The government has approved an amendment ordinance to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) Act, along with several key national policy decisions

The Council of Advisers on Tuesday approved the draft Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, alongside the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) Policy, 2026, and the National Fisheries Policy, 2026.

The approvals came at a special meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) in Tejgaon, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The Council also endorsed a proposal to ratify the Implementing Agreement between the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Qatar Armed Forces concerning the deputation (secondment) of officers, military personnel, and civilians. In addition, policy-level approval was granted to recommendations submitted by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) on the establishment of a Bangladesh Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam later briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy on the outcomes of the meeting.

Explaining the BNQF Policy, Alam said the framework has been designed as a dynamic and inclusive qualification pathway aimed at clearly defining qualifications across all streams of education—general, technical, and madrasah—at every level. The policy seeks to establish an open and flexible system that supports lifelong learning through recognition of prior learning and learning transfers, enhances employability, and enables vertical and horizontal mobility of learners and workers across institutions, sectors, and countries.

He added that the framework will ensure national, regional, and international recognition of qualifications, allow comparability and equivalence of learning outcomes, and create clear entry and exit pathways between different education systems. The BNQF Policy is intended to guide human capital development and help shape learners’ education and career pathways.

Regarding the BPSC (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, Alam said the amendment aims to remove obstacles related to the Commission’s expenditure of its allocated budget and improve operational efficiency. Under the newly introduced sub-clause 8 (Ka), while the government will continue to allocate funds to the Commission on a half-yearly basis, prior government approval will no longer be required for spending funds in approved and specified sectors.

The Council also approved the draft National Fisheries Policy, 2026, replacing the existing policy adopted in 1998. The new policy focuses on ensuring food and nutrition security, meeting animal protein demand, generating employment, reducing poverty, empowering women, expanding exports, and promoting socio-economic development and the blue economy through sustainable fisheries production.

To achieve these objectives, the policy emphasizes the use of modern technology, mechanization, development of fisheries and fisheries product value chains, production of value-added products, sustainable and ecosystem-based management of open water bodies, and expansion of deep-sea fishing.

On defence cooperation, Alam said the approved agreement with Qatar will enable Bangladeshi officers and personnel to serve on deputation with the Qatar Armed Forces. He noted that some officers have already been deployed under this arrangement, with scope for further expansion as bilateral relations strengthen.

Regarding the proposed Free Trade Zone, Alam said the FTZ model would allow companies from anywhere in the world to manufacture goods in the zone and export them to any country, including Bangladesh. He added that around 650 acres of land along the Karnaphuli River, currently owned by the Bangladesh Power Development Board, has been identified for the project.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing.