Challenges loom over achievements

Six months ago, the new BNP-led government assumed office. The journey began with a host of expectations. In the first 180 days, various tangible accomplishment stacked. At the same time, some tough challenges have emerged, too. The Prime Minister's Office has published a sector-wise account of the government's first six months.

The report highlights detailed information on the current government's activities. Special emphasis has been given to the economy, law and order, foreign affairs, education, health, agriculture, food, social protection, employment, and the environment.

According to the report, the major achievements in the first six months include a national budget of Tk 9.38 lakh crore and economic recovery initiatives, reserves of $36.58 billion and reforms in the financial sector, re-establishment of law and order and the establishment of state authority in Jungle Salimpur, a balanced foreign policy and over 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding, a 56.6 percent increase in the education budget and technology-based education, initiatives to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers and 5,000 doctors, food reserves of over 2.4 million tonnes and debt relief for over 1.4 million farmers, a large-scale social protection program through family cards, a target of creating 9.327 million new jobs in five years, and programs for planting 250 million trees and re-excavating nearly 2,000 kilometers of canals. This picture of the government's activities in the first 180 days shows that both immediate crisis management and long-term state reform plans have received importance.

However, alongside the achievements, several crises have also become clear. Shortly after the government took office, the impact of the war in the Middle East affected the fuel, LNG, fertilizer, and transport sectors, as well as the cost of living. The fuel crisis has made the situation more difficult. Recently, reduced gas supply has been hampering electricity generation. Load-shedding has increased. People in both cities and villages are suffering. Production in industries is also being severely disrupted. Overall, the economy has not fully recovered. The weakness of the banking sector, pressure on revenue collection, and investment uncertainty remain.

There are also concerns regarding the law and order situation. Special operations are ongoing. A large number of arrests have also been made. But incidents of murder, mugging, robbery, and other crimes have left people feeling insecure. As a result, the economy, fuel and power, and law and order – these three sectors have become major tests for the government.

On February 17, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister. On the same day, 25 full ministers and 24 state ministers were sworn in. Along with the Prime Minister, the total number of cabinet members stands at 50. Since taking office, the government has focused on three issues: keeping the administration functional, stabilizing the economy, and implementing electoral pledges.

Budget of Tk 9.38 lakh crore: The report from the Prime Minister's Office has given the most importance to the economy. The size of the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is Tk 9.38 lakh crore. This is about 19 percent higher than the previous year's Tk 7.90 lakh crore. The government's target is 6.5 percent growth. The target for bringing down inflation is 7.5 percent.

A 'Three R' strategy has been adopted to turn the economy around. There is an initiative to reduce the time for starting a business from one year to 14 days. Bank recapitalization and the formation of a special fund for new entrepreneurs have also been mentioned. To restore confidence in the capital market, the artificial floor price has been removed. A program of Tk 19,000 crore has been taken for financing agriculture and green industries. The report mentions that foreign exchange reserves stand at $36.58 billion.

Law and Order: Strict Stance to Control Situation

The government has taken a strict stance to control the law and order situation. Initiatives have been taken for speedy trial of high-profile cases and arrest of absconding accused. It has also been stated that the law enforcement agencies will be kept free from political influence. One of the most talked-about operations was in the Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda, Chattogram. Thousands of members of the army, RAB, police, BGB, and APBN took part in it. Helicopters, drones, and armored vehicles were also used in that operation. The government claims that through this, state authority has been re-established in that area.

Surveillance has also been increased along the border to prevent 'push-ins'. An initiative has been taken to form a 'National Preventive Mechanism' department to monitor the human rights situation in prisons and detention centers. However, despite these steps, people have not fully regained a sense of relief. Therefore, the government's next steps to control crime have become crucial.

Balanced New Diplomacy

In foreign policy, the 'Bangladesh First' principle has been brought to the forefront. At the same time, the position of 'friendship with all, malice towards none' has been reiterated. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen relations with China, India, the United States, Russia, Malaysia, the European Union, and the Middle East.

