Bangladesh’s national budget focuses on improving the lives of people

By Rosemarie Zamora 

Bangladesh’s interim government approved last week the Tk7,89,999-crore national budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, which prioritizes improving the lives of all Bangladeshis.

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the budget focuses on the welfare of the people rather than on physical infrastructure.

“This year’s budget is somewhat exceptional, and this move reflects a strategic shift from growth-centric planning toward a broader focus on inclusive development,” Ahmed said.

He added that it is the government’s goal to build an effective state and a strong society.

Hence, it gives more priority to the needs and welfare of the people, particularly guaranteeing fundamental rights, ensuring a decent standard of living, securing livelihoods, and creating an equitable environment.

“The proposed budget places special emphasis on education, healthcare, good governance, civic services and employment generation,” he said.

Tk41,908 crore for the health sector

Under the budget, the government allocated Tk41,908 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, saying the health sector’s development is needed for the country’s growth.

“To ensure healthcare services for the poor, I propose an additional Tk4,166 crore for free medical treatment in the upcoming fiscal year, and Tk1,000 crore for the expanded vaccination program,” Ahmed said.

The budget will focus on expanding healthcare coverage, improving infrastructure, and hiring skilled workers as it aims to bring all citizens into universal healthcare by 2030.

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Apart from this, the government also plans to reduce import duties on medical equipment and machinery.

The budget also sought to extend duty and tax exemptions on the import of raw materials for all types of pharmaceutical products, including cancer prevention drugs, and for the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

Education sector to receive Tk95,644 crore

For the education sector, the government allocated Tk95,644. Ahmed said the government is placing more emphasis on building a science-driven, technology-based and employment-oriented education system with the budget.

Of the proposed budget for the sector, a total of Tk35,403 crore was set aside for primary and mass education.

For secondary and higher education, the government allocated a total of Tk47,563 crore. The government aims to improve the quality of education in the country. Hence, all textbooks at secondary and higher secondary levels have been revised and updated.

In addition, the government also aims to modernize curricula at all private universities based on the globally accepted outcome-based education model.

The interim government also acknowledged the importance of technical and vocational education, hence it will provide Tk12,678 crore for Technical and Madrasa Education in FY2025-2026.

Ahmed said the budget not only focuses on improving the lives of all Bangladeshis but also addresses emerging global realities, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country category, and the opportunities and challenges posed by climate change.

“We aim to harness new opportunities and tackle upcoming challenges to ensure sustainable development,” Ahmed said.

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