United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 has reinstated the opportunity to legalise undisclosed money through real estate investment, reversing a pause maintained during the interim government's tenure. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, presenting the country's largest-ever budget of Tk 9,38,000 crore on Thursday, introduced a new mechanism under which individuals can whiten black money by purchasing plots and declaring previously hidden property values in their tax returns. Under the new provision added to the income tax law, a buyer who concealed the actual value of land, building or apartment in registration documents will be allowed to disclose the difference between the actual price and the registered value in their tax return, paying a 30 percent tax on that gap. Sellers who similarly concealed actual transaction values will face a 15 percent capital gains tax on the difference. If either party had already faced legal action before making a voluntary disclosure, an additional 20 percent penalty on the payable tax will apply. Crucially, anyone availing this provision will be shielded from scrutiny under any other existing law regarding the source of the funds, provided no court has previously convicted them of criminal offences or that no case against them is already pending. Real estate developers have welcomed the move. REHAB, the association of housing entrepreneurs, called it timely and constructive. “We commend the government for providing this opportunity to legalise black money through plot purchases,” said REHAB President Ali Afzal, adding that the decision would help boost the housing industry. The provision mirrors similar schemes offered in previous budgets, which critics have long argued reward tax evasion while undermining fiscal transparency.

In a significant move to expand the national tax net, the government has proposed making the submission of a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate mandatory for opening any new bank account. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced the proposal today while presenting a record Tk 9.38 lakh crore national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Jatiya Sangsad. Tk 40,000cr bank rescue fund set aside in proposed budget "I propose that, except for student accounts, no-frills accounts, and persons exempted by a gazette notification issued by the board from the requirement of obtaining a TIN, any other person must submit a TIN certificate when opening a bank account," the Finance Minister said during his budget speech. The move aims to bring a massive segment of the population into the formal tax compliance system. According to central bank data, the total number of banking accounts in Bangladesh stood at 17.79 crore at the end of December 2025. While a large portion of urban account holders already possess TINs, the mandatory provision is expected to significantly accelerate tax compliance across the country. To facilitate this massive data processing, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to establish a Central Data Integration system. This framework will directly link the NBR database with the National Identity Card (NID) system, commercial banks, utility service providers, and sub-registry offices for seamless information verification.  While industry insiders fear the mandatory TIN clause could pose administrative hurdles for ordinary, low-income citizens trying to access the banking system, the government has carefully crafted certain exemptions. Students, beneficiaries of various government social safety net allowances, pension holders, and small-saving "no-frills" accounts (such as 10-taka accounts) will not require a TIN. Excise Duty Exemption Threshold Raised on Bank Deposits: In a parallel move aimed at providing relief to small and middle-class savers amid persistent inflation, the government has also proposed raising the threshold for annual excise duty on bank deposits. According to the new budget document, the duty-free bank deposit ceiling has been increased to Tk 4 lakh, up from the existing Tk 3 lakh. Under this relaxed framework, individual account holders with a balance of up to Tk 4 lakh at any point during a calendar year will be entirely exempt from paying annual excise duty. However, for accounts exceeding this threshold, a progressive excise duty slab will continue to apply, ranging from Tk 500 up to Tk 50,000 based on the maximum balance maintained in the account.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday proposed an allocation of Tk1,081 crore in the FY2026-27 budget to improve the social status and living standards of religious leaders and support various religious welfare programmes. Presenting the national budget in Parliament, the minister said the government believes in unity and equality rather than religious division and has undertaken a range of initiatives to fulfil its commitments related to religious harmony and welfare. Massive Tk 50,000cr jump in education spending meant to signal new govt's priorities These initiatives include ensuring religious freedom and harmony, promoting moral values and ethics, improving the living standards of religious leaders, strengthening the Religious Welfare Trust, facilitating the smooth performance of Hajj, expanding Islamic research and mass education programmes, and promoting religious and moral values in society. Khosru said the government took steps immediately after assuming office to improve the social and economic conditions of religious leaders. Under the programme, Imams, Muezzins and Khatibs of mosques are receiving a combined monthly allowance of Tk10,000, while priests and caretakers of other religious institutions receive a combined monthly allowance of Tk8,000. So far, monthly honorariums and festival allowances have been provided to 9,520 religious leaders serving at 6,438 religious institutions across the country, he said. The government plans to gradually extend the benefit to all places of worship nationwide. To support these initiatives, the finance minister proposed an allocation of Tk1,081 crore in the upcoming budget. Highlighting efforts related to Waqf properties, he said 28.20 acres of land belonging to 11 Waqf estates have been recovered so far as part of ongoing drives to evict illegal occupants and reclaim encroached properties. Khosru also said initiatives have been taken to reduce the cost of performing Hajj in 2026 and make Hajj management more affordable, accessible and efficient in the coming years. Besides, the government plans to increase training opportunities for Imams and Muezzins in the years ahead, he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday described the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 as a creative budget aimed at boosting production, investment and business activities. Reacting to