United News of Bangladesh

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the government expects inflationary pressures to ease gradually through structural reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, improving efficiency and strengthening supply chains. “Inflation in Bangladesh is not a short-term phenomenon but the result of several years of accumulated pressures, compounded by global conflicts, rising import costs and weaknesses in the banking sector,” he said today (Friday), while addressing a post-budget press conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The finance minister, who presented his first budget yesterday, noted that inflation has remained above 9 percent for the past three years. External factors, including conflicts in the Middle East, have pushed up global commodity prices, while capital shortages in banks caused by loan defaults, fraud and money laundering have increased the cost of funds. He said that imported goods had become more expensive due to global developments and that Bangladesh had limited control over such external inflationary pressures. However, the government could reduce domestic inflation by lowering business costs through deregulation, administrative reforms and improved efficiency, he said. According to Amir Khosru, businesses in Bangladesh face excessive costs due to lengthy approval processes, bureaucratic delays, high borrowing costs, inefficiencies at ports and weaknesses in taxation and regulatory systems. “Inflation cannot be controlled by deploying police, regulatory agencies or government officials in markets. It has to be managed through sound policies and efficient administration,” he said. The newly elected BNP government's first budget set an inflation target of 7.5% for the next fiscal, against a GDP growth expectation of 6.5%. Khosru said the government would focus on improving ease of doing business, reducing unnecessary regulations and ensuring greater transparency across public institutions. He added that reforms in ports, logistics and procurement systems would also help lower costs. The finance minister stressed the need for long-term procurement planning, saying Bangladesh should maintain strategic reserves of fuel, food and fertiliser to reduce vulnerability to global market shocks. Referring to energy imports, he criticised past reliance on spot purchases and said the government intended to pursue longer-term procurement arrangements to secure better prices and ensure energy security. On the government’s decision to increase salaries for public servants, Khosru said the move was necessary to address rising living costs after years without significant adjustments. “When people face financial hardship, the tendency towards corruption increases. Improved salaries should help reduce that pressure while ensuring a better standard of living for government employees,” he said. The finance minister also highlighted employment generation as a central objective of the budget, saying investments in education, skills development and private-sector growth would help create jobs both at home and abroad. He said the government had placed particular emphasis on vocational education, reskilling and upskilling programmes to improve employability, especially among young people and educated jobseekers. “Investment means employment. Our focus is on creating demand for jobs through increased investment and improved skills,” he said. Khosru said the budget represented a shift from traditional approaches and reflected changing global economic realities. He reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing dependence on domestic bank borrowing, which he said often crowded out private-sector lending. He noted that planned borrowing from local banks had already been reduced compared with the previous fiscal year and that the government would continue this trend in the coming years. The minister also defended the budget’s emphasis on social protection programmes, saying the largest investments were being made in initiatives designed to support low-income and vulnerable groups. Programmes such as the Family Card, support for farmers, universal healthcare and preventive healthcare services were aimed at improving living standards while preparing beneficiaries for better employment opportunities, he said. Khosru placed special emphasis on the government’s proposed “creative economy” initiative, which seeks to integrate artisans, cultural workers, performers and rural entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy. He said the programme would provide financing, training, design support and market access to traditional craftsmen, weavers, potters, musicians and other creative workers whose contributions had long remained outside formal economic planning. The minister said the government had allocated Tk 800 crore to launch creative economy initiatives, including creative centres, cultural districts, tourism-linked projects and heritage restoration programmes. “Our objective is to monetise culture and creativity so that artists, craftsmen and performers can improve their livelihoods while contributing to economic growth,” he said. Khosru also said the government was reviewing outdated mouza land valuation rates, which are often significantly below market prices, to curb opportunities for whitening undisclosed income through property transactions. A committee has been formed to revise mouza rates and bring them closer to actual market values, although he acknowledged that the exercise would require a nationwide survey and could not be completed before the budget. Responding to concerns about implementation, the finance minister said the government would establish a high-powered task force and an online complaint platform to monitor reform measures and ensure accountability. “No one will be exempt from scrutiny if delays or violations occur. We are committed to implementation,” he said. Earlier, in his opening remarks, Khosru described the budget as an “inclusive” one prepared under exceptional circumstances within less than two months of the new government’s formation. He said the budget sought to move away from what he described as a patronage-based economic model and instead promote “economic democratisation” by extending opportunities to all sections of society. The minister said the government inherited an economy weakened by institutional erosion, financial mismanagement and global economic uncertainty, making budget preparation particularly challenging. He added that future public spending and development projects would be evaluated on four key criteria: value for money, return on investment, job creation and environmental sustainability. “The budget is for all Bangladeshis. No group, profession or community has been left outside its scope,” he said.