Govt working to build democratic, inclusive BD
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the government is working to strengthen democratic institutions, revive the economy and improve people’s living standards.
“The incumbent government is making efforts to build Bangladesh into a democratic, inclusive and exploitation-free state,” he said while addressing the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 at a city hotel on Friday.
The conference, organised by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), was held under the theme “Bangladesh and a Changing World: Uncharted Times, Emerging Orders, and the Politics of Care.”
Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh is passing through a critical phase as the student-people movement, the aspiration for restoring democracy and expectations of political change have created new opportunities for the country.
Paying tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War, he said Bangladesh achieved independence through their sacrifices. He also honoured those who lost their lives during the 2024 movement for restoring democracy.
Describing himself as a grassroots political activist rather than a professional analyst, the minister said his long political journey had given him a deeper understanding of the country’s politics and people’s aspirations.
Referring to the current economic challenges, he said global conflicts and instability have affected Bangladesh’s economy. He said international crises, including tensions between Iran and the United States and the Russia-Ukraine war, have created difficulties for developing economies.
He also pointed to long-standing problems such as corruption, money laundering and financial irregularities as factors putting pressure on Bangladesh’s economy.
However, Mirza Fakhrul expressed optimism that the country would overcome these challenges by utilising the strength of its people and emerging opportunities.
Highlighting government initiatives, he said efforts are underway to restructure the economy, increase investment, create employment opportunities and strengthen the banking sector.
He said the government has also undertaken several programmes to boost the rural economy, while giving priority to industrial development, agricultural progress and the expansion of the creative economy.
The minister said the latest budget includes measures to encourage investment and accelerate industrialisation.
On democratic reforms, he said the government has initiated discussions with political parties to build consensus on constitutional reforms, stressing the importance of strong institutions for sustaining democracy.
Highlighting the need for greater regional cooperation, Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh should strengthen engagement with international partners to support economic development.
He expressed hope that people from all walks of life would work together to build a new Bangladesh where everyone would have opportunities to live a safer, dignified and better life.
Researchers, policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders and civil society representatives from home and abroad attended the conference.
