Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at his ministry . Photo: PID

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today made  a clarion call for increased work speed and heightened efficiency among ministry officials to attain national economic targets. 

Presiding over a views exchange meeting with senior officials and department heads at the Ministry’s Conference Room in the Secretariat, the Minister emphasized that the administration faces a substantial workload with no time to waste in the current governance cycle.

Reiterating the government's firm stance on public accountability, Muktadir underscored that officials must remain ever-mindful of the citizens they serve. 

He reminded the gathered leadership that the mandates of the ministry are driven by the needs of the populace.

"We have a significant amount of work ahead; we do not have time to waste," the Minister stated. "The owners of the country—the people—did not send us here to waste time."

Reflecting on the composition of the cabinet formed just yesterday, the Minister highlighted a strategic shift toward a more streamlined and capable administrative structure. 

He noted that the compact size of the new cabinet serves as a model for the Ministry’s own organizational strategy, which prioritizes quality and output over administrative expansion.

The Minister further clarified that the Ministry’s role is multi-dimensional and extends far beyond the common public perception of merely monitoring commodity prices. 

He identified three core pillars that will define the Ministry’s future agenda, linking economic performance directly to the country's stability and resilience.

Addressing the high sensitivity of commodity prices, The Minister reminded officials that market fluctuations have a direct, tangible impact on their own households. 

"I am certain that when the price of a commodity increases, its heat reaches your families as well; it affects you personally," the Minister remarked, adding that the high sensitivity of the market requires constant vigilance from every official.

State Minister for Commerce Md. Shariful Alam also addressed the meeting, framing the current administration’s mandate within the context of the nation's political transition.

"After a long wait, the transition to a democratic Bangladesh has been achieved," the State Minister stated. "We intend to work dedicatedly for the improvement of the people's fortunes, and I seek the total cooperation of all officials in realizing this goal," he added.

The meeting was attended by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, along with other high-ranking ministry officials and various department heads. The session concluded with a collective commitment to meet the strategic mandates and efficiency targets outlined by the ministerial leadership.