Stamford University Bangladesh organized a post-budget symposium on the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, bringing together policymakers, economists, academics, and industry leaders to discuss its implications for Bangladesh’s economic development.
The symposium was jointly organized by the Department of Business Administration and the Department of Economics. Participants exchanged views on key budgetary priorities, investment prospects, energy development, and strategies for achieving sustainable economic growth through stronger collaboration among the government, industry, and academia.
Presiding over the event, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Sharif N. As-Saber emphasized that allocating funds alone is not enough; effective utilization of public resources is equally essential. He said a successful national budget requires meaningful coordination among the public, industry, and educational institutions, describing Stamford University as “a place of excellence.”
Among the keynote speakers, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Mr. Jalal Ahmed expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s electricity generation capacity would reach 7,000 megawatts by 2030, reflecting continued progress in the country’s energy sector.
Also Read : RMG Club Ltd. Accelerates Global Trade Vision with New Corporate Office and Brazil Partnership
Dr. Iftikhar Mostafa, Senior Agricultural Economist at the World Bank, noted that a national budget is more than a collection of numbers it reflects the aspirations and expectations of the people. He stressed the importance of adopting a people-centered approach to budget formulation.
Mr. AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), said investment in Bangladesh has increased significantly compared with the previous year, indicating growing confidence among both domestic and international investors.
Mr. Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), described the proposed budget as an improvement over last year’s, saying it would strengthen the country’s industrial and export sectors.
Former National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman and former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Commissioner Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed highlighted the challenges faced by India and Pakistan in implementing large-scale solar power projects, noting that both countries incurred substantial losses and were unable to fully achieve their original plans.
The program was moderated by Faria Kabir, Assistant Professor of the Department of Business Administration, and jointly conducted by her and Susmita Banik, Assistant Professor of the Department of Economics.
Also Read : Bangladesh Eyes Untapped Mercosur Market to Increase RMG Exports
The event began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Shamsul Islam Yasin, a student of the Department of Business Administration, followed by a reading from the Bhagavad Gita by Shuvra Bairagi, a student of the Department of Law.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Abdus Sattar, Chairman of the Department of Economics. Other speakers included Mohammad Nazmul Huq, Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Marketing; Mohammad Azizul Haque, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Associate Professor; and Farjana Sultana, Assistant Professor of the Department of Economics.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Md. Golam Rabbani, Head of the Department of Management and Human Resource Management, who expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, speakers, organizers, media partners, and all participants for making the event a success.
The symposium was also attended by Dr. Mrityunjoy Acharjee, Proctor and Associate Professor; Mohammad Abdul Matin, Registrar; Prodeepto Mobarook, Head of Public Relations Division; along with deans, department chairpersons, faculty members, and students from across the university.
The discussion concluded with a shared call for closer cooperation among the government, industry, and academia to ensure effective implementation of the national budget and promote sustainable economic growth.