President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on young Bangladeshis to pursue entrepreneurship and play a greater role in business, technology and emerging industries.
He made the remarks on Monday (October 5) when a 21-member delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by its President Taskeen Ahmed, met him at Bangabhaban.
The President encouraged the business community to accelerate the development of alternative energy systems. He also stressed the importance of bringing young entrepreneurs into new areas of economic activity, particularly the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
Mirza Fakhrul also called for lower bank lending rates to support the expansion of business and industry. Referring to low-interest lending during the tenure of former President Ziaur Rahman, he said such financing had contributed to industrialisation and the emergence of new entrepreneurs in areas including Rajshahi and northern Bangladesh.
The DCCI delegation invited the President to attend the upcoming Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026 as chief guest. He accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he would attend the event.
During the meeting, DCCI leaders said they were working to support Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034. They also expressed confidence that closer cooperation between the government and the private sector could help address business challenges over the next two years.
The delegation presented the President with their concerns, demands and prospects for the business sector.
Speaking on the broader economic environment, Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh had made sacrifices in its struggle for democracy but had failed to institutionalise democratic practices. He attributed past economic stagnation and problems in the banking sector to corruption, vested interests and the misuse of political power.
The President also urged business leaders to become more actively involved in social development and welfare initiatives.
