Unveiling the manifesto, Rahman said, if BNP comes to power in Bangladesh again, then the primary objective of his administration will be to ensure that employment is created while transforming the debt-economy into an investment-dependent economy.
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“Our goal is to transform Bangladesh into a modern, democratic, upper-middle-income country, where a one trillion-dollar annual national GDP economy will be built by 2034,” said Rahman while unveiling the election manifesto just five days before Bangladesh goes for polling.
He said Bangladesh’s journey of economic transformation under BNP’s leadership will “not be based” on special privileges of any group but rather will be built on the “productive power” of every citizen of the country.
Rahman chose to launch his party’s election manifesto at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka — the country’s first five-star hotel that was built during the tenure of his father, former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman.
“We want to break the oligarchic structure. We will focus on fair distribution of wealth where everyone will get their rights … Our country achieves real economic growth only when its middle class expands and grows. We want to remake this middle class with financial support and help from the government. The middle class of Bangladesh has been literally wiped out. We will bring them back,” he said.
The BNP also plans to give a major impetus to the private sector in order to drive the country’s economic growth, job creation, and export diversification, said Rahman.
“Domestic and foreign direct investment will be attracted by enhancing institutional capacity, establishing rule of law and a rules-based business environment and removing the main obstacles to capital flow. A business-friendly environment will be created where domestic and international capital will work together to accelerate national growth and productivity. Bangladesh will be developed as a safe, prosperous, investment destination,” the manifesto said.
Rahman added that the $1 trillion-dollar economy roadmap will be achieved by raising the foreign direct investment from 0.45% to 2.5% of GDP.
“BNP will take effective initiatives to maintain continuity in tariffs, taxes and export incentives. Stability will be ensured in foreign exchange,” the manifesto said.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) party – BNP’s main contender in the 2026 elections – in its election manifesto had stated that it aims to achieve a GDP growth rate of 7% while making the country a $2 trillion economy by 2040.
BNP’s foreign policy and defence strategy
BNP in its manifesto has said it will follow a strategy of “Bangladesh Before All” in its foreign policy.
“BNP believes that beyond Bangladesh’s borders, there are friends, not masters. In every aspect of foreign policy, Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, national interests, national security and people’s welfare will receive top priority. Based on equality, fairness, and mutual respect, Bangladesh will adopt a self-respecting, active, and responsible global position,” the manifesto stated.
Hinting at India, Rahman said, the issues concerning the transboundary rivers such as Padma, Teesta and others will be given priority even as a “fair share of their water” will have to be achieved.
“We want to resolve this issue with the country with which we have this problem. We want to solve this problem with that country through a steady dialogue. I want to ensure that the people of my country will get their fair share of these rivers,” Rahman said.
This is an issue that was also mentioned by the Jamaat-e-Islami supremo Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.
Rahman said the ‘Bangladesh Before All’ strategy will be followed in the country’s defence policy too.
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He also said, under BNP’s rule a “modern defence policy and defence doctrine” will be laid down, which will be based on the ‘People’s Warfare Doctrine’ that was formulated by his father, Ziaur Rahman.
Besides, putting emphasis on self-reliance and defence industry, Rahman said his government, if chosen to power, will build a strong air force, achieving maritime security with secured maritime boundaries.
The Jamaat, on the other hand, had stated that it will formulate a National Defence Policy and develop a new military doctrine.
The BNP won its first major victory in Bangladesh in 1979 after the party was formed by Ziaur Rahman in 1978. After his assassination, current BNP chairperson’s mother Khaleda Zia took leadership of the party in 1984, who rose to become the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Under former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s rule from 2009-2024, her party Awami League levelled serious corruption charges on Khaleda Zia and her son Rahman, as a result of which the BNP boycotted the 2014 and 2024 elections.
Tarique Rahman faced 84 cases during Hasina’s rule, many tried in absentia while he was in exile in London. After Hasina’s ousting from power in August 2024 owing to a student-led uprising and eventual escape to India, Rahman came back to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025.