Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has indicated that controlling inflation, creating employment opportunities, encouraging investment and ensuring the welfare of disadvantaged people will be among the key priorities of the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Speaking to reporters at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office on Wednesday ahead of the budget announcement, the minister said they are preparing a budget that will focus on the welfare of people from all sections of society.
“Tomorrow we will place the budget. There is no need to be impatient. Please wait,” he said.
While declining to disclose specific measures ahead of the announcement, Khosru said the budget will address the interests of all segments of society.
“I can say that it will be a good budget. The welfare of people from every section of society will be reflected in it. From students and workers to artisans and marginalised people, no one will be left out,” he said.
The finance minister said the government wants to pay special attention to disadvantaged sections of society.
“We want to address the needs of deprived people. In the past, the interests of many marginalised citizens did not receive adequate attention. People have seen what happened during the previous regime,” he said.
“We want to change that. The government of Tarique Rahman is preparing this budget with the welfare of every section of society in mind,” said Khosru, who is set to place the country's 56th national budget in Parliament on Thursday afternoon.
The minister said the budget will include measures aimed at containing inflation and providing policy guidance to address challenges arising from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
He also said the government will continue implementing key election pledges, including the Family Card programme, the Farmers’ Card initiative and canal excavation projects, launched after the government took office in February.
Khosru also said the budget will contain a range of measures to maintain stability in the financial sector, restore public confidence in the banking system, strengthen macroeconomic management and increase revenue collection.
According to finance ministry officials, the minister has been working 18 to 19 hours a day over the past several days as preparations for the budget entered the final stage.
Khosru, who holds an advanced degree in accounting from the University of London, previously served as commerce minister and has held leadership positions in the business community, including as a founder of the Chittagong Stock Exchange and former president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A member of the BNP Standing Committee, he assumed charge of the finance and planning ministries following the formation of the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, through the February 12 election.