National Budget of Bangladesh

Last updated
 () National budget of Bangladesh
Government Seal of Bangladesh.svg
Government Seal of Bangladesh
Website mof.gov.bd/site/view/budget_mof/

The National Budget of Bangladesh is the government's annual financial statement, outlining the projected income and expenditure for the fiscal year. According to Article 87.(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, presenting this budget is a mandatory duty of the government. It is the annual budget of the People's Republic of Bangladesh set by Ministry of Finance for the following financial year, with the revenues to be gathered by National Board of Revenue (NBR) to identify planned government spending and expected government revenue and the expenditures of the public sector, to forecast economic conditions in compliance with government policy. [1]

Contents

After gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh's first budget was presented by Tajuddin Ahmad in 1972, totaling ৳786 crore (US$67 million). Former Finance Ministers AMA Muhith and Saifur Rahman each presented 12 budgets during their respective tenures, marking the highest number of budgets in the country's history. [2] The 2024-25 budget marked the 53st in Bangladesh's history and was the 25th budget presented by an Awami League-led government. [3]

History

Tajuddin Ahmad

Tajuddin Ahmad presented the first National Budget in 1972 Tajuddin Ahmad (1970).jpg
Tajuddin Ahmad presented the first National Budget in 1972

Following the war of independence, Tajuddin Ahmad presented three key budgets aimed at economic recovery, reconstruction, and establishing the foundations of a socialist society. For the 1972-73 fiscal year, Ahmad introduced a budget totaling ৳786 crore. In his 1973-74 budget speech, the finance minister emphasized the importance of utilizing domestic resources more effectively and reducing dependence on foreign aid. He also advocated for boosting exports and developing import substitution strategies. [4]

Azizur Rahman Mallik

Mallick presented a budget during the transitional period of the country, focusing on development activities. In the 1975-76 fiscal year, Mallick introduced a budget of ৳1,549 crore, which included a significant increase in the upper limit of private capital investment, raising it from ৳25 lakh to ৳3 crore. [4]

Ziaur Rahman

During his tenure as both military ruler and President, Ziaur Rahman also assumed the role of finance minister, overseeing the presentation of three key budgets. His first budget notably raised the minimum income tax threshold for individual taxpayers from ৳8,400 to ৳10,000. The second budget introduced measures allowing the legalization of "black money" without penalties. In his third budget, Zia announced the implementation of new pay scales. [4]

Mirza Nurul Huda

Mirza Nurul Huda presented his sole budget during the 1979-80 fiscal year, amounting to ৳3,317 crore. This budget was significant as it was the first to be presented in the House after a three-year gap. A key focus of Huda's budget was on enhancing direct taxation as a means of revenue generation. [4]

Saifur Rahman (First Tenure)

M Saifur Rahman holds the record for presenting the most budgets in Bangladesh's history. In his first two budgets, he introduced significant measures to enhance tax compliance and regulate imports. In his inaugural budget for the 1980-81 fiscal year, which totaled ৳4,108 crore, Saifur made it mandatory for individuals with an income exceeding ৳20,000 to file tax returns on time, with penalties imposed for non-compliance. In his second budget, he introduced a 50% reduction in duties on computers and imposed a 1% development surcharge on all imports. [4]

A M A Muhith (First Tenure)

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith presented his first two budgets under the military rule of General HM Ershad, bringing significant changes to the fiscal landscape. In his initial budget for the 1982-83 fiscal year, which totaled ৳4,738 crore, Muhith raised the tax-free income limit to ৳20,000 and introduced a dearness allowance for public servants. In the following fiscal year, he presented a larger budget of ৳5,896 crore, marking a notable increase. During this period, Muhith also introduced a new taxation structure by categorizing imported goods into three distinct groups for tax purposes, a first in Bangladesh's budgetary history. [4]

Syeduzzaman

During M Syeduzzaman's tenure as finance minister, he presented four budgets, each with measures aimed at boosting investment and refining tax policies. To encourage investment, tax exemptions were granted to new industries. Additionally, a new income tax law was introduced to streamline the tax system. For the second time, an opportunity to legalize "black money" was offered, albeit with a mandatory 20% tax on the amount being regularized. His budgets reflected an ongoing effort to stimulate economic growth while addressing fiscal challenges. [4]

