SYLHET, Sept 1, 2026 (BSS) - The office of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP was inaugurated at Topkhana in the city today.

Commerce, Industries and Jute and Textiles Minister and Sylhet-1 lawmaker Khandakar Abdul Muktadir inaugurated the office at a ceremony as the chief guest.

Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain chaired the programme, while its General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury conducted it.

BNP National Executive Committee Assistant Organising Secretary and Sylhet WASA Chairman Miftah Siddiqui and central BNP member and District Council Chairman Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim attended the programme as special guests.

Speaking at the event, the commerce minister said the BNP was founded under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Since its inception, he said, the people have given BNP the mandate to run the country in every free, fair and neutral election.

He said Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia and current party chief Tarique Rahman have been advancing the nationalist forces despite numerous challenges while safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty.

The minister said Bangladesh has to import a large amount of raw materials from abroad for industrial production. 

Although the country has achieved self-sufficiency in rice and some agricultural products, he said, it still has to import 6-7 million tonnes of wheat and various consumer goods every year.

He said the trade deficit in international bilateral trade could not be eliminated overnight. However, efforts are underway to expand exports by increasing overall trade volume and attracting new investments, he added.

As part of these efforts, he said, a new BSCIC industrial estate would be established in Sylhet.

On organisational matters, Muktadir said the party assigns different responsibilities to its leaders under specific plans and strategies.

"This is not a lack of coordination; rather, it is a process of reviewing the party's strength and strategies from different perspectives and infusing new momentum," he said.

He said fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them and meeting people's expectations should be the core commitment of every BNP leader and activist.

The programme included hoisting of the national and party flags, unveiling of the office's inaugural ribbon and a special prayer seeking blessings for the welfare of the country, its people and the party.

A large number of leaders and activists of the district and metropolitan BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations attended the programme.