Dhaka, Jun 29 (V7N) — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday described the proposed 2026–27 national budget as a "people-friendly budget," saying the government's priority is to protect ordinary citizens from economic hardship while restoring stability to the country's economy.

Speaking during the budget discussion in the 13th National Parliament, the Prime Minister said the withdrawal of customs duties on several essential products had helped prevent an increase in the prices of daily necessities after the budget announcement.

"The government does not want to use any crisis as an excuse. Rather, we want to overcome every challenge successfully," he said.

Referring to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Tarique Rahman noted that rising global fuel prices have placed additional pressure on Bangladesh's economy. He said the budget had been prepared based on prevailing economic realities, with the goal of shifting economic benefits away from a privileged few and toward the broader population.

The Prime Minister stressed that Parliament should focus on shaping the country's future.

"The time of Parliament is very valuable. We have discussed the past and the present; now we must move forward because the people expect us to discuss the future," he said.

Focus on Economy and Investment

The Prime Minister accused previous administrations of mismanaging the economy for the benefit of a small group of individuals. He said the current government's objective is to restore financial discipline and ensure that development projects are evaluated based on their impact on people's lives rather than the amount of money spent.

He announced that farmers with agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 have had their debts waived and said a special card would be introduced to help address the everyday challenges faced by Bangladeshi expatriates.

Tarique Rahman also emphasized creating a more productive economy by encouraging both domestic and foreign investment and promoting industrial expansion.

Sports, Education and Human Resource Development

The Prime Minister announced that sports would be incorporated into the national curriculum to identify and nurture talented athletes across the country. Outstanding athletes will also be brought under a new government allowance program.

He reiterated the government's commitment to an "Education First" policy, stating that education spending would be increased to 5 percent of GDP over the next five years.

The government also plans to reform the education system by placing greater emphasis on vocational and practical skills instead of a certificate-oriented approach.

In addition, Mandarin, Japanese and French will be introduced as optional third-language subjects in schools, while steps will be taken to ensure madrasa students receive equal educational opportunities.

Energy and Anti-Corruption Measures

Highlighting alleged irregularities in the power and energy sectors in previous years, the Prime Minister said the government had already sent 23 letters to authorities in 13 countries seeking assistance in recovering laundered funds. He added that several non-disclosure agreements had been signed as part of the recovery process.

He also criticized previous governments for failing to explore domestic natural gas resources and announced plans to establish a new industrial park in Bhola following recent gas discoveries.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to implementing the Teesta Barrage Project.

Health Sector and Tax Relief

Calling healthcare a major priority, Tarique Rahman said the budget includes a record allocation for the health sector.

He announced plans to reduce VAT and import duties on key medical products—including dialysis filters, heart stents and cancer medicines—to make treatment more affordable. According to the Prime Minister, the removal of taxes could reduce the cost of heart stent implantation by up to 50 percent.

He also requested the Finance Minister to raise the income tax exemption threshold to Tk 400,000 for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 fiscal years and recommended withdrawing the proposal that would make a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate mandatory for property registration.