Bangladesh budget 2025-26

Subsidy load swells despite weak revenue

The government’s target to provide subsidies and incentives amounting to Tk 125,741 crore in fiscal year 2025-26 is creating high pressure on fund mobilisation amid a challenging macroeconomic situation.

Education in FY2026 budget / Action fails to match rhetoric again

A clear sense of direction and strategy for the education system is lacking, as it has been under past political governments.

Opinion / Can't afford another lost decade for education

Whenever the issue of education surfaces in Bangladesh, policymakers across the political spectrum tend to strike a familiar chord. "Education is our top priority," they harp

FY2025-26 Budget / The budget was a missed chance to honour the revolution

This budget failed to redefine the role of the state and mark a departure from inequality and patronage.

Agri budget not enough to ensure food security: experts

The government has proposed a 3.55 percent rise in the budget allocation for agriculture, food, livestock and fisheries in the next fiscal year, setting aside Tk 39,620 crore..But agro-economists say the increase is far from sufficient to ensure the country’s long-term food security..<p

Gender budget shrinks, concerns raised over women’s development

Rights activists warn that this rollback threatens to reverse progress and stall efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FY2026 budget: A missed opportunity for structural reform

The proposed budget for 2025-26 fiscal year is at an opportune moment in Bangladesh's economic and political economy.

Chambers warn budget may hurt business, investment

Just a day after the interim government proposed the national budget and tax measures for fiscal year 2025-26, leading business chambers expressed significant concern that several measures could potentially impede business growth and affect investment.

Budget targets chocolate, lipstick

If you're planning to import cheap lipstick into Bangladesh anytime soon, think again. The country's interim government, in its latest budget, has quietly declared war on undervalued imports with a series of oddly specific tweaks to customs rules. Among the victims: chocolate bars, lipsticks, eye shadow, and -- wait for it -- inflatable toys.

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

What's getting costlier, what's getting cheaper

In his televised address to the nation, the adviser also proposed changes to duties on different products, which will result in increase and decrease in their prices

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Requirement for return filing proof reduced to 12 services 

Previously, these requirements were mandatory for as many as 43 services. 

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Budget not conducive for investment: BCI

The proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025-26 does not offer a conducive environment for investment and lacks the direction needed to drive industrial growth, said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI).

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Govt trims bank borrowing target by 24%

According to budget documents, the total deficit for FY 2025–26 is projected at Tk 221,000 crore. 

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Food-Friendly Programme to benefit 5 lakh more families 

Since January 2025, the government has also been distributing essential commodities such as lentils and soybean oil among 57 lakh families using “smart family cards” through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh. 

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

State support for July uprising families to rise by 74%

The funds will go towards allowances, medical care, grants, and rehabilitation.

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Govt eyes profound transformation through budget

Grounded in the spirit of the July Uprising, the budget seeks to restore economic stability while fostering a just and sustainable society.

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

No hike in power prices as govt targets 10% cost reduction

To support this move, the tax deduction at source (TDS) during electricity purchase payments has been reduced to 4 percent from the existing 6 percent

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Tk 100cr startup fund proposed to back new entrepreneurs

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has proposed a Tk 100 crore startup fund in the national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 to support emerging entrepreneurs.

June 2, 2025
June 2, 2025

Key takeaways from FY26 budget

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today proposed a Tk 7,90,000 crore budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, which is 12.7 percent of the GDP