The current scheme of tax holidays will not be extended any further.

Those places where tax holidays are currently applied will see reduced tax rates. In Dhaka Division and Chittagong Division (barring Rangamati, Bandorbon and Khagrachori districts) for first and second year 5%, for third and fourth year 10% and for fifth year 15%; In Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal divisions and Rangamati, Bandorbon and Kharachori districts of Chittagong Division for first, second and third year 5%, for fourth, fifth and sixth year 10% and for seventh year 15%.

The Finance Minister has proposed acceptance of undisclosed money without any question during the period from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2012 provided that a payment of 10% tax is made and it is invested in (1) certain new industries and also BMRE of units in the same indistries and provision of physical infrastructure facilities

To implement the pledge of building a Digital Bangladesh the Finance Minister has proposed to provide facilities for (i) submitting online returns for income tax, (ii) for easier availability of computers and laptops and (iii) development of software industry

The Finance Minister has proposed to keep income emanating from Pensioners’ Savings Certificates tax free.

Subject to the full implementation of the government’s decision on the system of registration of land transfer, the Finance Minister has proposed to reduce the tax rate for deductions of income tax at source against capital gain from the sale of land within the areas under city corporations, municipalities and cantonment boards, to 2% from 5% and for other areas where the price of non- agricultural land exceeds Tk. one lakh, the rate will be slashed to 1% from the existing 5%.

Reduce the corporate tax rate for mobile phone operators to 35% subject to the condition that they are listed in the stock exchange as a publicly traded company and at least 10% share of the company’s paid up capital is transferred (of which Pre Initial Public Offering Placement cannot exceed 5%)

As part of the measures to expand the tax base, the age bar will be lowered from 70 years to 65 years to help reduce the personal income tax burden on senior Bangladeshi citizens.

The government thinks that it is necessary to introduce automated system of tax collection based on modern technology in order to build Digital Bangladesh.

The government thinks that revenue mobilization must be augmented to raise tax-GDP ratio from the current ratio of 8.5%.

The government thinks that it is necessary to introduce automated system of tax collection based on modern technology in order to build Digital Bangladesh.

The Cabinet has approved in principle the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009.

The Parliament has also passed Upazila Parishad (Reintroduction of Rescinded Act and Amendment) Act 2009.

All Upazila headquarters and flourishing centres of trade and industry will be converted into Pourashavas (municipalities).

The Union and Upazila Parishads will be vested with additional powers, with a view to decentralization as per the government’s election pledge.

The government has expressed a hope that the use of ICT in government operations will largely reduce the level of corruption particularly in Police, Land Administration and Tax Administration.

The government has proposed some amendments to the Anti Corruption Commission Act.

The Finance Minister has proposed to allocate 5,801 crore taka for the Ministry of Home Affairs for this fiscal year (2009-10).

The government is considering decentralizing the Police and setting up a Public Representative Board for supervision.

124 crore taka has been allocated to enhance the ration facilities for all the law enforcement agencies of the country

The government has announced its commitment to protect the citizens from extremism and militancy.

In 39 working days of the first session of the Parliament, the government enacted 32 Ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the Caretaker Government.

The government is reviewing the 5th amendment of the Constitution with a view to a possible amendment of the Constitution and other measures.

The government is committed to holding the trial of war criminals. To ensure this, the Office of the Prosecutor under the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1073 has been set up.

The government hopes to integrate land survey, land records and land management and bring the whole land administration under digital management as part of the drive towards a Digital Bangladesh.

The time limit for delivery of registered original documents, except for certain areas, will be reduced to 15 days. The time limit is expected to fall further down to 2 to 7 days eventually.

The government has scaled down the land registration rates and fees by almost half to 6% in rural areas and 8% in urban areas.

The government intends to implement the recommendations of the recent Pay Commission report in phases from July 2009. Those Government officials who proceeded on LPR from July 1, 2008, will also be entitled to receive benefits arising from the change in the pay structure.

The Government has recently issued a directive to further simplify the procedures relating to sanction and disbursement of pension.

The government intends to ensure regular recruitment in the civil service in order to build an administration which will provide effective and efficient service to the clientele.

The Access to Information Act 2009, has been enacted at the first session of the Parliament.

The government has enacted Consumers’ Rights Protection Act 2009 at the first session of the ninth parliament

Edible oil, pulses, sugar and onions will be sold through TCB outlets at a fair price at the beginning of this fiscal year (2009-10).

The government plans to establish special Economic Zones in different parts of the country in the future. These Economic Zones will offer development opportunities to underdeveloped backward regions as well as those regions with a potential for industrial growth. To this end, the physical infrastructure of the economic zones will be developed; in particular communication and power and energy supply will be improved. The framework of the proposed Economic Zones is being finalized.

