PM
PM inaugurates, lays foundation stones of 35 projects in Chattogram
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday inaugurated 29 development projects and unveiled the foundation stones of six proposed projects in Chattogram.
The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones of the projects ahead of joining a rally organised by Awami League’s Chattogram North and South district units at the historical Railway Polo Ground in the city.
Read more: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday
The total cost of the 35 projects is Tk 3,398.66 crore.
Of them, Tk 1,897.61 crore was spent to implement the 29 projects, while the estimated cost of six other projects is some Tk 1501.05 crore.
Read more: PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally
Procurement of necessary equipment for different yards and terminals of Chittagong port, banks protection and flood control of the Halda River and Dhurang canal in Fatikchhari and Hathajari upazilas, construction and extension of different school, college and madrasa buildings were among the projects.
PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived at the Polo Ground to address an enormous rally. This is her first public rally in Chattogram city after a gap of ten years.
The port city has been gripped by enthusiasm and fanfare, as thousands of people were rushing towards the rally venue to see and hear the Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
Chattogram City and North and South District AL organised the huge mass rally at the railway Polo Ground.
It is Sheikh Hasina’s second appearance at a public gathering outside Dhaka, following the rally in Jashore on November 24 – after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The arrival of Sheikh Hasina has energized AL leaders and activists not only in Chattogram, but also the entire southern region.
Read: AL rally in Ctg: Leaders, activists throng Polo Ground wearing colorful shirts
Hundreds of thousands thronged the rally ground in Chattogram since early morning and within a few hours, the venue was packed to the brim.
The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty spaces – turning into a human sea before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:05pm.
Earlier, since morning, masses – men, women and AL supporters – were seen marching towards the venue in procession, shouting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, holding placards, banners, wearing colourful T-shirts and caps, beating drums, carrying the boat symbol as well as national and party flags.
Women, in large and small groups, waited in queue at the entrance. Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Chattogram division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserved buses, pickup-trucks, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.
Read: Ctg ready to welcome PM; AL rally this afternoon
Decorated arches and gates have been constructed on the roads with posters and banners of the Prime Minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the party chief in various areas of the city including Kazir Deuri, Halishahar, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat, Kadamtali, New Market, Anderkilla and other areas.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification work on the roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.
PM seeks WHF cooperation on medical science research
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought cooperation from the World Heart Federation (WHF) to carry out basic research on medical science and to build skilled manpower in the health sector of the country.
“Help us in conducting basic research on the medical science and give state-of-the-art training for the development of our manpower,” she said when WHF president-elect Dr Jagat Narula paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban.
PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
Describing basic research as vital for the overall development of the country, Hasina said her government is laying greater importance on research on medical science for improving the healthcare sector.
Referring to the research in the agriculture sector being carried out during her government, she said Bangladesh has attained food security by enhancing crops, milk, meat and fish production. “Research is mainly behind Bangladesh’s success in the agricultural sector, including attaining food security,” she was quoted.
Focusing on the government’s measures for the health sector, the PM said her government’s main target is to reach healthcare services to the doorsteps.
Read: PM gives directives to carry out different activities of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust
She said her government has constructed 18,000 community clinics where 30 types of free medicines are available.
The PM said her government has already established five medical universities in divisional headquarters as part of its plan to set up a medical university in every division to impart high education and research in medical science.
She said many specialised hospitals have been built in public and private sectors at her government initiatives to treat heart, kidney and cancer patients, adding that they have a target to build specialised hospitals in every region.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has attained great success in the pharmaceutical sector as it is currently producing all the life-saving medicines and exporting them abroad.
WHF President-elect Jagat Narula highly praised the health sector development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina, describing the advancement as “impressive progress.”
He said Bangladesh has plenty of talented physicians who need appropriate training and assistance to boost their efficiency.
“I am going to take over the charge of WHF in January next and have a target to work first with Bangladesh, India and Mongolia on heart diseases,” said the renowned cardiology specialist.
Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday
Dr Narula stressed the need for making aware the mothers about the non-communicable diseases as it helps to reach its benefit at grassroots quickly,
At the meeting, it was informed that non-communicable diseases account for about 50 percent deaths in Bangladesh, of which heart diseases are responsible for 17 percent deaths.
Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Professor Mir Jamal Uddin informed the meeting that the Prime Minister donated the institute Tk 7 crore from her relief and welfare fund to help procure valves, stents and pacemakers for poor and insolvent heart patients.
As many as 300 Valves, 450 stents and 250 pacemakers have so far been set up in the hearts of the patients, he said.
President of Bangladesh Society for Cardiovascular Intervention Prof Dr AKM Fazlur Rahman, National Professor Prof Brig. (retd) Abdul Malik, US expatriate Prof Chowdhury Hafiz Ahsan, Prof MG Azam and Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, PMO Senior Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.
PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate 30 projects and lay the foundation stones of four others in Chattogram on Sunday.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of the projects alongside joining a rally organised by Awami League’s Chattogram North and South district units at the historical Railway Polo Ground in the city.
Earlier on March 28, 2012, PM Hasina had delivered a speech as the chief guest at a grand rally of the 14-party alliance at the same venue, which means she is returning to address a rally once again after 10 years.
Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures tomorrow
Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram District Administration and an Executive Magistrate, confirmed the matter.
The 30 projects to be inaugurated include many newly built academic buildings of educational institutions, while the four projects the foundation stones of which will be laid are-construction of jetties and necessary infrastructures in Sandwip and Mirsarai, modernisation of Bangladesh Marine Academy in Anwara, construction of a United Nations Green Field with modern amenities at Panchlaish residential area of Chattogram city and construction of a building for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
PM instructed to move BCL council from Dec 8 to 6 to facilitate BNP’s Dhaka rally: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) central council has been moved to December 8 from December 6 as per Prime Minister and party president Sheikh Hasina’s instruction – to ensure that BNP can hold their Dhaka rally on December 10 without any difficulty.
Obaidul Quader said this while addressing Pirojpur Awami League’s tri-annual conference today, joining virtually from his Dhaka residence.
“The government will not obstruct BNP’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, but if they try to play with fire and sticks, they will get a befitting reply,” Quader said.
Read more: No permission given to BNP yet to hold rally at Nayapaltan: Home Minister
The minister and AL leader said that a Canadian federal court declared BNP as a “terrorist organisation”, as their politics is about arson attacks in the name of protests.
“It is not so easy to turn a man – who fled to London after signing a bond with the condition that he will not be involved in politics – into a leader,” Quader said.
Regarding BNP’s demand for a caretaker government, the AL general secretary questioned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul: “Which country of the world has a caretaker government? It was your leader who said that no one is neutral except children and those who are mad.”
Read more: Amid relative ease, BNP’s 8th divisional rally begins in Cumilla
He said the caretaker government is now “obsolete”.
Quader also said all the hype about a “human sea” went silent after BNP’s Cumilla rally and they will see what’s what in the capital during the Dhaka rally of BNP.
PM Hasina foresees no crisis in consumer goods
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday assured the people that there won’t be any crisis of consumer goods in the country.
“There will be no problem regarding consumer goods. We’ve started importing (goods) from Ukraine and Russia as well,” she said.
The premier was addressing the 5th National Conference of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), a pro-Awami League professional body of physicians, in the city’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
She said though there is a problem over payment with dollars due to sanctions (on Russia), the government is taking steps for an alternative (payment) system.
Read: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina
Hasina said Bangladesh still has enough reserves to meet up the import expenditures for five months.
“Still we’ve the reserves to meet the import expenditures of five months, not three months,” she said.
Coming down heavily on the critics of the government on the reserves issue, she said now all have become experts on the reserve and economy.
She said the reserves increased to some US$ 48 billion during the Covid-19 restrictions, which was only above US$ 5 billion in 2009.
She said it had to spend huge money from the reserves to procure Covid-19 vaccines, testing kits and other related materials to fight the pandemic. Now the government needs to import edible oil, wheat and other consumer goods at high prices following the war and economic sanctions, she added.
