Minister for Commerce, Industries, Jute and Textiles Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology will be utilised to monitor the national market situation and control prices.
Initially, 30 highly sensitive products will be brought under the observation of this technology.
The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony for the distribution of multi-purpose government grants, awards, and materials held at the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Auditorium on Friday afternoon.
Highlighting efforts to maintain recent market stability, Muktadir noted that multiple government agencies remain active.
He explained that a coordinated AI model would be developed in collaboration with several relevant ministries to obtain comprehensive forecasts regarding not only current prices but also product yields, the impact of weather on production, and international market trends.
Minister Muktadir expressed his commitment to establishing Sylhet as a primary hub for vegetable exports, noting that nearly half of the nation’s current vegetable exporters are based in the region.
However, he identified packaging and certification issues as barriers to reaching full export potential. To resolve this, a special project via the Ministry of Agriculture will provide farmers with training on scientific production and “traceability.”
Additionally, the government has decided to construct approximately 2,000 cold storages across the country, a significant portion of which will be situated in Sylhet.
Addressing the global economic climate, Muktadir mentioned that two ongoing international wars have caused stagnation in the global market, affecting countries that produce similar commodities.
He assured that the government is working sincerely to ensure an uninterrupted energy supply to the industrial sector so that factories can remain fully operational.
Regarding the development of Sylhet Medical University, he reported positive discussions with the Vice-Chancellor. Efforts are currently underway, including manpower determination, with the goal of launching outdoor hospital services within the next two to three months.
The event was chaired by the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Khoshnur Rubaiyat.
Special guests included Rezaul Hasan Koyeas Lodi, chairman of Sylhet Development Authority; Abdul Kaium Chowdhury, administrator of sylhet city corporation; abul kaher chowdhury shamim, administrator of Zila Parishad; Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, general secretary of Metropolitan BNP; Abul Kashem, president of Sadar Upazila BNP; and Azizur Rahman, general secretary.
The programme, jointly conducted by Family Planning Officer Abu Monsur Asjad and Agriculture Officer Md Saikat Jamil, included the distribution of grants from Muktadir’s discretionary fund, the Agriculture Office’s “Partner Congress Programme,” and awards for National Education Week-2026.
Further activities included the distribution of wheelchairs to persons with disabilities, goat feed for disadvantaged ethnic minorities, and the inauguration of a tree-planting drive as part of the Prime Minister’s “25 crore trees in 5 years” master plan.
Later at 4:30pm, Muktadir inaugurated “Haematology Analyser” services for CBC testing and a Rabies vaccination programme at the Khadimpara 31-bed hospital.