The report mentions that over 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed during the Prime Minister's visit to China in June. Infrastructure, digital economy, trade, and investment were among the topics discussed. Progress has also been reported regarding the labor market with Malaysia. A decision has been made to reopen the market for Bangladeshi workers. It has also been claimed that Bangladesh's position on the international stage has been strengthened. The report also highlights the election of Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Education Budget Increased

In the 2026-27 fiscal year, the allocation for the education sector is Tk 1,36,606 crore. The report states that this is an increase of 56.6 percent compared to the previous year's Tk 87,206 crore. Emphasis has been placed on making education job-oriented. Plans are in place to increase the connection between higher education and industry. Importance is being given to internships, apprenticeships, research, and entrepreneurship development. AI, cybersecurity, and programming are also receiving priority. There is a plan to establish 600 government model schools and colleges in 300 parliamentary constituencies across the country. Work has also begun on the 'One Teacher, One Tab' program.

One Hundred Thousand Healthcare Workers

To strengthen primary healthcare, an initiative has been taken to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers. Among them, 80 percent will be women. In addition, the process of recruiting 5,000 MBBS doctors has begun. Initiatives are also in place to recruit nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, and midwives. The report mentions future plans to introduce health cards.

Food Reserves Over 2.4 Million Tonnes

As one of the government's major achievements in food security, food grain reserves of over 2.4 million tonnes have been mentioned. This includes about 19,60,746 tonnes of rice and about 2,95,689 tonnes of wheat. As of June 28, during the Boro procurement drive, 2,71,312 tonnes of paddy and 7,98,912 tonnes of rice were collected. Agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, have been waived for farmers. The report notes that 14,34,482 farmers have become debt-free as a result. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, there is a plan to provide farmer cards to about 4.3 million farmers.

Family Cards

For low-income people, an initiative has been taken to introduce 'Family Cards'. In the pilot program, 1,21,132 families were covered by the survey. Cards have been received by 67,278 families. Priority has been given to the female head of the household. The target is to provide cards to 4.1 million women in the first year.

Employment

Employment has been identified as one of the government's top priorities. A target of creating 9.327 million new jobs, both within the country and abroad, has been set for the period up to 2031. Agriculture, industry, services, and foreign employment have been designated as the primary sectors. However, increasing investment and sustaining economic growth remain major challenges to achieving this goal.

Environment and Infrastructure

To protect the environment, a target of planting 250 million trees over five years has been set. Against this year's goal of planting 514,889,930 saplings, 222,268,000 saplings were planted within the first 180 days. The report claims that 43.25 percent of the annual target has been achieved. A large-scale program has also been undertaken for re-excavating canals. It was reported that approximately 2,165 kilometers of canals were re-excavated from July 1 to 15. Additionally, a decision has been made to relocate the Sayedabad inter-district bus terminal to Kanchpur in order to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka.

Parliament and Other Initiatives

In the government's first 180 days, the National Parliament held 52 working days. During this period, 105 bills were passed. Furthermore, an initiative has been taken to introduce the ninth national pay scale. Other initiatives include introducing LPG cards, launching the 'New Twenty' program in 64 districts, increasing allowances for religious leaders, and raising allowances for freedom fighters.

"Fulfilling Electoral Pledges is the Biggest Success," Says Mahdi Amin

Mahdi Amin, spokesperson and advisor at the Prime Minister's Office, told Agamir Somoy that the government's greatest achievement in these 180 days is the advancement of ministry-wise tasks to implement its electoral pledges. At the same time, he noted that the budget formulated during this period is people-friendly. Various measures have been taken to boost trade, commerce, and investment. Decisions have been made regarding technology, education, and employment generation, all with the core objective of building a self-reliant nation.

According to him, the Prime Minister himself has adopted a modest lifestyle since taking office. By reducing protocol and discarding the VIP system, he has taken several statesmanlike steps. Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly to change the fate of the people and ensure overall national development.