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Sunday | November 08, 2026 | Dhaka

Garment sector unrest will not affect long-term investment Commerce Minister

 Business Report
 Published: 12:09 AM, 08 November 2026

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir yesterday said, a few days of instability in the garment sector will not affect long-term investment in Bangladesh, while stressing that political and social stability and a normal law and order situation are essential for economic growth.

He made the remarks while responding to journalists after an event marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day at the District Shilpakala Academy in Sylhet on Saturday.

“No instability is desirable because one instability creates another.

However, investment is a long-term matter. Therefore, investment will not move two steps backwards or forward due to a few days of instability,” he said.

On the recent garment workers’ unrest, the minister said there was no logical reason for the discontent.
The government formed a wage board immediately after the incidents and announced that the new wage structure would take effect from December.

He said the relevant authorities would investigate whether there were reasons beyond normal workplace grievances behind the unrest.

Although the situation could have a negative impact on the economy, he expressed hope that the effects could be overcome.

Earlier in the day, speaking to journalists after an Imam Conference and Triennial Council in Naiyorpul, Sylhet, he said instability and unrest were major obstacles to economic growth.

Asked about land port trade, the minister said both India and Bangladesh needed to take initiatives to increase trade through the ports.

Addressing the National Revolution and Solidarity Day event as chief guest, Muktadir described 7 November as a significant date in Bangladesh’s history, saying the events of 1975 reflected the people’s determination to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty and national dignity.

He recalled the political uncertainty following the 15 August and 3 November coups in 1975, saying the four days before 7 November were a period of extreme uncertainty.

Despite limited communication facilities at the time, the expectations of soldiers inside the cantonment and people outside converged around the desire to protect national sovereignty, he added.

The minister said former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman assumed responsibility for governing the country after 7 November and helped restore public confidence and nationalism.

Muktadir said Ziaur Rahman’s honesty, dedication and rejection of nepotism remained examples for political leaders and activists. He said members of the party founded by Ziaur Rahman were expected to uphold similar standards of integrity and responsibility.

Highlighting the challenges facing the current government, the minister said it must work to recover the fragile economy, restore discipline in the banking sector, ensure transparency and accountability in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), and improve public services.

He said government institutions needed to become more people-friendly so that citizens could receive proper services.

Special guests included Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Members of Parliament MA Malik, Emran Ahmad Chowdhury and Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, Divisional Commissioner Mashiur Rahman and Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, among others.