A press conference was held today marking the completion of two months of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The conference took place on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at 4:00 PM at the “Karobi Hall” of the Honorable Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.

Present at the press conference were the Honorable Prime Minister’s Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary and spokesperson Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, and members of the Press Wing. Journalists from leading national media outlets were also present.

At this press conference organized by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, 60 notable initiatives undertaken during the first two months of the government were presented.

1. As per the Honorable Prime Minister’s electoral commitment to empower women, the pilot project to gradually deliver Family Cards to every household in the country has been completed. So far, 37,567 families have been provided with Family Cards. Each card provides a monthly cash assistance of BDT 2,500, which stands as an international role model for women’s economic, family, and social empowerment.   

2. Another electoral commitment of the Honorable Prime Minister was to introduce the “Krishok Card” for farmers, which includes 10 types of benefits and financial support. Initially, this program has been launched by providing “Krishok Cards” to more than 22,000 marginal, small, and medium farmers in 10 districts. Those involved in fisheries and livestock, as well as farmers, are also receiving these benefits.

3. Loans up to BDT 10,000, including interest, for approximately 1.2 million small and marginal farmers have been waived.

4. To fulfill constitutional obligations and maintain the continuity of the country’s legal framework, the government has set a unique example of parliamentary democracy by disposing of 133 ordinances within a very short time during the first session of the 13th National Parliament. Among these, 16 ordinances—including those related to the Human Rights Commission and the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance—will be further reviewed and reintroduced in Parliament in the form of bills. As the party that has been the most affected by enforced disappearances, killings, and human rights violations, BNP is committed to implementing these. The need for further consultation and scrutiny with relevant stakeholders has been mentioned in the bills. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability. The Honorable Prime Minister is determined to implement the July Charter, which BNP signed with a “note of dissent.” The government, from its highest level, remains fully committed to fulfilling every pledge made to the people, based on which the people voted for the “Sheaf of Paddy.”

5. An initiative has been taken to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country. Work has already begun in 54 districts.

6. Despite the global energy crisis, the government has kept fuel prices under maximum control without increasing them. While fuel prices have risen worldwide, Bangladesh has managed to keep prices comparatively lower than many countries through increased subsidies in the public interest, sourcing from alternative suppliers, prioritizing fuel procurement through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and giving special importance to international negotiations—these multifaceted measures have contributed to maintaining relatively lower fuel prices in the country.

7. Through the national rooftop solar program and net metering, a total of 35 megawatts of electricity has been added to the national grid. The government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy—particularly solar power—by 2030.

8. A pilot project for Fuel Cards has already been launched for fuel consumption.

9. Controlling commodity prices is one of the government’s priorities. Despite adverse global and domestic economic conditions, it has been possible to keep prices stable during the holy month of Ramadan and even now compared to previous years. At the same time, despite liquidity constraints, the import of food items and essential commodities has continued. As a result, no crisis has been created in the domestic market and inflation has been kept under control.

10. Imams and muazzins of 4,908 mosques, priests of 990 temples, heads of 144 Buddhist monasteries, and pastors and clergy of 396 churches are receiving monthly allowances. This program will be gradually implemented in all mosques and places of worship. A Special Assistant to the Honorable Prime Minister has been appointed for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and ethnic communities, which is an important step toward ensuring equal rights for all regardless of religion or ethnicity.

11. During Eid-ul-Fitr, relief and gifts were distributed nationwide among the poor and underprivileged. Based on institutional discussions with Islamic scholars and stakeholders, initiatives have been taken to modernize the zakat system to alleviate poverty.

12. An initiative has been taken to introduce a “Probashi Card” for expatriates soon.

13. Compared to previous years, the cost of Hajj travel has been reduced by BDT 12,000 per ticket this year. For the first time, “Nusuk Hajj Cards” have been distributed within the country.

14. There are currently 468,220 vacant positions across all ministries and government offices in the country. To fill these vacancies, short-term (6 months), mid-term (1 year), and long-term (5 years) action plans have been formulated.

15. Initiatives have been taken to gradually reopen closed state-owned factories and industrial establishments to increase employment, with priority given to sugar mills, silk, and jute industries.

16. Lists of underutilized economic zones, EPZs, BSCIC areas, high-tech parks, and industrial clusters have been prepared, and efforts have begun to create ecosystems there with potential businesses and local universities.

