Ctg chamber leaders welcome budget focus on inflation control, food security
The chamber leaders noted that several fiscal measures announced in the budget are expected to help ease inflationary pressures and enhance consumers' purchasing power.
Business leaders in Chattogram have welcomed the proposed national budget for FY2026-27, saying its emphasis on curbing inflation, strengthening food security and maintaining supply chain stability reflects prudent economic management amid global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
In a statement issued today (11 June), leaders of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) described the budget as "historic" and praised the government's efforts to balance macroeconomic stability with business interests.
They said the decision to expand the tax net instead of imposing additional VAT and tax burdens on the general public demonstrates a people-centric approach aimed at protecting consumers while supporting economic growth.
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The chamber leaders noted that several fiscal measures announced in the budget are expected to help ease inflationary pressures and enhance consumers' purchasing power.
These include the withdrawal of regular duties on 113 imported products, supplementary duties on nine products, and a reduction in customs duties from 25% to 15% on 69 products.
They also welcomed duty concessions on raw materials used in baby food production, the removal of regulatory duties on spice and date imports, and preferential treatment for raw materials used by poultry, dairy and fish feed producers.
According to them, these measures will contribute to stabilising prices and ensuring food security.
The proposed budget sets total expenditure at Tk9.38 lakh crore against projected revenue earnings of Tk6.95 lakh crore, resulting in a deficit of Tk2.43 lakh crore.
The CCCI leaders said the government's reliance on domestic financing rather than excessive foreign borrowing reflects confidence in the country's internal economic strength.
They also appreciated the expansion of social safety net programmes, including increased allowances for beneficiaries, Tk2,500 family cards aimed at empowering women, enhanced disability benefits, phased distribution of cards among farmers and the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000.
According to the chamber leaders, these initiatives, alongside collateral-free loans of up to Tk10 lakh for young entrepreneurs and education loans for students pursuing higher studies abroad, will provide support to vulnerable groups while creating new economic opportunities.
While welcoming the budget's business-friendly measures, they stressed the need to improve Chattogram Port's efficiency, attract investment and ensure uninterrupted gas, electricity and water supply to industries to sustain economic growth and preserve supply chain resilience.
