Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
India can use ports in Ctg, Sylhet for better connectivity: PM
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 19, 2023) said that India can use ports in Chattogram and Sylhet if they want.
The Prime Minister said this while Member of the Governing Council of India Foundation, Ram Madhav, called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government puts emphasis on regional connectivity which will result in better people-to-people ties.
Also read: Teen gangs must be stopped: PM
The PM conveyed her greetings to the Indian Prime Minister during her meeting with Ram Madhav.
The member of the Governing Council of India Foundation highly appreciated the socioeconomic advancement of Bangladesh under the leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina.
He said that Bangladesh and India have excellent friendship as neighbouring countries and hoped that the relation will continue in the coming days.
Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the event.
Read More: Be vigilant against food hoarding, black-marketing: PM
Birth Anniversary: President, PM pay homage to Bangabandhu
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion of his 103rd birth anniversary and the National Children’s Day-2023.
The president and the prime minister paid their homage by placing wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara at 10:42am.
President Hamid first laid a wreath at the Bangabandhu’s mausoleum, followed by the prime minister.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a guard of honour on the occasion.
Flanked by senior leaders of her party, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, placed another wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.
Later, First Lady Rashida Khanam along with her son Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, MP, as well as the premier along with her family members paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing floral wreaths separately.
Read more: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu on his birthday
Hamid and Hasina offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and senior AL leaders were present.
The President also signed the visitor’s book kept on the mausoleum premises.
On his arrival on the mausoleum premises, President Hamid was received by PM Hasina.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangali of all times, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
PM pays homage to Bangabandhu on his birthday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 103rd birth anniversary and the National Children’s Day-2023.
She placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 here this morning.
After placing the wreath, the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the founding father of the country.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave a guard of honour on the occasion.
A munajat was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage.
Later, Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, flanked by AL senior leaders, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
Read more: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
Then the PM flew to Tungipara by helicopter to pay homage to Bangabandhu and offer prayers at the Mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman there.
She will also attend a programme on the National Children's Day.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangali of all times, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
He was assassinated along with most members of his family on August 15, 1975.
Why advertisement for Dr Yunus using 40 names: PM questions
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (March 13, 2023) questioned as to why an advertisement needs to be published in a foreign newspaper with names of 40 people pleading in favour of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Muhammad Yunus.
“I don’t know what to answer. But I have a question. Why should an advertisement be given begging names of 40 people for a person who is so famous and a Nobel Prize recipient? That again is in a foreign newspaper,” she said.
The prime minister made the remarks while answering a question from UNB Editor Farid Hossain at a press conference on the outcome of her recent official visit to Qatar.
She also said 40 people did not issue any statement for Dr Yunus, but it was an advertisement. “The names of 40 people were used there (in advertisement) in favour of our particular person.”
Read more: Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM
The prime minister said there are laws in the country and everything goes according to those laws, no matter who the person is.
“Our judiciary is completely independent. We protect workers' rights. There is a separate body to oversee who pays taxes properly and collects taxes. We have a labour court to deal with if someone breaks any law regarding the matters or snatches the rights of the workers,” she said.
As the head of the government, Sheikh Hasina said she has nothing to do regarding these matters.
“What more can I say? But I just want to remind everyone that we have built the Padma Bridge,” she said.
Read More: Sufficient commodities in stock, refrain from panic buying during Ramadan: Govt
PM inaugurates 73 dev works, lays foundation stones of 30 more in Mymensingh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 73 newly completed development works and laid foundation stones of 30 others in Mymensingh.
The 73 development works have been implemented under 23 projects at a cost of Tk 570 crore, while 30 other development works will be implemented under 14 projects at the cost of Tk 2,762 crore.
The premier unveiled the name plaques of the development works before addressing a mammoth public rally at the Circuit House ground in Mymensingh city.
Read more: PM Hasina to inaugurate 23 projects in Mymensingh on Saturday
The development works opened today include mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adjacent to the central Shaheed Minar of Mymensingh, the 50-bed Dr Mushfiqur Rahman Shubho Memorial Islamic Mission Hospital at Sirta village in Sadar upazila, construction of a 1000-seat auditorium and community center at Trishal upazila, sanitation projects including water supply and human waste management in 32 municipalities, construction of 4-storey academic buildings in 21 schools and colleges, five bridges, construction of two monuments, three markets and six buildings, construction of seven box culverts and 70-km roads, construction a six-storey building for Mymensingh District Social Service Office, construction of two Ansar barracks, development of 10-km roads and 3.5-km RCC drain in Mymensingh city, installation of lampposts and garden lights in Mymensingh city, construction of embankment to protect Charalgi union of Gafargaon from erosion caused by the Brahmaputra river, construction of Mymensingh Sadar Upazila Parishad Complex Bhaban, construction of new Mymensingh Sadar Upazila Parishad Hospital, development of Gorbakura-Karaitli land port at Haluaghat, construction of Sheikh Kalam Indoor Stadium, Institute of Health Technology, construction of the main building of District Lawyers Association (Shaheed Advocate Nazrul Islam Bhaban) and three Upazila Health Complexes in three upazilas.
Among the development works whose foundation stones were laid include development of the road and drainage network of Mymensingh, development of electricity distribution system development project in Mymensingh zone, construction of three bridges, construction of hostel for working women in Fulbaria of Mymensingh, construction of Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall, Sheikh Rehana Hall and Rosy Jamal Hall in Bangladesh Agricultural University, construction of 500-bed five-storey student hostel in Government Ananda Mohan College, construction of 7 regional offices for Bangladesh Public Service Commission, construction of a four-story office and dormitory building for additional director of the agricultural extension department in the greater Mymensingh region and development of roads and drainage network in Mymensingh city.