the budget at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office after it was placed in Parliament, Fakhrul said the proposed budget will help the country's fragile and battered economy rebound and encourage investment. “Considering the welfare of people from all walks of life, this budget has been prepared. It is a creative budget,” he said. Fakhrul, also local government, rural development, and co-operatives minister, said the proposed budget is fundamentally production-oriented, investment-friendly and business-friendly. “To me, this is the most important aspect of the budget. We have not seen such incentives and concessions in previous budgets. The scope of support and incentives provided this time is much larger than before,” he said. Highlighting allocations for industries, healthcare and other key sectors, the BNP leader expressed optimism that the budget will help accelerate economic activities across the country. “As a result, the economy will regain momentum very quickly. We hope Bangladesh’s economy will turn around rapidly,” he said. Fakhrul said the budget was prepared by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury with the support of officials concerned, reflecting the vision and directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul said Bangladesh’s economy had been left in a severely weakened state after what he described as 15 years of fascist government’s rule. “The economy was almost ruined during the past 15 years. Not only the economy, but democratic institutions were also damaged,” he said. The BNP secretary general also said the interim government also failed to bring the country back on track. “As a result, the country went through a period of a fragile economy, disorganised administration and severe economic hardship." He said the responsibility of rebuilding the economy fell on the BNP government after it assumed office. “In that context, our Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has presented this budget today,” Fakhrul said. He said the proposed budget reflected the government's sincerity in reviving the economy and restoring momentum to economic activities. “This budget demonstrates how committed the government is to revive the economy and bring back growth and dynamism,” the BNP leader added. “I would call it a completely creative budget because it contains many measures that few could have imagined before,” he added. Fakhrul particularly highlighted the Family Card programme, saying it will bring lakhs of low-income families under a social protection framework. He said around 41 lakh women heads of families are expected to receive Family Cards in the next fiscal year. “A large amount of money has been allocated for the Family Card programme in the upcoming fiscal year, and the allocation is expected to increase further in subsequent years.” The BNP leader also referred to the introduction of the Farmers’ Card programme, monthly allowances for imams and people serving in other places of worship, canal excavation projects, irrigation expansion, water conservation and support for fisheries. “These initiatives have been encouraged to strengthen agriculture and rural livelihoods,” he said. Fakhrul said one of the strongest features of the budget is the incentives offered to domestic producers and investors. “Those who want to invest and produce in different sectors have been given incentives that were never offered before. Various tax concessions and facilities have been provided,” he said. “At the same time, measures have been taken to protect domestic industries through duties on imports where necessary. Full protection has been provided for local production,” the BNP secretary general added. He also praised the government's focus on what he called the “creative economy.” Fakhrul noted that national athletes will receive monthly allowances, the government will organise the Natun Kuri Sports programme, inter-school sports competitions will be revived and scholarships will be introduced for athletes aged between 12 and 14. He said plans to establish sports villages in all 64 districts and a world-class Creative Hub on 160 acres of land in Dhaka’s Purbachal reflected entirely new thinking. “Culture is also being integrated into the economy. Traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, Shital Pati and Satranji products will be identified and marketed under the “One Village, One Product” initiative. Efforts will also be made to expand international markets for folk culture and handicrafts,” the BNP leader said. He also said the budget places strong emphasis on employment generation, production growth and investment expansion. Fakhrul cited concessional loans for small and medium enterprises, the introduction of expatriate cards, employment opportunities through high-tech parks and job creation for women through rural road maintenance programmes. “In every sector, you will see that employment generation, increased production and greater investment have been given priority,” he said. Referring to planned legal and regulatory reforms, the BNP leader said they will make Bangladesh more attractive to both local and foreign investors. “Those coming from abroad to invest will benefit, and domestic investors will also benefit,” he said. Fakhrul welcomed increased allocations for education and healthcare, saying they will bring significant improvements in both sectors. As a former economics teacher, he also praised measures aimed at increasing revenue collection while reducing harassment of taxpayers. “Many businesses previously did not feel comfortable operating because of excessive controls and complications. Those barriers are being removed. Businesses will now be able to pay taxes and submit returns more easily,” the BNP leader said. He highlighted the separation of tax policy from tax administration, expansion of the taxpayer base, full customs automation, faster source tax verification and plans to build a more taxpayer-friendly revenue administration. Fakhrul also noted that all sectors having export potential will receive duty-free raw material import facilities under the customs bond system. “These initiatives are the core strengths of the budget. I believe this budget has the potential to bring about a landmark and transformative change in Bangladesh’s economy,” he said. On inflation, the BNP secretary general said increased production will help ease price pressures. “If production rises, inflation will naturally come down.” Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury placed the proposed Tk 9.38 lakh crore national budget for FY2026-27 in Parliament. After two breaks for prayers, he completed his budget speech around 8:08pm and subsequently placed the Finance Bill in the House. The parliamentary session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, was later adjourned until Sunday afternoon.

