Dhaka, June 13 -- The BNP government's first budget has set out an expansive promise - a path towards a trillion-dollar economy, lower inflation, stronger investment and broader prosperity.

But when ministers gathered on Friday for the traditional post-budget press conference, many of the questions that followed Thursday's budget speech were left looking for answers.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, flanked by senior ministers and officials, defended the Tk 9.38 trillion budget and its ambitious economic targets.

Yet on inflation, jobs, banking reform, energy security and revenue collection, much of what came from the podium sounded familiar.

The government wants to bring inflation down to 7.5 percent, lift economic grow...