The government is moving ahead with preparations for the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27, giving top priority to implementing commitments outlined in the BNP's election manifesto, according to the Finance Ministry.
The proposed budget is expected to be around Tk 930,000 crore, with major emphasis on controlling inflation, expanding social safety net programmes, creating employment opportunities, increasing support for the agriculture and health sectors, and restoring a higher economic growth trajectory.
To enhance revenue mobilisation, the government is focusing on automation, broadening the tax base, strengthening administrative capacity, and increasing non-tax revenue earnings. At the same time, borrowing is expected to rise to help finance the budget deficit.
As part of efforts to implement election manifesto commitments, the government is planning a significant expansion of social safety net programmes. Special emphasis is being placed on the Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives.
According to preliminary plans prepared by the Finance Division, the key priorities of the upcoming budget include implementing election pledges, maintaining macroeconomic stability, containing inflation, accelerating economic growth in line with the government's vision of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2041, and strengthening the foundation of a welfare-oriented economy.
The budget is also expected to focus on expanding social protection programmes, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation, improving physical and social infrastructure, promoting research and science-based education, ensuring healthcare services at the grassroots level, restructuring the financial sector, enhancing agricultural support, addressing climate change challenges, and improving the investment climate.
Officials said the government is also considering measures to support the creative economy, particularly the film, music, sports and rural cultural sectors.
Finance Ministry officials noted that the proposed budget size reflects growing expenditure pressures arising from increased subsidy requirements, the possible implementation of recommendations for a new public-sector pay structure, and the substantial financial commitments associated with fulfilling election promises.
The proposed budget would be nearly 18 percent larger than the revised budget for the current fiscal year. The previous interim government had announced a Tk 790,000 crore budget for FY2025-26, which was later revised downward to Tk 788,000 crore. During the revision process, development expenditure was reduced while subsidy and non-development spending were increased.
To finance the expanded expenditure programme, the government is planning to set an ambitious revenue collection target of Tk 695,000 crore for FY2026-27, approximately 23 percent higher than the target for the current fiscal year. However, annual revenue growth in Bangladesh has historically remained within the range of 12 to 15 percent.
Sources said that there are plans to expand programs, include new beneficiaries and increase allowances to reduce inequality under existing programmes. Along with this, food assistance programs will also be increased. The most emphasis under this program is on food security for the backward people. To this end, the number of beneficiaries will be increased by five lakh in 531 upazilas of the country from the next fiscal year and 60 lakh extremely poor families will be provided with 30 kg of vitamin-enriched rice per month at the price of Tk 15 per kg. Even if inflation increases due to the ongoing global crisis, the government will not increase the price of rice under the food-friendly program.
In the current daily commodities market, rice is being sold at Tk 55-85 per kg depending on the variety and quality.
Former Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said increasing revenue collection is essential to meet government expenditure needs and reduce dependence on borrowing. However, he questioned the realism of the proposed revenue targets and the government's strategy for achieving them.
"NBR sets ambitious targets every year but often fails to implement the structural reforms necessary to achieve them. Such targets cannot be met without major reforms," he said.
Sources said that Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain submitted a quasi-official (DO) letter to the Finance Ministry seeking allocation of this amount of money. In addition, the government has introduced the farmer card to ensure transparency and modernization in the country's agricultural sector. In the first phase of the pre-piloting program, 21,014 farmers will be given cards.
