Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said the government paid some Tk 819.45 billion against foreign loans in the last 10 fiscal years.
"A total of US$ 10,705.3 million equivalent to Tk 819.45 billion was paid against foreign loans (Medium and Long-term) from 2008-09 fiscal year to 2017-18 financial year," he said.
The minister gave the information while replying to a starred question from Awami League MP Md Mamunur Rashid Kiron (Noakhali-3) in the parliament on Sunday, reports UNB.
Of the amount, Tk 658.66 billion was paid as the principal amount while Tk 160.78 billion as interest, said the minister in the House.
Bangladesh paid Tk 58.88 billion (both principal amount and interest) in 2008-09 fiscal year while Tk 60.57 billion in 2009-10, Tk 66.15 billion in 2010-11, Tk 76.45 billion in 2011-12, Tk 88.39 billion in 2012-13, Tk 100.60 billion in 2013-14, Tk 85.21 billion in 2014-15, Tk 81.60 billin in 2015-16, Tk 88.88 billion in 2016-17 and Tk 112.74 billion 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.