“A total of US$ 10,705.3 million equivalent to Tk 81,945 crore was paid against foreign loans (MLT-Medium and Long-term) from 2008-09 fiscal year to 2017-18 financial year,” he said replying to a starred question from Awami League MP Md Mamunur Rashid Kiron (Noakhali-3).
Of the amount, Tk 65,866.5 crore was paid as the principal amount while Tk 16,078.5 crore as interest, said the minister in the House.
Bangladesh paid Tk 5,887.7 crore (both principal amount and interest) in 2008-09 fiscal year while Tk 6,056.7 crore in 2009-10, Tk 6,614.5 crore in 2010-11, Tk 7,645 crore in 2011-12, Tk 8,838.9 crore in 2012-13, Tk 10,060.1 crore in 2013-14, Tk 8,521 crore in 2014-15, Tk 8,160 crore in 2015-16, Tk 8,887.5 crore in 2016-17 and Tk 11,273.6 crore in 2017-18 fiscal year.
Responding to another starred question from ruling party MP Ali Azam (Bhola-2), the Finance Minister said the number of taxpayers in the country is now 4,037,429.
He also mentioned various measures taken to increase the number of taxpayers.