Bangladesh Interim Government Faces Criticism for Approving Major Projects Before Election

The government of Bangladesh, which is currently run by an interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, has recently come under scrutiny. This government took a series of significant decisions to approve many high-value contracts and projects just before the country’s national election, scheduled to take place soon. These actions have raised questions and concerns from critics, including politicians and economic experts. Key highlights of these recent developments include the approval of 64 projects worth nearly 107,000 crore Taka between December 1, 2025, and January 25, 2026. Among these projects are 40 new initiatives, accounting for approximately 79,356 crore Taka. These investments cover various areas, including transportation, trade, and infrastructure. Notable among them are plans to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft at an estimated cost of 37,000 crore Taka, vessel acquisitions from China and the United Kingdom, and an agreement related to trade with the United States under a non-disclosure clause. The government also proposed a new pay scale, called the Ninth Pay Scale, which could increase annual government expenses by over 100,000 crore Taka. Such a move could have long-lasting effects on the country’s financial health. Industry experts have expressed concerns that these decisions made in the run-up to the election might limit the flexibility of the future elected government to manage the country’s economy. There are worries that the upcoming elected leadership will face difficulties in handling high inflation, rising debt levels, and a growing number of non-performing loans within banks. These financial challenges could be made more complicated if the incoming government inherits a large financial burden from recent commitments. Opposition groups, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have voiced suspicions about the interim government’s actions. The BNP has questioned some decisions, such as the delivery of a humanitarian corridor to Myanmar and the handling of operations at Chittagong port. They believe these moves might be aimed at benefiting certain interests or influencing the election process. Despite these concerns, the official government has not confirmed many details about some of these major projects. As of February 10, 2026, no official information is available regarding the cost and terms of the Boeing aircraft purchase, the specifics of the US trade agreement made under the non-disclosure clause, or the final details and implementation plan for the Ninth Pay Scale. Additionally, there has been no official confirmation about the vessel purchases from China and the UK or the approval of the 64 projects worth nearly 107,000 crore Taka. These projects and decisions continue to be under scrutiny, and their final impact on the country's economy remains uncertain. The criticism surrounding these decisions is based on the idea that they could constrain the future government’s ability to set policies and manage the economy effectively. Experts warn that the large financial commitments made at this stage could limit options for future leaders, especially given current economic challenges such as inflation, rising global debt, and bank loan issues. The upcoming election, scheduled soon, will determine the next government of Bangladesh. The decisions made by the interim government before the election are now being examined closely, as they may influence the country’s economic stability and political climate in the coming years. In summary, the actions of Bangladesh's interim government in approving numerous high-value projects and contracts just before the national election have sparked debate. Critics worry that these steps might affect the country's financial health and the incoming government’s ability to steer economic policy. As the country prepares for its election, the final outcomes and implications of these decisions remain to be seen.