MA Munim and Wahidul Haque

During the period when Major General MA Munim and Wahidul Haque served as finance ministers, significant changes were introduced in the management of banks, debt, and taxation policies. Notably, for the first time, government officials were subjected to income tax. Major General MA Munim presented two budgets. In between, Wahidul Haque presented a budget of ৳12,703 crore for the 1989-90 fiscal year. One of the key initiatives during Munim's tenure was the introduction of a national system for distributing taxpayer identification numbers, which marked an important step in the modernization of the country's tax infrastructure. [4]

Saifur Rahman (Second Tenure)

Saifur Rahman, during his second tenure as the finance minister, presented five budgets that focused on significant economic reforms, including the promotion of liberal trade policies, and the pursuit of sustainable economic growth. A notable policy shift during this period was the adoption of a flexible exchange rate. Additionally, all surcharges and levies that had been imposed for the construction of the Bangabandhu Bridge were withdrawn, reflecting a shift toward easing the financial burden on citizens and businesses.The introduction of Value-Added Tax on July 1, 1991, marked a significant milestone in Bangladesh's taxation system, laying the foundation for modern fiscal management. [4]

Shams Kibria

Shah AMS Kibria presented six budgets. Under his leadership, the country achieved a 7% growth GDP rate for the first time, and national poverty alleviation targets were established. His budgets introduced significant social security programs, including old-age allowances, aimed at providing a safety net for vulnerable populations. Additionally, Kibria's policies offered a golden opportunity to regularize “black money” by investing it in the stock market, the industrial sector, or purchasing luxury cars, thereby encouraging economic formalization. [4]

M. Saifur Rahman.jpg
Abul Maal Abdul Muhith.jpg
M. Saifur Rahman and AMA Muhith each presented the highest number of budgets, with 12 budgets delivered during their respective tenures

Saifur Rahman (Third Tenure)

M Saifur Rahman, in his third term, introduced five budgets that focused on comprehensive economic reforms and addressed several key fiscal issues. His tenure saw renewed emphasis on combating black money laundering, alongside reforms that included mandatory submission of tax returns for election candidates and those participating in government tenders. The scope of VAT collection was expanded, and the tax-free income limit was increased to ৳0.15 million. Additionally, the infrastructure development surcharge of 4% was removed, aiming to reduce the financial burden on businesses and consumers. [4]

Mirza Azizul Islam

During the 1/11 changeover in 2007, when the military assumed control under a caretaker government, two budgets were presented. The budgets focused on several key reforms: the VAT net was expanded, and the tax-free income limit was increased to ৳0.15 lakh. The 4% infrastructure development surcharge was abolished, and changes were made to the tariff structure to support local industries. A new system of tax holidays was introduced, and corporate tax rates were reduced. AB Mirza Azizul Islam presented the budget of ৳99,962 crore for both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years. [4]

A M A Muhith (Second Tenure)

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith presented ten consecutive budgets during this period. Key measures introduced in these budgets included: the opportunity to legalize undisclosed income with a 10% tax, promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), taxation on savings certificate interest, a 2% surcharge on mobile phone bills, and an increase in the tax-free income limit to ৳220,000. Additionally, tax holiday benefits were extended by two years, and a 30% tax rate was applied to incomes exceeding ৳4.42 million. Requirements were introduced for paying house rent exceeding ৳25,000 through banks, imposing a 1% apparel source tax, and a mandatory surcharge for owning two cars or house properties larger than 8,000 square feet. [4]

Mustafa Kamal

Mustafa Kamal presented four budgets amid global economic instability, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Kamal's budgets focused on strengthening the country's economy with several key measures: incentives for young entrepreneurs and remittance, enhancements in emergency healthcare, the abolition of the minimum surcharge system, and provisions for the legalization of black and laundered money. These initiatives are part of the broader goal to transition towards a “Smart Bangladesh.” Kamal presented his final budget during a period of global economic recession and post-pandemic recovery, with growing inflation and concerns about foreign currency reserves. [4]

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali presented the 2024-25 budget with a strong focus on addressing agricultural development, energy sector reforms, and healthcare enhancements amid ongoing economic challenges. The budget highlights a 40% increase in the agricultural development budget, a shift in priorities within the energy sector towards immediate infrastructure needs, and a 9% rise in healthcare spending. Additionally, it introduces tax reforms, including an increased tax rate for individual taxpayers, and measures to expand the net VAT. [5] [6]

Finance ministers who have presented the budget

Timeline

AMA Muhith and M Saifur Rahman each presented the highest number of budgets in Bangladesh's history, with 12 budgets delivered during their respective tenures. Muhith stands out as the first finance minister to present a budget for ten consecutive fiscal years, from 2009 until his retirement at the end of the 11th Parliament.

Mustafa Kamal (politician)Abul Maal Abdul MuhithA. B. Mirza Azizul IslamSaifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)Shah A M S KibriaSaifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)Mohammad Abdul MunimWahidul HaqMohammad Abdul MunimM SyeduzzamanM SyeduzzamanAbul Maal Abdul MuhithSaifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)Mirza Nurul HudaZiaur RahmanAzizur Rahman MollikTajuddin AhmedNational Budget of Bangladesh

List of National Budgets

Fiscal YearPlaced by [2] Total Size (In Taka) [2] Annual development programme (ADP) [2] [3] Government
1972-73 Tajuddin Ahmed 7,860,000,0005,010,000,000 Mujib II
1973-749,950,000,0005,250,000,000 Mujib III
1974-7510,840,000,0005,250,000,000 Mujib IV
1975-76 Dr. Azizur Rahman Mallik 15,490,000,0009,500,000,000 Mujib IV
1976-77 Ziaur Rahman 19,890,000,00012,220,000,000 Sayem
1977-7821,840,000,00012,780,000,000 Zia
1978-7924,990,000,00014,460,000,000
1979-80 Mirza Nurul Huda 33,170,000,00021,230,000,000
1980-81 Saifur Rahman 41,080,000,00027,000,000,000
1981-8246,770,000,00030,150,000,000 Sattar
1982-83 AMA Muhith 47,380,000,00027,000,000,000 Ershad
1983-8458,960,000,00034,830,000,000
1984-85 Sayeduzzaman 66,990,000,00038,960,000,000
1985-8671,380,000,00038,250,000,000
1986-8785,040,000,00047,640,000,000
1987-8885,270,000,00050,460,000,000
1988-89 Abdul Munim 105,650,000,00053,150,000,000
1989-90 Wahidul Haq 127,030,000,00058,030,000,000
1990-91 Abdul Munim 129,600,000,00056,680,000,000
1991-92 Saifur Rahman 155,840,000,00075,000,000,000 Khaleda I
1992-93176,070,000,00090,570,000,000
1993-94190,500,000,00097,500,000,000
1994-95209,480,000,000110,000,000,000
1995-96231,700,000,000121,000,000,000
1996-97 Shah A M S Kibdia 246,030,000,000125,000,000,000 Hasina I
1997-98277,860,000,000128,000,000,000
1998-99295,370,000,000136,000,000,000
1999-00342,520,000,000124,770,000,000
2000-01385,240,000,000175,000,000,000
2001-02423,060,000,000190,000,000,000
2002-03 Saifur Rahman 448,540,000,000192,000,000,000 Khaleda II
2003-04519,800,000,000203,000,000,000
2004-05572,480,000,000220,000,000,000
2005-06610,580,000,000236,260,000,000
2006-07697,400,000,000260,000,000,000
2007-08 Mirza Azizul Islam 999,620,000,000256,000,000,000 Iajuddin
2008-09999,620,000,000254,000,000,000 Fakhruddin
2009-10 AMA Muhith 1,138,150,000,000285,000,000,000 Hasina II
2010-111,321,700,000,000351,300,000,000
2011-121,612,140,000,000410,800,000,000
2012-131,917,380,000,000523,660,000,000
2013-142,224,910,000,000600,000,000,000
2014-152,505,600,000,000750,000,000,000 Hasina III
2015-162,951,000,000,000938,940,000,000
2016-173,406,050,000,0001,107,000,000,000
2017-184,002,660,000,0001,483,810,000,000
2018-194,645,730,000,0001,730,000,000,000
2019-20 Mustafa Kamal 5,231,900,000,0002,027,210,000,000 Hasina IV
2020-215,680,000,000,0002,051,450,000,000
2021-22 6,036,810,000,0002,253,240,000,000
2022-23 6,780,640,000,0002,460,660,000,000
2023-247,617,850,000,0002,630,000,000,000
2024-25 Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali 7,970,000,000,0002,650,000,000,000
2025-26 Salehuddin Ahmed To be determinedTo be determined Yunus

