United News of Bangladesh

The government is set to make a decision on purchasing body cameras for law enforcement agencies within the next few days, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday. “We will take a decision on the purchase of body cameras after completing a few pending tasks. Hopefully, the matter will be finalised within the next couple of days—maybe tomorrow or the day after,” he said. He said this while speaking to reporters after attending the meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Govt okays procurement of 40,000 body cameras for police use during polls Dr Salehuddin said some preparatory work regarding the procurement process is still ongoing. Responding to a question about possible delays, Dr Salehuddin noted that the government is aiming to expedite the process by shortening procedural timelines within the Public Procurement Rules (PPR). “Normally, tender procedures take some time, but we are trying to fast-track the process under the provisions of the PPR. Once the proposal is ready, we’ll move forward quickly,” he added. The Adviser did not disclose details about the number of body cameras to be purchased or the specific agencies that would receive them but hinted that the procurement would be prioritised considering operational needs and accountability requirements. The government on September 23 approved procurement of around 40,000 body cameras for police personnel to be used during the upcoming national election, scheduled for February. The procurement would be carried out through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure quality, transparency, and neutrality in the process. He said buying through UNDP will help avoid controversies over quality and pricing, as international tenders will be floated and responsibility will lie with the agency.    

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is continuing its review of Bangladesh’s progress under the ongoing loan programme and a final decision regarding the next installment is expected only after the formation of the next political government. “The IMF has acknowledged that the government has been working to address macroeconomic challenges and implement reforms. They have some recommendations, particularly on revenue generation. We agree that tax revenue remains low, and there are structural reasons for this,” Dr Ahmed said. Talking to reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat after holding a series of meetings, the adviser said the government has already undertaken necessary reforms and is consolidating the progress before the upcoming general election, scheduled for February 2026. He said tax compliance among citizens remains weak, while the temporary suspension of the new National Board of Revenue (NBR) for two months also had an impact on revenue collection. “We are working to resolve these issues.” According to the adviser, the IMF has also emphasised increasing expenditure in the social sectors, especially health, education and social protection. “On food security, we are performing reasonably well.” BGMEA briefs IMF on RMG risks, urges govt to prioritize FTAs to counter LDC graduation challenge Responding to a question on whether the government expects to receive the next IMF tranche during the tenure of the interim administration, Dr Ahmed said the focus now is to maintain stability and hand over a well-structured economic reform framework to the elected government. “We will consolidate the work done so far. Of course, we cannot complete everything. Major reforms such as tax restructuring, public sector pay commission review, and strengthening the banking sector will continue. These will be carried forward by the next government,” he said. The adviser said Bangladesh has already submitted relevant reports to the IMF, and a review mission will visit the country again early next year. “The IMF will review again around the election period and then decide on disbursement. We have no objection to this. A stable political government is needed for sustained reform.” Asked about recent remarks by the Bangladesh Bank Governor on certain policy proposals, Dr Ahmed declined to comment but said any major decision would be taken collectively by the government. “This is an internal matter of the Bangladesh government. It will go to the advisory council for consideration,” he said. In response to a question, the adviser said he is scheduled to hold final discussions with the IMF on November 15.  “I have already had a virtual meeting with them. They said they are very happy with the overall economic direction. They acknowledged the efforts we have made and are making.” IMF to probe ‘NPL data concealment’ in Bangladesh’s banking sector The adviser also informed that an independent committee comprising economists has been formed to recommend reforms in the tax system. He identified the banking sector as the most critical challenge in the economy. “Some reforms have already begun, and the rest will proceed gradually. These issues will also be handed over to the next government.” Responding to whether the sixth installment of the IMF loan will be released during the interim government’s tenure, Dr Salehuddin said the IMF will review progress again after the national election expected in February.   “They want to see how much the political government continues the reforms. That is important for them. So, after their review early next year, they will make a decision,” he said. The $4.7 billion IMF loan programme, approved in January 2023, aims to support Bangladesh’s economic stability, strengthen fiscal reforms, and enhance resilience amid global economic pressures. Several tranches have already been disbursed, while further installments remain tied to policy performance benchmarks and structural reforms. The IMF will delay disbursing the sixth tranche until the next national election and the new elected government assumes office. The interim government that assumed power on August 8, 2024 three days after the Awami League regime was ousted amid a mass uprising has announced that the next general election would be held in February. Finance ministry officials said that they were expecting the releases of the sixth and the seventh tranches in June 2026.  IMF-WB proposes unified debt management office in Dhaka to strengthen public debt governance On June 23, the IMF approved the release of the fourth and fifth tranches amounting to $1.3 billion, taking the overall amount of disbursement to $3.6 billion. In June 2025, the IMF also increased the overall loan amount to $5.5 billion from $4.7 billion under the loan programme that began in 2023 under the AL regime in 2023 to meet the balance of payment shortage.  The progarmme period has also been extended by six months to January 27, 2027 from July 2026, following requests from Dhaka. The interim government has already reduced the balance of payment pressure. Driven by higher remittance and export earnings, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves increased to $32 billion on October 16, the highest in 31 months. The latest IMF mission is also linked to the Article IV report, an annual consultation with its member countries on overall economy, on Bangladesh.    

