Birupaksha Paul, professor of economics at the State University of New York, described the proposed national budget as “brief and restrained,” marking a departure from the verbose and often overly ambitious budgets of previous years.

The interim government has proposed a 5 percent advance tax on the turnover of cigarette producers, which was 3 percent previously.

The vice chairman of Newage Group of Industries says in his budget reaction

Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), acknowledged the government’s intent to ensure macroeconomic stability in the proposed budget.

Says Ashikur Rahman, principal economist of the PRI

The move is aimed at reducing poverty and social inequality, while improving the living standards of the poor, marginalised, and vulnerable groups, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said during his budget speech today.

Previously, these requirements were mandatory for as many as 43 services. 

The proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025-26 does not offer a conducive environment for investment and lacks the direction needed to drive industrial growth, said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI).

According to budget documents, the total deficit for FY 2025–26 is projected at Tk 221,000 crore. 

Since January 2025, the government has also been distributing essential commodities such as lentils and soybean oil among 57 lakh families using “smart family cards” through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh. 

The funds will go towards allowances, medical care, grants, and rehabilitation.

Grounded in the spirit of the July Uprising, the budget seeks to restore economic stability while fostering a just and sustainable society.

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has proposed a Tk 100 crore startup fund in the national budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 to support emerging entrepreneurs.

Under the proposal, individuals with deposits of up to Tk 3 lakh will no longer have to pay excise duty from the start of the new financial year.

The interim government has imposed a 10 percent supplementary duty on over-the-top (OTT) platform services for the fiscal year 2025-26— a move that is expected to increase costs at the users’ end. 

The tax-free income limit for war-wounded freedom fighters has been increased to Tk 525,000 from FY27 from Tk 500,000 at present.

New taxpayers will pay Tk 1,000 tax if their annual taxable income falls below Tk 450,000.

However, the rates in the corresponding slabs will be higher.

Previously, the source tax on these items was 1 percent.

Meanwhile, the corporate tax rate for merchant banks has been proposed to be reduced to 27.5 per cent from the existing 37.5 per cent.