Closed factories to reopen in phases: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that all closed factories across the country will be reopened in phases, while steps are also underway to resume recruitment in overseas labour markets that have remained closed to Bangladeshi workers.

Speaking at a rally after inaugurating the re-excavation work of the Basia River in Kandigaon union under Sylhet Sadar upazila, PM said that within five to seven days of assuming office he had convened a meeting with Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir and directed him to identify all shuttered factories and the reasons behind their closure.

“The government will gradually reopen these factories to create employment opportunities for unemployed people,” the Prime Minister said, adding that discussions were also held with local industrial entrepreneurs to encourage the establishment of new factories aimed at generating more jobs for young people.

He further said that labour markets in countries currently closed to Bangladeshi workers would be reopened soon, enabling renewed overseas employment opportunities.

The Basia River was last excavated in 1979 under the canal-digging programme of then-President Ziaur Rahman. On Saturday, his son oversaw its re-excavation after nearly five decades.

According to project sources, around 23.5 kilometres of the river will be excavated at a cost of Tk 12 crore.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board is supervising the initiative, which will deepen the river by around 1.5 to 2 metres and is expected to bring approximately 20,000 hectares of land under cultivation.

The Prime Minister said the project would directly benefit 80,000 farmers and indirectly benefit at least 150,000 people, while increasing annual food production by around 7,000 metric tonnes.

Around 90,000 farmers in South Surma, Osmaninagar, Bishwanath and Jagannathpur are expected to benefit.

Following the inauguration, he said 50,000 trees, including fruit-bearing varieties, would be planted along both banks of the river.

He also noted that canal excavation work has already begun in 60 districts across the country.

At a civic reception at Sylhet Nagar Bhaban later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister announced plans to recruit one lakh healthcare workers, with a directive that 80 per cent of appointments will be women.

“These workers will visit homes in every village to raise awareness on health and nutrition, informing people about dietary habits that lead to specific diseases,” he said, stressing a shift towards preventive healthcare.

He acknowledged that replicating healthcare systems of developed countries was not immediately possible, but said community-based awareness could help bridge the gap.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated a mega project at Chandni Ghat aimed at reducing flood risk and waterlogging in Sylhet city, and laid the foundation stone for the development and beautification of both banks of the Surma River.

Referring to Sylhet’s chronic waterlogging, he said, “While coming from the airport, I saw that water had accumulated due to rain. The groundwater level is going down in all cities.

This is gradually leading to a terrible situation. For this, we have taken up a canal excavation programme.”

He also highlighted a major connectivity gap, noting that while Sylhet–London flights take around nine to nine and a half hours, road travel between Sylhet and Dhaka takes nearly ten hours.

He said land acquisition issues at 11 points that had long delayed the expansion of the Sylhet–Dhaka highway had been resolved, and confirmed plans to upgrade the railway line to a double track to reduce pressure on road transport.

In addition, he announced that a 200-bed abandoned hospital in Sylhet would be reopened, while efforts were underway to expand Osmani Hospital to 1,200 beds.

The government also plans to reactivate the long-stalled Sylhet IT Park and upgrade vocational training centres for youth.

Referring to election commitments, the Prime Minister said the government had already begun implementation. He highlighted the introduction of family cards and farmers’ cards, through which farmers can access fertiliser, pesticides, seeds and agricultural loans.

He added that loans of up to Tk 10,000 had already been waived for 1.2 million farmers.

Allowances have also been introduced for imams, muezzins and other religious leaders, he said.

Concluding his day-long visit to Sylhet, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed the inauguration of the Notun Kuri Sports programme at Sylhet District Stadium, describing the student-led uprising of 2024 as a moment that “freed the country again.”

“This Bangladesh was once under subjugation. Our forefathers made this country independent through armed struggle.

Even after that, the country faced various problems,” he said. “After the July Uprising, the nation has found the path to move forward again.”

Addressing participating children, he urged them to embrace sports as a means of representing the country internationally.

“Each of you will be an ambassador of Bangladesh. Through sports, you will present Bangladesh to the world.

You are the future of the country. You will have to take responsibility for Bangladesh,” he said.

He also traced the origins of the Notun Kuri Sports initiative to a conversation held four and a half years ago, saying it was first discussed in London with State Minister for Sports Aminul Haque.

The Prime Minister pledged continued government support for young people across all fields, including education, sports and the arts.

“For those who want to become doctors, engineers, athletes, singers or musicians, we will ensure that they can pursue their dreams,” he said.