Budget lays foundation for stronger investment climate, says Bezia

The proposed national budget for fiscal 2026-27 lays the foundation for a stronger investment climate by focusing on ease of doing business, industrial expansion and investment-led economic growth, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Investors' Association (Bezia) has said.

The investors' body, however, called for maintaining policy consistency and restoring key incentives for economic zone investors to ensure long-term confidence and attract both domestic and foreign investment.

The remarks came at Bezia's Executive Committee meeting held on 16 June 2026, chaired by its President MA Jabbar, where members reviewed various aspects of the proposed budget.

Bezia said the government's focus on priority areas, including investment-based employment generation, productive economic growth, financial sector stability, energy security, skilled workforce development and institutional reforms, reflects a positive direction for the private sector.

The association welcomed several measures aimed at reducing regulatory barriers, including registration of new companies within 24 hours, easier profit repatriation facilities, digital e-loans up to Tk50,000, and streamlined government approvals and service delivery.

It said these steps could help reduce uncertainty in investment decisions and minimise bureaucratic complexities faced by businesses.

Bezia also appreciated the proposed introduction of "plug and play" industrial facilities, saying such infrastructure support would accelerate the establishment and operation of factories in economic zones and industrial areas.

The association urged the government to ensure equal treatment between new Free Trade Zones and existing economic zones.

It said Free Trade Zone-related fiscal benefits should not exceed those available to existing economic zone investors to maintain a level playing field.

The association demanded reinstatement of the 10-year graduated tax holiday and restoration of zero-duty benefits on imports of capital machinery and construction materials for economic zone development.

It also sought exemption of zone enterprises from turnover-based minimum tax for the first five to seven years of commercial operations and requested permission to carry forward excess minimum tax.

On energy security, Bezia called for clear zone-level allocations from the Tk17,345 crore power and energy allocation and urged the government to provide firm gas and electricity supply schedules for operational economic zones.