Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), acknowledged the government’s intent to ensure macroeconomic stability in the proposed budget.

Says Ashikur Rahman, principal economist of the PRI

In his televised address to the nation, the adviser also proposed changes to duties on different products, which will result in increase and decrease in their prices

Previously, these requirements were mandatory for as many as 43 services. 

The proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025-26 does not offer a conducive environment for investment and lacks the direction needed to drive industrial growth, said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI).

According to budget documents, the total deficit for FY 2025–26 is projected at Tk 221,000 crore. 

Since January 2025, the government has also been distributing essential commodities such as lentils and soybean oil among 57 lakh families using “smart family cards” through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh. 

The funds will go towards allowances, medical care, grants, and rehabilitation.

Grounded in the spirit of the July Uprising, the budget seeks to restore economic stability while fostering a just and sustainable society.

To support this move, the tax deduction at source (TDS) during electricity purchase payments has been reduced to 4 percent from the existing 6 percent

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has proposed a Tk 100 crore startup fund in the national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 to support emerging entrepreneurs.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today proposed a Tk 7,90,000 crore budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, which is 12.7 percent of the GDP

Under the proposal, individuals with deposits of up to Tk 3 lakh will no longer have to pay excise duty from the start of the new financial year.

The interim government has imposed a 10 percent supplementary duty on over-the-top (OTT) platform services for the fiscal year 2025-26— a move that is expected to increase costs at the users’ end. 

The tax-free income limit for war-wounded freedom fighters has been increased to Tk 525,000 from FY27 from Tk 500,000 at present.

The government has doubled the rate of value-added tax on plastic tableware

New taxpayers will pay Tk 1,000 tax if their annual taxable income falls below Tk 450,000.

Because the National Board of Revenue seeks to increase VAT on the commissions from product sales through e-platforms to 15 percent from 5 percent this fiscal year.

However, the rates in the corresponding slabs will be higher.

The VAT rate will be 10 percent in FY26, up from 7.5 percent during this outgoing fiscal year.