Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin on Tuesday said the government is giving the highest priority to ensuring reliable gas and electricity supplies for industries, describing energy security as vital to sustaining industrial growth and achieving Bangladesh's export ambitions.
Speaking as the chief guest at the BAYLA Future Summit 2026, organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA) at a Dhaka hotel, he acknowledged that many industrial units continue to face gas and electricity shortages.
"We are working on this issue and are committed to resolving these problems within a realistic timeframe," he said.
Highlighting Bangladesh's key strengths in attracting investment—a large youth population, a vast domestic market and an elected democratic government capable of ensuring policy continuity—Mahdi stressed the need to strengthen energy security, improve port efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business.
He said the government is implementing structural reforms to establish new industrial parks, simplify bonded warehouse facilities, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and promote transparency, accountability and good governance.
Mahdi, who also serves as the Prime Minister's Office spokesperson, said efforts are also underway to accelerate incentive disbursement, encourage technology adoption, expand public-private partnerships (PPP), attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and introduce supportive policies for genuine entrepreneurs, alongside greater investment in education, healthcare and human resource development.
At the summit, Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr M Masrur Reaz unveiled a six-point roadmap to raise Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports to US$100 billion.
While describing the RMG sector as one of Bangladesh's greatest economic success stories, he warned that excessive dependence on a limited range of products and export markets poses long-term risks.
His proposed strategy includes improving trade facilitation through customs, infrastructure and regulatory reforms; expanding port capacity, multimodal transport and supply chains; promoting high-value apparel and man-made fibre (MMF) products while diversifying export markets; adopting a national strategy for sustainability and the circular economy; strengthening PPPs for technology adoption and skills development; and making long-term investments in education, technical training and human resource development.
Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar noted that only 1 percent of corporate financing in Bangladesh currently comes from the capital market and urged apparel and textile entrepreneurs to use the capital market alongside bank financing for long-term investment.
The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders and next-generation business executives to discuss the future of Bangladesh's garment industry, competitiveness, technology, investment, capital markets, skilled human resources and sustainable growth.
Bangladesh Employers' Federation President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and PwC Bangladesh Country Managing Partner Shams Zaman also addressed the event.
BAYLA also launched the inaugural "BAYLA Future Leaders" competition, a business problem-solving contest involving more than 100 teams from universities across the country.
Teams from North South University, BRAC University, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka advanced to the final round.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj attended the award ceremony as the chief guest.
