The budget is as much a social and political roadmap as it is an economic blueprint and that aspect was near the forefront of Finance Minister AMA Muhith’s budget speech on Thursday.
Published : 07 Jun 2018, 08:56 PM
The 85-year-old, who has helmed the country’s budget preparation 12 times, combined the story of his personal journey with that of Bangladesh’s path toward progress.
In a 166-page dossier, titled “Bangladesh on a Pathway to Prosperity”, Muhith often reflected on his own life, dreams and the country’s future.
But, as the election loomed on the horizon, he did not shy away from seeking another mandate for the ruling Awami League to take this “decade of progress” forward.
“What we need now is to consolidate everything through a plan with a longer-term vision and competent leadership and its continuation,” Muhith said, as he rolled out a budget just close to his dream number—Tk 5 trillion.
In laying out his vision for future and seeking votes, Muhith seems to have taken cues from his party leader Sheikh Hasina and said: “We are fortunate to have been blessed with such leadership.”
“I am confident, the people will stand by us by offering another mandate for implementing Vision 2041, as they did while taking forward the agenda of Vision 2021.”
The Awami League government has showcased an “enviable and internationally-recognised” capacity for rapid implementation of socio-economic development plans, he claimed.
“The country which was once disregarded as ‘bottomless basket’ is now globally considered a ‘development-miracle’; Bangladesh’s socio-economic achievement is a global role-model.”
“Bangladesh’s huge potential amazes and inspires me. I am overwhelmed when I see how the people of this country can turn around after tremendous shocks; how a country with insufficient resources and innumerable constraints—once labelled as a ‘basket case’—can become a ‘development miracle!’”
Muhith said he took personal pride in his achievements as a successful finance minister after suffering the embarrassing label of the ‘world’s beggar’ throughout the early 1970s and 1980s.
But now, in addition to growth, Bangladesh will focus on equality and justice, giving priority to issues such as women’s development, child education, health and social protection, he said.
The finance minister said the Awami League government would consolidate and sustain growth to ensure that all people of all strata have access to the fruits of development.
In this way, Muhith said, Bangladesh will journey to both growth and equity in its effort to build a “happy and prosperous” society free from exploitation and discrimination he dreamt of 47 years ago when he joined the Liberation War.
Muhith also acknowledged that he was known for his elaborate and lengthy budget speeches.
“There is a complaint against me that I deliver long and detailed budget speeches, which is true,” Muhith said. “However, the purpose of my long speech is to draw the people’s attention to budget.”
“People listen to budget speech and read sometimes, raise questions about critical issues and understand the budget proposals,” Muhith said.
“I think I am successful in this regard.”
Muhith was deeply satisfied with his life but painfully aware that age was catching up. “I may not be able to contribute much to our Vision 2041, Bangladesh’s roadmap to prosperity, because of my age but I am highly satisfied and feel assured that the process has begun.”
“Certainly, I will try to be associated with this grand initiative.”