Widen tax net, cut leakages to ease fiscal pressure
Ahead of the fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) national budget, the government faces mounting fiscal pressure amid high inflation and low investment at a time when the global geopolitical situation remains volatile, said Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Budget should prioritise resilience over expansion
Bangladesh’s next national budget should focus on strengthening economic resilience rather than increasing spending, said Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office.
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Improve climate planning to access more global funds
Climate budgeting in Bangladesh must become more knowledge-based and technically stronger to help the country access global climate financing more effectively, said Sharmind Neelormi, professor in the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University.
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Polls pledges, subsidies, debt payment to inflate budget
Debt servicing, subsidies, and electoral pledges will make the upcoming fiscal year’s budget large in both expenditure and revenue collection.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Tk 33,474cr Padma barrage set for govt nod
The government is set to implement the much-anticipated Padma barrage project at an initial cost of Tk 33,474 crore, aimed at reviving five major river systems and storing 2,900 million cubic metres of water in the Padma river.
11 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Education, health to take 28% of ADP
Planning Division proposes Tk 3 lakh crore development budget for FY27
10 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Three BNP polls pledges now under social safety net
The Farmers’ Card, monthly honorariums for July victims, and allowances for mosque and other religious institution workers will be part of social safety net programmes from next fiscal year, as the BNP-led government forges ahead with its election pledges despite a tight fiscal space.
8 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Family Card to cost Tk 1,34,000cr over four years
The social welfare ministry has drawn up an ambitious plan to implement the Family Card programme, a major electoral pledge of the new government, involving an outlay of Tk 1,34,000 crore over four years.
7 May 2026, 00:00 AM
20 percent higher revenue target for next year
NBR will have to collect Tk 6,04,000cr
6 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Govt’s debt burden crosses Tk 22 lakh crore
Tk 3 lakh crore borrowed during the interim government
5 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Next fiscal year’s budget: Tk 35,000cr likely to be set aside for new pay scale
About Tk 35,000 crore is likely to be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget for the partial implementation of the new pay scale for government officials, pensioners and MPO-listed teachers and staff.
4 May 2026, 00:00 AM
$3b expected by June from development partners
Bangladesh is expecting $3 billion in budget support by the middle of June from five multilateral and bilateral lenders, including the World Bank, in what would provide a sigh of relief to the government from the financial pressure triggered by the Middle East war.
3 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Teknaf to Tentulia economic corridor on the horizon
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has proposed a 20-year development plan involving about $79 billion to build a major economic corridor from Teknaf to Tentulia with the view to decongesting Dhaka and Chattogram, in line with the BNP’s election manifesto.
29 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Anomalies found in Family Card pilot
The finance ministry has found a host of anomalies in the pilot of the Family Card programme, as the government seeks to iron out irregularities and ensure the BNP’s flagship social welfare initiative can withstand the scrutiny of development partners.
28 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Cost of customs upgrade project set for 40% hike
Three years after launch and with 99 percent of its budget unspent, a nearly Tk 1,700 crore customs modernisation project is set to be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) today with a proposal to extend its deadline and raise costs by nearly 40 percent.
26 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Govt to establish 170 urban health centres in Dhaka, Ctg
The government plans to set up at least one Urban Primary Health and Nutrition Centre in every ward of Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Chattogram city corporations for residents deprived of care due to fragmented delivery of services.
25 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Govt eyeing $2b in emergency aid from IMF
Bangladesh is eyeing $2 billion in emergency aid from the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) window to cushion the economic shock stemming from the Middle East war.
23 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Govt, IMF at odds over spending on polls pledges
Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund are locked in new disagreements over the country’s economic programme, with tensions centring on social spending, revenue mobilisation, exchange rate policy, and the pace of financial sector reforms.
19 April 2026, 00:00 AM
IMF, WB assure Dhaka of funds to absorb war shocks
Officials in the 11-member delegation said Bangladesh pressed for additional funds to cover the shortfall caused by the energy crisis, beyond regular budget support
18 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Planning commission: Advisory panel outlines overhaul of governance
A high-level advisory committee, formed by the Planning Commission to develop a sustainable development strategy, plans to recommend the government introduce a bicameral parliament, reinstate the caretaker government system, and ensure media freedom.
16 April 2026, 03:29 AM