Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that people in Bangladesh bear more healthcare expenses than those in Afghanistan. He noted that the government is gradually moving toward universal healthcare coverage to reduce this burden.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the seminar titled “Debating Budget and Beyond,” organised by the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka on Thursday.

Amir Khasru said that a large portion of healthcare expenditure in Bangladesh is paid directly by individuals and families, creating significant financial pressure on households. Similar burdens exist in other sectors, including education. To address this, the government is advancing toward a universal healthcare system, at least in terms of ensuring preventive healthcare services. Such a system, he said, would help increase household savings, improve public health outcomes, and provide a more secure future for children.

Professor Mahbub Ullah, convener of the BEA Interim Committee, chaired the seminar. Professor Mohammad Helal Uddin, executive vice chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority, moderated the event.

Speaking about the national budget, the finance minister said that, despite generally viewing a budget as an annual exercise, it is in reality a year-round process. Upon assuming office, he faced the challenge of the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. Managing financing under such circumstances was also difficult. Despite the limited timeframe, the government attempted to introduce several changes to the budget structure.

He said the government wants to move beyond the traditional budget framework and embrace new ideas and models, as the country’s economic inequality remains high. While organised and influential groups often exert considerable influence on the budget-making process, the voices of poor and marginalised communities are overlooked in many cases, he noted. So efforts have been made to make this year’s budget more inclusive.

The finance minister added that the government seeks to promote the concept of an economy for all, enabling every citizen to participate in economic activities and benefit from economic growth. Priority is being given to those who have long remained outside the mainstream economy, including rural blacksmiths, potters, artisans, people involved in culture and music, athletes, and the extremely poor.

Emphasising women’s economic empowerment, the minister said that although rural housewives work throughout the day managing household responsibilities, they generally have no independent source of income. For this reason, he noted, the government has introduced the concept of a Family Card. Through this initiative, women’s spending capacity will increase, their quality of life will improve, nutritional standards will rise, and positive changes will be reflected in family life. It will also generate new demand within the rural economy.

Speaking about farmers, he said that providing loans alone is not sufficient; they must also be guaranteed essential support, including fertiliser, seeds and other key inputs. After assuming office, the government had to waive nearly BDT 100 billion in agricultural loans. This demonstrated that farmers require broader support.

Highlighting the creative economy, Amir Khasru said that rural industries, handicrafts and cultural activities can also become important contributors to the economy. If artisans receive adequate design, market access and marketing support, they will be able to sell their products in international markets. Economic growth, he added, is not generated solely by large industries; people’s income and consumption also form an integral part of the growth process.

The minister also announced plans to establish a theatre district in Purbachal. The area will feature theatres, facilities for artists and designers, food services, and various entertainment-related amenities. There are also plans to preserve the country’s traditional heritage assets and integrate them with the tourism sector.

Regarding the capital market, he said that the government is committed to revitalising it. While capital markets serve as the primary source of major investment worldwide, Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on bank-based financing. To address this situation, a new commission comprising professional experts has been formed. Simultaneously, reforms are being undertaken in laws, tax policies and the broader financial sector.

The government is currently facing debt-related obligations amounting to approximately BDT 1.25 trillion, the finance minister said. He noted that this has narrowed the government’s fiscal space. Even then, he stressed that development and economic growth must continue, adding that the government is working toward a target of creating 10 million jobs.

Speaking about development projects undertaken during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, Amir Khasru said that upon assuming office, the government inherited around 1,300 development projects, many of which had been ongoing for more than 15 years. Of these, approximately 50 to 60 percent have either been reassessed or cancelled. The objectives of some projects are also being revised. But he said the entire process is expected to take at least two years to complete.

Regarding budget implementation, the finance minister said the government is placing special emphasis on this area. To facilitate implementation, restrictions in various sectors are being eased, and administrative reforms are being introduced. A data-driven monitoring system will be launched within relevant departments to track project progress on a daily basis. Achieving an 80 percent project implementation rate would make it significantly easier to meet development targets, he noted.

He further stated that agriculture remains the government’s highest-priority sector. Although not every policy objective is directly reflected in the budget, efforts are being made to achieve these goals through effective implementation.