Speakers at a seminar on Sunday criticized the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, calling it "traditional" and claiming it offered little innovation to address Bangladesh’s current economic challenges. The seminar, titled CPD Budget Dialogue 2025: An Analysis of the National Budget for FY 2025-26, was held at a city hotel with prominent economists and political leaders in attendance.
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), described the budget as lacking significant impact, saying, “If you say it generously, then the budget is traditional; if you are not generous, it is prudent; and if you see it realistically, it is not impactful.” Rahman’s remarks were echoed by others who criticized the government's inability to implement bold reforms.
Barrister Rumeen Farhana, Co-secretary for international affairs for the BNP, and a former member of parliament, pointed out that a budget under a political government would have been far different. “A political government would bring planning, a clear roadmap, and a defined tenure. Without these, businesses and the economy cannot expect good news,” she noted. Her sentiment was supported by others who felt the current interim government was too detached from the needs of the country’s economy.
Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Secretary-General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad took issue with the lack of consultation with political parties during the budget's formulation. “There are four economists in this small cabinet, which is unprecedented. We have never seen such a poorly drafted budget,” he said.
Shamim Haider Patwari, former MP and leader of the Jatiya Party (Ershad), agreed, calling the budget “traditional” and “unpromising.” He urged the government to rethink its approach in order to address the country’s growing economic struggles.
Dr. Mashrur Riaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, described the budget as lacking in any significant structural or philosophical changes. “It is muted, boring, and not smart in its approach,” he commented.
Economist MM Akash was equally critical, calling the budget "ordinary" and warning that it signified a dangerous path towards economic hardship. “Downsizing the budget, to me, is an advance march towards famine,” he said, voicing concern over the long-term implications.
Criticism was also directed at the interim government for providing tempered data and information. Showkat Aziz, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), lamented the growing number of layoffs in factories, stating that the government had turned a blind eye to the issue. “The government advisers need to leave their air-conditioned rooms and face the ground reality,” he urged.
Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the need for more visionary and reform-driven policies in the national budget.
As the seminar concluded, it was clear that many experts and political leaders remain dissatisfied with the proposed budget, questioning whether it will adequately address the nation’s pressing economic issues and whether real reform is on the horizon.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
