BNP unveils 180-day economic action plan ahead of national election

BNP today (4 June) announced an ambitious economic action plan outlining the steps it intends to take during its first 180 days in office, if voted back to power in the next general election.

At a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a summary of the proposed economic action plan.

"A transparent, participatory and innovative economic strategy is needed to restore economic stability, earn public trust and lay a strong foundation for the future. The time has come to move beyond outdated conventions and make bold, visionary decisions to open up a horizon of hope, confidence and nation rebuilding," he said.

In many countries, the BNP leader said political parties outline what they plan to achieve in the first 100 days after coming to power.

As a party committed to empowering the people, he said the BNP wants to introduce such a realistic political culture in Bangladesh.

"Our goals and strategies for the first 180 days (six months) after forming a government through a public mandate will be set before the election. Based on this 180-day plan, an action-oriented roadmap will be formulated. We want to clearly outline the specific steps the BNP will take across various sectors," Khosru said.

At the press conference, the BNP outlined 11 priority sectors—education, healthcare, women's empowerment, recognition of martyrs, agriculture and rural development, industry, information and communication technology, expatriate welfare, urban management, environmental governance and law and order—to focus on during the 180-day period.

BNP arranged the press conference at its chairperson's Gulshan office to give the party's formal reaction to the proposed budget.

Job Creation

Khosru announced that creating employment is their party's top priority, pledging one crore new jobs if BNP is voted to power.

Citing past success in labour-intensive industries and overseas employment, he said BNP wants to boost domestic production by 8% and has identified 10 key sectors for job creation, including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, freelancing, services, green energy, health, education and SMEs.

Prioritising Education

Khosru said BNP plans to enhance the economic benefits and social status of primary school teachers, bringing them under specialised training programmes.

He also announced BNP's plans to form an expert committee comprising local and expatriate academics, professionals, and experts in this regard.

"To make education more practical, the BNP plans to introduce short-term trade courses—such as plumbing, electrical work, mechanics, dental hygiene, and medical technology—under government management. Effective steps will also be taken to promote apprenticeships, internships and industry-academia collaboration," the BNP leader said.

Besides, he said, seed funding or innovation grants will be offered at the district level to commercialise innovative business ideas through a competitive process in colleges and universities.

Improving Health Services

Khosru said their party will prioritise disease prevention through expanded vaccination programmes, health education and awareness campaigns.

He said BNP aims to promote healthy lifestyles, sanitation and nutrition awareness among the public, alongside launching specialised training schemes for doctors and health workers.

To ensure safe drinking water, modern purification systems will be installed and reservoirs for rainwater collection will be gradually constructed nationwide," the BNP leader said.

Introducing Family Card

Khosru said their party plans to issue 'Family Cards' to 50 lakh poor rural families, primarily in women's names, providing monthly financial or food aid.

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He said they will prioritise women's safety with strict punishments for offenders, establish dedicated support cells at union levels, and offer low-interest loans to women for small and medium enterprises to boost self-reliance.

Recognising Martyrs

Khosru said the BNP will prepare lists of martyrs from the July uprising and 16-year anti-fascist movement, naming government institutions after them in their respective areas.

"The families of martyrs will receive state recognition and financial support. Those injured, who lost eyes or were maimed in pro-democracy movements will also be acknowledged and provided with job assistance," he said.

Introducing Farmers' Card

Khosru said their party will also launch 'Farmers' Cards' containing land and crop data. "The state will take the initiative to purchase directly produced products from farmers at the union level on the basis of fair prices, and the work of building cold storages will begin nationwide."

He said the agricultural sector will be developed into an export-oriented one by creating opportunities for processing agricultural products and improving quality.

A local database will support targeted policies, while strict action will be taken against market syndicates to control prices. Large-scale canal excavation will also be undertaken across the country.

The BNP leader said an area-based database will be created, and targeted policy support will be provided by determining the data of farmers' land and the amount of crops produced.

"Strict and visible steps will be taken against extortion, middlemen and syndicates left behind by fascism to control commodity prices in the market. Canal digging activities will be started on a large scale across the country," he said.

Targeting $1 Trillion Economy

Khosru said their party wants to raise the FDI-to-GDP ratio from 0.45% to 2.5% as part of its roadmap to reach a $1 trillion GDP by 2034.

"BNP's aim is to set a GDP target of $1 trillion by 2034. The burden of additional taxes will be controlled to remove pressure from the people's shoulders," he said.

To boost industrial growth, Khosru said, the BNP plans to adopt investor-friendly policies to attract both domestic and foreign investment. "Priority will be given to projects that generate large-scale employment. A 'One-Stop Service' will be implemented to streamline processes such as company registration and banking support."

He said they also want to promote agriculture, fisheries, and other production-oriented sectors. "A list of closed state-run mills—such as jute, textile, and sugar mills—will be prepared, with visible efforts taken to reopen them."

To ensure safer urban travel, Khosru said BNP will introduce women-only buses with female drivers and assistants on selected Dhaka routes. "Traffic reforms will include AI-controlled traffic lights, strict law enforcement, public awareness, and lane-based vehicle planning—guided by both local and international experts."

He also promised a zero-tolerance policy against crimes like rape, mugging, and robbery, aiming to end the culture of impunity. "Police professionalism will be enhanced through training, motivation and improved monitoring."

Khosru said the party also plans to plant 25–30 crore trees over five years, promote eco-friendly practices, and increase open green spaces.

To boost private sector growth, he said BNP also plans regulatory reforms, SME/start-up financing, and promotion of innovation and infrastructure.

The BNP leader also said they will go for modernising fiscal and debt management systems, improving tax transparency and enacting budgetary reforms to ensure accountability and public participation.

BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Selima Rahman, Chairperson's Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah and Economic Affairs Secretary Khaled Jashim Mahbub Shyamal were also present at the press conference.