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday placed the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal with a call for national unity, inclusive development, and continued reform-driven progress, emphasising the collective role of citizens from all walks of life in building a prosperous Bangladesh. This is the first budget of the BNP government after winning the February 2026 election. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury as the Finance Minister delivered his maiden budget speech under the theme ‘Journey Towards a Democratic, Humane and Inclusive Economy’. In the course of his nearly 4-hour budget speech, Amir Khosru, dressed in a dark grey suit paired with dark blue tie, repeatedly urged lawmakers and citizens including farmers, workers, students, women, youth, and expatriates to strengthen cooperation in achieving the country’s development aspirations. The finance minister took just two short breaks - that too for the Asr and Maghrib prayers.  He disclosed the government's vision to reduce inflation to 7.5 percent and raise GDP growth to 6.5 percent in the coming fiscal (2026-27). For this, Khosru said he wants to rely on inclusive development, quality education and healthcare for all, universal social protection, an economy driven by investment, employment, and production. He said he wants to step up deregulation and present a cost-effective, simplified business environment, financial sector stability, energy security, digital transformation and ICT development, management of life, nature, environment, and water resources and transparent, efficient, and accountable institutions and administrative systems. The address highlighted that Bangladesh’s progress depends on the sustained implementation of electoral commitments, bold reform initiatives, and a united national effort. “We firmly believe that through continued implementation of our electoral commitments, bold reform initiatives, and a united national effort, Bangladesh will advance steadily toward its development aspirations,” the Finance Minister said. He said that it underscored the vision of building a society where equal opportunities are accessible to all, enterprise and innovation are encouraged, and the rewards of hard work are ensured, with the benefits of economic growth shared broadly among citizens. “Our commitment is to build a Bangladesh where equal opportunities are available to all… through economic democratisation, deregulation, and the empowerment of the people, we shall build a prosperous and confident Bangladesh, InshaAllah,” he added. Highlighting the importance of human capital, he said the strength, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of people remain the nation’s greatest asset. The proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year has been framed with a strong emphasis on economic stability, investment, production, employment generation and building a more equitable society. The government has set out an ambitious long-term vision of transforming the economy into a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 through sustained and stable economic growth, driven by what it describes as “economic democratisation”, aimed at ensuring financial recovery and welfare for all citizens. The budget claims to prioritise a shift away from debt-dependent growth towards a production- and private investment-led economic model. In the medium term, efforts will be made to increase revenue collection, maintain budget deficits at sustainable levels, and restore discipline in debt management, with the aim of improving the country’s credit rating from moderate to low risk. The budget deficit has been targeted at 3.6 percent of GDP, which will help keep borrowing risks at a manageable level.To encourage private sector investment, government borrowing from the banking sector will be gradually reduced. At the same time, the government planned to diversify and strengthen the bond market through the introduction and expansion of corporate bonds and municipal bonds, thereby easing pressure on the banking system. For the 2026–27 fiscal year, total revenue collection has been projected at Tk 6,95,000 crore, equivalent to 10.2 percent of GDP. Of this, Tk 6,04,000 crore is expected to come from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), i.e. tax collection. The tax-to-GDP ratio fell below 7 percent in FY2024–25, and the government said efforts will be made to significantly increase it in the coming years. The total outlay proposed, or budget size, clocks a hefty Tk 9,38,000 crore, covering both operational and development spending - signaling a return to the expansionary fiscal policy that characterised much of the deposed Awami League government's tenure from 2009-24.  The interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus bucked that trend, as Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled a Tk 7,90,000 crore national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal, marking a rare contraction of about 1% from the previous year's outlay. If Khosru's proposed budget is passed without any major changes, it would mark an 18% jump over the current year's budget. One of the most significant points of departure between the two is the return to a much larger Annual Development Programme. Operational expenditure includes subsidies, interest payments on public debt, procurement of capital equipment, food accounts, and administrative costs including advances to employees and state-owned enterprises. The development budget, which is mainly made up of the ADP but includes some non-ADP schemes as well, stands at Tk 3,16,075 crore - nearly a third of the total outlay.  