Desk Report:
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Textiles & Jute, stated that given the reality of Bangladesh’s large population and limited land, the development of labor-intensive manufacturing industries is one of the most effective pathways for the country’s economic progress. He emphasized that the government will prioritize industrial sectors capable of generating significant employment with relatively low capital investment.
He made these remarks on Monday (September 28, 2026) while serving as the chief guest at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) auditorium in Dhaka. The event involved the distribution of certificates and appointment letters to trainees under the project titled “Creating Self-Employment and Poverty Alleviation through Technical Training (Phase-2),” implemented by the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC).
The Minister noted, “Industries based on leather, footwear, and non-leather or synthetic leather have the potential to generate large-scale employment. Consequently, these sectors will be among the government’s top priorities in the coming days.”
The Industries Minister added that as the scope of the country’s manufacturing sector expands, the demand for a skilled and trained workforce will also rise. BITAC is playing a pivotal role in this regard by providing training funded entirely by the government. He remarked, “A major success of BITAC’s training program is the creation of employment opportunities upon completion. The fact that trainees acquire skills and secure direct employment in industrial establishments represents the greatest achievement of such programs.”
He further stated, “The scale of this project will be expanded in the future, and BITAC will be developed into a more modern and capable institution. To meet the future demands of the industry, modern technologies—including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics—will be incorporated into BITAC’s training curriculum.” The Industries Minister further stated that to keep pace with the global industrial landscape, it is essential to develop a workforce skilled in modern technology across all sectors and professions in the country. To this end, the government is working on developing training curricula aligned with modern training institutions—both domestic and international—and creating new opportunities for trainees.
Addressing the trainees, he said, “This three-month training marks merely a significant beginning to your professional lives. Through this training, you have gained an orientation towards a disciplined life; however, the responsibility for continued learning lies with you. You must also take the initiative to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your professional careers.” He added, “Each of you has risen from challenging circumstances. You have completed this three-month training, earned your certificates, and secured employment opportunities.” “Now, the responsibility of paving the way forward lies with you.”
The Industries Minister wished the trainees success and prosperity in their future endeavors. He stated that, with the aim of creating skilled human resources, the government is implementing comprehensive action plans under various initiatives—including the National Skills Development program—beyond just the efforts of BITAC.
Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and a special guest at the event, remarked that one’s responsibility does not end simply with completing a training course. Alongside training, there must be a mindset geared towards continuous learning and keeping oneself constantly updated. He noted that technological and industrial demands are ever-changing, and one must acquire new skills to keep pace with these shifts. He added,
“Technical skills are by no means less prestigious than higher education. Individuals with technical expertise play a vital role in the development of modern global industries and economies. Therefore, you must be confident in your own skills and knowledge.”
Presided over by Md. Saiful Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), the event was also addressed by Md. Salim Ullah, Director General of BIM; Md. Nuruzzaman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; Tarek Aziz, Deputy General Manager of RFL; and H.M. Al Mamun, General Manager of Matador Group.
Subsequently, the Minister distributed certificates and appointment letters to the trainees. Notably, under the project titled “Creation of Self-Employment and Poverty Alleviation (Phase-2),” appointment letters were awarded to 642 out of 722 trainees across various categories, securing them jobs at renowned industrial establishments in the country.
