The government plans to create and fill 100,000 new positions in the health sector, with women to receive priority for 80,000 of the posts, Mahdi Amin, adviser to the prime minister and spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said Wednesday.
He made the announcement during the second session of a national conference on implementing the Five-Year Strategic Framework for Achieving the SDGs at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
Mahdi also announced plans to gradually introduce employment exchanges across the country to directly connect local employers with job seekers, with disadvantaged and marginalized communities receiving priority.
The employment exchanges will initially be introduced at the divisional level before being expanded to every district, he said.
The initiative will operate through online and offline platforms and provide skills development, capacity building and referral services. The private sector will also be involved in strengthening institutional skills and qualifications, he added.
Mahdi Amin said the government was working to ensure that no citizen was left behind in the country’s development efforts.
“The government is prioritizing the integration of disadvantaged communities into the mainstream economy and social protection system,” he said.
He said efforts were also underway to reduce inequality by increasing domestic and foreign investment, creating jobs, and reforming the education and health sectors.
Family, farmer cards
Mahdi Amin said implementation of the government’s Family Card program began immediately after the election.
The program aims to promote women’s self-reliance and empowerment within families, he said.
A Krishak Card (Farmer Card) will also be introduced for marginalized farmers, providing them with technology-based services and direct access to weather forecasts.
The government is also considering waiving up to Tk10,000 in outstanding loans and interest for farmers, he said.
Government development programs would continue to prioritize young people and women, he added.
Education and energy reforms
Mahdi Amin said the education system would place greater emphasis on practical skills and social values alongside academic qualifications.
The government plans to gradually introduce midday meals and standardized uniforms in primary and secondary schools.
Measures would also be taken to reduce the digital divide by extending the benefits of multimedia classrooms in urban schools to rural institutions.
He stressed the importance of teacher training and enhancing the dignity and status of teachers.
On the energy sector, Mahdi Amin said it was facing major challenges due to long-standing administrative and infrastructural problems.
A temporary gas supply crisis had emerged after a floating LNG terminal became technically inoperable, but measures were being taken to resolve the issue, he said.
The government is also working to attract foreign investment in the energy sector while taking initiatives to extract domestic natural resources, he added.
Efforts are underway to find a sustainable medium-term solution, he said.
The government had also sought to provide relief to ordinary people by reducing taxes and VAT on several essential commodities and keeping fuel prices under control.
Mahdi Amin also emphasized ensuring workers receive their salaries, bonuses and other financial benefits.
Five-year framework and SDGs
The conference discussed strategies for inclusive development, reforms and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals during July 2026–June 2031.
Speakers said ensuring marginalized people’s access to government services, strengthening administrative accountability and reducing inequality would be crucial to sustainable development.
Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Bangladesh currently ranks 110th in SDG implementation.
With less than five years remaining to achieve the goals, he stressed the need for accelerated progress.
He said the government was working to build a Bangladesh for everyone.
Mahdi Amin said initiatives such as tree plantation, canal excavation and water-resource management would be undertaken to reduce disparities in facilities and opportunities between urban and rural areas.
The government’s goal is to ensure equal rights and participation in development for all citizens, regardless of political opinion, religion, race, physical ability or geographical location, he said.
The three-day conference was organized by the General Economics Division of the Bangladesh Planning Commission and the Governance Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office, with the participation of the Citizen’s Platform.
CPD Distinguished Fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya, BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman, Member of Parliament Madhabi Marmas, and representatives and stakeholders from various levels attended the conference.