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Saturday said spending on education is always an investment in the nation’s future. “By investing in education, we are not merely helping individual students—we are shaping the future of the country,” he said while addressing a scholarship distribution ceremony of the Brahmanbaria District Association, Dhaka. He praised Brahmanbaria as the ‘Land of Heritage and Harmony’, and lauded the community’s unity and vision for building a district recognised for knowledge, culture and innovation. The Association hosted its Executive Committee Installation and Scholarship Award Ceremony at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), highlighting both the district’s heritage and its ongoing commitment to education and social advancement. A total of 312 scholarships were distributed among meritorious students—25 at Honours level, 182 at HSC level, and 105 at SSC level, aimed at nurturing academic excellence and creating opportunities for Brahmanbaria’s youth. Quality services needed to boost revenue collection: Finance adviser Brahmanbaria District Association President MA Khalek said the district has a proud tradition of producing leaders, scholars and artists. “Today we renew our commitment to building a Brahmanbaria recognised for its talent and contribution, not for negative stereotypes,” he said. General Secretary Engineer Md Khaled Hossain Mahbub (Shyamal) said the gathering was ‘a call to action’ to create and uphold a positive image of Brahmanbaria across Bangladesh and beyond. The event ended with cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions of the district, reinforcing the message of unity and pride in its heritage.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday dismissed allegations that a particular company got special advantage in fertiliser imports and said the matter falls under the purview of the ministries concerned.  “It is not correct to say that the Finance Ministry gave such approval. Fertiliser imports are mostly managed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) under the Agriculture Ministry along with the Industries Ministry. It is their responsibility,” he told reporters after chairing meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs. He said these responding to reporters query whether the government bypassed lower bidders in awarding fertiliser import contracts, leading to higher procurement costs. Asked whether any inquiry was underway, he said, “I don’t know the details. If there are specific allegations those ministries concerned will look into it.” He said if the lowest bidder was not selected it should be examined and such issues must be investigated. The Agriculture Ministry on September 13 rejected recent media reports alleging irregularities in fertiliser procurement terming them ‘baseless, imaginary, motivated and untrue’. According to the ministry, in line with government policy, non-urea fertilisers are imported both by private importers and under state-level contracts or G-to-G agreements. After assuming office, the interim government decided to issue purchase orders only to companies offering the lowest prices which, it said, saved foreign currency and prevented abnormal profiteering. Finance Adviser stresses efficient, client-friendly taxpayer services Since no single country can simultaneously meet Bangladesh’s fertiliser demand imports are sourced from multiple countries to ensure uninterrupted supply. The ministry said cost and freight (CFR) prices vary depending on distance and transportation costs, while international bulletins such as Argus FMB and FERTICON are used to verify rates. Government data show that in the first phase of the 2025-26 fiscal year, 13 companies were awarded contracts to supply 30,000 tonnes of TSP, 2.55 lakh tonnes of DAP and 90,000 tonnes of MOP fertilisers. In the second phase, six more companies received orders to supply 90,000 tonnes of TSP and 1.20 lakh tonnes of DAP at the same prices.  

