Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought deeper engagement with the international community through partnerships rooted in expanded trade and investment, technology transfer, cultural and educational exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties.
“We believe prosperity today is built through cooperation and connectivity, not isolation,” he said, as quoted by his Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, before an iftar hosted in honour of diplomats.
The prime minister hosted the iftar at the state guest house Jamuna this evening, marking his first formal Ramadan gathering since assuming office.
Ambassadors and representatives of foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, members of the cabinet and lawmakers attended the event.
In his speech, the prime minister said his government would pursue prudent deregulation, improve ease of doing business, and foster a competitive environment that attracts responsible investment.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be pragmatic and sustainable, guided by friendship to all based on mutual interests, trust, and sovereignty.
He said the government would focus on ensuring law and order, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and advancing human resource development through training, upskilling, and capacity enhancement at all levels of society.
Noting that Bangladesh stands at a crucial juncture of opportunity, the prime minister said, “Our aspiration is to build a diversified, technology-driven, and sustainable economy that creates jobs for our youth, empowers women, encourages entrepreneurship, and promotes shared prosperity.”
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He said the government has a plan to strengthen technical and vocational education, introduce third language in curriculum, and expand preventive healthcare services in rural areas, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach every corner of the nation.
“We recognise that public trust depends on transparency and integrity, and we will take firm measures to combat corruption at all levels of governance. Democracy, for us, is not confined to the ballot box; it is an ongoing commitment to inclusion, transparency, and dialogue,” he said.
“We are equally committed to safeguarding human rights, protecting freedom of expression, and fostering a culture of tolerance and pluralism,” he said.
He said the government has already taken initiatives to gradually introduce Family Card and Farmers’ Card to provide targeted social and economic support to women in every family, as well as agricultural communities.
Turning to environmental issue, he said, “As a climate-vulnerable nation, we remain committed to working constructively with our global partners to advance climate resilience and sustainable development”.
On the occasion, the prime minister introduced and sought support for Bangladesh’s candidate, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 2026-2027 term.
Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed and prime minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event.
