The interim government is set to present the national budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 on June 2. Financial Advisor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed will deliver the budget speech to the nation, which will be broadcast live at 4 pm on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar.
All private television channels and radio stations have been requested to simultaneously air the speech using the BTV feed, as per an official press release issued on Thursday.
Sources from the Ministry of Finance reveal that the interim administration, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, is planning a budget of BDT 7.90 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year. Key areas of focus will include curbing inflation, boosting employment, improving quality of life, and enhancing sectors such as health, education, and social protection.
A notable portion of the budget is expected to be earmarked for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Around BDT 20.8 billion may be allocated for election-related expenditures, although the Election Commission had initially requested BDT 59.22 billion to cover both national and local government elections.
The budget deficit is projected to reach BDT 2.26 trillion. Over half of this gap is expected to be financed through foreign borrowing, with the remainder coming from domestic sources, including bank loans and savings certificates.
Non-development or operational spending is likely to be set at BDT 5.45 trillion, while development expenditure may reach BDT 2.45 trillion. Of that, BDT 2.3 trillion could be allocated to the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
The government is expected to target a GDP growth rate of 5.5%, alongside plans to reduce inflation to 6.5%.