Priority has been given to investment-led and sustainable development initiatives. In line with the party's promises on the campaign trail, the allocations for education and health have been significantly ramped up with a view to improve human capital development. Education sector has been allocated around 2 percent of GDP, amounting to Tk 1,36,606 crore, compared to Tk 87,206 crore in the current fiscal year (1.39 percent of GDP). The allocation spans multiple ministries beyond education including technical and vocational institutions under different sectors such as textiles, railways, defence, agriculture, fisheries, and ICT. Similarly, the health sector's allocation has been increased to Tk 69,409 crore, equivalent to 1.01 percent of GDP, up from 0.58 percent in the current fiscal year. The allocation includes spending by various ministries and agencies, including local government bodies, the Islamic Foundation, police-run hospitals, and social welfare institutions. The government has indicated a plan to gradually raise combined education and health spending to 5 percent of GDP in the future.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said prolonged instability in the Middle East may adversely affect employment opportunities abroad, income flows, and the continuity of remittance inflows. If this trend persists, the Finance Minister said it may emerge as a matter of serious concern for the external sector and labour market stability. He said although remittance receipts have not yet shown any negative impact, early signs of pressure are being observed in manpower deployment. For instance, he said, while around 95,000 workers departed for overseas employment in January 2026, this number declined to around 44,000 in March. Unveiling the national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in Parliament, the Finance Minister said the Middle East remains the most significant destination for Bangladesh’s migrant workforce. He said the reality of today’s global economy is that uncertainty is no longer an exception; rather, it has become a permanent feature of economic management, a ‘Neo-Normal’. War, volatility in energy markets, fluctuations in global interest rates, changes in trade policies, and disruptions in supply chains - any one of these can quickly place significant pressure on an import-dependent economy such as ours, he said. In this context, the Finance Minister said their objective is to manage the economy in such a way that minimizes the impact of external shocks on domestic macroeconomic stability, ensuring resilience and continuity in growth and development.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is preparing to unveil the Tk 9.38 lakh crore national budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 on June 11, while the newly formed government faces some big challenges. Tasked with financing an ambitious economic recovery plan, policymakers are trapped between a fragile macroeconomic landscape inherited from previous administrations and structural vulnerabilities that threaten to push the nation into a debt trap. The upcoming budget faces a near-impossible revenue challenge. A deep dive into the country's financial state reveals that the government's ability to fund its spending is being severely squeezed from five distinct pressure points. The Revenue Shortfall: The primary engine of budget funding—tax collection—has effectively stalled. According to data from the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) suffered a staggering shortfall of Tk 1.04 lakh crore during the July-April period of the outgoing fiscal year FY 2025-26. "Meeting the annual revenue target would now require an impossible growth rate of over 128 percent in the final two months," stated Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD. Bangladesh's revenue-to-GDP ratio hovers under 8 percent, one of the lowest in Asia, leaving the state heavily reliant on bank borrowing to plug a widening budget deficit. A Crippled Banking Sector and Toxic Loans: The government's traditional safety net—borrowing from local commercial banks—is running thin due to deep banking sector fragility. “Decades of poor governance, political cronyism, and unmitigated loan rescheduling have pushed the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio to a historic 30.6 percent,” said Dr. Zahid Hussain, a prominent Bangladeshi economist and the former Lead Economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office. With billions of taka trapped in default loans, local banks are facing severe liquidity crunches. Economists warn that the government’s excessive domestic borrowing—which reached 98.5 percent of its full-year target by March 2026—risks completely "crowding out" private sector credit, starving legitimate businesses of capital, he pointed out. Starved Investment and Low FDI: Investor confidence in Bangladesh has cooled significantly due to regulatory unpredictability, energy shortages, and political transitions. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains critically low, while private-sector credit growth dropped by over 6 percent year-on-year, said Dr. Fahmida. Compounding this crisis is the looming shadow of November 2026, when Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. “Graduation means losing vital preferential tariff access for the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, which is already seeing negative export growth trends. Without a rapid injection of local and foreign investment, funding structural growth will be unsustainable,” she opined. Global Shocks and Crushing Energy Prices: External shocks, particularly regional conflicts in the Middle East, have heavily disrupted global energy supply chains. Bangladesh has been forced to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the spot market at nearly two-and-a-half times its usual price, said Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, a prominent industrial economist in Bangladesh who also serves as the Research Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The government has earmarked an enormous US $3.5 billion purely for electricity and LNG subsidies in the upcoming budget. While retail power tariffs were recently hiked by Tk 1.52 per kWh to offset costs, these soaring energy