Staff Correspondent

BNP's Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo has blamed political instability and over a decade and a half of institutionalised corruption for what he calls the “dire” state of Bangladesh’s financial sector.

He pointed to deep-rooted political interference in banking and a collapse in private investment, describing the sector as paralysed by unchecked looting and policy failure.

Investment, he said, has stalled to the point where capital recovery is no longer viable.

Mintoo also warned of widening inequality across income, assets, and political access, accusing state institutions of fuelling the divide through discriminatory policymaking.

“Is there any sector in Bangladesh without discrimination? Income, social, wealth, political disparities -- all of these are on the rise,” he said.

“The government’s actions are creating discrimination in every sector day by day. We need to identify these.”

He called for a budget that revives business confidence, strengthens exports, and tackles inflation while boosting local production and demand.

“We want to increase export capacity, boost overall demand to strengthen the economy, raise purchasing power, improve quality of life, adopt revenue policies that ensure socio-economic and political stability, control inflation, and improve infrastructure.”

Criticising the proposed 16.5 percent allocation for building construction, Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman Masrur Reaz asked: “Is this really the time for it?”

He said the focus should be on inflation and governance, not concrete.

“Another priority should be restoring good governance -- which we have lost,” Masrur said. “The government has taken some steps to bring back good governance in administration, energy and banking sectors.

“These efforts now need to be consolidated.”

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Fahmida Khatun said the public sees the national budget as a signal that prices will rise. “We’ve asked people. That’s the first thing they say,” she noted.

“On one side there is growth, but on the other, unemployment and poverty are on the rise. If this is the philosophy, no matter how big your budget is, you won’t be able to meet people’s needs.”

She stressed that the tax system has long failed to provide relief. “We build revenue targets on what we want to spend, not on what people can bear. For 200 million people, the pressure is too high.”

CPD Distinguished Fellow Mostafizur Rahman said inflation and falling purchasing power have squeezed households for years. “People want at least some relief in this budget,” he said.

He also flagged a freeze in economic investment, saying the business community expects clear steps to restart growth.

All of them were speaking at a roundtable titled “Budget Reflections 2025–26”, held at the HR Bhaban auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, organised by Desh TV.