The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Monday placed a set of proposals for the national budget for FY2026–27, urging tax reforms, financial sector modernization and large-scale infrastructure investment to support business growth and economic stability.

The proposals were presented at a city hotel at a discussion attended by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir as the chief guest, alongside business leaders and policymakers.

In its recommendations, DCCI said Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains low at around 6.7 percent, while nearly 80 percent of the economy still operates informally, limiting revenue mobilisation and forcing reliance on borrowing. It stressed automation and simplification of tax procedures to expand the tax base. 

The chamber proposed raising the tax-free income threshold to Tk 5 lakh and setting the maximum corporate tax rate at 25 percent. It also called for equalising tax rates for non-listed companies with listed ones and introducing a fully automated corporate tax return system. 

To ease business operations, DCCI recommended simplifying VAT procedures, introducing a single-step refund system and phasing out advance tax at the import stage for producers while reducing it for commercial importers. 

On the financial sector, the chamber stressed policy reforms to ensure a stable and sustainable system, including rationalising interest rates, reducing dependence on bank borrowing by the government, strengthening corporate governance and promoting long-term financing through bonds and IPOs. 

For industry and trade, DCCI highlighted the need for uninterrupted energy supply, export diversification and support for potential sectors such as agriculture-based products, leather, light engineering, pharmaceuticals and ICT. It also proposed development of cold-chain infrastructure, incentives for innovation and support for CMSMEs. 

The chamber further underscored the importance of infrastructure development to maintain economic growth, recommending tax and duty incentives for construction materials and machinery, introduction of infrastructure bonds and sukuk, and long-term energy supply agreements to ensure price stability. 

DCCI leaders at the event said the proposed measures would help improve competitiveness, attract investment and support Bangladesh’s transition as a developing economy.