Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today articulated the party's economic aspirations, emphasizing rapid job creation, economic democratization, and structural reforms essential for transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy if voted to power.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khasru reiterated BNP's commitment to generating one crore new jobs within 18 months, describing it as a 'worked-out, realistic and ambitious national target essential for Bangladesh's future.' He shared these insights during a session on the country's economic outlook at the 'Fourth Bangladesh Economic Conference 2025: Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment' organized by Daily Bonik Barta in the capital.
Khasru detailed a comprehensive strategy aimed at inclusive growth, deregulation, capital market revitalization, grassroots industrialization, and technology-driven transformation. To support the job creation target, BNP plans to establish skill development centers in every district to prepare the youth for domestic industries and high-value overseas employment opportunities.
Highlighting the potential of Bangladesh's youth, Khasru stated, 'By enhancing skills, their income abroad can rise by three to four times.' He emphasized the need for Bangladesh to rethink its development model to ensure economic benefits reach the general population, stating that the party's pledges are based on calculated sectors, investments, and necessary reforms.
Khasru proposed transitioning from a debt-driven expansion model to investment-led growth, mobilizing both domestic and international capital while empowering citizens as economic participants. 'Ambition is necessary for a nation's future,' he asserted, reflecting confidence in BNP's history of employment-oriented growth.
He also stressed the importance of inclusive, technology-enabled, and investment-focused development, ensuring that 'every group-from rural craftsmen to digital youth, from athletes to cultural workers-can participate in and benefit from the national economy.' Economic democratization, he said, is crucial for sustainable progress alongside political democracy.
Khasru pointed out that past economic gains did not sufficiently reach ordinary citizens due to limited participation caused by political alignment and structural barriers. He advocated for a model ensuring access, opportunity, and participation for every citizen in economic activities.
Discussing rural cottage and artisanal industries, Khasru underlined their unutilized potential and the need for targeted investments to enhance product quality and global market access. He suggested replicating Thailand's 'One Village One Product' model to turn rural producers into exporters, thus boosting employment, domestic demand, and foreign exchange earnings.
For broad-based economic participation, Khasru emphasized critical infrastructure priorities such as uninterrupted power and energy supply and robust nationwide internet connectivity, vital for expanding Bangladesh's digital economy through call centers, data centers, and online enterprises.
He outlined four guiding principles for future public investment: Value for money, Return on investment, Employment generation, and Environmental and ecological protection. He warned against investment projects without measurable benefits, advocating for economic expansion balanced with ecological preservation.
Khasru also identified sports and culture as significant future economic sectors, citing global examples and proposing the establishment of sports centers at every upazila. He underscored the potential of cultural industries for monetization and job creation.
Criticizing overdependence on the banking sector and the capital market's decline, Khasru argued for developing a robust capital market to enable high growth and attract global investment. He proposed government enterprises raise funds from the capital market instead of relying on the national exchequer.
Finally, Khasru termed Bangladesh an 'over-regulated country' and announced BNP's plan for a major deregulation drive. This initiative aims to simplify bureaucratic processes, offering single-window clearance, digitized workflow, and reduced physical contact to encourage both domestic and foreign investment.