A  proposal to purchase 60 luxury vehicles for the cabinet members of the next elected government has been scrapped, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday. He announced the decision while briefing reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) he presided. “The Ministry of Public Administration placed a proposal to buy 60 vehicles for ministers of the next government. But that proposal has been cancelled,” Salehuddin said. However, the committee approved the procurement of around 300 vehicles for officials engaged in election duties at district and upazila levels, he added. According to finance ministry sources, the Public Administration Ministry had earlier proposed buying 60 Mitsubishi Pajero QX (2427cc) vehicles, each costing Tk 1.69 crore, with a total expenditure of Tk 101.61 crore. The Finance Division endorsed the proposal on August 24 after receiving it on August 19. The matter drew widespread criticism after it was reported in the media on September 4. Following the backlash, the finance adviser confirmed that the plan has been shelved.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday expressed optimism about securing a better outcome in the one-to-one negotiation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on imports from 14 countries including Bangladesh. “The final tariff will be fixed in the one-to-one negotiation with the USTR. That’s why we will have our meeting with them (USTR), the rate is not final yet,” he told reporters emerging from Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) meeting held at the cabinet division of Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting with the USTR is scheduled for July 9 (US time). The Finance Adviser dismissed concerns over weak negotiation skills on Bangladesh’s part,  saying, “Vietnam received greater tariff relief because their trade deficit with the US is $125 billion while ours is only $5 billion. So, Vietnam got the better discount in the tariff rates.” He said the Commerce Adviser is already in Washington and has been working on this issue since he went three days ago. “We will understand the matter after holding the July 8 meeting which will be held early morning on July 9 (Bangladesh time),” he said. He also said whatever be the result, the government will take its measures considering the final outcome of the meeting. Govt didn’t interfere in ACC probe into NBR officials: Finance Adviser “So far, the meetings we have all are positive,” the Finance Adviser said. US President Donald Trump on Monday slapped a 35% tariff on Bangladeshi goods, 2% lower than his initial rate announced three months ago, but significantly higher than close rival Vietnam (in the field of RMG), which recently secured a trade deal with the US under which its goods will be charged a tariff of 20%.  Trump made the much-anticipated announcement on his Truth Social account, by publishing his letter dated July 7 to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at 2.36am (Tuesday) Bangladesh time. He posted identical letters to other world leaders revealing the tariff rates for their respective countries, which said the new rates would be effective from August 1. Apart from Bangladesh, it was learned on Monday that imports from Myanmar and Laos would be taxed at 40%, Cambodia and Thailand at 36%, Serbia at 35%, Indonesia at 32%, South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30% and Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tunisia at 25%. More letters may be forthcoming.  The letters warned Trump’s counterparts to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday said after he left Bangladesh Bank as governor, all his successors just worked as agents of the government, not as governors of the central bank. “It was not possible during my time as I was in there (Bangladesh Bank). After that Bangladesh Bank used to run through the government directives,” he said. The finance adviser made the statement while responding to a question after officially announcing the successful completion of the budget preparation for 72 institutions for the current year using the State-Owned Enterprises (SoE) and Autonomous Bodies (AB) Budget, Reporting and Evaluation Database (SABRE+) at his office in the Finance Division. Dr. Salehuddin served as the 9th Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, from May 1, 2005 to April 30, 2009. Trading begins with index fall in Bangladesh’s both bourses Later, Dr. Atiur Rahman served as the 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank, from May 01, 2009, to March 15, 2016. Fazle Kabir, former Finance Secretary to the government of Bangladesh, joined as the 11th governor of Bangladesh Bank from March 20, 2016 to July 3, 2020 and Abdur Rouf Talukder, former senior finance secretary, joined as the 12th governor of Bangladesh Bank from 12 July 2022 to 09 August, 2024. Current governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, former executive director of Policy Research Institute (PRI), joined on August 14 last year. Remittance crosses $30bn on June 28, setting new record Salehuddin said that at present his ministry does not interfere in any issue of the central bank. He claimed that after his governorship those who were the governors was not for the central bank. “Sorry to say, they were act as the agents of the government, that thing does not exist right now,” he added.

