A Budget Worth Banking On: Salehuddin Hails Blueprint for the People

Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled Bangladesh’s Tk 7.9 trillion national budget for fiscal year 2025–26, emphasizing a focus on the people rather than politics and calling it a template future administrations should follow. The budget, presented via a pre-recorded speech on BTV, comes at a time of significant economic challenges, including persistent inflation and sluggish private investment.

 

Key Highlights

 

•⁠  ⁠People-Centered Approach: Dr. Salehuddin described the budget as “for the people, not politics,” aiming to prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens over political maneuvering.

 

•⁠  ⁠Fiscal Prudence: The budget is slightly smaller than last year’s and more aligned with revised realities, reflecting a commitment to realistic fiscal management and avoiding overambitious targets.

 

•⁠  ⁠Deficit and Revenue: The deficit is projected to exceed Tk 2.2 trillion, with a revenue target of Tk 5.18 trillion. Experts note the challenge of meeting revenue goals, especially given ongoing issues with tax collection efficiency.

 

•⁠  ⁠Economic Challenges: High inflation—hovering around 9–10%—and weak investment are major concerns. The budget seeks to address these by focusing on service delivery and people-centric investments, such as in education and healthcare.

 

•⁠  ⁠Reform and Continuity: While the budget largely follows past patterns and does not incorporate many reform recommendations, it does include some new initiatives, like a special fund for bank resolution.

 

•⁠  ⁠Broadcast and Approval: The budget speech was recorded and aired on BTV at 4 pm, after approval at the Chief Adviser’s office, marking a break from traditional live parliamentary presentations.

 

Outlook

 

Dr. Salehuddin’s budget sets a precedent for future governments by balancing fiscal responsibility with a focus on citizens’ needs. If followed, this approach could help restore public trust and lay the foundation for sustainable economic stability and growth.

 

Source: Prothom Alo, The Financial Express, bdnews24.com