In a historic televised address, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presented the proposed national budget for FY 2025–26, accusing the former Awami League-led government of driving Bangladesh’s financial sector to the brink through years of mismanagement, corruption, and regulatory negligence.
Marking the first interim government budget since 2008, Dr. Ahmed delivered a scathing assessment of the past 15 years, citing an alarming surge in non-performing loans (NPLs)—which jumped from 10.11% in June 2023 to 20.20% by December 2024. He criticized repeated loan rescheduling practices and revealed that new international standards implemented by Bangladesh Bank are now exposing the full extent of the banking sector’s vulnerabilities.
To stabilize the financial system, the interim government has introduced the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, alongside three task forces focused on asset quality reviews, enhancing regulatory enforcement, and recovering misappropriated or laundered funds both domestically and abroad.
The proposed budget stands at Tk 7.9 trillion (7,90,000 crore)—Tk 70 billion lower than the previous year—marking the first budget contraction in Bangladesh’s history. Dr. Ahmed framed it as a necessary course correction, prioritizing structural reforms over debt-fueled growth.
Due to the absence of a sitting parliament, the budget will be finalized after public feedback and approved by the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. It will be enacted by presidential ordinance and take effect from July 1, 2025.
Dr. Ahmed concluded by emphasizing the budget’s focus on restoring trust, stabilizing the macroeconomy, and laying the foundation for sustainable development.
