The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has broadly welcomed the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27, describing it as ambitious yet achievable, while emphasizing that its successful implementation will depend on transparency, accountability, efficiency, and strong institutional capacity.
In its immediate reaction to the budget on Saturday, the apex trade association praised the government's focus on economic stability, investment promotion, industrial production, employment generation and social welfare. It also welcomed the administration's emphasis on key sectors such as education, healthcare, social protection, energy security, information technology and financial sector stability.
FBCCI said the proposed budget, amounting to Tk9.38 lakh crore, reflects Bangladesh's long-term development ambitions, including attracting investment, creating jobs, supporting vulnerable groups, and advancing towards the goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy. However, it cautioned that the country's largest-ever budget would require effective execution and close coordination among government agencies.
The organisation expressed support for the government’s “3R Strategy” - Recovery and Stabilization, Restoration and Reconstruction - which aims to restore macroeconomic stability, stimulate private-sector growth and promote inclusive development.
At the same time, FBCCI identified revenue mobilisation as one of the most significant challenges facing the government. The proposed budget targets revenue collection of Tk6.95 lakh crore, including Tk6.04 lakh crore through the National Board of Revenue (NBR). According to the business body, achieving this target will require a more business-friendly tax regime, stronger economic activity, sustained investment growth, and comprehensive reforms in revenue administration.
The chamber also raised concerns about financing the budget deficit, warning that excessive government borrowing from the banking sector could reduce credit availability for businesses and hinder investment and employment creation. It recommended greater reliance on concessional foreign financing while maintaining prudent debt management.
FBCCI further pointed to several economic risks, including persistent inflation, a low tax-to-GDP ratio, rising non-performing loans, external debt obligations, and uncertainty in the global economy. The organisation noted that the government's growing interest payment burden would also remain a significant fiscal challenge in the coming years.
To strengthen the economy, FBCCI recommended accelerating the development of economic zones, diversifying exports, exploring new international markets, improving logistics and supply chains, ensuring uninterrupted power and energy supply, strengthening capital markets, reforming the banking sector and developing skilled human resources in technology-driven industries. It also highlighted the untapped potential of the blue economy and called for the establishment of a legal framework for free trade zones.
The business community welcomed a range of social protection measures included in the budget, such as Family Cards, Farmer Cards, transport benefits for senior citizens, and expanded social safety-net programmes. It also praised initiatives aimed at preparing Bangladesh for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, including efforts to negotiate new trade agreements and improve export competitiveness.
FBCCI additionally welcomed incentives for renewable energy, startup businesses, SMEs, women entrepreneurs, technology firms, exporters and environmentally friendly transportation. It praised the government's efforts to modernise tax administration through digital services, online tax filing, automated audits, and improved integration among revenue agencies.
While appreciating several tax relief measures, the organisation suggested further reforms, including lower corporate tax rates and reductions in certain turnover taxes to enhance business competitiveness.
Overall, FBCCI described the proposed budget as a realistic and investment-friendly fiscal framework that can support economic growth and employment generation. However, it stressed that achieving the budget's objectives will require strong implementation, fiscal discipline and continued reforms to improve the business environment and strengthen revenue collection.
