The finance and planning minister said on Sunday that the government is striving to stabilise the economy against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict and global pressures.

Aamir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, speaking to journalists after exchanging Eid greetings with activists and locals at his residence in the Mehedibagh neighbourhood of Chattogram, said the government had managed to maintain fuel supplies, curb fare increases and control essential commodity prices despite the difficult circumstances. He framed these as providing relief to ordinary people.

He acknowledged strains on fuel and supply chains due to the war. The minister said the government had arranged supplies from alternative sources, adding that no transport was halted owing to fuel shortages during the Eid travel period and fares did not rise. “We’re trying to maintain this,” he pledged.

Chowdhury also pointed to the garment sector, a cornerstone of the economy, where he said the early payment of salaries and allowances ahead of Ramadan and Eid had avoided labour unrest, which he said was a “marked shift from previous years”.

The government, he added, was implementing a series of welfare measures. These include the introduction of family and farmer cards, waivers on hundreds of billions of taka in loans for farmers, and allowances for imams, muazzins and priests.

The minister called on the public to remain united, exercising restraint, cooperation and compassion to navigate the ongoing global crisis.