Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the new government, after receiving a strong mandate from the people, is working with a clear plan to fulfil its commitments over the next five years.
“Our priorities are to protect national interests, maintain policy continuity, ensure economic stability and carry out institutional reforms. We are now moving directly from commitments to implementation,” he said.
The prime minister was speaking at the opening session of the three-day international conference “Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026”, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Saturday morning.
This year’s BOBC is being held under the theme “Fragments, Frontiers and Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten”.
Tarique said the government has taken steps to make Bangladesh an attractive destination for investment and turn the country into a strong hub for production and investment. “We want to create extensive employment opportunities in production, services, exports and all other sectors,” he said.
Stressing the importance of policy certainty for investors, he said continuity in long-term policies would give them the necessary assurance.
The prime minister said the government’s social protection programmes would prioritise the most disadvantaged people.
Under the Family Card initiative, financial assistance will be provided directly to mothers in every family, starting with the poorest and most marginalised communities, he said.
The Farmers Card will connect farmers with government incentives, agricultural services and markets, while the Health Card will ensure access to healthcare for all. Ultimately, the Universal Card will bring integrated government services under one system, he said.
On the government’s pledge to bring healthcare closer to people, Tarique said it is working to recruit 100,000 health workers, around 80 percent of whom will be women.
The workers will provide primary healthcare, health advice and necessary referral services at the grassroots level, he said. The government is also giving special attention to maternal and child health.
On education reform, Tarique said education should not be limited to obtaining certificates but should prepare students for real life.
“We are working to ensure a joyful learning environment,” he said.
He said culture, sports, values and ethics would have an important place in the curriculum to help build children’s character. Students would also have the opportunity to learn a third language, while technical and vocational education would be expanded alongside general education.
The government has taken initiatives to provide free uniforms, schoolbags, midday meals and stipends from the first grade, while expanding free education for girls up to the graduate level, he said.
Describing the country’s large young population as a key driver of national progress, the prime minister said skills development and suitable employment opportunities were essential to making the most of the demographic advantage.
“The government is focusing on improving language skills, creating employment opportunities, technological transformation and wider use of artificial intelligence. We are supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups. We want our young people to compete on the global stage and transform brain drain into brain circulation,” he said.
Around 200 speakers, more than 300 delegates and over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries are attending the conference, which runs from 3 to 5 October.
Former Serbian President Boris Tadic, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara are among the participants. Former and current state officials, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, business leaders, technologists and experts from different countries are also attending.