The government has proposed an allocation of Tk 136,606 crore for education and human resource development in the FY2026-27 budget, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced on Thursday. It marks an increase of Tk 49,400 crore from the current fiscal year's allocation of Tk 87,206 crore. Presenting the proposed budget in Parliament, the finance minister said the government is giving priority to education and health sectors to build a skilled workforce, allocating resources equivalent to 2 percent of GDP for education in FY 2026-27 budget. He said the government plans to increase education spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, considering it a strategic investment for developing skilled human resources and building a knowledge-based economy. The education allocation includes expenditures not only under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, but also educational and technical institutions operated by the ministries of Textiles, Railways, Defence, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Information and Communication Technology. To expand opportunities for overseas higher education, the government has proposed launching a new student loan programme under which students will be eligible for easy loans of up to Tk 10 lakh, and repayment will begin after graduates enter employment. The government has also assured that the facility will be provided without administrative harassment. Amir Khosru said students proficient in a third foreign language, in addition to Bangla and English, will receive priority in obtaining the overseas education loans. As part of the broader education reform plan, the government intends to introduce special language courses from Class VI in Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, French and German. The finance minister said the government views overseas education not as “brain drain” but as “brain circulation,” which can contribute to remittance growth and the development of a skilled workforce in the future. In his budget speech, he said special emphasis will be placed on technical and vocational education, third-language instruction, sports and cultural development, technology-enabled learning and the concept of “Learning with Happiness”. Under the proposed framework, students would be able to establish themselves with equal dignity and success as skilled craftspeople, technologists, agricultural entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, teachers, businesspeople or in any other profession of their choosing. He announced plans to strengthen merit-based scholarship programmes and provide school uniforms, shoes and school bags to students from poor families. The government will also ensure inclusive education for children with disabilities and special needs through specialised assistive technology and educational materials. A Mid-Day Meal Programme will be introduced and gradually expanded across the country to address students’ nutritional needs and support their health. In addition, healthcare services will be strengthened in educational institutions, with particular attention to sanitation and hygiene facilities for female students and women teachers. As part of efforts to establish a technology-driven education system, the government plans to implement the “One Teacher, One Tab” programme, establish multimedia classrooms, expand free high-speed Wi-Fi access, introduce a unique Edu-ID for every student, provide digital library facilities, and familiarise students with artificial intelligence, robotics, coding and digital literacy. The finance minister said necessary steps would be taken to coordinate the various streams of education existing in the country and effectively implement equivalency of qualifications. Improving the quality of education and standards of instruction at all levels, primary and mass education, madrasa and technical education, and secondary and higher education, remains a key priority, he said. The government also plans to improve standards in science, mathematics, English and information technology education for madrasa students alongside religious studies. Employment-oriented training programmes will be introduced, while efforts will be made to enhance madrasa students’ competitiveness in higher education and employment and ensure access to digital education and modern learning materials. Highlighting the importance of teachers, Amir Khosru said teachers will remain at the centre of efforts to improve educational quality. Regular training and retraining programmes will be ensured, while teachers’ dignity, welfare and professional development will be promoted. Special benefits will also be provided for teachers working in rural and remote areas, he added.

