FBCCI proposes policy continuity, revenue reforms for FY27 budget
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country’s apex trade body, on Thursday urged the government to ensure policy continuity and sustain investor confidence in the upcoming national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27).
During a pre-budget consultative meeting with its member organisations, the federation emphasized that a stable and predictable policy framework is vital for business expansion and economic resilience amid ongoing global volatility, said a press release.
The federation presented a strategic cluster of macro-level proposals aimed at stimulating the national economy.
Key recommendations include the rationalization of interest rates, increasing the tax-GDP ratio, and the full-scale implementation of the One-Stop Service (OSS).
The FBCCI also advocated for the modernization of port and logistics management, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of power and energy to industrial units, and the development of priority sectors to facilitate export diversification.
Furthermore, the trade body proposed the establishment of central bonded warehouses and the formulation of stakeholder-oriented legislation to streamline business operations.
Addressing the session at the FBCCI’s Motijheel office, Administrator Md. Abdur Rahim Khan highlighted the government’s strategic target to elevate the tax-GDP ratio to 15 percent.
He assured the business community that the state intends to achieve this revenue growth by expanding the tax net rather than increasing the financial burden on existing taxpayers.
Business leaders at the meeting underscored that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) must prioritize comprehensive automation and the integration of tax policy and management.
They argued that such digital transformation is the essential tool required to ensure transparency and accountability, which will ultimately allow the government to reach its 15 percent tax-GDP goal without harassing current permit holders.
These logical recommendations from the private sector are set to be the centerpiece of the FBCCI’s submission at the upcoming 46th consultative committee meeting of the NBR.
In his welcome remarks, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir noted that the budget for FY 2026-27 is being prepared against the backdrop of an unstable global economy, volatile energy markets, and uncertain investment prospects.
He emphasized that navigating these international hurdles will make budget formulation particularly challenging for the new government.
He called upon the business community to provide well-reasoned and logical proposals to assist the government in crafting a balanced fiscal plan.
The discussion was attended by prominent experts and institutional representatives, including Budget Expert Committee members and former members of the NBR Farid Uddin and Aminur Rahman.
Former FBCCI directors and leaders from various chambers and trade associations also participated in the session, contributing their insights to the collective proposal.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from the FBCCI to continue its role as a bridge between the private sector and the state to ensure a growth- oriented national budget.
