Govt prioritising democracy, economic revival: Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the government is prioritising the strengthening of democratic institutions, economic recovery and improving people's living standards as part of its vision to build a democratic, inclusive and exploitation-free Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, Fakhrul also declined to comment on speculation surrounding the possible resignation of the President, saying political conclusions should not be drawn from newspaper reports.

Addressing the conference, the minister said Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture, where the student-led mass movement, aspirations for restoring democracy and public expectations for political change have created fresh opportunities for national progress.

He said he was not a professional political analyst but a grassroots politician whose understanding of the country's realities had been shaped by decades of participation in democratic movements, including struggles against authoritarian rule.

Referring to the country's economic challenges, Fakhrul said Bangladesh, like many developing nations, had been affected by global conflicts and economic instability. He identified the Iran-US tensions and the Russia-Ukraine war as major external factors contributing to economic pressure.

He also said years of corruption, illicit financial outflows and economic mismanagement had further strained the economy.

Despite the challenges, the minister expressed optimism that Bangladesh would overcome the difficulties by harnessing the resilience of its people.

He said the government had undertaken various initiatives to revive the economy, attract investment, create employment, strengthen the banking sector and stimulate rural economic growth.

On democratic reforms, Fakhrul said the government had initiated dialogue with political parties to build consensus on constitutional reforms aimed at making democratic institutions more sustainable and effective.

Emphasising regional cooperation, he said Bangladesh should deepen engagement with international partners to accelerate economic development and expressed hope that unity, courage and hard work would help build a more prosperous, secure and dignified Bangladesh.

The Bengal Delta Conference 2026, held under the theme "Bangladesh and a Changing World: Uncharted Times, Imagining Orders, and the Politics of Care," brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, development experts, business leaders and civil society representatives to discuss Bangladesh's future, global transformations, economic development, regional cooperation and policy priorities.