Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament on Wednesday that the government plans to bring 16 business sectors, including grocery shops, under the specific Value Added Tax (VAT) net in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the finance minister provided these details in a written response during the budget session of the 13th National Parliament.
In response to a query from MP Selina Sultana regarding revenue figures and future tax expansion, Khosru stated that revenue from VAT in the 2024-25 fiscal year amounted to Tk1,41,586 crore.
To further bolster revenue, the government has identified 16 sectors to be brought under specific VAT in FY2026-27.
These sectors include grocery shops, ready-made garments or cloth retailers, confectioneries, cosmetics shops, plastic and ceramic household products, shoe stores, hardware retailers, and decorators.
Additionally, sellers of mobile phones, air conditioners, refrigerators, ovens, and other electronics, as well as paints, sanitary and fittings, tiles, corrugated iron sheets, rod and cement, furniture, beauty parlours, sweetmeat shops, and restaurants will be included.
Combating capital flight and asset recovery
Addressing a question from MP Masum Mostofa regarding money laundering during the previous regime, Khosru admitted that determining the exact amount of laundered funds is extremely difficult due to a lack of acceptable reports and the secretive nature of these complex transactions.
However, according to the White Paper Committee, approximately $234 billion was laundered from Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023, averaging $16 billion (approx. Tk1.8 lakh crore) annually. This represents 3.4 per cent of the FY2023-24 GDP.
To recover these funds, a 12-member inter-agency task force led by Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has identified 11 priority cases, including former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Sikdar Group, Nassa Group, Orion Group, Bashundhara Group, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, Nabil Group, HBM Iqbal, and Summit Group.
Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) have been formed, and as of May 2026, courts have attached or frozen assets worth Tk76,814 crore.
Furthermore, 142 cases have been filed, and 30 banks have initiated civil proceedings to recover defaulted loans by appointing nine international law firms on a “no win, no fee” basis.
Regarding the national debt, Khosru informed the House that the primary challenge is balancing cost and risk. The government has adopted a Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) which prioritises medium and long-term domestic borrowing to mitigate foreign exchange risks.
While shifting focus to domestic markets, the government remains vigilant regarding the “crowding out” effect on the private sector. To diversify the investor base and reduce market interest rates, the government is issuing new debt instruments, such as Sukuk bonds, to deepen the domestic financial market.
Infrastructure and 100% financial inclusion
Khosru also shared updates on key development and banking milestones.
For the proposed second Padma Bridge between Paturia and Daulatdia, Tk4.5 crore has been allocated in the bridge authority’s own budget for a feasibility study, following its inclusion in the “Green Page” of the FY2026-27 Annual Development Programme (ADP).
In the banking sector, the number of bank accounts has crossed 19.32 crore, with savings accounts exceeding 17.79 crore. To bring every citizen under the formal banking umbrella, the government is drafting the “National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2” (NFIS 2).
While the current inclusion rate stands at 64.50 per cent, the new plan, spanning from June 2026 to July 2031, aims to achieve 100 per cent financial inclusion for all adult citizens.