The PM said they’ve been taking proper steps to ensure consumer goods and stood beside the people. “The reserves have declined not only in our country but also in many countries of the world,” she said.
Read: Keep wheels of economy running amid global crisis: PM urges industrialists
Hasina said now a rumour is being spread that there is no money in banks and the clients would not get back their deposits.
She said many people keep money in houses withdrawing it from the banks due to this rumour. “To keep money in the houses creates scope for thieves, doesn’t it?....Now it's upto the money owners whether they would keep it in the banks or give it to the hands of the thieves,” she added.
The premier reiterated her call to the people not to leave even an inch of land uncultivated to ensure Bangladesh won’t need to import food items at higher price amid the global crisis.
She said all should grow crops and vegetables in whatever lands they have. “We’ll not only fulfill our local demand, we’ll also have to help many countries with food items,” she added.
No peaceful transfer of power except 2001: PM
The PM said the AL government handed over power in a very peaceful manner in 2001, which is the only instance of peaceful change in power in the history of Bangladesh.
She said that illegal takeover of power started in the country after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. “Then, there was no change in power through peaceful manner in Bangladesh except in 2001,” she said.
Hasina said Khaleda Zia had to step down on March 30, 1996 in face of the movement. “Then AL came into power through the election and we handed over the power peacefully in 2001. There is only one instance of peaceful transfer of power in the history of Bangladesh, which is only when AL was in power, she added.
“We always want political stability and the continuation of democracy,” she said.
The PM said AL formed the government, winning the 2008 election. “We’re in power for three consecutive terms. We can at least claim that Bangladesh has turned around and got the dignity of a developing country and it has been socio-economic uplift of the people of our country in the last 14 years,” she said.
Focusing on her government’s success and steps over the country’s health sector, Hasina said her government took huge programmes for the healthcare development.
She said AL government established the first medical university-BSMMU- during its 1996-2001 term. But the pro-BNP physicians obstructed the move at that time.
Noting that her government set up a medical university also in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet, she said they’re establishing a medical university in every division in phases and medical colleges in every district.
She also highlighted the introduction of digital health services including telemedicine services and health call centre, lactating maternity allowance, setting up community clinics, increasing the beds and manpower of the government hospitals including physicians, nurses and health workers.
She said Bangladesh has attained massive development in terms of nutrition during her government. “Our health policy is a pro-people one. As a result, the maternal and child mortality rates have declined. Our successes in the health sector are now internationally recognised,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government took steps to ensure the healthcare services for the people from all tiers of the society.
The PM unveiled the name plaque of the permanent central office of Swachip through a virtual platform.
AL general secretary Obaidul Qauder, Swachip President Dr M Iqbal Arslan and its general secretary MA Aziz also spoke at the function.
The last Swachip national conference was held in November 2015.
Dhaka, Tokyo ties to be deepened through PM's visit: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Japan is ready to receive a Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to further deepen the relations between the two countries.
"Bangladesh-Japan relations are very deep. It will further be deepened through the visit," he told reporters on Wednesday evening.
Momen said Japan is keen to elevate the comprehensive relations to a strategic one. "We like each other."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave for Tokyo on November 29.
In a severe blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan's three cabinet members will leave in less than a month.
Read more: Dhaka to work closely with Tokyo to take relations to a new height: FM
Responding to a question on Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki's recent polls-related comments, Momen said certainly someone briefed him this way as he said he heard this.
He (ambassador) said this in a simple and plain way, Momen said. "He is a good friend of Bangladesh."
Read more: Dhaka, Tokyo to elevate bilateral ties to ‘strategic partnership’
Saudi Crown Prince and PM will visit Bangladesh in 2023: PMO
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has accepted the invitation to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time in 2023.
This would be a landmark event in the history of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia leading to the consolidation of ties, especially in trade and commerce, investment and economic cooperation.
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Duhailan revealed this while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Saturday.
PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed reporters after the meeting.
