On Saturday, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the BNP’s economic agenda prioritises quick job creation, economic democratisation, and structural changes with the goal of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy if elected to power.
He also reaffirmed the BNP’s promise to create one crore new jobs within 18 months if elected, calling it a “worked-out, realistic, and ambitious national target essential for Bangladesh’s future.”
Speaking at the “Fourth Bangladesh Economic Conference 2025: Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment” hosted in a capital hotel.
Amir Khasru laid out a comprehensive strategy centred on inclusive growth, deregulation, capital market revitalisation, grassroots industrialisation, and technology-led transformation. The event was organised by Daily Bonik Barta.
Khasru stated that the BNP intends to establish skill development facilities in each area to prepare youth for domestic businesses as well as higher-paying ones abroad.
“Bangladesh’s younger generation has enormous potential. He stated that by improving their talents, they can increase their revenue abroad by three to four times.
He stated that Bangladesh needs to reconsider its development approach to guarantee that economic advantages reach the whole populace.
He reaffirmed the BNP’s vow, saying, “We have pledged one crore jobs and a trillion-dollar economy.” These aren’t political statements. We’ve estimated the sectors, investments, and necessary reforms.”
He stated that Bangladesh must shift from debt-driven expansion to investment-led growth, mobilising domestic and foreign resources and empowering individuals as economic actors.
“Ambition is essential for a country’s future. We are confident because BNP governments have consistently delivered employment-orientated growth,” he said.
Amir Khasru also stated that the next phase of Bangladesh’s development must be inclusive, technology-driven, and investment-orientated, ensuring that “every group—from rural craftsmen to digital youth, from athletes to cultural workers—can participate in and benefit from the national economy.”
Amir Khasru emphasised the subject of “democratisation of the economy”, stating that political democracy alone cannot achieve long-term success unless combined with economic inclusion.
He said that previous economic improvements did not reach ordinary individuals because participation was hampered by political alignment and structural constraints.
“We must shift to an economic model where every citizen has access, opportunity and participation in economic activity,” according to him.
He used the example of rural cottage and artisanal businesses, such as traditional blacksmiths, potters, and craftspeople, to demonstrate the vast untapped potential in these areas.
Khasru emphasised the importance of focused investments to increase product quality, skills, raw material access, branding, and global internet market connection via platforms such as Amazon and eBay. He stated that with government backing, Bangladesh might emulate Thailand’s successful “One Village, One Product” model.
“These rural producers can become exporters from their homes if given the right tools,” he told me. “This will expand employment, raise incomes, create domestic demand and boost foreign exchange earnings—this is GDP,”
To ensure widespread participation, he emphasised two essential infrastructural priorities: constant power and energy supply and statewide reliable internet connectivity.
Khasru stated that these are critical for growing Bangladesh’s digital economy through call centres, data centres, and real-time internet businesses.
“If we ensure power and broadband across to every union, every young person can access digital opportunities,” he pointed out.
The BNP leader also laid out four guiding principles for future public investment: value for money, return on investment, job creation, and environmental and ecological conservation.
He emphasised that Bangladesh cannot afford investment projects without verifiable returns and that sustainable development necessitates combining economic growth with environmental protection.
Amir Khasru cited examples from Brazil and Australia to highlight sports and culture as significant future economic contributors. The BNP intends to create sports centres in each upazila to develop talent in football, cricket, swimming, shooting, and archery, he added.
“Sports is a large industry worldwide. “Stadiums, events, and talent development all contribute to GDP,” he explained. Similarly, he stated that cultural industries—music, theatre, and entertainment—have enormous potential for monetisation and job development.
He slammed overdependence on the banking sector and the deterioration of the capital market, claiming that no contemporary economy can flourish without a healthy capital market. “Without capital market financing, we can’t achieve high growth.”
He emphasised BNP’s commitment to transforming the market into an emerging-market standard financial platform, facilitating billions of dollars in global investment. He proposed that government enterprises, such as Biman and BSC, should raise cash from the capital market rather than the public exchequer.
He referred to Bangladesh as an “over-regulated country”, claiming that unnecessary approvals and bureaucratic impediments hinder both domestic and foreign businesses. He stated that the BNP intends to eradicate harassment through a significant deregulation campaign that would include single-window clearance, digitised processing, and minimal physical touch.
Amir Khasru stated that essential regulatory agencies, including the NBR, ports, BTRC, Bangladesh Bank, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, demand professional leadership with worldwide experience and technological expertise.
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