bills are draining precious foreign exchange reserves and eating up fiscal space that should have gone toward infrastructure development, he said. Stagnant Wages and Surging Unemployment: On the human front, the economic slowdown has manifested as a severe employment crisis. Real GDP growth has slowed to roughly 3.9 percent, a sharp drop that has severely limited the creation of formal, well-paying jobs. With inflation stubbornly high at over 9 percent, low-income workers are seeing their purchasing power rapidly erode, said Dr. Zahid Hussain. The national poverty rate rose to 21.4 percent. Consequently, the government is being forced to expand costly social safety net programs, such as the Family Card cash-transfer scheme to 40.1 lakh households, adding further strain to an empty treasury, he said. "Resilience has underpinned Bangladesh's growth story," noted Jean Pesme, World Bank Country Director. "But without decisive, bold structural reforms in revenue mobilization and the financial sector, this resilience cannot last." As June 11 approaches, the Finance Minister faces a clear ultimatum from the country's top economic analysts: the FY2026-27 budget cannot rely on the old formula of printing money or heavy bank borrowing. To keep the economy afloat, the new government must focus on restoring governance to the banks, cutting bureaucratic waste, and radically restructuring how it collects revenue.  

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said the government is completely restructuring the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a new leadership team selected independently on the basis of professional expertise, as part ofbroader efforts to restore confidence in Bangladesh’s capital market. He said the reconstituted commission, comprising a chairman and four commissioners, would be announced within the next two weeks. “We are completely reorganising the Securities and Exchange Commission. Within the next two weeks, people will know about the new team,” the finance minister said while speaking at a pre-budget discussion organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum at its office auditorium. Emphasising the independence of the selection process, Khosru said the appointments were made without political considerations. “No politician’s opinion was taken into account. The selection has been made independently. We have chosen professionals who understand the market and have experience in capital market-related activities,” he said. The finance minister expressed optimism that the new leadership would help restore investor confidence and attract greater domestic and international interest in Bangladesh’s stock market. According to him, the government is also amending relevant laws and regulations to create a more transparent and investor-friendly market environment. “We are already receiving international interest. We are changing the laws and regulations. Many good companies are now approaching us and expressing interest in becoming listed,” he said. Khosru noted that a number of companies had previously been reluctant to enter the stock market due to concerns over governance and market integrity. “Many companies used to say they wanted to be listed on a stock exchange, not in what they considered a casino. We are changing that perception,” he said. The finance minister said the government’s objective is to transform the capital market into a credible source of long-term financing for businesses, reducing excessive dependence on the banking sector. He observed that banks are currently under pressure as they collect largely short-term deposits but provide long-term loans, creating structural challenges in financing large investment projects. “Companies should be able to raise funds from the stock market and issue bonds. This will reduce pressure on banks,” he said. Khosru also pointed to the high lending rates in the banking sector, saying they are creating difficulties for businesses seeking large-scale financing. “At present, lending rates of 12 to 13 per cent are not feasible for many businesses. When companies need financing of Tk 500 crore or Tk 2,000 crore, banks face challenges because deposits are mostly short-term while lending requirements are long-term,” he said. Highlighting the importance of a vibrant capital market in supporting economic growth, the finance minister said strengthening the stock market is essential for ensuring sustainable financing of private-sector investment. “The capital market has to function properly. Inshallah, it will become functional in no time. I can assure you that we are working to make it effective,” he said. He also encouraged companies and investors to participate more actively in the market as reforms are implemented, expressing confidence that the planned changes would help establish a stronger and more efficient financial ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said the proposed national budget seeks to address rising poverty, expand economic opportunities for marginalised groups and reduce bureaucratic obstacles to business, despite being prepared under exceptionally difficult circumstances. “preparing a national budget within one and a half months of assuming office was almost impossible, noting that the process normally takes at least six months,” he said while speaking at a pre-budget discussion meeting organised by Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) at its auditorium. Finance Minister Amir Khosru returns home after hospital treatment He said the government inherited a fragile economy marked by declining indicators, weak investment, growing unemployment and rising poverty, but was nonetheless required to present a budget within the constitutional timeframe. “The economy has reached a level where significant intervention is needed to restore stability and put it back on the path to prosperity,” he said, likening the situation to priming a tube well by pouring water into it before groundwater can be drawn. Responding to criticism over the size of the budget amid economic challenges, Khosru said the government was investing heavily to revive economic activity and rebuild confidence. He said the budget prioritises low-income and disadvantaged groups who have traditionally been