The government aims to raise annual remittance inflows to $40-50bn within the next five years by sending more skilled workers abroad and making international accreditation mandatory in technical and vocational education projects, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Monday.
Speaking at the “Sonar Bangla Policy Dialogue 2026” organised by Bonik Barta in Dhaka, he said Bangladesh could earn double the current remittance with half the number of migrant workers if overseas employment shifts from low-skilled to skilled labour markets.
All future technical and vocational education projects would require international accreditation and certification to improve workforce quality and global employability.
Amir Khasru also announced plans to significantly increase investment in health and education within the next four to five years to utilise Bangladesh’s demographic dividend, with the government targeting expenditure equivalent to 5 per cent under its election manifesto commitments.
He warned that Bangladesh’s tax-GDP ratio has fallen below 7 per cent from around 10-11 per cent previously, describing it as one of the lowest globally and a major constraint on fiscal policy implementation, social protection and development spending.
To address the challenge, he indicated that reforms initiated during the interim administration to separate policy and revenue functions within the National Board of Revenue would be accelerated.
The minister also said the government is reviewing around 1,300 development projects, alleging that many had been approved for political considerations or corruption without delivering public benefit.
He announced four mandatory benchmarks for future investment and project approval, requiring clear revenue generation, employment creation, environmental protection and measurable social impact.
No appointment in the financial sector will be based on political considerations; instead, their professionalism will be the key, the minister said.
The policy conclave, titled “Roadmap for Rebuilding Bangladesh’s Economic Future Amid Global Uncertainty”, was held at Sheraton Dhaka in Banani and moderated by Bonik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, State Minister for Finance and Planning Md Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin and Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood also attended the event alongside economists, business leaders, policymakers and corporate representatives.
