Muhith wants to break Saifur Rahman’s record of preparing 12 national budgets

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith wants to break predecessor Saifur Rahman’s record of presenting 12 national budgets.

Abdur Rahim Badal Chief Economics Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 May 2015, 04:20 AM
Updated : 24 May 2015, 04:22 AM

“I am fortunate to have prepared eight budgets of Bangladesh. And now I am going to announce the ninth in a few days,” Muhith has said.

“I want to prepare more budgets if I am alive,” he said in an interview on the 2015-16 budget to bdnews24.com’s Abdur Rahim Harmachi at his residence in Sylhet on Friday.

He spoke about his plans, the condition of the economy, the banking sector, and politics. He also dwelt on the world economy.

The finance minister is scheduled to present the budget for 2015-16 fiscal year in Parliament on June 4.

Talking about late finance minister Rahman’s presentation of 12 budgets, Muhith smiled and said, “I have already set a record as I am going to present the seventh consecutive budget. No finance minister gave more than five (successive) budgets ever.”

“A total of nine already...three more remain. I hope I’ll be able to make it 12,” he added.

“I am now 83. If Allah keeps me alive, I’ll be able to make it 12 by presenting the budgets in the remaining years of the government’s term. I’ll make it, Insha Allah,” he continued.

Asked if the government would have to step down under the BNP pressure to hold snap polls, he said, “What election? Everything is calm. No election before our term ends.”

Muhith also said there was an advantage in preparing several consecutive budgets.

“We’ll continue the development activities through the new budget,” he said.