Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament on Tuesday that the government has proposed an allocation of Tk400 crore in the upcoming FY2026-27 budget to foster start-ups, female entrepreneurs, and young business leaders.
Responding to a query from Syed Joynul Abedin, lawmaker for Dhaka-4, Khosru stated that the government remains committed to improving the living standards of low- and middle-income groups and generating employment for the youth.
He noted that Tk200 crore has already been allocated to the “Start-up Fund” in the revised budget for the ongoing 2025-26 fiscal year. To ensure easier access to these facilities and technical training, the Minister said specific instructions would be issued to relevant banks and offices.
Infrastructure and social security
During the question-and-answer session, Khosru outlined three specific government measures aimed at development and social safety.
Under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), various ministries and the Dhaka South City Corporation are regularly implementing projects to improve roads, drainage, and general infrastructure in Dhaka.
The government plans to give special priority to the specific needs of the Dhaka-4 constituency in the next budget to improve local infrastructure and living standards.
The government is actively considering expanding the scope and allocation of social security programmes for the next fiscal year.
This includes increasing the number of beneficiaries and the amount of allowances for family cards, farmer cards, elderly allowances, and allowances for widows, deserted women, and the disabled.
Efforts are also underway to make the youth self-reliant through easy-term loans distributed via the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Employment Bank.
Additionally, “Startup Bangladesh Limited” under the ICT Division and various funds under the Finance Division are providing low-interest loans to small and medium entrepreneurs nationwide.
Bidi prices to remain unchanged
In response to another question from Rasheda Begum Hira, MP for Reserved Seat-3, Khosru announced that the prices and tax rates for bidis will remain unchanged in the upcoming budget.
The MP had enquired whether the government would increase the retail price, supplementary duty, and specific taxes on 20-stick bidi packs while maintaining the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and 1 per cent health development surcharge.
The minister clarified that the government has decided to maintain the same price and tax rates as the previous year, meaning the price of bidis will not increase in the next fiscal year.