See also

Related Research Articles

A tax cut represents a decrease in the amount of money taken from taxpayers to go towards government revenue. Tax cuts decrease the revenue of the government and increase the disposable income of taxpayers. Tax cuts usually refer to reductions in the percentage of tax paid on income, goods and services. As they leave consumers with more disposable income, tax cuts are an example of an expansionary fiscal policy. Tax cuts also include reduction in tax in other ways, such as tax credit, deductions and loopholes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finance Act</span> Fiscal legislation enacted by the UK Parliament

A Finance Act is the headline fiscal (budgetary) legislation enacted by the UK Parliament, containing multiple provisions as to taxes, duties, exemptions and reliefs at least once per year, and in particular setting out the principal tax rates for each fiscal year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union budget of India</span> Annual budget of the Republic of India

The Union Budget of India, also referred to as the Annual Financial Statement in Article 112 of the Constitution of India. It is the annual budget of the Republic of India set by Ministry of Finance for the following financial year, with the revenues to be gathered by Department of Revenue to identify planned government spending and expected government revenue and the expenditures gathered by Department of Expenditure of the public sector, to forecast economic conditions in compliance with government policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States federal budget</span> Budget of the U.S. federal government

The United States budget comprises the spending and revenues of the U.S. federal government. The budget is the financial representation of the priorities of the government, reflecting historical debates and competing economic philosophies. The government primarily spends on healthcare, retirement, and defense programs. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office provides extensive analysis of the budget and its economic effects. CBO estimated in February 2024 that Federal debt held by the public is projected to rise from 99 percent of GDP in 2024 to 116 percent in 2034 and would continue to grow if current laws generally remained unchanged. Over that period, the growth of interest costs and mandatory spending outpaces the growth of revenues and the economy, driving up debt. Those factors persist beyond 2034, pushing federal debt higher still, to 172 percent of GDP in 2054.

A government budget or a budget is a projection of the government's revenues and expenditure for a particular period of time often referred to as a financial or fiscal year, which may or may not correspond with the calendar year. Government revenues mostly include taxes while expenditures consist of government spending. A government budget is prepared by the Central government or other political entity. In most parliamentary systems, the budget is presented to the legislature and often requires approval of the legislature. Through this budget, the government implements economic policy and realizes its program priorities. Once the budget is approved, the use of funds from individual chapters is in the hands of government ministries and other institutions. Revenues of the state budget consist mainly of taxes, customs duties, fees and other revenues. State budget expenditures cover the activities of the state, which are either given by law or the constitution. The budget in itself does not appropriate funds for government programs, hence need for additional legislative measures. The word budget comes from the Old French bougette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saifur Rahman (Bangladeshi politician)</span> Bangladeshi politician (1932–2009)

Mohammad Saifur Rahman was a Bangladeshi chartered accountant, economist and politician. He was a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the longest-serving Finance Minister of Bangladesh. He delivered 12 national budgets in three terms between 1980 and 1981, 1991–1996 and 2001–2006 over a ministerial life spanning from December 1976 until October 2006 in three different governments. He was Trade & Commerce Minister for the first three years, and thereafter Finance and Planning Minister for 12 years.

The tax system of the Russian Federation is a complex of relationships between fiscal authorities and taxpayers in the field of all existing taxes and fees. It implies continuous communication of all its members and related objects: payers; legislative framework; oversight authorities; types of mandatory payments. The Russian Tax Code is the primary tax law for the Russian Federation. The Code was created, adopted and implemented in three stages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Income tax in India</span> Form of taxation in India

Income tax in India is governed by Entry 82 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, empowering the central government to tax non-agricultural income; agricultural income is defined in Section 10(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Income-tax law consists of the 1961 act, Income Tax Rules 1962, Notifications and Circulars issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), annual Finance Acts, and judicial pronouncements by the Supreme and high courts.