overlooked in national fiscal planning. Among the key initiatives, he highlighted the expansion of the Family Card programme, under which financial assistance will be transferred directly to women heading households through bank accounts, minimizing opportunities for corruption and political influence. The minister claimed that a pilot project recorded only a 1-1.5 percent deviation rate and expressed confidence that the programme could achieve near-perfect targeting in future. He also underscored the government’s focus on farmers through the introduction of Farmer Cards, aimed at strengthening food security and improving rural livelihoods. On healthcare, Khosru said the government is moving towards universal primary healthcare, noting that Bangladeshis spend a disproportionately high share of their own income on medical treatment. He said the programme would be implemented through partnerships involving the private sector and non-governmental organisations rather than relying solely on government agencies. The finance minister also announced significant support for what he termed the “creative economy”, including artisans, weavers, folk craftsmen, performers, theatre artists and other cultural workers. Under the initiative, targeted groups will receive skills training, access to finance, design assistance, branding support and opportunities to market products online, drawing inspiration from successful international models such as Thailand’s “One Village, One Product” programme. Khosru said economic growth should not be measured solely through industrial production, arguing that creative industries and cultural activities also contribute significantly to gross domestic product (GDP). “Our vision is the democratisation of the economy,” he said. “Economic participation and the benefits of growth must reach every citizen and every community.” The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the private sector, describing it as the primary driver of economic growth while positioning the state as a facilitator rather than a regulator. He announced plans to simplify regulatory procedures through a one-stop service system under which multiple approvals would be processed within specified timeframes. Applications not acted upon within the prescribed period would be deemed approved, he said. Calling for a “deregulated economy”, Khosru said excessive controls had constrained businesses, citizens and institutions for years. On budget implementation, he acknowledged concerns over low execution rates and said the government would introduce digital monitoring systems across ministries. According to the minister, all development projects will be tracked through dashboards at the ministry, finance ministry and Prime Minister’s Office levels, allowing delays and bottlenecks to be identified in real time. He said future project selection would be guided by four criteria: value for money, return on investment, job creation and environmental sustainability. The government has already reviewed around 1,300 ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations and plans to cancel those that fail to meet the new standards while repurposing others to improve economic returns, he added. Turning to the capital market, Khosru said the government is restructuring the securities regulator and expects to appoint a new professional leadership team within weeks. He said reforms would help attract quality listed companies, reduce pressure on the banking sector and enable businesses to raise long-term financing through the capital market. The minister also said international financial institutions and major investment firms, including global fund managers, had expressed interest in Bangladesh as economic reforms gather pace. Khosru expressed confidence that the budget’s inclusive approach, coupled with stronger governance and implementation mechanisms, would help restore stability and lay the foundation for sustainable and equitable economic growth. CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun, East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) president Showkat Aziz Russell also spoke at the programme as special guests. ERF president Doulut Akter Mala presided over the discussion and general secretary Abul Kashem conducted it.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said Bangladesh’s economy must become more participatory and inclusive so that every citizen can take part in economic activities, stressing that cooperation from all stakeholders is essential to take the ‘Bangladesh story’ to the global arena. “Political democracy alone is not enough. We also want democratisation of the economy,” he said while addressing the inauguration of the second phase of the RAISE project titled “Stepping Forward” at the PKSF auditorium in the capital. Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek attended the event as special guest, while World Bank Acting Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Dr Gayle Martin spoke as guest of honour. PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the programme and PKSF Managing Director Md. Fazlul Kader delivered the welcome speech. He said the government has introduced strict benchmarks for project approval to ensure transparency, accountability and proper use of public funds. “We are now evaluating projects based on return on investment, employment generation and environmental considerations. If a project does not meet these standards, we will not undertake it,” he said. Khosru said taxpayers’ money must be used carefully and people should know the rationale, expected outcomes and public benefits of every project. Referring to the government’s broader economic philosophy, he said the administration is focusing more on social programmes and public welfare instead of mega projects. He said many ordinary people had long remained outside economic participation due to “oligarchic and patronage-based economic practices”, while poverty continued to rise. The minister said the government has introduced several people-oriented initiatives, including Family Cards, Farmers Cards and expanded healthcare programmes, to strengthen purchasing power, social protection and local economies. Explaining the Family Card initiative, he said women