On 2 June 2025, Bangladesh’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presented the proposed national budget for the financial year 2025-26. The total size of the proposed budget is Tk 7.90 lakh crore. In his speech on national television, Dr. Salehuddin shared a new approach: this year, the focus is on people, not just infrastructure.
This is a big shift from previous years. In earlier budgets, the government gave a lot of importance to building roads, bridges, and large construction projects. But this year, the government is trying something different. For the first time, the new budget is actually smaller than the previous one. This is a clear sign that the government wants to spend wisely and give more importance to basic needs of the people.
Why the Focus on People?
Dr. Salehuddin said that the goal of the budget is to protect people’s rights, ensure they have a decent standard of living, and create a fair and equal society. He believes that a country cannot grow properly if its people do not have access to education, healthcare, jobs, and justice.
He explained,
“Without these basic things, a country becomes weak and its society breaks down.”
That’s why this year’s budget puts more money into areas that help people in their daily lives rather than focusing only on physical development.
Key Areas Getting Priority
The budget gives special importance to five main areas:
- Education – To ensure that children and young people receive proper education and training for the future.
- Healthcare – So that all citizens can access good treatment, especially the poor and elderly.
- Good Governance – To make sure government services are honest, fair, and efficient.
- Civic Services – Such as clean water, waste management, transport, and electricity.
- Job Creation – Helping young people and workers find employment in both cities and rural areas.
These five sectors show that the government wants to build a strong society, not just strong buildings.
Read More: Big Boost for Women Entrepreneurs: 125 Crore Taka in Budget
Preparing for the Future
Dr. Salehuddin also talked about new challenges and opportunities facing Bangladesh. The budget includes plans to prepare for:
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution, where automation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies will change jobs and industries.
- Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC category (Least Developed Country) to a developing nation, which brings both benefits and responsibilities.
- The threat of climate change, which affects millions of people through floods, storms, and rising temperatures.
Dr. Salehuddin said,
“We want to use new opportunities and face challenges wisely, so that Bangladesh can grow in a way that is sustainable and long-lasting.”
This is the first national budget presented by Professor Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, and also the first time Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed is acting as the Finance Adviser. Dr. Salehuddin was previously the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country. His experience in finance and banking is expected to bring stability and wisdom to the budget-making process.
This new budget marks a new beginning. By putting people at the center, the government wants to build a stronger and fairer Bangladesh. It is a step toward a society where everyone has a chance to live a better life — not just through buildings and highways, but through education, healthcare, and opportunity. As the budget is discussed in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on how these plans are turned into real actions that change lives for the better.
