98% of Bangladesh’s budget implemented with its own funds: Khalid

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said that 98 percent of Bangladesh's budget is implemented with its funds.

The state minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the 14th Advisory Committee of Chattogram Port at Shahid Mohammad Fazlur Rahman Munshi Auditorium.

Country's people are proud of building Padma Bridge with their own finances, said Khalid.

Addressing the journalists, he said, "Your news coverage has inspired us and provided us the courage for the overall development of Chattogram Port."

"There was a time in Bangladesh when negative news was big news but time has changed and news on the country's progress is being circulated more," said the state minister.

Country's people do not pay much attention to negative news now, he said.

Mentioning the country's developmental projects, Khalid Mahmud said, Deep seaport is being constructed in Matarbari and Bangabandhu tunnel is being built at the bottom of the river Karnaphuli. Besides, many highways are being constructed under the extraordinary guidance of the prime minister. The construction works of elevated expressway, Metrorail and railway line from Chittagong to Ghumdhum in Cox's Bazar, are also going on.

He also thanked the National Board of Revenue (NBR) for playing a significant role in keeping the Chattogram Port 100 percent operational even during the pandemic.

The meeting was conducted by Port Member Zafar Alam where Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and Secretary of the ministry of shipping Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury were present.

Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Rear Admiral S M Abul Kalam Azad, District Council Chairman Abdus Salam, C&F Agents Association President AKM Altaf Hossain were also present among others.

Representatives of various organizations also took part in the meeting through the online platform Zoom.