who manage households often receive little recognition despite carrying the burden of family management. Khosru said the government is also moving towards universal healthcare as out-of-pocket health expenditure in Bangladesh remains very high. “We want to strengthen preventive and primary healthcare services, and this will be reflected in the upcoming budget through increased allocations to health, education and social sectors,” he added. Highlighting the importance of utilising the country’s demographic dividend, he said the remaining window of opportunity must be fully harnessed through skill development, employment and entrepreneurship programmes. The minister also underscored the importance of the “creative economy”, saying traditional artisans, cottage industries and cultural workers must be integrated into mainstream economic activities. He said the government plans to provide artisans with financial support, design assistance, branding, marketing and access to international markets through digital platforms. Referring to the “One Village, One Product” concept, he said villages specialising in products such as “Shital Pati” would receive loans, skill development training, branding support and online marketing opportunities to improve incomes and export potential. Drawing examples from Thailand, he said coordinated government support for local producers can transform rural economies and create globally competitive products. The minister also stressed the economic importance of culture, theatre, music and sports, saying these sectors should be recognised as part of the country’s creative industries and contributors to GDP. “GDP is not only about manufacturing. Creative industries, sports economy and cultural activities also generate employment and economic value,” he said. Khosru said the government is working under significant domestic and global pressures, including geopolitical tensions and economic challenges, but remains committed to its long-term vision. “With cooperation from all, we want to present the story of Bangladesh before the world,” he said. PKSF has launched the second phase of the RAISE skills development project aiming to provide skills training and financial support to an additional 200,000 youth and small entrepreneurs. Under the project, jointly financed by the World Bank and PKSF, around 205,000 young people have already received training and loan support to enhance the capacity of informal sector entrepreneurs and create sustainable employment opportunities across the country. Speakers at the event said a total of 423,100 people are expected to directly benefit from the project by 2030.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday told Parliament that the government has a specific plan to develop the country’s stock market and make it vibrant and dynamic aiming to turn it into a long-term source of financing. “The government is firmly committed to strengthening the capital market and transforming it into a sustainable and long-term financing hub,” he said replying to a starred tabled question from ruling party MP from Noakhali-5 Mohammad Fakhrul Islam. The minister said the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has been working relentlessly to achieve this goal. Finance Minister Amir Khosru returns home after hospital treatment “Considering the vital role of the capital market in economic development, the government has included specific commitments in its election manifesto to improve the sector,” he said. Khosru noted that investors’ confidence is closely linked with capital market development. “Therefore, the government has taken initiatives to ensure good governance, transparency, accountability, diversification of financial products, and expansion of investment education to build a sustainable capital market,” he said. The government has taken several initiatives to enhance market depth, including forming a strong bond market, to establish the capital market as a major source of long-term financing, listing fundamentally strong companies in the stock market, and listing unlisted state-owned enterprises, he said. The minister said steps are being taken to introduce Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), Sukuk (Islamic bonds), and green bonds, ensure good governance in mutual funds to attract general investors, and introduce commodity and financial derivatives. To ensure transparency, accountability, and discipline in the market, the government is working to curb irregularities and market manipulation, strengthen investigation and enforcement activities, modernise and digitise the capital market, ensure easy market access from home and abroad, protect whistleblowers, and ensure corporate governance, he said. Khosru said a draft of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 2025 is under review by merging the Securities and Exchange Ordinance, 1969 and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993. He also said a draft of the Capital Market Stabilisation Fund Act, 2026 is also under review to ensure proper management and settlement of undistributed dividends, IPO funds, and unclaimed shares. In addition, new rules are being formulated for whistleblower protection, corporate governance rules 2026, amendments to Debt Securities Rules 2021 to include sustainable bonds, and enlistment of panel auditors and audit firms, the minister said. He said to increase investment awareness, the government is planning to include investment education in school, college, and university curricula, organise nationwide training for young entrepreneurs, and involve district and upazila administrations in awareness programmes. The minister said divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and Upazila Nirbahi Officers are being engaged in awareness activities, while district information offices are expanding public awareness campaigns. Under the “Safe Investment, Aware Citizen” programme, grassroots training and campaigns are being conducted. Investment-related content and videos are regularly uploaded on BSEC’s website, Facebook, and YouTube channels, he said. Khosru added that Bangladesh Television has taken an initiative to broadcast a fortnightly investment education programme titled “Pujibazarer Jana-Ajana.”