United News of Bangladesh

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) welcomed the Government’s proposed national budget for FY2026–27, noting its balanced focus on macroeconomic stabilisation, social protection, and long-term growth. With a total outlay of Tk. 938,000 crore, the budget targets 7.5% inflation and 6.5% GDP growth, reflecting a pragmatic approach amid ongoing global and domestic economic challenges. AmCham acknowledges the Government’s efforts to maintain fiscal discipline while prioritising human capital development, investment promotion, and support for vulnerable groups. AmCham observes that the proposed fiscal deficit of 3.55% of GDP is broadly prudent. However, reliance on domestic borrowing to finance the deficit may constrain private sector credit and increase borrowing costs. Continued coordination between fiscal and monetary policies will be essential to sustain macroeconomic stability and support private sector-led growth. On revenue mobilisation, AmCham notes the ambitious target of Tk. 6.95 lakh crore and emphasises the importance of comprehensive tax administration reform. The Chamber welcomes ongoing initiatives to enhance digitalisation, strengthen compliance, and improve transparency, which are critical to broadening the tax base and reducing reliance on borrowing. In this context, AmCham encourages revisiting revenue governance reforms, including the potential separation of tax policy and administration functions, to strengthen institutional effectiveness. AmCham commends the increased allocations toward education, healthcare, and social safety net programmes, including Tk. 1.45 lakh crore for social protection. The Chamber underscores the need to complement these allocations with improvements in quality, governance, and service delivery outcomes, particularly in education and healthcare. The expansion of the Annual Development Programme to Tk. 3 lakh crore is a positive step toward strengthening infrastructure and connectivity. However, AmCham highlights the importance of addressing project implementation challenges, including delays and cost overruns, through better project readiness, rigorous evaluation, and performance-based monitoring. The Chamber also welcomes measures aimed at supporting export competitiveness and trade facilitation, including reductions in certain import and export-related taxes. As Bangladesh prepares for LDC graduation, AmCham emphasises the need for structural reforms, policy predictability, and alignment with post-LDC obligations to ensure sustained competitiveness. On energy, AmCham appreciates the Government’s focus on renewable energy and sustainable growth, including incentives for solar power and electric vehicles. At the same time, it stresses the importance of ensuring reliable and affordable energy supply through continued investment in domestic resource development and infrastructure efficiency. Looking ahead, AmCham believes that while the FY2026–27 budget provides a strong foundation for economic resilience and growth, its success will depend on effective implementation, policy consistency, and strengthened public–private collaboration. AmCham Bangladesh remains committed to working alongside the Government and stakeholders to support reforms that enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and drive sustainable economic growth.

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