Inflation Cannot Be Controlled by Police Beatings
Finance Minister addresses post-budget press conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Picture: Focus Bangla
At a post-budget press conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that inflation cannot be controlled by beating people using the police, RAB, or other government forces. He emphasised that effective policies and proper management are essential to rein in inflation.
Responding to a question at the post-budget briefing for the 2026–27 fiscal year, organised by the Ministry of Finance, the minister said inflation is not a recent issue but has been rising steadily over the past several years, remaining above 9 percent for the last three months. He also cited geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and global market instability as contributing factors.
Referring to the banking sector crisis, the minister said capital shortages in banks have increased due to past mismanagement and money laundering, which has raised the cost of funds and further fuelled inflation. Rising global prices have also pushed up import-dependent goods.
He noted that the government has taken major reform initiatives to reduce the cost of doing business. “Bangladesh still lags in ease of doing business indicators. Delays in approvals, company registration, bureaucratic complexities and additional costs are increasing business expenses. We will implement various reforms, including deregulation, to address these issues,” he said.
On energy and food security, the minister stressed the need to reduce reliance on spot market purchases and move towards long-term planning. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining at least three months’ reserves of fuel and food to prepare for future crises.
He added that reducing bureaucratic delays, corruption, and excessive costs at ports such as Chattogram Port would improve supply chains and help bring down domestic inflation.
It is noted that on Thursday, the finance minister placed a proposed budget of Tk 9.38 trillion for the 2026–27 fiscal year in the national parliament.
