Desk Report:
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the government has undertaken an all-out reform program to establish a welfare state and a humane economy for the common people of the country, moving away from the culture of oligarchy or the economy controlled by a few people and patronage.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Budget in times of crisis and public expectations’ organized by Dainik Prothom Alo at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Thursday (May 21, 2026).
The Finance Minister said that democratization of the country’s economy is not just a slogan, it is the core philosophy of the current government. Special emphasis is being placed on bringing the marginalized population, including rural blacksmiths and weavers, who have been outside the budget for ages, into the mainstream of the economy. Special projects and funds are being allocated in the next budget to promote and monetize the creative economy, such as theater, culture, music, painting, and artificial jewelry. ‘Theater districts’ will be developed in major cities besides Dhaka. Like neighboring countries, the country’s soft power will be increased by branding and providing a platform for Bangladesh’s culture, film, and music in the global market.
He said that the government is taking strict steps to reduce the cost of doing business and additional charges and bureaucratic harassment at all levels, starting from ports to transportation of goods. In the implementation of businesses or projects, where numerous permissions or approvals were previously required, are being reduced. Within the next one year, the entire economic and administrative system of the country will be brought under digital automation. At the same time, initiatives are underway to ensure all citizen services through ‘One Citizen, One Card’. The project will be monitored daily from the beginning to the end and implementation within a specific timeframe will be mandatory.
The Finance Minister said that the capital market and bond market are being strengthened as an alternative to high-interest bank loans. There is a huge response from international investment bankers, fund managers and IFC. It will be mandatory for companies with capital above a certain amount to be listed on the capital market. The government is also in the process of floating ‘Bangladesh Bonds’ at home and abroad, where the interest rate will be between 6 and 9 percent.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that to prevent tax evasion, the actual market share of Coca-Cola, Pepsi or multinational and big tobacco companies will be verified and fair tax will be collected. A simple ‘flat rate’ is being planned to be introduced annually to bring ordinary restaurants or small shopkeepers under the tax umbrella and protect them from harassment by tax officials. Radical changes are being made in tax policy formulation. To this end, a bill is being passed, through which a policy-making body will be formed with qualified people who understand not only tax collectors but also global economy, local trade and human profitability.
The Finance Minister urged the countrymen to be patient for the next two years and said, our main goal is not just to increase GDP growth, but to ensure how much the benefits of growth have changed the lives of the common people. The Honorable Prime Minister has strong political will and we are working day and night with the aim of completing all deregulations within the next 6 months. Bangladesh will emerge as a truly welfare-oriented state within the next two years.
Present at the event, moderated by Shawkat Hossain, were PPRC Chairperson Hossain Zillur Rahman, Honorary Fellow of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Debapriya Bhattacharya, Professorial Fellow of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Selim Jahan, CEO of Transcom Group, Simin Rahman, Managing Director of HSBC Bangladesh, Mahbub Ur Rahman, Chairman of Policy Exchange Masrur Riaz, Director of TK Group, Mohammad Mostafa Haider, President of BKMEA, Mohammad Hatem, General Secretary of Moulvibazar Businessmen’s Association, Golam Maula, Secretary General of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association, Imran Hasan.
