No crackdown on businesses in upcoming budget: Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir has said that there will be no crackdown on the country’s business community in the upcoming 2026–27 fiscal year budget.
He made the remarks on Monday (April 13) at a pre-budget consultation meeting titled “Pre-Budget Discussion 2026–27: Expectations of the Private Sector” held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. The event was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in cooperation with Channel 24 and The Daily Samakal.
The minister said expanding the tax base is necessary to ensure revenue discipline. “We are not increasing personal income tax rates; rather, we are increasing the number of taxpayers,” he said, adding that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Ministry of Finance are working on plans that will be reflected positively in the upcoming budget and in subsequent years. He assured that there is no basis for the perception that businesses are facing any kind of punitive measures.
He also expressed confidence in the Finance Minister, describing him as business-friendly and well-versed in economic management.
“I would urge the private sector to trust us. We will work together to take the country to a higher level,” he added.
The session was moderated by DCCI President Taskin Ahmed. Among others who spoke at the event were General Economics Division (GED) member Monzur Hossain; International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman; former DCCI presidents Sham Mahmud and Rizwan Rahman; ICMA Bangladesh President M Kausar Alam; ICAB President NKA Mobin; Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Chairman Mominul Islam; and United Commercial Bank (UCB) Chairman Sharif Zahir.
During the discussion, DCCI proposed raising the tax-free income threshold for individuals to Tk 500,000 and setting the maximum income tax rate at 25 percent. It also recommended aligning corporate tax rates for unlisted companies with listed ones at 25 percent and introducing a fully automated corporate tax return system.