First Six Months of BNP Government: Achievements and Progress

17 February 2026 marks an important chapter in Bangladesh’s political history. On that day, Tarique Rahman took the oath as prime minister and assumed responsibility for running the state. The new government took office amid a difficult reality shaped by political instability, economic pressure, administrative weaknesses and a crisis of public confidence following what the author describes as 16 years of “fascist rule.” From the outset, therefore, the government faced major challenges: restoring public confidence in the state and government, stabilising the economy, controlling prices, establishing discipline in the administration and providing relief in people’s everyday lives.

On 16 August, the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will complete its first six months. Six months is not a long period for a government. Yet, even within this relatively short period, the government has undertaken initiatives across various sectors that, in the author’s view, demonstrate a clear commitment to building a people-oriented, accountable and welfare-based state.

Visible government activity has been seen in almost every major sector, including administration, the economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, social security, employment, the environment, energy, investment, expatriate welfare and foreign relations.

Efforts to Restore Public Confidence

One of the government's main priorities during its first six months has been to restore people's confidence in the state and government. After assuming office, the prime minister made it clear that the government belongs not only to those who voted for it but also to those who did not. In other words, the government has pledged to work as a government for all citizens, rising above partisan identities.

Emphasis has been placed on ensuring the rights and security of all citizens irrespective of religion, ethnicity, profession or political affiliation.

The government's action plan is not limited to one or two sectors; rather, it encompasses almost every important aspect of people's lives and state administration.

A New Culture of Administrative Discipline and Austerity

One of the notable aspects of the government's first six months has been its efforts to establish discipline in the administration and promote austerity in public spending. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has regularly arrived at the Secretariat ahead of schedule and stressed the importance of government officials reporting to work by 9am. Initiatives have also been taken to conduct government activities on Saturdays when necessary.

At the same time, the prime minister has set an example of reducing state expenditure by staying at his own residence rather than a government building, using his personal vehicle and paying for fuel from his own resources. Limiting VVIP protocol and ceremonial expenses, keeping the number of members accompanying him on foreign trips within necessary limits, and the decision by cabinet members not to take duty-free vehicles and government plots also convey a message of responsible use of state resources and accountability.

The prime minister's personal example has created an environment for developing a new work culture based on punctuality, responsibility and austerity in the administration.

Controlling Prices and Stabilising the Economy

The rising cost of essential commodities remains one of the biggest concerns for ordinary people. The government has therefore made controlling prices one of its highest priorities. Initiatives have included monitoring market conditions, taking action against syndicates, ensuring continued imports of essential commodities and expanding the activities of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). According to the author, these measures have helped keep commodity prices within people's purchasing capacity. 

The government has also sought to create several positive trends in the economy. Despite facing various economic pressures when it assumed office, it has prioritised reducing inflation, strengthening foreign-exchange reserves and increasing investment.

According to government figures cited by the author, inflation has fallen to 8.71%, while foreign-exchange reserves have risen to $36.58 billion.

There has also been significant progress in remittance inflows. During the first eight days of August, Bangladesh received $915 million in remittances, compared with $640 million during the same period a year earlier–an increase of 42.9%. From 1 July to 8 August of the current fiscal year, remittances amounted to $3.773 billion, 21% higher than during the corresponding period of the previous year. These trends, the author argues, indicate growing confidence in the economy and an increase in the supply of foreign currency.

Recovering Laundered Money and Combating Corruption

The government has taken initiatives at the international level to recover money and assets allegedly siphoned abroad. Twelve countries have been prioritised, and eight international law and professional firms are being engaged to trace overseas assets linked to 42 companies with more than Tk2 billion in defaulted loans. The initiative is being conducted under a “no win, no fee” arrangement.

At the same time, efforts have been strengthened to freeze illicit assets and bank accounts and recover money allegedly transferred abroad. Through these measures, the government seeks to send a clear message: those who misappropriate state resources or illegally transfer money abroad will be held accountable.

New Prospects for Investment and Employment

The government has placed particular emphasis on investment and employment as drivers of economic growth. The decision to remove the requirement for prior approval from the central bank when foreign investors repatriate up to Tk1 billion in capital is being viewed as an effort to simplify the investment environment.

Plans have also been adopted to reopen closed government-owned factories and institutions and make effective use of underutilised economic zones, BSCIC industrial areas, hi-tech parks and industrial clusters.

The government has set a target of transforming Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and creating 10 million new jobs by 2030.

Family Cards for Citizens and Farmer Cards for Farmers

One of the government's major people-oriented initiatives is the Family Card. More than 37,000 low-income families are already receiving Tk2,500 per month in cash assistance. The government aims to gradually provide Family Cards to female heads of around 40 million families over the next five years. The initiative is expected to strengthen both social security and women's economic empowerment.

The proposed Farmer Card is another significant initiative. Alongside plans to provide direct subsidies for fertiliser, seeds and agricultural machinery, the government has initiated measures to waive up to Tk10,000 in agricultural loans, including interest, for around 1.2 million small and marginal farmers.

The decision was taken just 10 days after the formation of the new government, with the total value of the agricultural loans to be waived estimated at around Tk15.5 billion.

Government Support for July Martyrs and July Fighters

The government has taken significant initiatives to fulfil the state's responsibilities toward those killed or injured during the July mass uprising. Families of those killed are being provided with Tk30 lakh in savings certificates and a monthly allowance of Tk20,000. One-time grants and monthly allowances have also been arranged for injured July fighters.

