Concern over lag in agriculture and technology sectors; political consensus needed

Staff Reporter | PNN:

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin has expressed concern that state-owned enterprises have drifted away from their core production goals and are engaged in limited activities, which he finds embarrassing. Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited, which originally produced machinery parts, is now making hand sanitizers, while Bangladesh Diesel Plant Limited, despite having the capacity to manufacture vehicles, is only producing car filters.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the “Road to Made in Bangladesh and Agro Machinery Fair 2025” in Tejgaon Industrial Area on Saturday (September 21), he said that before independence, a variety of products were produced in the country, but now Bangladesh has fallen far behind. Motorcycles are still made domestically, but creating indigenous engines has not been possible. While countries worldwide use drones and robots in agriculture, Bangladesh still relies on power tillers and combine harvesters.

Sheikh Bashiruddin added that to increase industrial capacity, clear models and well-defined targets are essential. For a temporary period, sacrifices must be made to advance the country’s industrial development.

At the same event, former caretaker government advisor Hossain Zillur Rahman stated that although progress has been made in remittances and the garment industry, these sectors will not be the main drivers of the economy. He emphasized the need to position agriculture, SMEs, and technology-based sectors as the core drivers. He also stressed the importance of political consensus and clear direction for the development of the national economy.