Development spending in Bangladesh under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) fell to a record low in the first five months of FY26, underscoring weak public investment ahead of the February election.
Implementing agencies spent about Tk28,044 crore during the July-November period, according to statistics of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).
The IMED data published on Tuesday shows that this was the lowest outturn for the period since comparable records began in FY11.
The amount represented just 11.75 per cent of the current fiscal year’s ADP allocation, down from 12.29 per cent a year earlier and far below 17.06 per cent and 18.41 per cent in the same periods of FY24 and FY23.
Last year’s July-November spending stood at Tk34,215 crore, while FY24 and FY23 recorded Tk46,857 crore and Tk47,122 crore.
IMED officials said project execution stalled as contractors engaged under the previous government failed to return and approval of a new procurement policy was delayed.
The interim government plans to spend around Tk2,38,696 crore through the ADP this fiscal year.
Low implementation has prompted the Planning Commission to initiate a proposal to cut Tk30,000 crore from the programme, with the final decision expected at the next National Economic Council meeting.
