Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said peace and stability are essential for attracting domestic and foreign investment, establishing industries and creating employment, urging people to remain alert to attempts to create disorder and spread confusion.

“We have to stay conscious and alert. We have to be careful about those who want to destroy peace and stability,” he said while addressing a programme to rehabilitate recent flood victims at the West Banshkhali High School and College ground in Baharchhara union of Banshkhali upazila.

The Prime Minister said investors would not be encouraged to establish mills and factories unless there is peace and order in the country.

Explaining the importance of a stable environment for businesses, Tarique said that just as shopkeepers close their businesses when disorder breaks out in a local market, investors become reluctant to invest if they fear that factories may not operate smoothly, goods may not reach ports or raw materials may not arrive on time.

“If factories cannot operate properly, is it possible to create employment? No,” he said, urging people to remain vigilant against attempts to disrupt peace and spread confusion.

He said Bangladesh has already lost too much time and can no longer afford to remain behind other countries.

“More than 50 years have passed since our independence. Now is the time to work for the people and build the country,” he said.

Govt to place 10-year energy plan

The Prime Minister said the government will place a 10-year plan for the country’s power and energy sectors before Parliament.

The plan will aim to ensure reliable electricity and gas supplies for schools, colleges, hospitals, industries, homes and transport, he said.

Referring to recent efforts to spread what he described as misleading information about the energy sector, Tarique said anyone with an alternative plan should present it to the people instead of creating confusion and unrest.

“Do not create disorder in the country by spreading misleading information. Do not disturb the peace of the people,” he said.

Tarique also highlighted government plans to expand employment and social protection, saying the pilot phase of the Family Card programme has been completed and official distribution would begin on August 16.

He also mentioned the planned Farmers’ Card and said salt farmers would be brought under government support programmes.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh’s vast maritime area is a major national resource that needs to be properly utilised to improve livelihoods and create employment.

He said he visited Matarbari earlier in the day to examine how the country’s maritime resources can be utilised and how industries and factories could be developed along the coastal areas from Chattogram to Mirsharai to expand employment and business opportunities.

The government wants to develop industries and factories from Matarbari to the wider Chattogram region, creating jobs and expanding trade, he said.

Referring to discussions with Chinese investors, Tarique said several hundred mills and factories will be established in the Chattogram region, creating employment opportunities for local people and helping the country earn foreign currency.

He said higher foreign exchange earnings will strengthen the economy and support improvements in education and healthcare.