Finance Minister Khosru: Tax Increase and Investment Crucial for Economic Recovery

Staff Report: PNN

Finance Minister Ameer Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the need to raise taxes to help revive the country’s fragile economy. He stated that revenue enhancement and investment expansion are government priorities for creating employment.

On Friday afternoon (February 27), after inspecting designated land for a proposed government hospital in Patenga, Chittagong, the minister told journalists, “Revenue must be increased and utilized in proper investment. Without investment, creating new employment is impossible.”

He added that the government is giving special attention to attracting both domestic and foreign investment. In the upcoming budget, education, health, and employment sectors will receive the highest priority.

Earlier in the afternoon, the minister visited the proposed hospital construction sites in Jale Para, Patenga Thana. He inspected two plots measuring 14.2190 acres and 2.7 acres. During the inspection, Rear Admiral Md. Moinul Hasan, Commander of Chittagong Naval Area, briefed the minister about the geographical location, transportation, infrastructural facilities, and future development prospects of the land. Senior officials from Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), the district administration, and the land office were also present.

Additionally, BNP joint convenor Mohammad Niye Bhola and member Sarfaraj Qader Russell were present. The minister expressed hope that the hospital, once realized, would provide higher-quality healthcare for Patenga and surrounding areas, further strengthening Chittagong metropolitan healthcare infrastructure.