Desk Report:
Minister for Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that creating a business-friendly environment in the country is the need of the hour to increase investment and create employment. To this end, the government is working to reduce red tape, relax restrictions and remove administrative complications.
He said these things as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting held with divisional and district administration officials and business leaders at the conference room of the Circuit House in Chittagong on Sunday (March 15, 2026).
Khandaker Muktadir said that the government is not just a government of words – the government wants to show real results. Every year, about 2 to 2.2 million new people are entering the working age in the country. Huge investment is required to ensure their employment, and to bring that investment, a favorable environment for business must be created.
He also said that although economic growth has been talked about for a long time, employment has not been created in that proportion. Therefore, the government is taking necessary policy reforms and deregulation initiatives to further activate the private sector.
The Commerce Minister said that after Eid, the relevant officials of the Ministry of Finance and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will hold another meeting with the businessmen. In this, decisions will be taken on the quick resolution of various business-related complications including scanner problems and container jams at the Chittagong port.
He said that a fact-finding committee will be formed for a quick and realistic solution and necessary measures will be taken as per its recommendations. He expressed hope that visible results of these initiatives will be seen within the next few months.
Stating that the lack of good governance cannot continue for a long time, the Commerce Minister said that if administrative weaknesses continue in a country of 180 to 200 million people, it can push the country’s economy towards disaster. Therefore, the government is determined to show results according to the mandate given by the people.
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. The meeting, chaired by Ziauddin, was addressed as special guests by Commerce Ministry Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah.
Senior officials from various departments of Chittagong Division, representatives from customs and ports, and leaders of business organizations were present at the meeting.
