Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman in his coming budget speech is expected to paint a rosy picture of the economy and tell success stories of the present four-party alliance government, which ends its five-year term next October. Sources said concerned ministries have been directed to send positive analyses of events the country endured over the past several years. The directive that was issued by the Finance Division March 12 asked the ministries to concentrate on success stories of the present government in poverty reduction and economic growth. Information on the donor prescribed poverty reduction strategy (PRS) and positive impacts following the formulation of different other policies have also been sought to accommodate in the budget speech. The directive has given the ministries option to express their views other then the suggested areas. But any critical overview is suggested to avoid. The directive asked the ministries to send their respective analysis by April 16 and help the finance division prepare the budget speech on behalf of the finance minister. The announcement of budget for the fiscal year of 2006-07 will be a record for Rahman, who has already placed it 11 times in parliament. Sources said such directive has been given to prepare the budget for the fifth and final year of the present four-party alliance. The next general election is likely to be held in January 2007 under a caretaker government. Sources, however, said it will be a difficult job for different ministries and divisions like power and energy, communications, health and education to project success stories. The nagging power crisis in both urban and rural areas due to huge gap between supply and demand, price hike of gasoline and essential commodities are some of the areas that might overshadow the government successes, they added. The country's export earning, especially on account of readymade garments, is maintaining a good growth in the first year of the post Multi Fibre Arrangement (MFA). It may experience a record growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) for successes in the agriculture and industrial sectors.
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