Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that the next national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) would put higher emphasis on private sector investment and employment generation. "We'll have to increase employment generation to a larger extent. We will take necessary initiative in the upcoming budget for increasing private sector investment and employment generation," he said this while speaking at the pre-budget meeting with the Economic Reports' Forum (ERF) held at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the city.

In the upcoming budget, the finance adviser mentioned that the government will provide special focus on infrastructure development, construction of educational institutions buildings and river management. He also said that a 'Bank Resolution Act' will be enacted to bring transparency and accountability in the banking sector. In the meeting, ERF President Doulot Akter Mala presented 28 proposals on behalf of ERF, prioritizing economic stability instead of focusing on increasing GDP growth in the next fiscal year.

Bangladesh has set a new record in remittance earnings, reaching an all-time high of $2.749 billion in just 24 days of March, with two more banking days remaining. According to Bangladesh Bank data, which compiles figures from all banks, this is the highest-ever monthly remittance inflow through legal channels. The previous record was $2.64 billion, set in December 2024. People familiar with the development at the central bank said that the surge is primarily driven by remittances ahead of the Eid festival.

However, they pointed to several other factors contributing to the achievement. Central bankers said that the informal money transfer system, commonly known as "hundi," is rapidly disappearing. They linked the rise in formal remittance inflows to recent political changes, suggesting that some individuals previously engaged in "crony capitalism" have left the country. Central bankers highlighted the role of mobile financial services and new technologies in facilitating remittance inflows.

The government is seeking a $350 million loan, equivalent to Tk 42.70 billion, with the support of the World Bank for LNG purchases in the next fiscal (2025-26). A formal invitation for expressions of interest from banks willing to provide the loan is expected soon. According to sources at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla), the loan process has already begun with technical assistance from the World Bank, which will act as a guarantor.

The Energy Division is currently in talks with interested banks regarding their loan proposals. Domestic gas production has been steadily declining, prompting the government to increase LNG imports. The ongoing dollar crisis has made it difficult to settle import bills. The US company Chevron is owed over $150 million, while outstanding LNG payments have surpassed $200 million. The financial strain caused by the dollar crisis extends beyond LNG imports. Electricity bills are also going unpaid, while the government has raised its LNG import target.

The Japan International Agency signed two loan agreements with the government of Bangladesh at the economic relations division to provide Japanese ODA loans of up to Tk 6,700 crore for the two projects - food safety testing capacity development project and Matarbari ultra super critical coal-fired power project (VIII). The agreements were signed between Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary, economic relations division, and Ichiguchi Tomohide, chief representative, JICA Bangladesh office, at a ceremony being witnessed by Saida Shinichi, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, said a press release.

Under the food safety testing capacity development project, JICA and the Bangladesh food safety authority will work together to improve the food safety testing capacity of BFSA in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna divisions. Matarbari ultra super critical coal-fired power project aims to secure a reliable base load power and ensure fuel source diversification for Bangladesh. The project includes a 1,200MW highly efficient ultra-supercritical coal-fired plant, 400kV transmission lines, roads, and bridges.