The government has announced a wide range of budget measures to build skills, expand digital services, support businesses, reduce living costs, and promote green growth.

The proposed budget reflects a shift towards a more skills-driven, digitally enabled, and environmentally sustainable development model.

Here are 10 key measures outlined in the new budget:

From brain drain to brain circulation

The budget proposes new mechanisms to engage highly skilled Bangladeshi professionals abroad in national education and research initiatives, turning “brain drain” into “brain circulation” through structured collaboration with non-resident experts.

Third language in schools

To enhance global employability, secondary education will introduce a third language alongside Bangla and English, with options including Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, German, or Korean.

‘One teacher, one tab’ initiative

Teachers will be equipped with tablet computers under a nationwide digital education push aimed at improving classroom delivery and expanding access to digital learning tools.

‘One citizen, one wallet’

A secure digital wallet system will be rolled out to promote cashless transactions and broaden financial inclusion across government and private services.

Employment exchanges nationwide

Employment exchanges will be established in all districts and upazilas to connect job seekers with domestic and overseas employment opportunities.

Sports villages across divisions

Modern “Sports Villages” with advanced training facilities are planned for all divisional headquarters to nurture youth talent and promote organised sports development.

Incentives for women entrepreneurs

New women-led businesses will receive a three-year tax holiday along with access to collateral-free, low-interest financing to encourage entrepreneurship.

Relief on essential goods

To ease cost-of-living pressures, the source tax has been removed from 60 essential consumer items.

5G expansion drive

The ICT sector is targeted to contribute up to 10% of GDP (gross domestic product) within five years, with 5G coverage expected to reach 90% of the population within two years.

Electric vehicle incentives

Import duties on electric vehicles will be cut significantly, from 93% to as low as 64% for vehicles priced up to $25,000, in a move to accelerate green mobility adoption.