Chattogram Reporter : Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has stressed the importance of domestic and foreign investment for Bangladesh’s economic recovery. Speaking on Friday during a visit to a proposed hospital site at Patenga Marine Drive in Chattogram, he said boosting investment is “essential” for increasing employment.
“The priority is to raise tax revenue, and the only way to do that is through higher investment, both inside and outside the country,” he said. “Employment is another key programme. In the BNP’s election manifesto, employment is a major focus.“Without investment, where will jobs come from? That is why we are emphasising investment. Domestic and foreign investment is our focus.”
“Once again, I say employment is our priority,” he added.When asked about priorities for the next national budget, Khosru said: “We will start with employment. Everything needed to achieve this will be done.”The minister also said the government plans to increase investment in the health sector. “The initiative to build a hospital at Patenga Marine Drive is timely. The government has been working steadily to improve Chattogram’s medical infrastructure.”
“A large hospital will be built. Alongside it, there will be a nursing institute and another institute for technologists. This has long been a demand of people in this part of Chattogram. We are looking at land, and it requires a sizeable area,” he said.He added that a few more potential sites are being considered to ensure suitability, and the government wants to move ahead with the hospital project as quickly as possible.
