The IBFB Delegation, headed by Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan, President of IBFB, called on the Finance Minister at his secretariat office on Saturday, 25 May 2013.
The Honorable Finance Minister Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhit expressed the National Budget of 2013-14 is going to be a challenging budget for the present Government. However, he opined, the Govt. will consider every necessary step to make t
he budget business & investment friendly. The Minister appreciated and agreed with the idea of conducting VAT Survey and awareness raising initiatives on VAT Payment among the community sphere to be carried out involving MBA Internees & fresh graduates is a wonderful idea. He also assured that, in addition to microcredit and SME sector, special consideration will be given in the forthcoming budget for the women entrepreneurs involved in large entrepreneurship. The Finance Minister while addressing the delegation of International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) also opined that the Govt. has taken every necessary step to safeguard the RMG industry.
IBFB Delegation, headed by Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan (2nd from right), President of IBFB and Chairman of Runner Group of Companies, called on the Finance Minister Mr. AMA Muhit at his secretariat office on Saturday, 25 May 2013. Among other Directors of IBFB, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President of IBFB, Md. Omar Shafayat Kauser, Vice President, Mr. Humayun Rashid, Vice President (Finance), Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Chairperson of IBFB Chittagong Chapter are also seen.
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Requesting the Minister to incorporate their suggestions in the forthcoming National Budget 2013-14, the delegation recommended for generation of more revenues through effective utilization of VAT, discouraging import of goods/services manufactured locally and thus protecting local industries, rationalizing high bank interest rates hindering industrialization in the country, automation in all spheres to ensure “Digital Bangladesh”. The delegation also recommended for restructuring taxes (CD, VAT, IT etc.) in different fields / areas / sectors such as Power & Energy; Billets; Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry; Agro Based Industry etc. To give a boost up and ensure rapid growth, the IBFB Delegation strongly suggested to declare the Health Sector and Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector as “Industry”, and also change the rate of utility bills from commercial to industrial rate (presently it is 60% higher than industrial rate). In order to safeguard and stop recurrence of tragic accidents in the RMG Sector that has already created image crisis for Bangladesh, IBFB demanded strong monitoring and close supervision which they defined as a call of the time. To ensure this, they recommended for dispersal of RMG units throughout the country.
Among others, Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President of IBFB & Former Mayor of Chittagong & Former Member of Parliament; Md. Omar Shafayat Kauser, Vice President; Mr. Humayun Rashid, Vice President (Finance), Mr. Iqbal Hussaiyn, Director, Engr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain,Chairperson IBFB Chittagong Chapter, Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, Director, Mr. M.R.A. Taha, Director, Mr. Azfar Ali, Director, Ms. Lutfunnisa Saudia Khan, Director, Mr. Md. Atiar Zaman, Director, Mr. ATM Saidul Alam, Director, Ms. Priti Chakraborty, Director, Prof. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Member,Mr. A K Chowdhury, Member, Mr. ASM. Moinuddin Monem, Member, Mr. M. Anis Ud Dowla, Member,Mr. Anwar Shahid, Member etc. were present in the meeting.
