Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has arrived at the Jatiya Sangsad complex to unveil his national budget proposal of Tk 6.78 lakh crore for 2022-23 fiscal year on Thursday.

The minister arrived at the complex around 11:30am.

This is the country’s 51st budget and the 23rd of the Awami League government in five terms, and the size of the budget will be about 15 per cent of the country's gross domestic product or GDP.

The budget will see special measures of tax exemptions on agriculture, food processing and small sector development.

The revenue collection target set for NBR (National Board of Revenue) is Tk 4.33 lakh crore, an increase of 9 per cent from the revenue target of the current fiscal year and annual development programme (ADP) is set at Tk 2.46 lakh crore.

Experts emphasise on having measures to control growing inflation, stabilise foreign exchange rate and steps to ensure food security.

Tajuddin Ahmad presented the maiden budget as the first finance minister of the post-independence Bangabandhu government in 1972.

In the upcoming budget, the target of GDP growth is set at 7.5 per cent and inflation will be kept at 5.5 per cent.

In the proposed budget, the expectation of GDP is set at 7.5 per cent – around Tk 44.50 lakh crore, which is Tk 16 lakh crore more than the FY22, the Finance Division sources said.

The GDP size in FY22 was Tk 28.34 lakh crore.

The government policymakers believe in FY23, three major infrastructures of the country will help in achieving the GDP growth despite projection of decline in the global economy due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Officials concerned said that three big mega projects will be launched in FY23. The Padma Bridge will be opened on June 25. This will open new doors for business and trade, which will have a positive impact on the economy.

The ministry officials said development of power, energy, communications and transport sectors will also boost growth following completion of the mega projects.