Fakhrul calls for policy overhaul to revive industries

Staff Reporter :

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday underscored the immediate need to reopen factories and industries that have remained closed over the past 15 years, noting that their shutdown has pushed around 1.4 million people into unemployment.

Speaking at the “4th Bangladesh Economic Summit 2025” in Dhaka, Fakhrul urged policymakers to rethink their stance toward entrepreneurs and give priority to job creation.

“Where will these people find work? Why are we perpetuating unemployment? We must focus on reopening these factories and creating employment opportunities through these institutions,” he said.

The BNP leader criticised the current treatment of businesspeople-especially those accused of corruption-saying that while wrongdoers should indeed face consequences, shutting down factories ultimately harms thousands of workers. “Closing these establishments has rendered nearly 1.4 million people jobless,” he reiterated.

“I believe our national attitude toward businesspeople needs a fundamental shift. Those who have looted, siphoned money, or committed financial crimes in the past 15 years must be brought to justice and held properly accountable,” Fakhrul added.

He further claimed that BNP has always prioritised the country’s economy, arguing that Bangladesh witnessed its strongest economic performance when the party was in office.
Fakhrul highlighted the party’s present focus on improving the livelihoods of farmers, labourers, and ordinary citizens while ensuring overall economic stability.

Recalling Bangladesh’s past challenges with food security, he noted that although the country once had a food deficit of 2.8 million metric tonnes in 1971, it is now almost self-sufficient. He stressed that even greater progress is possible if farmers are provided timely access to fertiliser and seeds.

Reaffirming the BNP’s commitment to comprehensive reforms, he referenced the July Charter and earlier policy proposals-including Begum Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030 presented in 2016 and the party’s 31-point reform agenda of 2023-covering a wide range of political and economic issues.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury also outlined the party’s proposed economic reform roadmap should it come to power, emphasising the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous and forward-looking nation.