The planning ministry is likely to propose a Tk 1.81 lakh crore development budget for next fiscal year, giving emphasis on accelerating the construction works of some flagship infrastructure projects like the Padma bridge, Rooppur power plant and Dhaka metro rail. The amount is 14.56 percent higher than current year’s Tk 1.58 lakh crore.

The government will give emphasis to the transport and power sectors in fiscal 2018-19, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told The Daily Star. “At this moment we need these sectors’ development for achieving higher growth,” he said, adding that the private sector would be booming if the two sectors’ capacities are enhanced. He went on to state that the allocation is implementable and it would help to achieve 8.1 percent GDP growth next fiscal year. The new Annual Development Programme layout will be placed at the meeting of the National Economic Council on Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who will chair the meeting, may increase the allocation if the demands of various ministries and divisions are deemed logical, according to planning ministry officials. There was a plan to complete the Padma bridge by December this year, but it may now be delayed by six to seven months, said an official of the planning ministry.

Even then, a big allocation would have to be made against the project next fiscal year.