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SANGSAD BHABAN, June 27, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has said the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 would provide fresh momentum to the development of the country’s fisheries and livestock sectors, helping boost production, modernization and exports.

Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget in the Jatiya Sangsad today, he said the Taka 938,000 crore budget had been formulated with the goals of curbing inflation, accelerating economic growth, creating employments and increasing investment.

“The proposed budget is highly productive, and its successful implementation will make Bangladesh economically stronger,” he said, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury for placing such a budget. 

The state minister said the proposed budget allocated Taka 604 crore for the fisheries sector and nearly Taka 1,116 crore for the livestock sector, expressing hope that the allocations would significantly enhance production, modernization and exports in both sectors.

Referring to the recent Eid-ul-Azha, he said the country’s sacrificial animal demand had been fully met with livestock raised by local farmers.

The government took effective measures to prevent the entry of cattle through the border, which benefited our local farmers, he said.

Highlighting the importance of expanding the use of modern technology in fisheries, he said it would help increase exports of fish and fish products while improving the economic condition of livestock farmers.

The state minister urged the finance minister to extend tax and duty benefits to the poultry industry similar to those enjoyed by the agricultural sector and requested a reduction in customs duties to facilitate its further growth.

Responding to criticism from the opposition, he said describing the proposed budget as an “anti-poor budget” was unjustified despite the government’s proposal to reduce prices of 61 essential commodities and allocate Taka 144,338 crore for the social safety net programmes.
He said government initiatives, including Family Cards, Farmer Cards, allowances for imams and muazzins, and agricultural loan waiver- all assistance reached to grassroots people directly.

Tuku said the target beneficiaries from Family Card programme and Farmer Card scheme would further strengthen the rural economy and improve the living standards of low-income people.

The state minister said the present government assumed office after inheriting a devastated economy but had been working consistently to meet people’s expectations despite numerous challenges.

Placing several demands for the development of his Tangail constituency, he said the traditional Tangail sari, recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI) product, should be protected by ensuring soft-term loans for small entrepreneurs and weavers.

He also called for upgrading Government Saadat University College into a full-fledged university, introducing modern train services in Tangail and strengthening healthcare facilities in the district.

The state minister said the Jatiya Sangsad now became a symbol of national unity.

The positive remarks made by both treasury and opposition members on the Prime Minister’s recent successful foreign visits have conveyed a message of unity to the nation,” he said, urging all to maintain this spirit of unity for the country’s continued development and progress.