The government will continue supplying fertiliser to farmers at subsidised prices to ensure food security, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced while presenting the national budget in Parliament on Thursday. The finance minister said that, with the assistance of the World Food Program (WFP), Bangladesh has received 30,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser free of cost from Russia. Proposed budget slashes taxes on EVs, medicine, hi-tech goods, some essentials to ease cost of living He said the fertiliser will be distributed free of charge among farmers as an incentive during the fiscal year 2026–27. Highlighting the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, the minister said initiatives will be taken to encourage farmers to use organic fertilisers, green manure and biofertilisers to protect soil health and the environment. The continued fertiliser subsidy and the planned free distribution are aimed at supporting agricultural production and strengthening the country’s food security, he added.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday placed the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal with a call for national unity, inclusive development, and continued reform-driven progress, emphasising the collective role of citizens from all walks of life in building a prosperous Bangladesh. This is the first budget of the BNP government after winning the February 2026 election. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury as the Finance Minister delivered his maiden budget speech under the theme ‘Journey Towards a Democratic, Humane and Inclusive Economy’. In the course of his nearly 4-hour budget speech, Amir Khosru, dressed in a dark grey suit paired with dark blue tie, repeatedly urged lawmakers and citizens including farmers, workers, students, women, youth, and expatriates to strengthen cooperation in achieving the country’s development aspirations. The finance minister took just two short breaks - that too for the Asr and Maghrib prayers.  He disclosed the government's vision to reduce inflation to 7.5 percent and raise GDP growth to 6.5 percent in the coming fiscal (2026-27). For this, Khosru said he wants to rely on inclusive development, quality education and healthcare for all, universal social protection, an economy driven by investment, employment, and production. He said he wants to step up deregulation and present a cost-effective, simplified business environment, financial sector stability, energy security, digital transformation and ICT development, management of life, nature, environment, and water resources and transparent, efficient, and accountable institutions and administrative systems. The address highlighted that Bangladesh’s progress depends on the sustained implementation of electoral commitments, bold reform initiatives, and a united national effort. “We firmly believe that through continued implementation of our electoral commitments, bold reform initiatives, and a united national effort, Bangladesh will advance steadily toward its development aspirations,” the Finance Minister said. He said that it underscored the vision of building a society where equal opportunities are accessible to all, enterprise and innovation are encouraged, and the rewards of hard work are ensured, with the benefits of economic growth shared broadly among citizens. “Our commitment is to build a Bangladesh where equal opportunities are available to all… through economic democratisation, deregulation, and the empowerment of the people, we shall build a prosperous and confident Bangladesh, InshaAllah,” he added. Highlighting the importance of human capital, he said the strength, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of people remain the nation’s greatest asset. The proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year has been framed with a strong emphasis on economic stability, investment, production, employment generation and building a more equitable society. The government has set out an ambitious long-term vision of transforming the economy into a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 through sustained and stable economic growth, driven by what it describes as “economic democratisation”, aimed at ensuring financial recovery and welfare for all citizens. The budget claims to prioritise a shift away from debt-dependent growth towards a production- and private investment-led economic model. In the medium term, efforts will be made to increase revenue collection, maintain budget deficits at sustainable levels, and restore discipline in debt management, with the aim of improving the country’s credit rating from moderate to low risk. The budget deficit has been targeted at 3.6 percent of GDP, which will help keep borrowing risks at a manageable level.To encourage private sector investment, government borrowing from the banking sector will be gradually reduced. At the same time, the government planned to diversify and strengthen the bond market through the introduction and expansion of corporate bonds and municipal bonds, thereby easing pressure on the banking system. For the 2026–27 fiscal year, total revenue collection has been projected at Tk 6,95,000 crore, equivalent to 10.2 percent of GDP. Of this, Tk 6,04,000 crore is expected to come from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), i.e. tax collection. The tax-to-GDP ratio fell below 7 percent in FY2024–25, and the government said efforts will be made to significantly increase it in the coming years. The total outlay proposed, or budget size, clocks a hefty Tk 9,38,000 crore, covering both operational and development spending - signaling a return to the expansionary fiscal policy that characterised much of the deposed Awami League government's tenure from 2009-24.  The interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus bucked that trend, as Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled a Tk 7,90,000 crore national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal, marking a rare contraction of about 1% from the previous year's outlay. If Khosru's proposed budget is passed without any major changes, it would mark an 18% jump over the current year's budget. One of the most significant points of departure between the two is the return to a much larger Annual Development Programme. Operational expenditure includes subsidies, interest payments on public debt, procurement of capital equipment, food accounts, and administrative costs including advances to employees and state-owned enterprises. The development budget, which is mainly made up of the ADP but includes some non-ADP schemes as well, stands at Tk 3,16,075 crore - nearly a third of the total outlay.  