In the meeting, the Saudi envoy handed over an acceptance letter from the Crown Prince to the Prime Minister as the Saudi Prince has given consent to the proposed visit in response to the invitation made by the Bangladesh Prime Minister on August 30.
The envoy stated that it would be the first ever visit of any Saudi Crown Prince to Bangladesh after 1985 when the then Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited Dhaka.
“So, this visit will be very significant for both the countries and the date and schedule of the visit will be fixed through diplomatic channels,” Essa Yussef was quoted as saying.
Now the foreign ministries of both the countries will fix details of the visit.
A good number of bilateral instruments -- MoUs and agreements—will be signed during the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, which would strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries significantly, the envoy hoped.
Describing the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as special, Sheikh Hasina said this bilateral engagement would be further strengthened and expanded to new areas of collaboration with the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince.
Read more: PM leaves Jeddah for home
In reply, the Saudi envoy said Saudi Arabia enjoys a special place in the hearts of Bangladeshi people. “Our relations are growing from higher to higher over time,” he said.
The Prime Minister called for more Saudi investment in different sectors of Bangladesh, including establishing an oil refinery in Bangladesh, investment in agro-processing and food-processing and halal food industries.
She said Bangladesh is ready to allocate special land in Bangladesh for Saudi entrepreneurs, especially in Mirsarai special economic zone, and also an exclusive economic zone in the country’s southern region.
Hasina also said that the purchasing power of Bangladeshi people has gone up. If Saudi Arabia makes investments here, it will get a good return, she said, assuring that Saudi investment will receive all-out support from the Bangladesh government.
In response, the Saudi Ambassador appreciated the gesture from the PM, saying that he would suitably brief the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia.
He further told the meeting that there are indeed some Saudi investment initiatives going on in Bangladesh.
He said several Saudi brands including Saudi fast-food service company ‘Herfy’ are doing very good business in Bangladesh.
“We’re working hard to make an effective collaboration between the two Muslim brotherly countries,” he was quoted as saying.
Read more: Saudi Arabia assures assistance in commercial supply of LNG to Bangladesh
The diplomat said the Saudi investors are very interested to participate in the mega projects of Bangladesh.
He said that last month the Saudi Prince allocated more than $10 billion fund for implementation of mega projects in five countries. Bangladesh could be one such country to benefit from Saudi investment if such funds come for its mega projects. “This is a huge area of cooperation unexplored,” he added.
In response, the PM appreciated the increasing interest from Saudi Arabia to invest in the mega projects in Bangladesh.
Hasina said Bangladesh has been maintaining friendly-relations with all the Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia for the greater welfare of the Muslim Ummah as well as the people of Bangladesh.
The Saudi diplomat lauded the leadership of Hasina, particularly for giving shelter to 1.1 million displaced Rohingya people despite having many limitations. “It is so generous (gesture)” he said.
He assured that Saudi Arabia supports the stance of Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue in the international forums.
The PM said Bangladesh is facing various problems caused by the long stay of Rohingya. “It is a big burden for Bangladesh,” she was quoted.
The Prime Minister then floated the idea of setting up fertilizer factories in Saudi Arabia as joint ventures between Bangladeshi and Saudi investors.
In response, the Saudi envoy said, “We need to work on the proposal.”
During the meeting, the Prime Minister made the proposal to allow Bangladesh to purchase oil, both crude and refined, with a deferred payment schedule. “If Saudi Arabia considers the proposal, it would be better for us to meet the demand of the growing industries. We need some support,” she was quoted.
Read more: Bangladesh reiterates fraternity with Saudi Arabia
Hasina asked the Saudi envoy to convey her sincere thanks and greetings to the King of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
PM’s Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus were present.
Won’t suffer much from electricity crisis from next month: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the people will not suffer much from electricity supply crisis from next month.
“Due to the war in Ukraine, it is difficult to buy fuel and bring gas. Attention is being drawn to saving energy not only in our country, but also everywhere --England, America and Germany. They’re struggling (to ensure power supply). So, we also had to suffer for some days. Inshallah, perhaps there would be no such sufferings from next month,” she said.
Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, said this while chairing a meeting of her party's advisory council at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The PM called upon everyone to exercise austerity in using fuel and water. “You’ll have to be frugal. Because, the whole world faces economic recession. We’re not free from its impacts,” she said.
She reiterated her call to increase food production and not leave even a single inch of land uncultivated as the global economic situation is very bad. “The situation is terrible,” she said.
Read: Grow more food, keep enough stock to avert any crisis: PM Hasina
“If we can increase our own production, we will never face the heat of famine in Bangladesh,” she added.
Talking about providing food to the poor at subsidised prices, she said, "We are buying all the things at high prices, but providing these to the people at lower prices so that none suffers from lack of foods."
Mentioning that Awami League works for the welfare of people, Hasina said “Our work is for the welfare of all people….We didn’t come here to make our own fortune, rather we are building the destiny of the people of Bangladesh.”
No real democracy before AL comes to power:
Hasina said the people didn’t enjoy the true democracy and democratic rights in the country before Awami League came to power.
“The people of this country didn’t have real democracy or democratic rights before Awami League came to power. Since AL assumed the government, we started the democratic process,” she said.
"The transparency and accountability were ensured in the election, which came as outcomes of our (AL) movement and struggle," she added.
The PM said all political parties are getting chance to do politics during the AL regime.
“We’ve ensured such scopes,” she said criticising BNP for unleashing electoral irregularities and misrules during its past regimes.
She said now Bangladesh is recognised as a role model for development all over the world although some people of the country don’t see any development.
Read: Expedite implementation of Kuwait’s proposed petroleum refinery in Bangladesh: PM
“They don't like anything. They won’t like this democratic government as well. If any undemocratic thing took place (undemocratic government comes in power), their value goes up,” she added.
She said Bangladesh is moving forward and has attained the dignity again in the world because democratic trend continues since the 2008 election.
PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures tomorrow
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures.
She will formally inaugurate the Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone, connecting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) will hold the programme on the occasion of the golden jubilee of country’s independence.
BEZA Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon will deliver the welcome speech, according to a press release from Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone.
A video documentary on the activities of the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority will be screened at the programme.
Read: PM invites Singapore investors to special economic zones, emphasises agro-processing
Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone is in Badalpura and Shah Mirpur mauza, at the south of Karnaphuli river. It was established in March last year by one of the largest companies of the country, Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd., taking land from BEZA.
The World Bank has provided a soft loan of Tk 800 crore for the drydock construction cost.
This drydock is 285 meters long and 56 meters wide with a draft of 14 metres. It is possible to build and repair ships weighing 100,000 tons at the dock. Construction of another drydock at a cost of Tk 1200 crore is also in progress now.
Construction of two jetties under Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone at Anwara on the south bank of Karnaphuli river has already been completed. Import cargo ships have started arriving at the jetty and loading-unloading activities are going on regularly.
This is playing a helpful role in reducing congestion and productivity of cargo ships of Chittagong port.
Foreign currency is being saved due to reduction in wait time of ships, especially at outer anchorage.
Under the said economic zone, 20.98 acres of land will be taken lease by BEZA for the construction of two more jetties and container terminals, and two more jetties will be constructed on Karnaphuli Ship Builders' own land.
The project inauguration and foundation stone laying will be held simultaneously from a total of 8 venues.
Read: Expedite implementation of Kuwait’s proposed petroleum refinery in Bangladesh: PM
The venues are: Ganabhaban, Dhaka; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsrai, Chattogram; Srihatta Economic Zone in MoulviBazar; Karnaphuli Drydock SEZ in Anwara, Chattogram; Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Sonargaon, Narayanganj; Jamalpur Economic Zone in Jamalpur Sadar; Sabrang Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar; and Hossaindi Economic Zone in Gazaria, Munshiganj.
The event will conclude with an exchange of views with investors of the last economic zone.
Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd. has already built 1200 ships and boats, repaired about 800 ships and built 50 dredgers and handed them over to the government.