Budget speech to be 50-60 pages, says finance advisor

Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has said the upcoming budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year will be “very practical” and will aim at controlling inflation while promoting business expansion.

He also promised that the budget speech would be limited to 50-60 pages, emphasising a focused and realistic approach.

In a meeting with editors and senior journalists from different media outlets on Wednesday, the finance advisor shared his intentions behind the budget's formulation.

This meeting was organised to gather suggestions before finalising the budget.

In his closing remarks, Salehuddin said: “Our objective in this budget will be to ensure a fair and welfare-oriented framework. The budget will be medium-term, as long-term budgets are not within our mandate.”

He added, “I am not someone who speaks much. I do not prefer long speeches. This year's budget speech will be within 50-60 pages.

“We will make this budget more practical. Inflation will be reduced, and business expansion will be promoted.”

During the meeting, journalists raised concerns about the difficulties citizens face in paying taxes.

Suggestions included increasing the tax-free income threshold and expanding the tax net across the country.

The finance advisor said, "A cashless society and a faceless tax system are needed. I believe it is not advisable for you to face tax officers. When face-to-face, transactions happen under the table. Automation should be prioritised to ensure transparency through information technology."

Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder summarised the discussions, highlighting the need to prioritise inflation control.

He also noted that employment generation was one of the key areas of focus.

"Education and health sector budgets are gradually decreasing, and there have been suggestions to increase allocations for these sectors," he added.

He also said the most crucial recommendation was for the budget size to remain small and practical.

During the session, suggestions from journalists included measures to address rising inflation, increase social safety nets, and extend the scope of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

The Editor of the daily Jugantor, Abdul Hai Shikdar, commented, “The government is handling the post-revolution challenges well, but the upcoming budget will be another test. The country needs to be revived from the rubble.”

He also suggested increasing the tax-free income threshold and extending the social security network.

He proposed including more small and medium-sized businesses in the tax system.

DBS News Editor Luton Ekram called for anti-discrimination measures in the budget, urging a tax-free income ceiling increase to Tk 500,000-600,000, while also suggesting easier access to loans for small and medium entrepreneurs.

He recommended raising social security allowances to at least Tk 5,000.

Daily Samakal’s Associate Editor Zakir Hossain proposed increasing the social security allowances so that individuals can cover their expenses for an entire month, suggesting a Tk 3,000 allowance as proposed by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

Shawkat Hossain, head of online at Daily Prothom Alo, urged the government to present figures on employment generation, saying: "There has been growth on paper, but no actual employment opportunities. We need a detailed record of job creation."

ATN Bangla’s Chief Executive Editor Maniur Rahman also pointed out the link between unemployment and the recent law-and-order instability and called for more job opportunities.

He suggested a Tk 500,000 tax-free income threshold.

Rashed Kanchon, executive director of SA TV, questioned if the new budget would resemble the “fascist” times or remain practical.

Shamim Abdullah Zahedy, associate editor of Independent TV, called for a “philosophy of justice” in the budget, stressing the need to distinguish black money from white money.

Jamuna TV Chief News Editor Md Towhidul Islam asked for a framework to address corruption and system losses in the budget, with a focus on implementation.

Kawsaer Rahman, city editor at Daily Janakantha, emphasised the need for employment and investment, urging simpler tax structures and the introduction of digital tax systems to bring more people into the tax net.

He also called for increased focus on the education and health sectors.

Mir Masrur Zaman, chief news editor at Channel I, highlighted the mental development of children and suggested increased investments in schools to support mental health.

Special Correspondent Rizvi Newaz from Channel I called for a revision of data, particularly questioning the slow rise in private investments and the increase in bank deposits.

Mizanur Rahman, senior reporter at Daily Observer, recommended monitoring the proper application of government funds in sectors such as health and education.