Govt Unveils Tk60,000 Crore Stimulus Package to Spur Investment and Create 2.5 Million Jobs

The government has rolled out an ambitious Tk60,000 crore stimulus package as part of its proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, seeking to revitalise private sector investment, strengthen industrial growth and create millions of new employment opportunities across Bangladesh.

Presenting the national budget in the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the package forms a central pillar of the government's broader strategy to foster a more business-friendly environment, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and sustain economic expansion amid evolving global economic challenges.
 

"The measures we are proposing today are designed to unlock investment potential, accelerate industrialisation and create sustainable employment opportunities for our people," the minister said during his budget speech.
 

At the heart of the initiative is the newly announced "Stimulus Package-2026," under which Bangladesh Bank will channel Tk60,000 crore into productive sectors of the economy to ensure uninterrupted credit flow and encourage business expansion.
 

According to the finance minister, Tk41,000 crore of the package will be sourced through refinancing schemes, while the remaining Tk19,000 crore will come directly from Bangladesh Bank's own resources.
 

The stimulus funds have been distributed across several priority sectors to maximise economic impact.
 

Of the total amount, Tk20,000 crore has been earmarked for large industries and the service sector, reflecting the government's emphasis on supporting major drivers of economic activity. Another Tk10,000 crore has been allocated to agriculture and rural economic activities, recognising the sector's vital contribution to livelihoods and food security.
 

The package also sets aside Tk5,000 crore for the Cottage, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSME) sector, widely regarded as the backbone of Bangladesh's domestic economy. In addition, Tk3,000 crore has been dedicated to export diversification initiatives, while another Tk3,000 crore will support efforts to transform northern Bangladesh into a specialised agricultural hub.
 

To ensure affordability for businesses seeking financing, the government plans to provide a six percent interest subsidy on loans issued under the programme. Officials estimate that the initiative could generate more than 2.5 million new jobs nationwide.
 

Beyond the stimulus package, the finance minister highlighted a series of complementary measures aimed at improving Bangladesh's investment landscape.
 

He announced that new industrial sites are being developed in Patuakhali and Jashore, projects expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 250,000 people. Simultaneously, work has begun on establishing additional economic zones in Kurigram, Nilphamari, Chandpur and Kushtia to decentralise industrial growth and stimulate regional development.
 

In a move to simplify business operations, the government has launched a unified digital platform named "BanglaBiz," designed to streamline regulatory procedures and improve ease of doing business. A comprehensive investment roadmap covering 19 high-potential sectors has also been prepared to attract greater foreign investment.

The budget further outlines initiatives to strengthen Bangladesh's global trade engagement through the pursuit of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with strategic partner countries.
 

To encourage export diversification, eight sectors have been granted facilities to clear duty-free goods against bank guarantees. Export-oriented industries—including agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, electronics and sectors involved in gold and diamond processing—will also benefit from bonded warehouse facilities or duty-free import mechanisms.
 

As part of the country's green industrialisation agenda, the government announced policy incentives to encourage domestic production of energy-efficient electric buses, trucks, motorcycles and scooters.
 

The finance minister also proposed a separate allocation of Tk2,000 crore for FY2026-27 under a refinancing scheme aimed at providing easy-term financing to small and medium enterprises. Entrepreneurs will be able to access these facilities through institutions such as Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) and the SME Foundation.

Expressing confidence in the proposed measures, Amir Khosru said the combined initiatives would inject fresh momentum into Bangladesh's economy.

"If implemented effectively, these programmes will not only stimulate investment and industrial expansion but also create sustainable employment opportunities and strengthen the country's economic resilience in the years ahead," he said.

The stimulus package represents one of the government's most significant economic interventions in recent years, underscoring its focus on employment generation, private sector growth and long-term economic transformation.