Recovering the weak economy and restoring discipline in the banking sector are now major challenges: Commerce Minister

He said this while speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting, award distribution and cultural programme organized by the district administration at the auditorium of Sylhet Shilpakala Academy at noon on Saturday (November 7) on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

The Commerce Minister said the quality of public service must be increased at every level of the state; the government must be turned into such a people-friendly institution where people receive real services.

In reply to a question whether the recent unrest in the garment industry will affect investment, he said no kind of unrest is desirable, because one unrest can create another. However, investment is a long-term matter; it is not that investment will move two steps backward or forward due to a few days of unrest. He also said both India and Bangladesh must take initiatives to increase trade at land ports.

Earlier in the morning, at another event, speaking about the movement of garment workers, he said instability and unrest are major obstacles to economic development; for economic development, along with political and social stability, a normal law-and-order situation is one of the main preconditions.

Regarding recent workers' discontent, he said there was no logical reason behind the workers' discontent. The government immediately after the incident formed a wage board and announced implementation of the new wage from December. He also said the concerned authorities will look into whether there was any other matter behind the discontent beyond normal reasons.