17. The government has already taken a series of special measures to make the country’s economic development stronger, more stable, and inclusive. The government’s main goal is to transform Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034. To achieve this goal, sector-wise short-, medium-, and long-term action plans are being developed.

18. An initiative has been taken to formulate a five-year strategic framework to steer the economy toward stability, restructuring, and investment-driven growth. Plans include increasing real GDP growth to 8 percent by 2030, reducing inflation, increasing foreign direct investment, and creating large-scale employment through the introduction of employment exchanges.

19. To facilitate foreign investment, a decision has been made to remove the requirement for prior approval from the central bank for investment repatriation up to BDT 10 billion.

20. For the first time in nearly 18 years, no worker had to suffer distress during Eid-ul-Fitr. Through coordinated discussions among workers, employers, the government, and stakeholders, and by providing necessary banking support, it has been ensured that all industrial workers received their wages, bonuses, and other benefits before Eid.

21. After a long period, Malaysia’s labor market is reopening. The unprecedented joint statement between the two countries highlights reduced migration costs, transparent processes, and the welfare of expatriates.

22. The government has taken initiatives to sign bilateral agreements with seven European countries to explore alternative labor markets. The countries are—Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, and Russia.

23. As part of increasing employment both at home and abroad, the government has taken initiatives to export a larger workforce overseas. Emphasis has been placed on exporting skilled and semi-skilled manpower to increase both the quantity and quality of migration. To achieve this, importance has been given to technical training centers nationwide and to curricula focused on multilingual skills and skill development in technical education.

24. An initiative has been taken to develop Northern Bangladesh as a hub for the agro-processing industry.

25. Initiatives have been taken to introduce PayPal and other payment gateway services in Bangladesh.

26. The government has announced the recruitment of 100,000 new healthcare workers to ensure primary healthcare services. In this recruitment, priority will be given to women’s empowerment, with 80 percent of the total workforce to be women.

27. A decision has been made to introduce the “E-Health Card” to ensure proper and quality healthcare services. Initiatives are being taken to deploy special security personnel in hospitals across the country.

28. A decision has been taken to abolish annual re-admission fees, meaning no new admission fees will be charged when students are promoted to the next class. It has also been decided to introduce modern admission tests or scientific methods instead of lotteries, and to increase facilities for teachers. Scholarship amounts at all levels have been doubled.

29. A decision has been taken to provide a maximum of BDT 1 million in collateral-free bank guarantees under state financial support for higher education abroad.

30. A decision has been taken to recruit 9,000 religious teachers and teachers at various levels to fill vacant positions in educational institutions.

31. Initiatives have been taken to open school playgrounds for children and adolescents; at the upazila level, recruitment of 18 sports teachers (3 for each of 6 sports) has begun. Arrangements are being made for open playgrounds at the metropolitan level. From the next academic year, sports will be made mandatory for students from class four.

32. The talent competition “Notun Kuri” for children and adolescents has been relaunched, with sports and Quran recitation being included for the first time. A total of 150 seats have been allocated for students in the gallery of the National Parliament, and joint initiatives have been taken with the private sector to encourage reading across the country.

33. Activities are underway to distribute free school uniforms, shoes, and jute-made bags among 200,000 students of government primary schools. Additionally, pilot implementation of the “One Teacher, One Tab” program has started in various schools. Initiatives have been taken to enrich the curriculum at primary and secondary levels by incorporating learning with happiness, technical education, sports, and culture.

34. Initiatives have been taken to modernize madrasa education through the establishment of smart classrooms, teacher training, and inclusion of technical courses.

35. Sports Card and Sports Allowance programs have been introduced, through which more than a hundred athletes are already receiving stipends.

36. With a target of planting 250 million trees and creating green employment over five years, 15 million saplings of various species have already been produced for afforestation. These saplings will be planted during the upcoming monsoon season this year. Additionally, modern netting systems and walking paths will be developed alongside canals within cities.

37. Instead of using the state residence Jamuna, the Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is using his own residence in Gulshan, his personal vehicle, and bearing fuel costs personally, which is a landmark step in reducing state expenditure.

