Nation-building is now BNP's biggest challenge: Commerce Minister

Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textiles Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has commented that nation-building and fulfilling the people's expectations, rather than merely celebrating, are now the biggest challenges facing the government. He stated that the primary goal now is to revive the national economy by resolving logistics crises, including electricity and fuel shortages, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and expanding the export sector.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the new Sylhet Metropolitan BNP office in the Topkhana area of Sylhet city on Tuesday.

The Commerce Minister stated that BNP's journey began under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Later, at various times, the party obtained the mandate to govern the country with the people's support through free, fair, and impartial elections. Currently, under the leadership of party chief Tareq Rahman, efforts are ongoing to advance nationalist forces while upholding the country's independence and sovereignty, despite various adversities.

He further stated that it is not enough to merely conduct political activities; the government and party leaders and activists must play an effective role in meeting the people's expectations. To advance the country's development and economy, the existing crises in the electricity, energy, and logistics sectors must be resolved, along with creating a favorable environment for domestic and foreign investors.

Highlighting the country's industrial and trade situation, the Commerce Minister said that Bangladesh has to import a huge quantity of raw materials from abroad for industrial production. Although the country is self-sufficient in rice and some agricultural products, it has to import various consumer goods, including 6 to 7 million tons of wheat, every year.

He said that the deficit in international bilateral trade cannot be eliminated overnight. However, it is possible to bring positive momentum to the economy by increasing the total volume of trade, attracting new investment, and expanding the export sector. He also announced that a new BSCIC industrial city has been declared to be established in Sylhet to achieve this goal.

Regarding the party's organizational activities, Muktadir said that BNP assigns various responsibilities to leaders based on specific plans and strategies. This process of distributing responsibilities cannot be seen as a lack of coordination. The aim is to create renewed vigor by examining the party's strength and strategies from a different perspective.

He called upon leaders and activists to properly fulfill their assigned responsibilities, stating that fulfilling the people's expectations and standing by the people should be the core commitment of every BNP leader and activist.

The event began with the hoisting of the national and party flags. Later, the new Sylhet Metropolitan BNP office was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Special prayers and supplications were offered for the welfare of the country, the nation, and the party.

Presided over by Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hussain, the event was conducted by Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury. Special guests included BNP National Executive Committee Co-Organizing Secretary and Sylhet WASA Chairman Miftah Siddique, along with Central BNP member and District Council Chairman Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim.