Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has emphasized that increasing taxes is essential to attract both domestic and foreign investment and to help revive the country’s fragile economy.

The minister made the remarks on Friday afternoon in Chattogram`s Patenga, while responding to journalists after inspecting land earmarked for a proposed government hospital.

When asked about the government’s priorities to overcome the current economic challenges, the minister said, “The priority is to raise taxes. Increasing taxes will help boost investment. Domestic and foreign investment must increase. One of our main programs is employment and with higher investment, employment opportunities will grow.”

He added that education, health and employment will receive priority in the upcoming budget.

During the visit, Minister Chowdhury inspected land at Jelepara area of Patenga upazila designated for the new government hospital.

At 3:00 PM, he also visited land acquired by Bangladesh Navy in Muslimabad area near Marine Drive, west of Banouja Ulka Abad Zone-2, as part of preparations for the hospital. In total, he inspected 14.2190 acres and 2.7 acres of Navy-acquired land in Patenga.

While accompanying the minister, Rear Admiral Md. Moinul Hasan, Commander of Chattogram Naval Area, briefed him on the land’s location, geographical features, connectivity, surrounding infrastructure and future development potential.

Also present during the visit were officials from Banouja Ulka, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), District Commissioner’s office and the relevant land office.

Local BNP leaders, including Mohammad Niyaz Bhola, Joint Convener of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP and member Sarfraz Qader Russell, were also in attendance.