Business leaders and economists have broadly welcomed the proposed measures, saying they send encouraging signals to investors.
However, they cautioned that the success of the fiscal plan will depend largely on implementation, institutional capacity and improvements in the overall business climate.
Presenting the FY2026-27 budget in parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury unveiled a package of reforms aimed at accelerating investment, expanding employment and improving the ease of doing business, reflecting many of the priorities outlined in the BNP's election manifesto.
The budget marks the first major test of the party's commitments to creating 10 million jobs, attracting higher foreign direct investment (FDI) and reducing regulatory barriers that have long been cited as obstacles to business expansion.
One of the most notable features of the budget is the government's adoption of the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a US$1 trillion economy by 2034.
To support that ambition, it has set medium-term targets of achieving 8.5 per cent GDP growth, raising the FDI-to-GDP ratio to 2.7 per cent and increasing total investment to 40 per cent of GDP by FY2030-31.
Although the budget does not directly mention the target of creating 10 million jobs, it outlines several initiatives aimed at expanding employment opportunities. The government plans to create 200,000 jobs annually in the technology sector through the expansion of ICT industries, including cybersecurity, BPO, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Another 800,000 indirect jobs are expected through freelancing and creative industries.
To strengthen the creative economy, the budget allocates Tk 3.0 billion and proposes mobilising another Tk 5.0 billion from Bangladesh Bank's corporate social responsibility fund. The initiative aims to create around 500,000 jobs while raising the sector's contribution to GDP to 1.5 per cent.
Industrial zones have also been identified as a major source of employment generation. Two export processing zones (EPZs) under development in Patuakhali and Jashore are expected to create around 250,000 jobs, while additional EPZs are planned in Gaibandha and Sirajganj. Employment generation has also been included as a key criterion for evaluating public investment projects.
On foreign investment, the budget adopts targets and measures closely aligned with the government's broader economic agenda.
To facilitate investment, company registration services will be fully digitised, with registration expected to be completed within 48 hours. The budget also promises investor visas within 10 days and work permits for foreign professionals within seven days, while eligible investors will be offered five-year multiple-entry visas.
For large and strategic projects, dedicated support officers and project-based case managers will be assigned through agencies such as BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA and BSCIC. The government has also launched BanglaBiz, a digital platform aimed at streamlining investment approvals and business services, and prepared an investment heat map covering 19 priority sectors.
The budget's most far-reaching reform initiative is its deregulation agenda. A dedicated chapter focuses on improving the ease of doing business through regulatory reforms, including a fully digital single-window approval system, deemed approvals when agencies fail to respond within stipulated timelines and service-level agreements for licensing and approval services.
To speed up industrial investment, the government plans to introduce plug-and-play facilities in selected economic zones, where land, utilities, infrastructure and key approvals will be prepared in advance.
The budget also proposes automated income tax refunds, software-based audit selection and online issuance of tax residency certificates for foreign investors.
Reacting to the budget, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said the measures aimed at promoting investment and employment were encouraging, but their effectiveness would depend on implementation. He stressed the need for simplified procedures and efficient execution by Bangladesh Bank and participating financial institutions.
Leading industrialist Azam J Chowdhury said long-term policy certainty and faster investment approvals are more important for attracting investment than marginal tariff adjustments. He called for a five-year tax policy framework and reduced bureaucratic hurdles in the investment approval process.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu welcomed the budget's focus on investment facilitation and policy continuity.
He said the government's Tk 600-billion (Tk 60,000-crore) pre-budget support package could help businesses, but stressed that support should also reach struggling and temporarily closed factories.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed described the budget as business-and investment-friendly but said its success would depend on achieving revenue targets and implementing the proposed reforms effectively.
Bangladesh Employers' Federation President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said the budget sends a positive signal to investors through its emphasis on investment promotion and cost reduction.
BUILD Chairperson Abul Kasem Khan said the budget marks a shift towards deregulation, investment facilitation and private sector-led growth. He noted that many of the proposed measures are consistent with the government's commitments on ease of doing business, investment promotion and employment generation.
Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman Dr M Masrur Reaz described the budget as an ambitious attempt to lay the foundation for investment-led growth and a welfare-oriented state. However, he cautioned that its success would ultimately depend on improvements in revenue mobilisation, project implementation, governance and accountability.
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BNP's first budget puts jobs, investment, deregulation at centre stage
JASIM UDDIN | Published: June 12, 2026 00:04:42
BNP's first budget puts jobs, investment, deregulation at centre stage
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