Govt approves Tk3 lakh crore ADP for FY27; communication receives highest allocation
The education sector is the second-highest recipient with 15.86% of the budget, followed by the health sector at 11.84%, and the power and energy sector at 10.90%
The National Economic Council (NEC) approved an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Tk3,00,000 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27, marking a 30.43% increase over the previous fiscal year's original outlay.
The approval came during an NEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar today (18 May).
Out of the total allocation, Tk1,90,000 crore, representing 63.33%, will be financed from state funds, while the remaining Tk1,10,000 crore, or 36.67%, will be sourced from foreign loans and grants.
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The new budget represents a 50% increase when compared to the revised ADP of the outgoing fiscal year.
'Prioritised allocations'
Planning Commission officials told The Business Standard that the new development budget has prioritised allocations in education, health, and agriculture to ensure equitable socio-economic development and address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Accordingly, the transport and communication sector received the highest overall allocation at 16.70% to accelerate economic growth through infrastructure development, rail, and waterway expansion.
The education sector is the second-highest recipient with 15.86% of the budget, followed by the health sector at 11.84%, and the power and energy sector at 10.90%.
The budget allocated Tk17,000 crore, or 5.67%, for programmes targeting low-income and marginal populations, including farmers' cards, family cards, and honorariums for religious institution staff.
To restore the fragile economy, the government also focused on balanced regional development, directing targeted initiatives toward the northern region, hill tracts, haor areas, and coastal zones.
Additionally, in the new ADP, Tk38,027.48 crore has been allocated under "Special Development Assistance", while Tk17,000 crore has been allocated under "Social Development Assistance".
With the inclusion of self-financing by autonomous bodies and corporations, which amounts to Tk8,924.86 crore, the total size of the development budget stands at Tk3,08,924.86 crore.
The final ADP configuration was set by the Finance Division following an initial demand of Tk2,26,278.62 crore received earlier this year.
Integrated initiatives
The approved package encompasses 1,150 funded projects and includes 1,277 unapproved new projects without immediate allocation, as officials noted, aligning closely with the five pillars of the state reform and economic restructuring election manifesto of the BNP.
In the areas of religion, society, sports, culture, and social cohesion, initiatives have been taken to enhance youth skills, provide freelancing training, develop sports infrastructure, create professional athletes, and increase participation and opportunities for female athletes, thereby promoting social harmony and cultural development.
According to Planning Commission officials, emphasis has been placed on expanding quality and technology-based education, developing skilled human resources, ensuring modern healthcare services, empowering women, expanding social safety nets, and promoting agriculture and environmentally sustainable development.
Overall, these integrated initiatives aim to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and balanced development, with the goal of building a prosperous, modern, and resilient Bangladesh.
