B Mirror Report: Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy and stressed the need to strengthen the rural economy through improved technology, irrigation, agricultural financing and market linkages.
“A strong rural economy can build a strong Bangladesh,” he said while addressing the Bay of Bengal Conference at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka on Saturday.
Tarique said support was being provided to fisheries, livestock and rural entrepreneurs alongside efforts to promote agro-processing and exports of agricultural products.
He also stressed the importance of strong state institutions, transparency and accountability, saying human rights, democratic values and freedom of expression should be protected and the rule of law applied equally to all.
On investment, the prime minister said Bangladesh was being developed as a hub for production and investment, with plans to create employment in manufacturing, services and export-oriented sectors. He said policy certainty and long-term consistency were important for investors.
Regarding social protection, Tarique outlined plans for several programmes, including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Health Card and Universal Card. He said priority would be given to the most disadvantaged people.
On healthcare, he said the government was working to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers, around 80 percent of whom would be women. They would provide primary healthcare, health advice and referral services at the grassroots level.
He said education would be made more practical, with greater emphasis on culture, sports, values and ethics. Plans also include expanding technical and vocational education and providing free uniforms, school bags, midday meals and scholarships from the first grade.
On youth employment, Tarique said initiatives were being taken to improve language and technical skills, promote innovation, entrepreneurship and startups, and prepare young people for global competition.
He also outlined plans to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways over the next five years, advance the Padma Barrage project and formulate a master plan for the Teesta River.
On the environment, he said the government had set a target of planting 250 million trees over five years and was promoting solar power, waste recycling and green factories.
Highlighting the potential of the Bay of Bengal, Tarique said Bangladesh’s strategic geographic position offered opportunities to connect seaports, waterways and the coastal economy more closely with the global economy.
On the Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh was still hosting around 1.2 million refugees and called for their rapid, voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. He said international political support and funding were needed to address the crisis.
He added that Bangladesh would continue to work with regional and global partners through dialogue, partnership and mutual respect while protecting national interests and sovereignty.
