No Relief for Telecom Sector in FY2026–27 Budget, Experts Say
Industry experts and stakeholders have expressed concern over the potential impact of the FY2026–27 national budget on Bangladesh's telecommunications and technology sectors, saying the proposed fiscal measures offer little relief for the telecom industry and could affect investment, innovation, and the country's digital economy.
The observations came at a press conference organized by the Technology Industry Policy Advocacy Platform (TIPAP) on Wednesday (1 at the BDBL Building in the capital, the first day of the new fiscal year. Entrepreneurs, industry experts, and other stakeholders attended the event to discuss the likely implications of the budget and future policy directions.
Participants said that although the tax exemption for the software industry remains in effect until 2027, the absence of any reference to the incentive in the new budget has created uncertainty.
They also voiced concern over the increase in import duties on smartphones, despite the reduction in import duties on laptops. Overall, they said, the budget offers little comfort for the country's telecommunications sector.
Among those present at the press conference were telecommunications expert Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, ShareTrip Co-founder Sadia Haque, Dream71 Managing Director Rashad Kabir, and representatives from various organizations in the sector.
Speaking at the event, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said people who own smartphones can communicate through over-the-top (OTT) platforms or applications such as WhatsApp, while low-income users who rely on feature phones continue to face difficulties.
"When a minimum call tariff is fixed, it primarily protects the interests of mobile operators rather than consumers. It undermines consumer rights," he said.
TIPAP Convener Fahim Mashroor said the financial and policy decisions affecting the telecommunications and technology sectors in the new budget should be carefully evaluated to assess their impact on Bangladesh's digital economy, investment climate, innovation, and employment.
Participants in the discussion emphasized the need for long-term policy stability, an investment-friendly environment, and continued development of digital infrastructure to build a technology-driven economy.
They also called for greater coordination with industry stakeholders and a more consultative approach to implementing the budget and formulating future policies.
//DBTech/RA/EK//