Priority has been given to investment-led and sustainable development initiatives. In line with the party's promises on the campaign trail, the allocations for education and health have been significantly ramped up with a view to improve human capital development. Education sector has been allocated around 2 percent of GDP, amounting to Tk 1,36,606 crore, compared to Tk 87,206 crore in the current fiscal year (1.39 percent of GDP). The allocation spans multiple ministries beyond education including technical and vocational institutions under different sectors such as textiles, railways, defence, agriculture, fisheries, and ICT. Similarly, the health sector's allocation has been increased to Tk 69,409 crore, equivalent to 1.01 percent of GDP, up from 0.58 percent in the current fiscal year. The allocation includes spending by various ministries and agencies, including local government bodies, the Islamic Foundation, police-run hospitals, and social welfare institutions. The government has indicated a plan to gradually raise combined education and health spending to 5 percent of GDP in the future.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the government is undertaking initiatives to implement the ‘Comprehensive Management and Restoration of the Teesta River Project’, commonly known as the Teesta Master Plan, with a view to improving the livelihoods and quality of life of the people of the northern region of the country. Unveiling the national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in Parliament, the Finance Minister proposed an allocation of Tk 10, 533 crore for the Ministry of Water Resources in the fiscal year 2026–27. Proposed budget slashes taxes on EVs, medicine, hi-tech goods, some essentials to ease cost of living The obstruction of water flows through upstream dams on the Teesta and the Padma rivers has adversely affected agriculture, irrigation, fisheries and biodiversity within the river basins of these two rivers in Bangladesh, he said In this context, he said the ‘Padma Barrage (Phase-I)’ project, aimed at bringing about a transformation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the south-western region of the country, was approved at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The project will be implemented between July 2026 and June 2033. Under the project, a 2.1-kilometre-long main barrage and a hydropower plant will be constructed on the Padma River at Pangsha in Rajbari. The project will play a significant role in restoring freshwater flows during the dry season through the conservation and regulation of the Padma River water, enhancing agricultural production, maintaining navigability and preserving ecological balance. Upon implementation, the project will enable the annual storage of 2,900 million cubic metres of water; prevent salinity intrusion in the Padma 113 basin, including the Sundarbans, through the restoration of navigability in five distributaries and tributaries; ensure uninterrupted agricultural production through irrigation of 2.88 million hectares of land; and increase annual production by 20.39 million tonnes of rice and 2.34 million tonnes of fish. The Finance Minister said the project is expected to directly and indirectly benefit people in 120 upazilas across 19 districts in four divisions, representing approximately 37 percent of the country's population.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the government is prioritising strengthened legal and scientific capacity to protect women and children, alongside expanding social protection, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment programmes in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27. Presenting the budget in the Jatiya Sangsad, the Finance Minister said initiatives under the Multisectoral Programme on violence against women have led to the establishment of a National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory and seven divisional DNA screening laboratories, aimed at improving investigation and justice delivery in cases of abuse. Free train travel for senior citizens proposed in budget; also 25% off on metro  He said a nationwide database of women entrepreneurs is being developed to formally integrate them into the state framework, ensuring improved access to training, credit facilities, and market linkages. “Special adaptation projects are also underway to strengthen the resilience of women in coastal regions facing climate change impacts.” Highlighting women’s economic empowerment, he said the second phase of the Income-Generating Activities (IGA) Training Project for Women is being implemented at the upazila level, while under the Vulnerable Women Benefit (VWB) programme, 1.04 million women across 4,586 unions in 493 upazilas are receiving monthly food assistance of 30 kilograms of rice, including fortified rice. On child protection, he said comprehensive parenting and social awareness programmes are being implemented to ensure the development and safety of children from conception to eight years of age. “A Quick Response Team has also been formed to address violence against women and children more rapidly and effectively.” The Finance Minister added that the government has taken steps to establish 20 modern daycare centres in the first phase, with 60 more planned in the next phase, to support working mothers. Special rehabilitation initiatives for returnee female migrant workers, street children, and children at risk are also being implemented, including reintegration support and financial assistance to affected families. He further said 33 Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centres are operating in 17 districts, providing shelter and livelihood support for 3,300 boys and 3,300 girls, alongside services such as legal aid and social protection for women and children. Special programmes are also being implemented for children with disabilities, including those with speech, hearing, visual impairments, and autism. He proposed an allocation of Tk 5,196 crore for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in the fiscal year 2026–27 to further strengthen development and protection initiatives for women and children.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday proposed granting full fare exemptions on government-owned public transport, specifically trains, to citizens aged 65 years and above, as part of efforts to enhance social protection for senior citizens. “The role of senior citizens in nation-building is invaluable, and our government remains steadfast in its commitment to their welfare,” he said while unveiling the national budget – with an outlay of Tk 9.38 lakh crore – for the fiscal year 2026-27 in Parliament. Finance minister unveiling FY27 budget in Parliament “Accordingly, I propose that citizens aged 65 years and above be granted full exemption from fares when traveling on government-owned public transport, specifically trains, and a 25 percent reduction in fares when traveling on the metro rail,” added the minister. He further said the government remains committed to bringing every citizen within a comprehensive financial protection framework and ensuring that no one is deprived of the benefits of development.