Budget Execution Remains a Challenge Amid Coordination Gaps

Every year, ahead of Bangladesh’s national budget, stakeholders from different sectors put forward a range of expectations and proposals. However, once the budget is announced, only a small fraction of those proposals is implemented. In particular, a wide gap persists between budget announcements and actual implementation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. ICT sector development is not the responsibility of a single ministry; rather, it involves several ministries. Without effective coordination—or what can be described as “dot connection”—among these ministries, achieving the goal of digital prosperity will not be possible.

These remarks were made by senior journalist and President of the Technology Media Guild Bangladesh (TMGB), Mohammad Kawser Uddin, at a roundtable discussion organised by TechWorld Bangladesh on Thursday (May 21), ahead of the national budget for FY2026-27, with participation from stakeholders in the ICT sector. Drawing on his long professional experience, he highlighted the limitations of the budget process and the administrative barriers to implementation.

Gap Between Expectations and Delivery

At the beginning of his remarks, Mohammad Kawser Uddin referred to a personal experience. He said:

He added with regret, “The success of any initiative or policy depends on its implementation and outcome. But in the case of the budget, we often see that by the time decisions move from the discussion table to implementation, their original intent is lost.”

Unresolved Demand to Reduce Internet Taxes

Citing a long-standing issue in the ICT sector, Kawser Uddin said, “We have been raising the demand for the withdrawal of excessive duties and taxes on internet services for years. Numerous letters have been exchanged and several meetings have been held. Yet there is still no permanent solution. This shows that despite collective efforts, administrative complexities and a lack of policy willingness often delay key reforms in the ICT sector.”

He believes that compared to other major sectors, the positive impact of the budget on the ICT sector remains very limited.

Complexity of Hardware and HS Codes

A major concern for hardware sector entrepreneurs is the Harmonized System (HS) code classification. Kawser Uddin said: “Due to ambiguity in HS codes, businesses often struggle to determine the applicable duty rates on specific products. At the customs level, they face harassment and various complications.”

He argued that the process needs to be made more transparent and simplified. Many modern technology products serve multiple purposes, making it difficult to assess them using outdated classification systems, which creates barriers for businesses.

Crisis of Coordination and Proposal for ‘Dot Connection’

The most important aspect of Kawser Uddin’s remarks was the lack of coordination among government agencies. He noted that multiple ministries—including the ICT Division, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Commerce—are implementing similar types of projects independently. For example, initiatives related to cybersecurity or digital skills development are being implemented separately by different ministries, without information sharing or coordination.

He said, “If these initiatives could be brought under a single umbrella and managed in a coordinated manner, public resource wastage would be reduced and outcomes would be far more effective.”

He urged policymakers to establish what he called “dot connection” among ministries. In other words, all departments must work in an integrated way toward a unified national goal. Without resolving coordination gaps, Bangladesh will not be able to fully benefit from emerging technologies such as cybersecurity or artificial intelligence.

Implementation Is What Ultimately Matters

Kawser Uddin advised that the budget should not be viewed merely as a statement of income and expenditure, but as a tool for development. He said:

“After the budget is announced, regular monitoring is required to achieve its targets. We often see that funds are allocated, but due to bureaucratic complexities they are either not spent on time or are spent in the wrong areas. The lack of proper monitoring is a major reason behind the limited progress in the ICT sector compared to expectations.”

Future Technologies and Policy Readiness

He also questioned how prepared the current budget process is to address challenges posed by modern technologies such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). According to him, technology is evolving rapidly, but the budgetary and policy framework remains outdated. A dedicated technology-focused wing is needed that can monitor sectoral changes throughout the year and reflect them in the next budget. He stressed that an effective ICT budget cannot be formulated through discussions held only during May and June.

Finally, he said: