Seminar on national budget, ADP, and economic priorities held at BUBT

A seminar, organized by the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) on July 27, 2025, convened distinguished economists and policy experts to analyze Bangladesh's fiscal roadmap for the current fiscal year.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Shawkat Ali emphasized the potential of research-driven innovation to stimulate economic growth, particularly through increased private sector investment in research and development (R&D), according to a media release. 

He highlighted the importance of aligning fiscal policies with innovation to enhance productivity. 

Prof. Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, and Chief guest of the program, framed the budget as a strategic economic forecast rather than merely an accounting exercise.

He acknowledged the influence of IMF and World Bank recommendations but cautioned against over-reliance, advocating for quality infrastructure investments and robust anti-corruption measures to maintain economic integrity.

Prof.Haque highlighted systemic corruption in public sectors as a barrier to economic integrity.

Prof.Haque linked high-quality research to societal welfare improvements.

To mitigate Public Goods Deficit, he urged quality spending on infrastructure to address gaps.

Prof. Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque stressed the importance of quality teaching, emphasizing that educators must be properly groomed and equipped with comprehensive and diversified knowledge.

He noted that mastery in one subject alone cannot guarantee effective education.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mahboob Ali underscored the urgency of initiating ADP projects from July 1st, emphasizing effective quality controls to ensure successful outcomes.

He advocated for mandatory technology education across all disciplines to equip the workforce for future challenges in the name of "AI, IoT, Blockchain and deep learning" for undergraduate programmes by the UGC, Bangladesh and BAC  for employability skill.

Prof. Ali argued that employment opportunities must be created for the youth generation.

Prof. Dr. Syed Masud Husain, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, linked budget priorities to Bangladesh's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the nation transitions into a middle-income economy.

Prof. Santi Narayan Ghosh, Director of IQAC, pointed out the critical need for maintenance budgets to preserve public assets and infrastructure, which are often overlooked in fiscal planning.

Md. Anwar Hossen, Assistant Professor, keynote presenter, provided a balanced critique of the budget, welcoming increased allocations for the energy sector while expressing concern over cuts in education funding and the quality of public services.

He highlighted the need for vigilance against "window dressing" in budget scenarios, ensuring genuine fiscal reforms.

Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hossain, Associate Professor & Chairman of the Department of Economics, BUBT, expressed gratitude to all distinguished guests for their insightful contributions to the seminar.

Among others, Suhana Islam, Lecturer at BUBT, also spoke on this occasion, the release adds.