Commerce and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said the government has no plans to establish new state-owned mills or factories, reaffirming that Bangladesh’s industrial growth will be led by the private sector while the government acts as a policy facilitator.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Sustainable Transition to Employment: Preparedness and Pathways for Textile Students” at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre in Dhaka on 23 May, the minister stated that business activities should remain in the hands of private entrepreneurs, with the government focusing on policy support and creating an enabling environment for industries.
He stressed that modernization of the textile sector is essential to ensure sustainable employment opportunities for graduates and future professionals. According to the minister, if the textile industry faces prolonged challenges, employment generation for students and young professionals will also become uncertain.
Muktadir called for urgent curriculum reforms in textile institutes and engineering universities to align education with rapidly evolving industrial technologies. He proposed stronger collaboration between the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association and private textile mills with educational institutions to address faculty shortages, accelerate technology adoption, and provide students with practical industry exposure.
The minister also identified several major challenges facing the textile and manufacturing sectors, including energy supply uncertainty, high production costs, elevated financing costs, and technological limitations. He noted that the government is working to improve sector competitiveness through increased use of man-made fibres, product diversification, and value chain development.
The event was inaugurated by Abdun Naser Khan, while the keynote paper was presented by Dr Abbasuddin Shayak. Industry leaders, ministry officials, entrepreneurs, and textile students attended the seminar.
