DHAKA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has unveiled a 7.90 trillion-taka (nearly 65 billion U.S. dollars) national budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year starting in July.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday announced the first proposed national budget under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.
"This year's budget is somewhat exceptional. For the first time in the country's history, we are proposing a smaller budget for the next fiscal year than the budget of FY 2024-25. Moving away from a growth-centric concept, we have tried to emphasize the concept of holistic development," Ahmed said while presenting the budget via a pre-recorded speech telecast.
"Therefore, instead of highlighting the traditional physical infrastructure development, we have given priority to the people in this year's budget," he continued.
"Without ensuring the essential elements of guarantee of fundamental rights, necessary measures for good living, security of livelihood and environment free from discrimination, any state becomes ineffective, and the foundation of a society is weakened. Considering this, in this year's budget, special emphasis has been laid on education, health, good governance, civic facilities, employment, etc.," the adviser said.
The government projected an economic growth of 5.5 percent in the annual budget, which is equivalent to 12.7 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
In the absence of a sitting National Parliament, the budget will be enacted through a presidential ordinance, accompanied by a televised speech from the finance adviser.
The major economic goals outlined in the national budget include reducing inflation to 6.5 percent and maintaining the fiscal deficit below five percent of GDP. (1 U.S. dollar equals about 123 taka) ■
