Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday underscored the need for a self-reliant and people-focused approach in the formulation of the revised national budget, highlighting quality education, rural development, women’s empowerment, local production, and health as top priorities.
Speaking during the weekly Council of Advisers meeting at his Tejgaon office, Yunus emphasized minimizing dependence on foreign borrowing, advocating for more projects financed domestically to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic self-sufficiency.
“The budget must prioritize projects that empower our people and utilize domestic resources effectively,” said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.
Education received particular attention, with Yunus stressing the urgent need to improve quality over mere expansion. Alam noted that during previous authoritarian regimes, educational quality suffered despite an increase in institutions, and now elevating standards must take precedence.
The Chief Adviser also highlighted rural development, pointing out that farmers achieved a record food grain production this year and should receive greater budgetary support to enhance their livelihoods.
He described Bangladesh as a “mine of youth,” urging that budget priorities reflect the aspirations and needs of the younger generation.
Women’s empowerment was another key focus, with Yunus emphasizing that national progress is closely tied to women’s overall development.
He further called for strengthening local production, particularly industrial goods, to move towards greater self-sufficiency, and underlined the importance of increased investment in the health sector.
The revised budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 has been set at Tk 7.88 lakh crore, slightly down from the original Tk 7.90 lakh crore. The Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been reduced by Tk 30,000 crore to Tk 2 lakh crore. Total revenue collection is targeted at Tk 5.88 lakh crore, with the National Board of Revenue expected to contribute Tk 5.03 lakh crore. The revised budget will come into effect from 1 February 2026, following approval by the Advisory Council.
