Written by The Banking Post
The government has placed the rural economy at the centre of its policy agenda, even as it reviews more than 1,800 development projects over concerns of weak implementation and alleged irregularities.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament that over 500 projects had failed to achieve even 10 per cent progress, while around 1,300 others are being reassessed due to suspected wastage and governance lapses.
“If we want to strengthen the rural economy and improve living standards, our first priority must be rural infrastructure,” he said, signalling a shift towards more practical and impact-driven development initiatives.
The minister said future projects would be “people-oriented” and directly linked to improving livelihoods in rural areas. Lawmakers were also encouraged to propose locally relevant projects, with assurance that viable ones would be taken up.
The review findings, based on official records, point to deep-rooted inefficiencies in project execution, prompting the government to tighten scrutiny before approving new investments.
Separately, the minister highlighted growing pressure on the labour market. Citing the latest labour force survey, he said around 1.36 million people enter the workforce each year, underscoring the urgency of creating jobs alongside strengthening rural infrastructure.
The government sees revitalising the rural economy as key to absorbing this expanding workforce and sustaining broader economic growth.
