Finance minister AMA Muhith on Sunday said downward revision of the targeted growth of gross domestic product (GDP) in the current fiscal year is a must as the ongoing blockade has crippled all kinds of economic activities. ‘It (blockade) is not only hampering the implementation status of the budget but also destabilizing all kinds of economic activities,’ he told reporters after a meeting with the officials of the Human Development Foundation at the secretariat.
How the economy would grow when all activities are shut, he said.
Muhith, who appeared worried, made the statement on 27th day of the countrywide blockade being enforced by mainstream political party, BNP, to press home their demand for fresh election through a fruitful dialogue.
He said the GDP growth rate targeted at 7.3 per cent in the current fiscal year would be revised downward.
Awami League-led alliance that has been in power since 2009 could not exceed GDP growth rate 7.06 in 2006-07 as per base year of 2004-05.
The highest growth rate of 6.46 per cent under the AL back-to-back regime was obtained in 2010-11.
Muhith said revision of the national budget would start after placing the report on the first two quarters of the fiscal year in the parliament. He said he might submit the report within next few days.
He said he expected that disastrous political activities would not last more than seven days.
The finance minister said BNP should pursue sensible political programmes, instead of giving ‘stupid’ programmes
Muhith said he still believed that solution to the present political impasse was possible.
He, however, said he was ready to be involved in any talks, if there is any, between AL and BNP.
-With New Age input
