Financial Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced today that the interim government has aimed to deliver a people-oriented and business-friendly budget for Fiscal Year 2026, prioritizing a practical, pragmatic, and implementable financial plan.
“Despite numerous adversities, we are committed to moving forward with collective cooperation,” stated Dr. Ahmed during a post-budget press conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. “Our goal is to enhance the living standards of our citizens and advance the nation, positioning Bangladesh as an international example.
Dr. Ahmed, accompanied by other advisors and senior government officials, addressed the media following the budget’s unveiling. The Tk 7,90,000 crore national budget for FY26 was presented via a pre-recorded televised speech on Monday, a necessary measure given the absence of the Jatiya Sangsad.
This marks the first time in the country’s history that the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year is marginally smaller than the previous one (FY25). This adjustment comes amid persistent challenges in inflation, the energy sector, the banking sector, and revenue collection.
Dr. Ahmed acknowledged past narratives of economic growth, noting that their benefits had not always reached the common populace equitably. He emphasized a crucial shift in perspective: “While growth remains essential, the paramount objectives are to improve people’s living standards, enhance their purchasing power, and fully restore law and order to foster a conducive environment for trade and commerce.”
He described the path ahead as challenging, yet highlighted proactive measures taken by the government. “We have mobilized both local and foreign resources, reorganized the revenue board and tax system, and are actively negotiating for increased international support while diligently managing our debt sustainability,” he affirmed.
The Finance Advisor underscored that the FY26 budget is not “business as usual,” asserting a clear continuity of policy measures while recognizing the impracticality of a complete deviation from existing trends. “Delivering a revolutionary budget overnight is not feasible. However, this budget incorporates courageous steps, including tax concessions, efforts to restore fiscal discipline, and a commitment to policy continuity,” he explained. He also indicated that all received suggestions and opinions would be thoroughly considered before the budget’s finalization later this month.
Dr. Ahmed called upon citizens and media personnel to adopt a collaborative approach and offer constructive criticism to ensure the successful implementation of the budget and the nation’s continued progress. “Bangladesh’s historical performance is strong. Although our pace was somewhat sluggish before we assumed responsibility, we are striving for advancement. Our objective is to ensure transparency in the livelihoods of ordinary citizens and prioritize social safety nets. Bangladesh enjoys a very positive perception from both global nations and development partners,” he added.
When questioned about provisions for legalizing undisclosed money, Dr. Ahmed conceded the difficulty in recovering stolen assets due to the sophistication of money launderers. He noted that while money launderers utilize complex layering techniques, the government is actively tracing these illicit funds, acknowledging that the process will require time. He cited Nigeria’s two-decade effort to repatriate laundered money as an example, confirming that Bangladesh has initiated its own recovery process for stolen and siphoned-off assets.
“If we could have recovered those laundered funds from abroad, we would not have needed budget support, or even assistance from the IMF,” Dr. Ahmed stated, further elaborating that greater tax collection, effective tax evasion checks, and complete corruption eradication would similarly reduce the need for such support.
Emphasizing the country’s immense potential, he urged all stakeholders to seize these opportunities in alignment with contemporary demands. “We are transitioning from village roads to the highway, and this path will progressively widen,” he remarked.
Dr. Ahmed confirmed ongoing reforms across various sectors, stating the government’s commitment to implementing as many reform initiatives as possible, thereby establishing a precedent for successive administrations.
He concluded by outlining the central challenges in framing the budget: balancing limited resources against vast sectoral demands, and critically, mobilizing both local and foreign resources amidst global economic conditions. Furthermore, restoring the economic and law and order situations, which he noted were significantly deteriorated under the previous regime, presented considerable hurdles. “We had to operate under these conditions and frame the budget with resource constraints, relying on local resources and support from foreign sources,” he explained. Sources
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