Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. File Photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 17, 2026 (BSS)-Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today informed the parliament that the government would incorporate several foreign donor-supported employment generation initiatives into its upcoming five-year economic strategy framework.

Responding to a scripted tabled question from NCP lawmaker Akhter Hossen (Rangpur-4) in the House, the minister said the government has initiated a plan for formulation of a new economic strategy paper titled “Strategic Reform and Development Framework (July 2026–June 2031)” to implement the commitments outlined in the government’s 2026 election manifesto.

“The economic strategy paper, which will be published shortly, will include several specific plans for employment generation with the support of foreign donor agencies and development partners,” he told the House.

The minister said one of the major initiatives would be the implementation of a Growth Cluster Network aimed at promoting balanced regional development.

“Growth clusters are strategic economic hubs where industrial zones will be geographically and functionally integrated into a coordinated economic ecosystem,” he said.

According to the minister, under the Integrated Growth Network Development (IGND) framework, proposed financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be used to establish nine integrated growth clusters across different regions of the country.

These clusters will be connected through a multimodal transport corridor extending from the northwestern region through Dhaka to the southeastern coastal areas. The initiative will also include the Sylhet Economic Zone and a tourism zone, he added.

The minister said the programme is expected to accelerate regional competitiveness and economic growth while creating substantial employment opportunities nationwide.

On labour market reforms, Khosru said the government plans to work closely with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Initiatives will be undertaken to strengthen trade union rights and enhance the capacity of workers’ organizations through ILO support, which will improve the quality of employment in the ready-made garment sector and other industries, he said.

The minister also said that through the Economic Relations Division (ERD), development partners’ financing would be aligned with the government’s Structural Transformation Strategy (STS) priorities.

Regarding support for small businesses, he said the government plans to mobilize funds from development partners and strengthen refinancing programmes for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

Separate financing policies will be introduced for cottage and small industry entrepreneurs, while special credit facilities will be provided for women and marginal entrepreneurs, he said.

The minister expressed hope that the combined initiatives would contribute significantly to employment generation, inclusive economic growth and regional development across Bangladesh.