BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the government led by Tarique Rahman remains committed to delivering on its promises, even as global developments threaten to put pressure on the country’s economy.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of a canal excavation programme on the Neha River in Raipur Union under Sadar Upazila, Fakhrul outlined a series of initiatives focused on agriculture and rural development. He described the project as part of a broader strategy to tackle irrigation challenges through natural water management systems.
At the same time, he cautioned that external factors could create economic difficulties in the near term. “Our time ahead is not very good; difficult days are coming. The war in the Middle East is causing us major losses. Fuel prices will increase and the prices of goods will also go up. We will have to endure this and move forward,” he said.
Fakhrul linked the current canal excavation efforts to policies introduced under former president Ziaur Rahman, who promoted similar programmes to enhance agricultural productivity. He said the present administration is continuing that approach by prioritising irrigation infrastructure and support for farmers.
He also highlighted measures taken during earlier BNP governments, including agricultural loan waivers and tax relief for small landholders, aimed at reducing financial burdens in rural areas.
According to Fakhrul, the current government has already begun implementing its electoral commitments, including waiving agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 with interest. He added that the introduction of a “Family Card” programme forms part of a wider effort to strengthen social support mechanisms.
The canal excavation initiative, he said, is expected to provide a sustainable response to irrigation shortages, particularly in regions facing water constraints.
The event was attended by State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, and other local officials. It was organised by the Thakurgaon Water Development Board.
Fakhrul’s remarks underscore the government’s dual focus on advancing rural development while preparing for potential economic headwinds driven by global geopolitical tensions.
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