Tech-Driven Budget Transformation Urged to Tackle Crisis, Boost Investment and Modernize Agriculture
A roundtable discussion titled “Budget 2026–27 in a Time of Crisis” has called for a technology-friendly, reform-oriented, and production-focused national budget aimed at addressing economic challenges, improving the investment climate, creating employment opportunities, and building a technology-driven agricultural sector.
Speakers at the event emphasized that amid high inflation, global economic uncertainty, and sluggish investment growth, Bangladesh must prioritize digital transformation of tax administration, expanded use of technology in agriculture and industry, improved governance in the financial sector, and long-term policy stability.
According to the participants, coordinated development across the technology, agriculture, industry, and investment sectors is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth.
The discussion was organized by the online platform Charcha.com at the ATM Shamsul Haque Auditorium of the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in the capital.
Chief Guest at the event was Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser on Economic and Planning Affairs to the Prime Minister. Special Guest was Jonayed Saki.
Among the discussants were M Mashrur Riaz, Nasim Manzur, Maha Mirza, Muslim Chowdhury, Mohammad Hatem, Kawsar Alam, and Dr. AKM Waresul Karim. The session was moderated by Charcha Editor Sohrab Hassan.
While speaking at the event, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said the government is working on a new economic model with the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030. He stressed that the benefits of economic growth must reach all segments of society and that bureaucratic complexities should be reduced to create a more business-friendly environment.
He also revealed that the government is working on a restructuring package worth approximately Tk 60,000 crore to revive closed industrial enterprises. In addition, he highlighted the importance of modernizing the agricultural sector, improving water resource management, enhancing the effectiveness of spending in health and education, and expanding services at the grassroots level.
Addressing technology-driven economic development and industrialization, Nasim Manzur, Managing Director of Apex Footwear, proposed reducing the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 20 percent to attract greater investment. He also called for the introduction of digital and risk-based auditing systems within tax administration.
Manzur noted that policy uncertainty and administrative complications remain major obstacles to investment. He further emphasized the need to modernize airport warehousing facilities and encourage greater foreign investment in the healthcare sector.
Researcher and rights activist Maha Mirza urged the government to increase budget allocation for agriculture from the current 5 percent to 10 percent. She argued that food security and higher farmer incomes cannot be achieved without a technology-driven agricultural system.
She advocated for delivering modern agricultural equipment such as crop dryers, combine harvesters, and advanced farming machinery directly to farmers. She also called for expanding cold storage facilities, preservation centers, and government procurement centers at the union level to improve agricultural product storage and distribution.
Maha Mirza added that the benefits of agricultural mechanization and incentive programs must reach genuine farmers. Increased technology-based investment in rural economies, she said, would help create employment opportunities and reduce migration to urban areas.
//DBTech/PZU/EK/OR//
