11 June 2026, 11:17 AM
11 June 2026, 22:36 PM
Star Business Report
Star Online Graphics
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has placed his budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026-27 before parliament today.It will be the first budget to be tabled by Amir Khosru, a former commerce minister during the previous tenure of the BNP government.The finance minister has unveiled 10 priorities on which he has framed the fiscal proposals for FY2026-27, aiming to accelerate economic growth to 6.5 percent and bring down inflation to 7.5 percent which has severely impacted the living standards of the majority of the population.Here are the 10 priorities.Inclusive developmentThe government aims to establish a discrimination-free, inclusive economy by ensuring the fair participation and partnership of all people, classes, sectors, and regions.Quality education and healthcare for allThe fiscal plan intends to transform the youth into capable human resources through a value-based, skills-oriented, and realistic education system as a fundamental right. It also seeks to ensure quality universal healthcare for all.Universal social ProtectionThe budget looks to strengthen the foundation of a welfare state by building a social security system for citizens of all ages and levels, adopting a universal, life-cycle-based safety net approach.An economy driven by investment-led, employment and productionThe goal is to create entrepreneurs and generate employment and income opportunities for the youth through planned industrialisation, export diversification, and expanded technology-based economic activities, while establishing agriculture as a strategic sector for production, livelihood, and national food security.Deregulation and a cost-effective, simplified business environmentChowdhury aims to build a transparent, easy, and affordable business-friendly environment by avoiding delays and unnecessary bureaucracy through deregulation.Financial sector stabilityThe proposal focuses on restoring the confidence and accountability of depositors by enforcing discipline, transparency, and accountability in the banking and financial sectors, alongside encouraging investment through capital market reforms.Energy securityThe government plans to build self-reliant energy security by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of electricity and fuel to maintain productive continuity, while developing an affordable, reliable, and environment-friendly power system.Digital transformation and ICT Development The priority is to transform Bangladesh into one of the world's leading ICT exporters by building a future-oriented, dynamic, and technologically inclusive nation.Management of life, nature, environment, and water resources The budget targets a sustainable, green, and environmentally resilient future by mitigating climate change impacts, driving public-led afforestation, embedding environmental checks in development, restoring river navigability, and reviving canal excavation programmes.Transparent, efficient, and accountable institutions and administrative systemsThe final priority aims to make public investment implementation efficient and effective, while building merit-based, accountable institutions to develop sustainable national capacity.
