Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Saturday said the government has no plans to establish or operate any new state-owned mills or factories, reaffirming that the private sector will drive industrial growth while the government plays a facilitative role.
"The government will not do business. Business will be done by the private sector, and the government will provide support," Muktadir said at a seminar titled "Sustainable Transition to Employment: Preparedness and Pathways for Textile Students," held at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre in Farmgate.
The minister, who also oversees the textiles and jute portfolio, said the government's role would be limited to policy support and creating an enabling environment for industry.
Stressing the need to modernise the textile sector before its workforce challenges could be addressed, Muktadir said, "If the industry is in crisis, employment for students will not be sustainable either."
He called for a timely revision of curricula at textile institutes and engineering colleges to keep pace with technological advancement, proposing that the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and capable private mills be formally linked with educational institutions.
The initiative, he said, would ease faculty shortages, accelerate technological upgradation and give students direct exposure to real industry settings.
The minister also identified energy supply uncertainty, high production costs, elevated cost of funds, and technological constraints as the sector's key challenges, adding that the government is working to address them.
He said the textile sector would be made more competitive through the promotion of man-made fibres, new product development, and value chain upgradation.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Abdun Naser Khan inaugurated the event. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Abbasuddin Shayak, Associate Professor at Bangladesh University of Textiles.
Senior officials from textile and jute ministry departments, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and former and current textile students attended the event.
