The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said the proposed budget for fiscal 2008-09 is unlikely to have big changes as the deadline for submitting post-budget suggestions expired yesterday.

"I don't think there will be any big fundamental changes in it (budget)," he told reporters at his ministry, replying to a question on possible changes in the budget.

The Adviser went through only the recommendations submitted directly to him by a few (5-6) organisations. He could not yet look at the recommendations posted through mails or websites.

The government had invited post-budget opinions or recommendations in writing directly or by post, and through web posting from home and abroad, assuring that the rational suggestions would be reflected in the budget to be made effective through an ordinance by this month.

The Finance Adviser said there are recommendations to increase the tax exemption ceiling for SMEs to an annual turnover of Tk 1 crore and raise the individual income tax exemption limit. There are also suggestions on raw sugar imports in addition to some sector-specific ones.

He said he would have been happy had he been able to raise the tax exemption ceiling for the SMEs.

"We'll consider all the suggestions, but we've a revenue target," he said, adding that the social safety net programmes and the subsidy would have to be continued too.