Main goal of economy should be surplus from spending: Commerce adviser

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has said the main goal of the country’s economy should be to generate surplus from spending.

“We are a $400 billion economy. Yet why can’t we achieve surplus? If we overspend without considering the adequacy of resources, there will be no surplus. We must create surplus through spending within our own capacity. If we can achieve this, we will build a stronger economy for the future. Everyone must work with sincerity,” he said.

He made the remarks on Sunday, September 21, while addressing the closing ceremony of “Road to Made in Bangladesh and Agro Machinery Fair 2025” at Edison Prime Tower in Tejgaon Industrial Area of the capital.

The adviser stressed that progress must come from the country’s own capacity. “Policy support alone cannot take us far. Except for the garments sector, no other sector in Bangladesh has managed to become self-reliant with policy support,” he said.

He also warned against the decline of industries, noting: “Before independence, our industries had distinct characteristics. Back then, many foreign industries were established here. After independence, we failed to utilise that opportunity.”

The event was also addressed by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre and former adviser to the interim government, as well as Agriculture Secretary Md. Emdad Ullah, former FBCCI President AK Azad, BCI President Anwarul Alam Chowdhury, and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Taskin Ahmed.

The two-day exhibition brought together local and foreign entrepreneurs, policymakers, and experts. It was organised by the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), with support from the Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers & Manufacturers Association and the Agriculture Machinery Manufacturers Association.

Later, adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin visited different stalls of the Agro Machinery Fair and exchanged views with entrepreneurs.