DHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of 
Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country's apex trade body, today urged the 
government to ensure policy continuity and sustain investor confidence in the 
upcoming national budget for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27). 

During a pre-budget consultative meeting with its member organisations, the 
federation emphasized that a stable and predictable policy framework is vital 
for business expansion and economic resilience amid ongoing global 
volatility, said a press release.

The federation presented a strategic cluster of macro-level proposals aimed 
at stimulating the national economy.

Key recommendations include the rationalization of interest rates, increasing 
the tax-GDP ratio, and the full-scale implementation of the One-Stop Service 
(OSS). 

The FBCCI also advocated for the modernization of port and logistics 
management, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of power and energy to 
industrial units, and the development of priority sectors to facilitate 
export diversification. 

Furthermore, the trade body proposed the establishment of central bonded 
warehouses and the formulation of stakeholder-oriented legislation to 
streamline business operations.

Addressing the session at the FBCCI's Motijheel office, Administrator Md. 
Abdur Rahim Khan highlighted the government's strategic target to elevate the 
tax-GDP ratio to 15 percent. 

He assured the business community that the state intends to achieve this 
revenue growth by expanding the tax net rather than increasing the financial 
burden on existing taxpayers.

Business leaders at the meeting underscored that the National Board of 
Revenue (NBR) must prioritize comprehensive automation and the integration of 
tax policy and management. 

They argued that such digital transformation is the essential tool required 
to ensure transparency and accountability, which will ultimately allow the 
government to reach its 15 percent tax-GDP goal without harassing current 
permit holders. 

These logical recommendations from the private sector are set to be the 
centerpiece of the FBCCI's submission at the upcoming 46th consultative 
committee meeting of the NBR.

In his welcome remarks, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir noted that the 
budget for FY 2026-27 is being prepared against the backdrop of an unstable 
global economy, volatile energy markets, and uncertain investment prospects. 

He emphasized that navigating these international hurdles will make budget 
formulation particularly challenging for the new government. 

He called upon the business community to provide well-reasoned and logical 
proposals to assist the government in crafting a balanced fiscal plan.

The discussion was attended by prominent experts and institutional 
representatives, including Budget Expert Committee members and former members 
of the NBR Farid Uddin and Aminur Rahman. 

Former FBCCI directors and leaders from various chambers and trade 
associations also participated in the session, contributing their insights to 
the collective proposal.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the FBCCI to continue its role 
as a bridge between the private sector and the state to ensure a growth-
oriented national budget.