38. The Honorable Prime Minister is working even on Saturdays, has made it mandatory for officials to be present by 9 AM, and by avoiding VVIP protocols and maintaining a very simple movement, has brought unprecedented changes in traffic management. During his state visits, airport formalities have been limited, where only one senior minister, the Chief Whip, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister are allowed to be present.

39. To prevent the interference of middlemen, online applications for land mutation and services have been made mandatory. An online land development tax system has been introduced to eliminate cash transactions. To prevent map or design forgery, the government is currently conducting pilot digital surveys. A 24/7 hotline has also been launched.

40. The “Padma Barrage Project” has been undertaken to protect the vast agricultural regions of the Padma basin from desertification and to ensure adequate water supply during the dry season.

41. A historic decision has been taken that MPs and ministers will not accept duty-free vehicles and government plots, resulting in reduced state expenditure.

42. Instructions have been issued to prioritize jute products in various government offices and private industrial sectors.

43. Weekly national cleanliness campaigns are ongoing to prevent dengue, coordinated by local administration and communities.

44. After a long hiatus, the measles vaccination program has been relaunched, with the goal of nationwide coverage as quickly as possible.

45. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies are taking swift action against extortion, with the highest priority given to maintaining law and order. Initiatives have been taken to build a people-friendly police force.

46. Initiatives have been taken to introduce environmentally friendly electric buses in Dhaka, along with specialized “Pink Bus” services for women’s safety.

47. A draft amendment to the National River Protection Commission Act has been finalized, under which river encroachment and pollution will be treated as criminal offenses; the proposed law includes strict penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of BDT 1.5 million, or both.

48. To prevent wastage of electricity and public funds, state-sponsored iftar programs were limited. To address global challenges, 11 directives have been issued for all government institutions to conserve electricity and energy. Citizens have been advised to reduce light usage and utilize natural sunlight during the day by opening curtains and windows. Government offices have also been instructed to operate only half of their fans and air conditioners.

49. For the first time, merit-based recruitment through examinations is being introduced via NTRCA for the appointment of school head teachers, college principals, and vice principals.

50. The government is advancing plans to establish a second unit to enhance the capacity of the country’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery PLC, and to strengthen energy security. Trial operations of the second unit will begin in 2029. An international tender will be invited next month.

51. Initiatives have been taken to rehabilitate footpath vendors and relocate them to alternative places for conducting business.

52. BNP has historically believed in freedom of speech. The government’s goal is to build a liberal and democratic society where no opinion, belief, or identity is devalued. Over the past two months, there has been no deviation in ensuring free and safe expression, independent media, and an environment of unhindered thought. Many have engaged in false propaganda and indecent behavior, even targeting the Honorable Prime Minister, which is unprecedented. In this period of maximum freedom of speech, everyone is expressing their views freely and safely, although a certain group is misusing it for narrow political interests. Nevertheless, full freedom of diverse opinions and voices remains intact.

53. Initiatives have been taken to quickly operationalize the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through multilateral discussions and strategic planning.

54. Instructions have been given to introduce free internet services at Hazrat Shahjalal, Shah Amanat, and MAG Osmani international airports in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, similar to developed countries, and it has already been inaugurated at Saidpur Airport.

55. Initiatives have been taken to provide free internet services for passengers on moving trains. To modernize technical and madrasa education institutions, free Wi-Fi will be introduced in 2,336 technical institutions and 8,232 madrasa institutions across the country within the next 180 days.

56. The government is prioritizing economic diplomacy, where the welfare of expatriates, and the role of embassies and missions in promoting trade, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for overseas employment are among the key priorities.

57. Through mutual respect and cooperation, relations with all countries of the world are being strengthened and normalized. Bilateral opportunities are being expanded in areas such as people-to-people relations, water sharing, stopping border killings, trade, investment, education, and culture.

58. To recover laundered money from abroad, efforts are underway to strengthen asset identification and mutual legal assistance with 10 countries initially.

59. Long-term plans have been announced to prevent river erosion in coastal areas and to address climate change.

60. Ensuring the protection of human rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the key commitments in BNP’s manifesto. As you know, BNP is the political party whose thousands of leaders and activists have been victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and permanent disability, and around 6 million leaders and activists have faced false cases. Therefore, any propaganda or misinformation against the party that has suffered the most human rights violations reflects political malice. The record established by the government over the past two months in protecting human rights has met the expectations of the people.