Dhaka, June 29:

Bangladesh’s Taka 871 billion ($ 14.5 nillion approximately) annual budget for 2007-08 provides for relief for the IT, newsprint and textile sector imports amidst efforts to rein in inflation and improve income-expenditure ratio.

Since there is no parliame-nt — general elections were called off amidst political turmoil in January — president Iajuddin Ahmed signed it yesterday, as per the constitution’s requirements, wh-en submitted by finance advisor Mirza Azizul Islam and finance ministry officials.

The government ‘ignored’ suggestions for more investments in health and infrastructure sector. Also rejected were pleas for lowering imports of industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, the New Age reported.