Finance Minister Confident in Meeting Ambitious FY27 Revenue Goals

Finance Minister Khosru has expressed strong confidence in achieving the revenue collection targets set for the 2026-27 fiscal year (FY27), despite a history of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) missing its marks.

The upcoming target involves an "unprecedented" year-on-year increase. This follows a challenging FY 2025-26, where the NBR was tasked with collecting Tk 5.03 trillion but only managed approximately Tk 4.20 trillion. Recognizing this consistent gap, the Minister emphasized that the government is shiftng toward more proactive engagement with the private sector to bridge the divide.

During a high-level meeting attended by NBR Chairman Ahsan Habib and the Finance Secretary, the Minister also consulted with leaders from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA). The discussion focused on identifying industrial challenges and removing regulatory hurdles. "We have already undertaken a number of deregulatory measures," Khosru stated, adding that the process of addressing business grievances is "ongoing and will continue". The government aims to create a more predictable investment climate to sustain industrial expansion as the country prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

While critics point to high inflation—projected at 8.8% for FY27—and rising energy costs as potential risks, the Minister maintains that continuous dialogue and administrative reforms will ensure the revenue goals are met.