Trade liberalisation will continue after the current economic crisis has abated. Several foreign investors have shown interest even in this crisis situation

Revenue target for 2009-10 has been set at BDT 61,000 crore from NBR sources. The target comprises Tk. 16,560 crore for Income Tax, Tk. 23,236 for Duties and Taxes at Import stage and Tk. 20,735 crore for domestic VAT and supplementary duty and Tk. 469 crore for other duties and taxes.

VAT exemption in power production: Proposed to withdraw VAT on domestically produced/assembled generators and solar Panel from all VAT at stages of import, domestic production and supply.

Will re-fix the penalty limit to “minimum equivalent amount to maximum two and half times the tax amount”

Special privilege for small and cottage industries: Proposed to lift the threshold by 67% to Tk. 25 lakh from 15 lakh and increase the limit of turnover for cottage industry to Tk. 40 lakh from existing Tk. 24 lakh.

Proposed to withdraw VAT from internet use in educational institutions

Proposed VAT exemption for rural small industries, agriculture and dairy industries

Exemption of VAT from physician's fees and domestic production of drugs for preventing cancer.

Unification of Chittagong Customs House and establishment of full-blown Bond Commissionerate have been proposed.

Proposed to withdraw 15% VAT against import of Manganese Ore.

A separate HS code has been proposed to create for taps, cocks and valves having a diameter of one inch or less used for household purposes and imposes customs duty at 25%.

Customs duty for unfinished raw materials [to produce brake lining of asbestos] is proposed to reduce from 25% to 12%.

Proposed to withdraw 20% supplementary duty on import of milk based food preparations in bulk.

Supplementary duty has been proposed to increase on air-conditioner import to 60% from 20% and 45% supplementary duty on its parts; on refrigerators from 20% to 30%; on luxury light fittings and fixtures from 20% to 60%.

An Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases with 100-bed hospital will be established in Chittagong in order to eradicate all types of infectious and communicable diseases by 2021, and conduct research for the control of those diseases.

6 nursing institutes will be upgraded to nursing colleges and the establishment of 12 new nursing institutes will be undertaken.

5 new medical colleges and 6 health technology institutes will be established by next fiscal year.

All hospitals at upazila and district-levels will be modernised and upgraded to 50-bed and 250-bed hospitals respectively to render better hospital-based services to the patients.

To solve the problem of malnutrition, National Nutrition Programme will be extended to 123 upazilas by the next fiscal year and later all upazilas of the country will be broughted under this programme in phases.

Govt. proposes to earmark Tk. 498 crore, development and non development combined, for the procurement of birth control related materials and equipment.

Govt. has targeted to reduce the child mortality rate from 52 to 15 per thousand and maternal mortality rate from 2.9 percent to 1.5 percent by 2021.

Almost 15.2 percent of total non-development and development budget which is almost 2.5 percent of GDP will be allocated for the social safety net and social empowerment programmes

Goverment proposed to allocate Tk. 5,877 crore under the non-development budget for the Food for Works Programme, VGF, VGD, TR (Food), GR (Food) and also for the food assistance in the form of food security programmes for the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Tk. 8.67 core allocated to the National Social Welfare Council for distribution as grants

Govt. proposes to allocate Tk. 100 crore to meet the emergency expenditure in the ICT sector and to enhance the amount of the existing Equity Entrepreneurship Fund relating to ICT promotion from Tk. 100 crore to Tk. 200 crore.

SME fund raised from BDT 500 crore to BDT 600 crore

The first half of the fiscal year will be very critical.

It is estimated that the economic growth of the current FY 2008-09 will stay around 5.9 percent. In the context of the reality of the global situation where it is forecast that the overall global output growth and the growth of the developed economies will be negative.

The export growth during July-March period in the current fiscal stood at 14.5 percent which was 12.4 percent during the corresponding period of the previous year.

Under PPP private investment will be inspired

During July-March period in the current fiscal, RMG sector registered a growth of 19.9 percent of which the share of woven garments was 18.4 percent and that of knitwear 21.4 percent.

BDT 2100 crore allocated to PPP budget

Next September PPP will be finalize

according to the latest information available remittance growth remains buoyant in the current fiscal year. Up to April 2009 the remittance flow amounted to US$ 7.9 billion registering a growth of 22.5 percent.

Finance minister AMA Muhith has proposed a budget of Tk 1,13,819 crore for FY2009-10, or 16.5 percent of total GDP.

