The proposed national budget for FY2026-27 brings a flicker of hope for Bangladesh’s struggling healthcare system.

Four habits appear to have been defining budget-making in Bangladesh for decades, regardless of who headed the finance ministry.

Every year, the national budget contains some good initiatives.

The proposed national budget for FY2026-27 provides an indication of the newly elected government’s economic philosophy and development priorities.

In the proposed FY2026-27 national budget, the Government of Bangladesh has allocated Tk 69,409 crore to the health sector, out of a total budget of Tk 9.38 lakh crore.

Bangladesh does not necessarily need to invest more in university research. It needs to spend what it already has as if research were meant to generate tangible outcomes.

The climate budget proposed for FY2026-2027 seems good on paper but, at the same time, confusing, and has missed some obvious opportunities.

Economists may think differently, but it appears that politicians and bureaucrats think alike when it comes to framing the budget document.

Bangladesh’s health sector has long advanced through a paradox. On the one hand, millions of people fall into financial hardship every year due to healthcare expenses

One of the most serious weaknesses in Bangladesh’s economy is that its tax collection, relative to the economy size, remains among the lowest in the world; the country ranks only slightly above war-ravaged Yemen and Sudan.

The proposed budget for FY2026-27 indicates a welcome shift in language to back up the government’s electoral promise to gradually increase public investment in education.

Budgets often reveal more through their tensions than through their promises. The proposed budget for FY2026-27 is no exception.

The government must focus on implementation, efficient spending

He said payments to power producers cannot be halted immediately

NCP convener says Bangladesh’s current revenue system can't support the govt’s ambitious budget goal

Ordinary taxpayers may see the move as a reward for corruption and tax evasion, it says

Party says proposed budget falls short of public expectations

CPD said the government's inflation target of 7.5 percent would be difficult to achieve unless public spending translates into higher investment, employment and output

Despite low GDP growth over the past three consecutive years, the government is targeting 6.5 percent growth for the next fiscal year in the proposed budget, based on the democratisation of the economy and encouraging private sector investment to boost growth, two economists said today

The government has proposed withdrawing source tax on the import of 60 essential commodities, aiming to improve the standard of living of every individual and family in the country