The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) expresses that the budget reflects an effort to maintain macroeconomic stability amidst global and domestic challenges, but the trade body views it as a missed opportunity to drive long-overdue reforms, stimulate private investment, and ensure inclusive growth.
IBFB made the views in its reaction on the proposed national budget for FY2025–26, placed by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, on Monday with a total outlay of Tk. 7.97 trillion.
IBFB commends several aspects of the proposed budget that demonstrate a commitment to stability, human capital, and sectoral support like Tax Relief, Tk. 1,000 crore fund for women entrepreneurs,Increased allocations for agriculture, including fertilizer subsidies and irrigation assistance, export diversification, Green Economy Promotion,
Tax Digitization and Automation, allocations in transport, power, and logistics aim to ease trade and boost competitiveness and special benefits for July warriors
Despite positive elements, IBFB notes the absence of bold policy measures in key areas critical to private sector-led growth that include lack of structural reforms, neglecting SMEs and Entrepreneurs, n policy measures on non-performing loans (NPLs), high interest rates, or credit access—critical to financial sector health, ADP quality and execution gaps, continuation of tax amnesty for undisclosed income undermines transparency and honest taxpayers, shrinking safety nets etc.
To make the budget more responsive to economic realities and private sector aspirations, IBFB urges the government to undertake bold tax reforms focused on direct taxation, compliance, and base expansion. launch a comprehensive private sector stimulus targeting CMSMEs, exporters, women-led enterprises, and digital innovators, reform banking governance to reduce NPLs and facilitate affordable credit to productive sectors.
The body also suggest to abolish blanket black money amnesty and ensure a compliance-based fiscal environment and invest in youth, innovation, and human capital to build a competitive, knowledge-based economy.
IBFB recognizes the government’s effort to craft a budget under fiscal pressure and economic uncertainty. However, the absence of transformative reforms, private sector engagement, and a credible roadmap to inclusive growth makes this budget a missed opportunity.
