Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said raising taxes is crucial to pull the country out of its current economic slowdown.
 

Speaking to reporters in his electoral area at Patenga’s Jele Para, the minister said, “The priority is to increase taxes. Through higher taxes, we must attract more domestic and foreign investment. Creating new employment is one of our main goals. Investment growth will, in turn, create more jobs.”
 

He added that employment, education, and health would remain top priorities in the upcoming national budget.
 

During a visit to the site of a proposed government hospital in Jale Para, where 14- and 2-acre plots have already been acquired, the minister expressed hope that work on the project would start soon.
 

Officials from the Bangladesh Navy, district administration, Chattogram Development Authority, and many other state agencies were present during the visit.