Government Committed to Reducing Regional Inequality and Ensuring Balanced Development: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the government is committed to reducing economic, social, and infrastructural disparities among different regions of the country and ensuring balanced, equitable development.

He made the remarks while presenting the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in Parliament on Thursday.

The minister said the government would prioritize economic development and industrialization based on the comparative strengths and potential of each region. Under this strategy, industries and economic activities best suited to a particular area will receive focused policy support and investment.

As part of the regional development plan, the government aims to transform Chattogram into the country’s commercial capital. Efforts will be made to establish the port city as a regional trade hub through the modernization and expansion of port facilities and related infrastructure.

The finance minister also announced initiatives to promote agro-based industrialization in northern Bangladesh. Priority will be given to agriculture-intensive districts in the region, with plans to strengthen agro-processing, storage facilities, and value-added agricultural industries.

He said the government’s broader objective is to utilize regional strengths to boost investment, create employment opportunities, strengthen local economies, and ensure that the benefits of economic growth are distributed more evenly across the country.