BNP aims to transform Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy: Khasru
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said that BNP’s economic vision prioritizes rapid job creation, economic democratization and structural reforms aimed at transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy if voted to power. He also reiterated BNP’s pledge to create one crore new jobs within 18 months if voted to power, describing it as a “worked-out, realistic and ambitious national target essential for Bangladesh’s future.” Speaking at a session on the country’s economic outlook of the “Fourth Bangladesh Economic Conference 2025: Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment” held at a hotel in the capital.
Amir Khasru outlined a comprehensive strategy focusing on inclusive growth, deregulation, capital market revitalization, grassroots industrialization and technology-driven transformation. Daily Bonik Barta organized the event. To support the targeted one crore jobs creation, Khasru said BNP plans skill development centres in every district, preparing youth for domestic industries and higher-value overseas employment. “Bangladesh’s young generation has extraordinary potential. By enhancing skills, their income abroad can rise by three to four times,” he noted.
He said Bangladesh must rethink its development model to ensure that economic benefits reach the general population. Reaffirming BNP’s commitment, he said, “We have pledged one crore jobs and a trillion-dollar economy. These are not political statements. We have calculated the sectors, investments and required reforms.” He said Bangladesh must transition from debt-driven expansion to investment-led growth, mobilizing domestic and international capital while empowering citizens as economic participants. “Ambition is necessary for a nation’s future.
We are confident because BNP governments have always delivered employment-oriented growth,” he said.
Amir Khasru also noted the next phase of Bangladesh’s development must be inclusive, technology-enabled and investment-focused, ensuring that “every group—from rural craftsmen to digital youth, from athletes to cultural workers—can participate in and benefit from the national economy.”
Emphasizing the theme of “democratization of the economy,” Amir Khasru said that political democracy alone cannot deliver sustainable progress unless accompanied by economic inclusion.
He stated that past economic gains did not sufficiently reach ordinary citizens, as participation was limited by political alignment and structural barriers.
“We must shift to an economic model where every citizen has access, opportunity and participation in economic activity,” he added. Drawing an example from rural cottage and artisanal industries—such as traditional blacksmiths, potters and craftsmen, he said these sectors hold enormous unutilized potential. Khasru emphasized the need for targeted investments to improve product quality, skills, raw-material access, branding, and global online market linkage through platforms like Amazon and eBay. He said Thailand’s successful “One Village One Product” model could be replicated in Bangladesh with government support.
“These rural producers can become exporters from their homes if given the right tools,” he said. “This will expand employment, raise incomes, create domestic demand and boost foreign exchange earnings—this is GDP,” To ensure broad-based participation, he emphasized two critical infrastructure priorities -- uninterrupted power and energy supply and nationwide robust internet connectivity. Khasru said these are essential for expanding Bangladesh’s digital economy through call centres, data centres and real-time online enterprises.
“If we ensure power and broadband across to every union, every young person can access digital opportunities,” he said. The BNP leader also identified four guiding principles for future public investment: Value for money, Return on investment, Employment generation, and Environmental and ecological protection.
He stressed that Bangladesh cannot afford investment projects without measurable benefits, adding that sustainable development requires balancing economic expansion with ecological preservation.
Amir Khasru highlighted sports and culture as major sectors of future economic contribution, citing examples from Brazil and Australia. BNP plans to establish sports centres at every upazila to nurture talents in football, cricket, swimming, shooting and archery, he added. “Sports is a big industry globally. Stadiums, events and talent development all contribute to GDP,” he said. Similarly, he said cultural industries—music, theatre and entertainment—hold immense potential for monetization and job creation.
He strongly criticized overdependence on the banking sector and the decline of the capital market, saying that no modern economy grows without a strong capital market. “Without capital market financing, we can’t achieve high growth,” He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to developing the market into an emerging-market standard financial platform, enabling billions of dollars of global investment. Government enterprises such as Biman and BSC, he argued, should raise funds from the capital market instead of relying on the national exchequer.
Terming Bangladesh an “over-regulated country,” he said excessive permissions and bureaucratic hurdles discourage both domestic and foreign investors. He said the BNP plans a major deregulation drive with single-window clearance, digitized workflow and reduced physical contact to eliminate harassment. Amir Khasru said key regulatory agencies -- NBR, ports, BTRC, Bangladesh Bank, and the Securities and Exchange Commission -- require professional leadership with global exposure and technical competence.
