Bangladesh’s caretaker government has proposed tax reductions on key food items including sugar and soybean oil, in its national budget for the fiscal year 2025–26. The move is aimed at tackling inflation and lowering the cost of living for citizens.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced the proposed budget during a televised address aired on both state-run BTV and various private media outlets on Monday.
In an effort to curb inflation and ease the cost of living, the government has proposed slashing the tax deducted at source on commissions for local bonds used to import daily necessities—from 1 percent to just 0.05 percent, according to the local media reports.
“This initiative is expected to bring down the prices of key items such as rice, wheat, sugar, edible oil, onions, garlic, lentils, salt, and spices,” said Dr. Ahmed during his budget speech.
This marks the first national budget presented by the current caretaker administration, introduced against a backdrop of high inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and local currency volatility.
The proposed budget totals Tk 790,000 crore, with major investments planned in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education sectors.