Around Tk3.63 billion has been spent to send 154 critically injured people abroad for advanced treatment, while rehabilitation training for approximately 3,000 July fighters is ongoing.

Most importantly, the government has initiated efforts to bring the welfare of July martyr families and July fighters under an institutional framework through laws and regulations. This, according to the author, will establish a foundation for long-term rehabilitation and social security in addition to immediate assistance.

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People-Oriented Initiatives in Education and Healthcare

In education, initiatives have been taken to abolish re-admission fees, double scholarship payments, and increase teacher recruitment and benefits. A decision has also been taken to provide collateral-free bank guarantees of up to Tk1 million for students pursuing higher education abroad.

The government has also proposed making sports compulsory from Grade Four, recruiting sports teachers at the upazila level, and providing free school uniforms, shoes and jute bags to primary school students.

An initiative to pay retirement and welfare benefits to 119,000 teachers and employees who have been deprived of their long-overdue entitlements also reflects the government's social responsibility. Although around Tk97.57 billion is required for this purpose, Tk30 billion has been allocated as a special provision for the Education Ministry in the 2026–27 budget.

In healthcare, plans have been announced to recruit 100,000 new health workers, introduce e-health cards, establish primary healthcare units in every union and provide health check-ups at people's homes. Measles vaccination programmes have also been relaunched.

Initiatives for Workers, Athletes and Young People

The government has pledged to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, equal pay for men and women, and expanded employment opportunities for workers. An initiative has also been taken to introduce a Probashi Card for the welfare of migrant workers.

For national athletes, the government has announced a new salary structure and a Sports Card, along with plans to establish sports villages in every district, playing fields in every union and talent-search programmes at the grassroots level.

The decision to reward 129 athletes who have achieved international success with Tk24.4 million and provide a monthly sports allowance of Tk100,000 reflects, according to the author, the government's new approach to sports development.

Technology, Environment and Energy Security

To make public services easier, initiatives have been taken to introduce online applications for land services, online payment of land taxes and a broker-free mutation system.

The government has also moved to introduce artificial intelligence technology and AI-enabled cameras for traffic management in Dhaka.

For environmental protection, a programme has been launched to excavate and re-excavate around 20,000 kilometres of rivers, canals and water bodies across 54 districts. A major initiative has also been announced to plant 250 million trees over the next five years.

In renewable energy, the government has set a target of generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable sources, including solar power, by 2030.

Economic Diplomacy Based on National Interests

During the first six months, economic interests have received particular attention in foreign relations. Important discussions on investment, trade and labour markets were held during visits to Malaysia and China.

Malaysia's labour market has reopened to Bangladeshi workers. Seventeen agreements and memorandums of understanding have been signed with China, while Chinese companies have proposed initial investments worth $9.21 billion in Bangladesh.

The central message of the government's foreign policy, according to the author, is to avoid dependence on any single power and build friendly and cooperative relations with all countries while placing Bangladesh's national interests above all else.

Hajj Management and Expatriate Welfare

Initiatives have been taken to make Hajj travel more affordable, accessible and modern by reducing airfares and package costs, providing improved accommodation near the Grand Mosque and ensuring better management.

For the upcoming Hajj season, airfare has been reduced by Tk24,830 to Tk130,000. Initiatives have also been taken to introduce a Probashi Card for expatriates and a Nusuk Hajj Card for pilgrims.

A Commitment to Building a New Bangladesh

The achievements of the first six months can, in a word, be described as an attempt to lay the foundation for a people-oriented state. Administrative discipline, efforts toward economic stability, expanded social security, agricultural debt relief, payment of long-overdue benefits to teachers, expanded healthcare, increased investment, environmental conservation, renewable energy, expatriate welfare and national-interest-based diplomacy together demonstrate the government's priorities.

Of course, six months is not enough time to make a final assessment of any government. Greater challenges lie ahead. Achieving major targets–such as providing Family Cards to 40 million families, implementing the Farmer Card, recruiting 100,000 health workers, planting 250 million trees, re-excavating rivers and canals, creating new jobs, increasing investment and further reducing inflation–will require continuity, efficiency and firm leadership.

Bangladesh stands before a vast window of opportunity. With its young population, large domestic market, contribution from expatriates, agricultural and industrial potential, and strategic geographical location, the country can be transformed into a stronger economy. The responsibility now before the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is to turn that potential into reality.

The first six months, therefore, are not merely a measure of time. They represent the first chapter of a new journey–one that combines administrative discipline, efforts toward economic stability, expanded social protection and a range of public-welfare initiatives.

People now want to see not just promises but tangible results. When a poor family finds relief through a Family Card, a debt-free farmer begins cultivation with renewed confidence, a retired teacher receives long-overdue benefits, a patient receives necessary healthcare nearby, or a young person finds an employment opportunity–that is when development becomes truly visible in people's lives.

The guiding spirit of this journey could be “Bangladesh First,” because the interests of the country and its people must remain at the centre of every government initiative, effort and decision. And the commitment to move forward with that principle should be “We will work, we will build the nation–Bangladesh First.”

May Bangladesh, with its people at the centre, emerge as a strong, prosperous, humane, self-respecting and welfare-oriented nation. On the completion of the first six months of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government, that should be our hope and commitment.

The writer is Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister