State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin on Saturday said the government wants to ensure economic freedom for the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) by creating employment opportunities and expanding economic activities in the region.

"We believe the greatest freedom for people is economic freedom. We want to ensure this economic freedom for the people of the CHT under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. We are working in different sectors to create employment opportunities," he said while inaugurating the three-day Hill Fruits Fair-2026 at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex on Bailey Road in the capital.

The fair, organised by Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry under the theme "Paharhi Foler Ghran, Baichitramoy Pran" (The aroma of hill fruits, a life of diversity), will continue until Monday.

Helal said promoting the region's fruits and agricultural products would help earn international recognition for the CHT while creating employment opportunities for local people.

Referring to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex established during the tenure of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the state minister said the existing facilities are inadequate.

"At present there is only a school building here. We have already started planning to construct a full-fledged multipurpose complex under the leadership of the ministry's secretary and the direction of the chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board," he said.

He said the proposed complex would primarily serve disadvantaged and underprivileged people of the region.

The state minister also said the government plans to construct multipurpose dormitories in remote hill areas under various development schemes to ensure better use of public funds.

"We are trying to follow a common design for these dormitories so that time and money are not wasted repeatedly on separate planning and designs," he said.

The state minister said the government would introduce greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of grants and social safety net benefits in the CHT.

He said future grants would be disbursed only to the approved beneficiaries through a system where only the intended recipient could withdraw the money.

"There will be no opportunity for anyone at any level to pocket funds meant for beneficiaries," he said.

The state minister said winter clothes, rice and other government assistance would also be distributed through a disciplined process using master rolls, national identity cards, mobile phone numbers and thumb impressions to ensure the benefits reach the intended recipients directly.

He said irregularities in grant distribution, including issuing large cheques in the names of people who could not later be traced, would no longer be tolerated in institutions under the CHT ministry.

He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's vision of building a "rainbow nation" demonstrates the government's commitment to improving the lives of all disadvantaged Bangladeshis regardless of party affiliation, religion, ethnicity or tribe.

"We will remain committed to supporting the Prime Minister's plans and vision, even at the cost of our lives if necessary," he said.

The state minister expressed optimism that the contribution of hill fruits and agricultural products to the regional economy would increase many times over next year.

The inaugural function was attended by Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Secretary Md Mizanur Rahman, CHT MPs Sa Ching Prue Jerry, Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, and Madhabi Marma, chairmen of the three Hill District Councils, the chairman and officials of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, representatives of different ministries and agencies, leaders of various ethnic, social and political organisations, government officials and journalists.

This year's fair features 30 stalls representing Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.

Visitors can purchase seasonal organic hill fruits including mangoes, pineapples, jackfruits and bananas, alongside rare fruits such as wild blood fruit (Rosco), rambutan and wild wood apple.

The fair also showcases local agricultural products, traditional handicrafts and handwoven textiles made on backstrap looms.

Cultural performances by artistes from different ethnic communities of the three hill districts will be held every evening during the fair.

The fair remains open daily from 10:00am to 8:30pm.