The government has proposed expanding duty and tax exemptions on the import of raw materials for all types of medicines, including cancer-preventive drugs, in the national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Interim Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed made the announcement during his budget speech on Monday (June 2). 

He said the exemption would also apply to the import of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are used in drug production.

Considering the importance of the health sector in national development, the proposed budget has allocated Tk 41,908 crore for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In the current fiscal year, the allocation was Tk 41,407 crore.

The Advisory Council of the interim government has approved the proposed national budget of Tk 7.90 trillion for FY2025–26. The revenue budget has been set at Tk 5.64 trillion. Compared to the current year, the new budget is smaller by Tk 70 billion—marking the first time in history that the budget size has been reduced.

MSK/