State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Friday emphasised the importance of developing domestic industries and achieving economic self-reliance through local initiatives by establishing industrial factories and enterprises.
He made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the “BUTEX-ITET Dye-Chem Expo-2026,” held this evening at the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Urging everyone to work together for national development and public welfare guided by the spirit of “Bangladesh First,” the state minister said, “Our collective goal should be to transform Bangladesh into a self-reliant and self-sufficient nation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is working towards achieving this objective.”
Highlighting the country’s demographic potential, he noted that Bangladesh’s 200 million people should be viewed as an asset rather than a burden.
“If we can transform our vast population into a productive workforce, no country can be richer than ours. Driven by patriotism, we must move Bangladesh forward through our dedication and hard work,” he added.
Emphasising the need to strengthen academia-industry linkages, the state minister explained that direct engagement between students and industrial enterprises provides students with practical exposure to real-world working environments, enabling them to apply their academic knowledge and skills more effectively in their professional careers.
He praised the expo initiative, adding that educational institutions play a vital role in preparing future generations through innovation and industry-oriented learning.
Addressing the national economic situation, Tuku noted that the government had assumed office amid significant economic challenges, including difficulties in the banking and financial sectors inherited from the previous government.
He further observed that global conflicts and economic uncertainty had placed pressure on energy supplies and commodity prices across many countries.
Despite these challenges, he affirmed that the government has been making concerted efforts to stabilise the economy and advance national development since taking office.
He added, “The Prime Minister does not view public office merely as a position of power, but as a responsibility to protect the interests of the people. The current government is working to ensure public welfare and advance the country’s development”.
The closing ceremony was chaired by BUTEX Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Engineer Md Julhash Uddin.
Engineer Mahbuba Hakim, MP for Reserved Seat-48; Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Engineer Mahmud Hasan Khan; Institute of Textile Engineers and Technologists (ITET) Bangladesh President and Managing Director of Mempair Limited Engineer Enayet Hossain; and ITET Bangladesh General Secretary Engineer ASM Hafizur Rahman Nixon attended the event as special guests.
