The first budget session of the 13th National Parliament commenced on Sunday afternoon, setting the stage for Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to unveil the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 11.
This marks the maiden budget session for the newly formed BNP government following the national elections held earlier this year on February 12.
President Md. Sahabuddin officially convened the session on May 7, exercising his constitutional powers.
The parliamentary proceedings began at 3:00 PM at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.
The government is planning a massive budget of approximately 9.38 trillion taka for the upcoming fiscal year.
Officials attribute the significant increase in public expenditure to a variety of domestic and international factors. These include ongoing efforts to mitigate global economic risks, expanded subsidies, and broader social safety net programs.
Furthermore, the national treasury is facing additional financial pressures stemming from rising interest payment obligations and the partial implementation of a newly proposed salary structure for government employees.
While the primary focus of the new fiscal plan lies in economic recovery, controlling inflation, and boosting investment and employment generation, financing the budget remains a critical hurdle.
Policymakers are bracing for a record budget deficit estimated at roughly 2.43 trillion taka, which stands as one of the government's most pressing macroeconomic challenges.
Despite this massive shortfall, the finance ministry has set a firm target to bring the country's inflation rate down to 7.5 percent in the forthcoming financial year.
