Industries, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said there is no alternative to talent and merit in building a developed Bangladesh in the future.

"Countries that have achieved development have invested in education, research and new innovations. Such investments not only create skilled human resources but also lay a strong foundation for overall national development. We are giving importance to these areas," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a reception for meritorious students who achieved GPA-5 in the SSC and equivalent examinations, organised by Sylhet City Corporation and Sylhet Sadar Upazila administration at the auditorium of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

Muktadir said many talented freelancers in Bangladesh earn as much as US$50,000 to US$60,000 per month.

"We want to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) training centre in Sylhet. Through this, talented students will get opportunities to utilise their hidden potential," he said.

He said such initiatives would enable young people to contribute to the advancement of Bangladesh in science, knowledge and technology alongside their own development.

The minister also urged students to stay away from drugs, saying they need to devote considerable time to their studies and therefore should not waste time on drugs.

He called upon the students to remain vigilant, keep themselves away from drugs and raise awareness among others about the harmful consequences of drug addiction.

Speaking as a special guest, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kayum Chowdhury said many talented people from Sylhet had led the country and society in various fields in the past.

"But for various reasons, we have fallen behind at present. To change this situation, we have to give the highest priority to education," he said.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun chaired the programme, while Sylhet Sadar Upazila Education Officer Abhijit Kumar Pal delivered the welcome address.

SUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Khairul Islam, Sylhet City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Rejai Rafin Sarkar, Director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Sylhet region, Prof Dr Didar Chowdhury, Sylhet Cadet College Principal A F M Mortahin Billah and Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat also spoke at the programme.

Rezwanna Halim Tahia and Ahmed Wakil expressed their feelings on behalf of the meritorious students.

Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury and other distinguished personalities were present.