The budget deficit will amount to Tk 34,358 crore

Muhith proposed to meet the deficit by loans totalling Tk 20,555 crore from internal sources while another Tk 13,803 crore from foreign support

Economic growth in the next fiscal year will be 5.5 percent

Annual inflation will come down to 6.5 percent from 7 percent of fiscal 2009.

Though the growth of remittance is expected to be slowed down, the total remittance will still cross US$ 10 billion mark.

In FY 2009-10, the total estimated revenue will be Tk.79,461 crore which is 11.6 percent of GDP.

The share of NBR revenues will be Tk. 61,000 crore (8.9 percent of GDP), Non-tax and Non-NBR revenues will be Tk. 15,506 crore and Tk. 2,955 crore respectively (2.7 percent of GDP)

Annual inflation will come down to 6.5 percent from 7 percent of fiscal 2009.

the size of ADP for the FY 2009-10 will be Tk. 30,500 crore (4.4 percent of GDP) and the total expenditure will stand at Tk. 1,13,819 crore, which is 16.5 percent of GDP.

The budget deficit is estimated to be within 5 percent of GDP of which 2 percent will be financed from external sources and the remaining 3 percent will be financed from domestic sources.

In the proposed budget estimates 7.8 percent is allocated for overall agriculture sector (agriculture, fisheries and livestock, rural development and water resources), 22.1 percent for local government, 14 percent for power and energy, 15.7 percent for communication (roads, railway, bridges, waterways, airways and telecommunication), 23.5 percent for human development (health, education and science & technology).

Stake of agriculture in national economy is 22 percent

32.7 percent allocation for social infrastructure

27.7 percent allocation for physical infrastructure

22.6 percent allocation for general service proposed

About 32.7 percent of the total outlay has been allocated for social infrastructure of which 18.8 percent has been allocated for human development.

The physical infrastructure sector will receive an allocation of 27.7 percent of the total outlay, of which 15.5 percent to overall agriculture and rural development sector.

6.5 percent allocation to the broad communication sector 3.8 percent will go to the power and energy sector.

Tk. 4,000 crore allocation for irrigation project for FY 2009-10

Tk. 4,285 crore was allocated in the budget of 2008-09 as subsidy for fertilizer

Due to abnormal price hike of urea and non-urea fertilizer in the international market around that time, the amount of subsidy was raised by Tk. 1,500 crore to Tk. 5,785

Due to abnormal price hike of urea and non-urea fertilizer in the international market around that time, the amount of subsidy was raised by Tk. 1,500 crore to Tk. 5,785

To increase crop production in FY 2009-10, government proposed 7 programmes and 6 projects for developing high yielding variety seeds at a cost of Tk. 280 crore

planned to increase the seed storage capacity from 40,000 MT to 100,000 MT.

allocated Tk. 185.21 crore for agricultural research and agricultural rehabilitation assistance for maintaining the growth of crop production.

BDT 4285 crore allocated as subside to fertilizer and other agricultural activities

Finance minister proposed to allocate Tk. 5,965 crore, development and non-development combined, for the Ministry of Agriculture in FY 2009-10.

Information Technology will be implemented in rural areas for development

Government planned to increase the target of agricultural loan from existing Tk. 9,379 crore to Tk. 10,000 crore and continue loan programmes at specially reduced rate of interest in the hill districts.

There is a plan to excavate 40 km and re-excavate 65 km of irrigation canal

Salinity protection program has been implemented in 12.35 lakh hectares of land out of 26.37 hectares threatened by the risk of salinity.

We shall undertake programmes to recover 20,000 hectares of land in the coastal area by making dykes and embankments and to rehabilitate 16 thousand poor families on 11,055 hectares of land.

Allocated Tk. 1,483 crore, development and non-development combined, for water resource development in the next fiscal year.

"One Household One Farm" progect will be implemented during July 2009 to June 2014 at an estimated cost of Tk. 1,246 crore. A total of 5,78,400 rural families will be brought under this programme and 29,00,000 people will be benefited from this project, directly or indirectly.

In the next fiscal year 13,700 km. of roads and 54,260 metres of bridges/culverts will be constructed and reconstructed through this Department. To this end an allocation of Tk.3,575 crore is proposed in ADP.

Allocated Tk.8,321 crore, development and non-development combined, for rural development and local government in the next fiscal year. This is 24 percent higher than the allocation of last fiscal year.

Under the coverage of Rural Electrification Programme 48,745 villages have been provided with electricity connection up to April 2009. The number of beneficiaries will exceed 7,600,000 and the total distribution line is 2,18,350 kilometres

Finance Minister are proposing to implement a programme titled Employment Generation for the Hardcore Poor in FY 2009-10. This will create employment for 49 lakh man-months.

