Staff Reporter
Bangladesh has once again introduced a new series of paper currency, featuring designs that many believe are unlike any seen before. The man behind the artistic transformation of the country’s banknotes is the reclusive craftsman Muslim Mia—the principal designer of all existing Bangladeshi currency notes and a member of the committee for the design of the new notes as well.
The proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 is scheduled to be announced on Monday, June 2, with nearly all preparations finalized. As is customary, certain product prices are expected to increase or decrease based on the budget’s measures. This year, in an effort to curb inflation and balance the industrial sector, the government is proposing reductions in duties on some products while increasing tariffs on others—many of which are everyday essentials for the general public.
Amid ongoing political instability in the country, the Indian government has suspended cattle exports to Bangladesh. In anticipation of such challenges, the Bangladeshi government has, over the past decade, paid special attention to the livestock sector and implemented various development projects. As a result, small and medium-scale farmers have emerged across the country, while large-scale investors have poured in hundreds of crores of taka into the industry. Bangladesh is gradually becoming self-sufficient in livestock production.
The national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year is set to be announced in a different form and under a different set of circumstances. This year’s budget stands out for two key reasons. First, for the first time in the country's history, the budget will be smaller than that of the previous year. Second, due to the absence of an active parliament, the budget will be announced by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on June 2, reminiscent of the 2007–08 fiscal year when a similar situation occurred. The upcoming budget will place the highest priority on controlling inflation.
The interim government is set to present the country's 54th national budget on June 2.
Despite rules for penalties and accountability, the Planning Commission is approving project revisions without imposing any punishment for delays. As a result, implementing agencies are not held responsible, and projects are being revised without objections. Even if budgets aren't increased, deadlines are extended, reducing motivation for timely completion.