securities trading. In order to encourage investment in the capital market, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reduced the tax rate on capital gains above Tk. 50 lakh from the sale of shares of listed companies to 15 percent.

Before the reduction in the tax rate, taxpayers had to pay 30 percent tax on capital gains above Tk. 50 lakh at any time within five years. 3 thousand crores have already been given to ICB to strengthen the capital market.

Regarding the priority of implementation of development projects, the advisor said, “We are also reviewing the development projects under ADP. Projects with higher rate of return and need are being shelved now.”

Asked whether the government is worried about debt repayment, the adviser said, “The government is focusing more on consumption and prioritizing its own needs. The budget may come under more pressure. However, it will be reviewed during the revision of the budget, especially with a view to development.”