Boro procurement target for FY 2009-10 is 16 lakh MT, which is the highest during the last five years.

Allocated 4 lakh MT of food grains as Test Relief (TR), 5.5 lakh MT as VGF, 3.75 lakh MT as Food for Work (FFW) and 2.65 lakh MT as VGD to secure access to food and generate employment.

Test Relief (TR), Food for Work (FFW), and such other programmes being implemented from the revenue budget will create an employment of 2.87 crore man months, which is 10 percent (27.3 lakh man-months)

To face any possible disaster finance minister targeted a stock of 14 lakh MT of food grains.

For Annual Development Programme, employment for 264.8 lakh man-months of work will be created

The monthly rate of Old Age Allowance increased from Tk. 250 to Tk. 300 and widens the beneficiary coverage from 20 lakh to 22.50 lakh.

Allowance for the Destitute Women is now Tk. 300 per person. Government proposed to raise the allocation to Tk. 331.20 crore in the next fiscal year from Tk. 61.20 crore from the current fiscal year

Government proposed monthly allowance of Tk. 300 for the Insolvent-Disabled and also increased the number of beneficiaries from 2 lakh to 2 lakh 60 thousand. For this purpose, Tk. 93.6 crore 60 thousand will be required in the fiscal year 2009-10.

Allowance for Poor Lactating Mothers increased from Tk. 50 to Tk. 350. Current budget allocated Tk. 25 crore for launching a programme namely 'Allowance for Lactating Low Income Working Mothers in Urban Areas'

Addition of 5000 MW power to the national grid by June 2013

Private sector in power generation is involved

Saving of 350 MW of electricity by using energy saving bulbs

17 sub-stations and 15,000 kilometres of distribution line will be constructed

Establishment of nuclear power plant being considered

Gas exploration to be commenced at the coastal belt

Gas Development Fund to be created for enhancing the capacity of BAPEX

Energy and Coal Policy is nearing finalisation

Industry contribution to GDP is 28 percent and expected to increase to 40 percent by 2021

Agricultural and labour intensive industries to be given priority

Plan to adopt the strategies for development of sustainable technology-based agro-rural industries

Simplification of investment related laws & regulation

Govt. proposes 14 percent higher allocation than the revised budget of FY 2008-09 by allocating Tk. 21,367 crore, development and non-development combined, for health, education and technology for FY 2009-10 which forms 19 percent of the total budget.

Free-market economy without any conscious state-intervention cannot be sustainable

Credit and training to be provided to SME entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs being given priority in providing credit

Emphasis on PPP for development of transportation and communication

Priority for Padma Bridge construction

Based on the report of the Expert Committee that has been formed considering the report of Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda Commission, a new education policy will be put into effect very soon.

to build a communication network surrounding each growth centre, hat-bazaar, schools and colleges and health centres at all Union Parishads of the country

Environment friendly transport system in the capital city.

a double-line rail track between Tongi and Bhairab Bazaar with signalling system will be constructed

Bangladesh Railway to be linked to Trans- Asian Railways

Dredging of waterways emphasised

The new programmes of the present Government in education sector include: free education by phases up to graduation level, introducing stipend to male students, modernisation of Madrasha education and enhancement of science-related study and research work.

Establishing of deep-seaport being expedited

Mongla port to be made more operative

Internet facilities to be extended to rural areas to implement Digital Bangladesh

Bangladesh Biman has signed an MOU with US-based Boeing Company to purchase 10 new generation aircrafts by year 2015

Housing for all by 2021

Ministry of Housing and Public Works has worked out a plan to 55 Planned Township to be established for best use of land Steps taken for reforming the Building Code Accommodation for insolvent freedom fighters to be arranged Special importance given to Human Resource Sector Development develop 22,800 plots and construct 26,000 apartments in the next 3 years for the lower and middle income groups

Highest importance has been given for achieving quality education by establishing standard educational institutions in all localities according to their needs.

Accommodation for insolvent freedom fighters to be arranged

The Govt. targets to recruit a minimum of five teachers for each primary school in the shortest possible time

To tackle any possible disaster, Tk. 133.20 crore will be earmarked for different sectors

E-commerce by 2012, E-Governance by 2014

Goverment allocated Tk. 20 crore for the Women and Freedom Fighters Self-employment Fund

Goverment allocated Tk. 2 crore for the Acid Burnt Women and Rehabilitation of Physically Challenged/Disabled

100 crore TK allocated for Assistance to Poultry Farms

Govt. proposes to allocate Tk. 300 crore in the next fiscal year for free distribution of text-books at the secondary level in order to achieve the target of removing illiteracy from the country by 2014.

compulsory computer and technical education at secondary and primary levels by 2013 and 2021 respectively

2009-10 budget allocated 5.41 crore TK for launching a new programme titled 'Disabled Service and Assistance Centre'

Next fiscal year Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation will distribute 200 crore TK as micro credit

Govt. has proposed Tk. 3,904 crore for disbursing monthly payment orders (MPO) to non- government teachers which covers 62 percent of the revenue budget of Ministry of Education.

