There is growing discussion that Bangladesh may consider introducing a wealth tax as part of efforts to raise domestic resources and strengthen government revenue.

The proposal by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to increase the source tax on essential commodities from 0.5 percent to 1 percent raises serious concerns

Bangladesh currently languishes at the bottom of the global ranking with a mere 6.5 percent tax-to-GDP ratio. For a nation whose citizens hold profound aspirations for development, peace, and prosperity, this chronic revenue deficit poses an existential threat to future growth.

The Sikder family story now dominating headlines is not merely about one business group’s rise and fall.

It is necessary to ensure uninterrupted power supply to critical network sites if services are to remain undisrupted

Global shortages of raw materials, rising input and freight costs, currency depreciation against the US dollar, and increased fuel prices drove up production and distribution expenses

Bangladesh needs a larger economy, and the government needs more taxes that it can spend productively

Bangladesh’s economy is confronting three interconnected structural vulnerabilities: a surge in non-performing loans (NPLs), weakness in revenue mobilisation and a rise in debt-dependent fiscal management. These are no longer isolated technical concerns. Together, they amount to a systemic stress test of economic governance.

When the IMF’s Asia-Pacific director signalled to Bangladesh’s delegation in Washington last week that the expected $1.3 billion tranche would not be released in June, the key message was not financial but what Bangladesh can credibly offer in return, and what it cannot.

Policy coherence, transparency, and predictability are essential for a modern and effective revenue system.

The main objective of the minimum tax is to ensure that no taxpayer is left out of the tax net

Before embracing this seemingly attractive fiscal tool, we must ask a critical question: why did Bangladesh abolish the Wealth Tax Act of 1963 in the first place

According to Bangladesh Bank data from December 2025, the banking sector's NPL ratio hit approximately 30.6 percent

Over nearly four decades, through persistence and sacrifice, Bangladesh has become a reliable exporting nation.

In Bangladesh, buying and selling land or apartments is not just about transferring ownership

The capital market in Bangladesh faces persistent problems with trust

For nations heavily reliant on the American market, the message is unambiguous

The mobile banking landscape in Bangladesh has experienced phenomenal growth over the last decade

In this subcontinent, gold has long been more than a commodity. It is a store of family wealth, a hedge against uncertainty and a refuge when confidence in financial markets weakens. In Bangladesh’s social fabric, gold also carries deep cultural meaning. For many women, wearing gold ornaments is not only a sign of financial security but an enduring expression of style and tradition, one for which families are willing to pay a premium even as prices climb.

A national budget is not merely a financial plan. It reflects political commitment and sets the direction of travel.