Budget and business outlook during 2021-22 : Strategic Priorities

• 06 Jun 2021
• 3:00 pm
• Online

Considering the safety measures amidst the ongoing spread of COVID-19, we’ve arranged the program online

AmCham Virtual Panel Discussion
CHIEF GUEST: Mr. M. A. Mannan, M.P. Hon’ble Planning Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
PANELISTS: Mr. Aftab Ul Islam, FCA, Director – Bangladesh Bank & former President – AmCham.
Dr. Atiur Rahman, Chairperson, Unnayan Shamannay & former Governor, Bangladesh Bank
Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Chairperson – BRAC Bank & Executive Director – PRI
MODERATOR: Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, President – AmCham.

The program was powered by Coca-Cola (International Beverages Private Limited).

Amidst the 2nd wave and global movement restriction caused by COVID-19 creating disruption in daily economic activities, forced the government to formulate the national budget for FY 2021-22 an exercise on saving lives while creating more avenues for livelihoods to cope with the fallout by pandemic. Against such a backdrop, we recommend focusing on crisis management, prioritizing spending on health, education, enhancing social protection and building on the resilience demonstrated by the agriculture sector, alongside we expect immediate support for MSMEs, government infrastructure developments, air-ocean transport business that may face serious consequences days ahead to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

AmCham expects appropriate governance & efficiency so to ensure economic growth during this fiscal & 2041 vision of honorable Prime Minister in following years on key procedural matters in the proposed budget ● Health system ● Food security & Agricultural ● Employment generation & Poverty ● Education ● NBR Reforms ● Contemporary Customs Law ● Corporate & Withholding tax ● e-Payment & e-TDS system ● Business Tax evasion ● Digital Payments incentives ● Effective supply chain ● Undisclosed wealth.

The complexity of these challenges requires a multi-faceted policy response since  the next phase of COVID-19 could be much more challenging. It is crucial that the government, private sector, and concerned stakeholders in Bangladesh all step up and work together to adapt as best we can. We at AmCham Bangladesh with a diverse membership base and outlook focusing on global, national or business ecosystem at large, attempt to develop an approach that might help the business & regulatory leadership set the priorities on right strategies making rapid and inevitable remedies during these days ahead. The Key-Note was prepared by Dr Atiur Rahman to kick start the discussion :

A good number of AmCham members including the Executive Committee Members, foreign dignitaries, business leaders, media representatives and other distinguished guests attended.