Finance Minister are proposing to implement a programme titled Employment Generation for the Hardcore Poor in FY 2009-10. This will create employment for 49 lakh man-months.

Test Relief (TR), Food for Work (FFW), and such other programmes being implemented from the revenue budget will create an employment of 2.87 crore man months, which is 10 percent (27.3 lakh man-months)

For Annual Development Programme, employment for 264.8 lakh man- months of work will be created

In FY 2009-10, an additional employment of 77 lakh (6.4 lakh for the whole year) man-months will be created under non-development and development budget over that of the previous year. In the next fiscal year employment opportunity for 32.57 percent of this unemployed population will be created.

Government propose Tk. 92 crore for implementation of the One Household, One Farm Programme

Govt. proposes to allocate Tk. 112 crore for additional MPO subvention to non-government institutions for FY 2009-10.

Reinstate Women Development Policy formulated by the Awami League Government in 1997, which is consistent with the UN declaration on Women Rights and empowerment and declaration made in the World Women Convention in Beijing.

Separate banking arrangement, loan and technical facilities will be ensured women entrepreneurs.

Hostels for working women will be constructed at district headquarters as necessary.

Six Child Development Centres will be set up in big cities to provide security and shelter and offer opportunity to grow up as worthy citizens. This will ensure shelter for 1,500 street children.

The creation of a Multi-Donor Trust Fund with support from donors is in progress. The proposed Fund received a commitment of US$ 97.9 million from the International cooperation and Government's own initiative to manage disasters from climate change Governments of UK and Denmark. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to provide Tk. 490 crore as budgetary support during the next three years, to cope with the environment related disasters. At the same time, Japan has proposed to contribute Tk. 700 crore from their Japan Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF) facility in managing the risk due to climate change.

Tk. 700 crore allocated in FY 2009-10 towads the climate change fund.

For Employment Generation for the Hard Core Poor programme Current budget allocated Tk. 1,176 crore

All living freedom fighters would be brought under regular allowance programme and need to allocate Tk. 59.16 crore in FY 2009-10.

An allocation of Tk. 217.55 crore is proposed for development and non- development combined, in the next year's budget for the development of youth and sports.

An allocation of Tk. 148.55 crore is proposed for assistance for insolvent cultural workers

An allocation of Tk. 217.55 crore is proposed for development and non- development combined, in the next year's budget for the development of youth and sports.

Defence budget increases from Tk. 7,967 crore in the current fiscal year to Tk. 8,196 crore in the revised budget for FY 2008-09 and allocate Tk. 8,382 crore in the budget for FY 2009-10.

An allocation of Tk. 70 crore is proposed towards the Skill Development Fund, to be created for retention and expansion of labour market abroad, research for exploring new labour markets, for conducting training for the prospective workers and re-training

There is a plan to merge Bangladesh Shilpa Bank and Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Shangstha and create a wholly government- owned public limited company to strengthen the operation of a unified investment bank.

We stand committed to attracting more FDI and our focus will be on reducing the cost of business through administrative reforms and easier provisioning of utility services. The Better Business Forum constituted during the tenure of the Caretaker Government will continue to function.

Government allocated 20 crore Tk in the next fiscal year for the training to enhance professional efficiency of the youth having educational qualification of Higher Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent

Government proposed to allocate Tk. 170 crore for the Rural Roads Maintenance Project which employs poor working people

Govt. proposes to allocate Tk. 322 crore, development and non development combined, in vocational sector for FY 2009-10, which constitutes an increase of 56.3 percent over the allocation of current fiscal year.

Current budget allocated 12.85 crore TK for Employment Generation in the Northern Region for Hard Core Poor Of Monga area

Govt. has committed to introduce compulsory computer and technical education at secondary and primary levels by 2013 and 2021 respectively.

Government allocated Tk. 75.60 crore for the Char areas, Rehabilitation Package for the Poor and Tk. 57.83 crore for the Economic Empowerment of the Poor women

Goverment propose to allocated Tk. 1,137.50 crore for the Stipend Programme at different levels under the social safety net programmes. Beside this, Tk. 9.80 core has been allocated for the Disabled Students and their schools