The inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge on June 25 is going to bring increased economic activities in the 21 southwestern districts of the country. Businesses will expand, employment will be generated and new industries will be set up. Faridpur will be no exception. Also read: Honoured to compose and sing the official theme song for Padma Bridge grand opening: Kishore The 6.15-km Padma Bridge, the country’s largest infrastructure, has instilled a sense of hope among the people of Faridpur since the beginning of its construction in 2014. Faridpur and 20 other districts in the region anticipate a huge change in their livelihood after the opening of the double-decker bridge. The railway tracks are being set up along the lower deck, while the upper deck has been built for vehicles.  The bridge is connected with a six-lane Mawa-Bhanga Expressway.

The government is going to focus on agriculture as one of its prioritised sectors under a 2020-2023 mid-term plan in an effort to bring the Covid-hit national economy back on track fast.   According to a government document, the allocation in agriculture sector till 2022-23 fiscal starting from the running 2020-21 fiscal will go up to Tk 941.81 billion.   Of the total amount, the allocation for this fiscal has been fixed at Tk 270.18 billion while that for 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years at Tk 320.07 billion and Tk 351.57 billion respectively.   The allocations for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 fiscal years were Tk 191.26 billion, Tk 250.62 billion and Tk 299.80 billion respectively.   The document says the agriculture, which is contributing more than 13 percent to GDP, is playing an important role in bringing the economic prosperity to rural people through creating job opportunities and boosting productivity.   The government has taken various steps aiming to ensure food security, income and employment opportunities so that the lifestyle of rural people could be improved.