Tax on cash withdrawal is a form of advance taxation and is a strategy to keep tax evasion in check. This mode of tax collection is also called the presumptive tax regime. Globally, 3 countries are known to consider this approach namely, Pakistan, India and Greece.

The 2009 Union budget of India was presented by the finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, on 6 July 2009.

In Bangladesh, the principal taxes are customs duties, value added tax (VAT), supplementary duty, income tax and corporation tax.

Taxes in Germany are levied at various government levels: the federal government, the 16 states (Länder), and numerous municipalities (Städte/Gemeinden). The structured tax system has evolved significantly, since the reunification of Germany in 1990 and the integration within the European Union, which has influenced tax policies. Today, income tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT) are the primary sources of tax revenue. These taxes reflect Germany's commitment to a balanced approach between direct and indirect taxation, essential for funding extensive social welfare programs and public infrastructure. The modern German tax system accentuate on fairness and efficiency, adapting to global economic trends and domestic fiscal needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wealth Tax Act, 1957</span> Indian legislation

The Wealth Tax Act, 1957 was an Act of the Parliament of India that provides for the levying of wealth tax on an individual, Hindu Undivided Family or company. The wealth tax was levied on the net wealth owned by a person on a valuation date, i.e., 31 March of every year. The Act applies to the whole of India. The application of the Act has been discontinued since 1 April 2016.

A Finance Act is the fiscal legislation enacted by the Indian Parliament to give effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government. It is enacted once a year and contains provisions relating to income taxes, customs, excise, Central and Integrated GST and other cess, exemptions, and reliefs. It may also contain provisions to amend other acts as the Government to effect its fiscal policy. The bill is usually termed the budget and it is introduced in Parliament by the Finance Minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Union budget of India</span> Government budget

The 2015 Union budget of India refers to 2015–2016 Union budget of India. The beginning of the budget printing began on 19 February 2015 with the traditional halwa ceremony. From 20 February until the presentation of budget about 100 government employees remained locked up in the North Block of the Secretariat Building, New Delhi, which houses the budget printing press, to maintain secrecy. The budget was presented on 28 February by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Union budget of India</span> Government budget

The 2016 Union budget of India is the annual financial statement of India for the fiscal year 2016–2017. It was presented before the parliament on 29 February 2016 by the Finance Minister of India, Arun Jaitley. The printing of the budget documents began with a traditional Halwa ceremony on 19 February 2016. For Budget 2016-17, the government invited suggestions from citizens through Twitter for the first time, even conducting a series of polls to gauge public priorities and expectations from the Budget.

The 2017 Union Budget of India is the

The 2018 Union Budget of India was the annual financial statement (AFS), demand for grants, appropriation bill and finance bill of India for the financial year 2018–19.

The 2022 National budget of Bangladesh was presented by Minister of Finance AHM Mustafa Kamal on 9 June 2022. The budget is for the fiscal year beginning on 1 July 2022, and ending on 30 June 2023. The budget was the 14th presented by the Awami League-led Grand Alliance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since returning to office in 2009. The budget was the third to be presented since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and focused primarily on economic recovery from the pandemic and ameliorating the impact of rising inflation as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Tax Regime</span> New Personal Income Taxation Policy in India

The New Tax Regime is a scheme of Income tax in India first proposed in Union Budget 2020–21. Subsequent Budget of FY2021-22 did not see any major announcements in this regime. During the Budget 2022–23, reports emerged that New Tax Regime was getting poor response and Government is considering to make it more attractive among the taxpayers.

References

  1. "LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES". Laws of Bangladesh. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Chronology of Bangladesh's National Budget: From 1972-73 to 2023-24". The Daily Star. 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. 1 2 "Budget of 2024-25: ADP size to increase by a mere Tk 20b". Prothomalo. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Aditto, Arbak (2 January 2023). "How national budgets have evolved in Bangladesh since 1971". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. "Implementing budget 2024-25 highly challenging task: MCCI". Jagonews24. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. "Budget Analysis: Bangladesh's Proposed FY 2024-25 Budget". LightCastle Partners. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-08-28.