United News of Bangladesh

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) will be placed in the Jatiya Sangsad on June 11, with a focus on the welfare of all citizens as the country navigates a fragile economic situation inherited from previous administrations. “Insha Allah, this budget will be placed on June 11. It is being prepared considering every citizen of Bangladesh,” Khosru told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat. “We are passing through a difficult period. We inherited a fragile economy, but despite that, we are trying our best. This budget is being formulated keeping in mind every citizen of the country,” he said. The minister said the government assumed office amid a challenging economic environment marked by a heavy debt burden, rising poverty and declining investment. “Despite these challenges, we have taken responsibility and are working to deliver a budget that reflects the interests of all citizens,” he said. Khosru said the government aims to ensure broader participation in economic activities so that the benefits of growth reach all segments of society. “Hopefully, this budget will mark a good beginning as we work to recover from a fragile economic situation. Although the process will take time, the start will be positive and we will gradually move towards improvement,” he said. The finance minister said the government is seeking to steer the economy towards an investment-led growth model, moving away from what he described as previous practices of excessive money printing and heavy borrowing from the banking sector. He said efforts are underway to restore sound public financial management and prevent the country from falling into a debt trap, noting that a significant portion of the national budget is currently being spent on servicing loan interest payments. “We are trying our best to reduce our dependence on loans and increase our reliance on investment. Gradually, we will have to reduce operating costs while encouraging greater investment,” he said. Khosru said the government has been working relentlessly since assuming office to correct distortions in the economy and restore macroeconomic stability, with a view to bringing discipline to the financial sector. “These efforts will ultimately protect the interests of the people of Bangladesh and help us realise our dream of becoming a trillion-dollar economy,” he added.