The government is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel but has no immediate plan to raise fuel prices, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday. “We are observing the situation. If the fighting drags on, it may put pressure on us. But for now, we will wait,” he told reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs and Advisory Council Committee on Public Purchase at the Cabinet Division’s new conference room at the Secretariat. Responding to a question on whether the conflict could affect domestic fuel prices, Dr Salehuddin said, “There has already been a slight rise in prices internationally, but it hasn’t affected the orders we’ve already placed.” The government is also monitoring gas and LNG prices, he added. Change in budgtory proposal in whitening black money may be considered: Finance Adviser  “If the LNG price goes up significantly, we will consider that in our planning. Fortunately, the LNG import proposal we approved today is at the old price. We’re lucky to be getting it at the earlier rate.” Asked if there is any current impact on trade, he said, “No, there is no impact on trade as of now.” On whether the government is taking any special preparations in anticipation of possible future disruptions, the adviser said, “The LNG and fertiliser import proposals we approved today are at previous prices. Any new proposals in the future may face price effects.” Regarding contingency plan in case the war prolongs, Dr Salehuddin said the Energy Ministry is working on alternatives. “We heavily rely on LNG. The conflict could affect not only fuel but also fertiliser imports and maritime transport. Ships travel through the Strait of Hormuz which could be impacted. But I don’t think the war will last long.” No scope for revolutionary budget overnight: Finance Adviser In response to a question on whether fuel prices have already increased globally, he said, “Yes, prices have gone up in many countries, but we are not making any changes yet. We will wait and watch.”

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said it is not feasible to suddenly shift from the traditional macroeconomic framework and formulate a revolutionary budget overnight. “Many people thought we would propose a dramatic revolutionary budget, we would bring heavy revenue…this is not possible, but it is also not true that we are just following the footprints of the previous government,” he said. The Adviser made the statement while speaking at a post-budget press conference held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. He said the interim government aims to make the budget realistic, implementable and pragmatic, despite facing challenges such as inflation, energy concerns, issues in the banking sector and revenue shortfalls. Talking about the move to get rid of the narrative of growth during the previous Awami League regime, he questioned who the beneficiaries of this growth were. “It was not transferred to everyone properly, it is fine to have growth, but we want to improve the livelihood of the common people, make it easy, increase their purchasing power, ensure peace and discipline in the country, and improve the atmosphere for the business. We have decorated the budget like that,” he said. Salehuddin mentioned that it was possible for the government to overcome all challenges. “The path is Bumpy and tough in the future,” he added. Change in budgtory proposal in whitening black money may be considered: Finance Adviser  About addressing all public demands, the Adviser said the government respects those but it would not be possible to meet all of them. “Overall the budget is a pro-people and pro-business one,” he claimed. The Finance Adviser also called upon the people of the country and the media personnel to come up with a collaborative approach and make positive criticism to implement the budget and thus take the country ahead. “Historically, the performance of Bangladesh is good. Our pace was a bit sloth before we assumed responsibility, but we’re trying to move forward…our goal is to make the livelihood of the common people, putting due attention to safety nets. Every country of the world alongside the development partners poses a very positive impression about Bangladesh,” he added. Citing the immense potentials of the country, he urged all to seize such potentials keeping pace with time. Mentioning that reforms are going on in different sectors, he said this government would carry out reform initiatives as much as it can and thus leave a footprint before the successive government to pursue those. Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Power, Energy, Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, among others, spoke at the press conference. Earlier, on Monday, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled a Tk 7,90,000 crore national budget for the FY26 through a pre-recorded televised speech since the Jatiya Sangsad is not in place.

The interim government has introduced a new tier in the import duty structure for the upcoming 2025–26 fiscal year. Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, in his televised budget speech on Monday, announced that the existing six-tier customs duty structure will be reorganized by adding a new tier with a 3% duty rate. Additionally, a new 40% supplementary duty rate has been proposed, expanding the current twelve-tier supplementary duty structure. To protect consumers, the adviser confirmed that zero-tariff rates will remain unchanged for essential items such as major food products, fertilizers, seeds, life-saving medicines, cotton, and raw materials used in certain industries. Govt now focused on laying strong foundation of economy: Finance Adviser As part of a broader strategy to gradually reduce trade barriers and prepare for upcoming trade dialogue with the United States, the government has proposed several duty adjustments: Import duties on 110 products will be fully withdrawn. Import duties on 65 products will be reduced. Supplementary duties on 9 products will be entirely removed. Supplementary duties on 442 products will be reduced. “These changes are aimed at easing the tax burden on citizens and reducing the anti-export bias,” Dr. Ahmed said.