Read more: PM inaugurates 26 dev projects worth Tk 1,333 cr in Rajshahi
Consider extension of support for post-graduation LDCs: PM to Int'l community
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the international community to seriously consider the proposals for extension of LDC-specific support measures like preferential market access and the TRIPS waiver for a certain period after graduation.
“Graduating LDCs need extension of LDC-specific support measures, such as preferential market access and the TRIPS waiver for a certain period after graduation," she said.
The PM said, "The LDC Group in WTO has already placed its proposals on these issues. Those proposals should be seriously considered by the international community, especially given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine."
The premier was addressing as a co-chair in a high-level thematic roundtable entitled “Enhancing the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in International Trade and Regional Integration’ held during the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC-5 Conference) at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) here in Doha.
Hasina said “We need to re-double our efforts to achieve the targets that we have set for ourselves in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in the Doha Programme of Action. This requires concerted efforts at national, regional, and global levels,”
She hoped that this roundtable session would assess the state-of-play of international support measures against the challenges that LDCs are currently facing.
“Our approach and commitments should be pragmatic, realistic, and well-designed to enhance LDCs' productive capacity,” she said.
She said trade will continue to remain a key driver of development for graduating and graduated LDCs. “You would perhaps recall that the Istanbul Programme of Action aspired to double the LDCs’ trade share. However, their share of trade still remains as low as 1%,” she added.
Read more: Bangladeshi diplomats have to be active in strengthening economic diplomacy: PM in Doha
“To be competitive in the global market, LDCs must focus on enhancing their trade-related infrastructure, building productive capacity, and utilizing preferential market access. For achieving these objectives, LDCs require support and investment for connectivity, human capital, trade finance and technology transfer,” said the premier.
Focusing on Bangladesh, she said her government has placed significant emphasis on improving national and cross-border connectivity by constructing a multimodal transport system. “It will reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and promote regional and international trade,” she said
“We are also implementing various initiatives aimed at developing skills, increasing productivity, improving intellectual property regime, and enhancing our competitiveness,” she added.
The PM said her government’s policy is to engage the private sector to participate in national development. “Working hand in hand, we have so far brought the country to the present stage of LDC graduation. Our near-term priority is to ensure smooth and sustainable graduation,” she said.
President of the Republic of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye was another co-chair of the high-level event.
Heads of state and government, and ministers from different countries, representatives of observers, relevant entities of the United Nations system and other accredited intergovernmental organizations, among others, participated in the event.
Bangladeshi diplomats have to be active in strengthening economic diplomacy: PM in Doha
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (March 06, 2023) asked Bangladeshi diplomats to play an active role in strengthening economic diplomacy in order to sustain the country’s graduation to the developing status through enhancing trade and export with different countries.
“Bangladeshi diplomats working in different countries will have to be active in strengthening economic diplomacy alongside brightening the image of the country,” she said.
The premier gave the directive at a regional envoy conference, held at her place of residence in Doha, with participation of Bangladeshi diplomats stationed in the Middle Eastern countries.
She said since Bangladesh is going to graduate to a developing country, attention is needed on countries where Bangladesh could enhance its trade and business.
Read more: Qatar Foundation Chair Nasser meets PM
“You will have to discuss and negotiate with all the countries, so that we can sustain as a developing country, move forward, and can finally graduate to a developed country,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said once diplomacy was a political issue, and now it is an economic issue. “So, those of us who are working (in different countries) will have to identify trade and business opportunities there so that we can boost our exports and import goods at competitive prices.”
“Identify the places where there is demand for our products and where we have the scope to market our goods,” she added.
Referring to the policy of Bangladesh to maintain good relations with all countries, the PM reiterated the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy is ‘friendship to all, malice towards none.’
Read More: Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit
The premier said Bangladesh would maintain friendly relations with everyone. But when injustice is done, Bangladesh will definitely speak out while maintaining friendly relations, as it did with Myanmar. “…We gave shelter to the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds, but we did not engage in conflict with Myanmar. Bangladesh is making diplomatic efforts to send the Rohingyas back to their homeland,” she said.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, among others, were present at the conference.
The Prime Minister is now visiting Qatar to attend the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC-5). She arrived in Qatar last Saturday at the invitation of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is scheduled to leave here for Dhaka on Wednesday.
Read More: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs.
PM in Doha: LDCs need 5 key support from dev partners
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 06, 2023) sought five key support from development partners to ensure a smart, innovative and knowledge-based society that will help to promote peace and inclusivity.
The prime minister made the call at a side event, titled “Investment in Research and Development in LDCs for Smart and Innovative Societies”, at the 5th UN LDC Conference held at Qatar National Convention Center.
Read More: LDC5 Conference: PM Hasina leaves Dhaka for Doha
The key supports are:
1. Provide appropriate incentives to the international private sector for impactful technology transfer to LDCs, including for climate action.
2. Invest in digital infrastructures to reduce broadband divide and tech discrimination in LDCs.
3. Foster collaboration among research professionals and institutes to address issues and challenges facing LDCs.
4. Continuation of LDC waivers under TRIPS Agreement, also beyond graduation, especially for pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals.
5. Support in developing an intellectual property regime conducive to both innovation and development in LDCs.
Read more: Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit
She also apprised the participants of her goal to go much further, to the next vision — ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
“It will be based on four core elements: Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Society and Smart Economy,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that in 2009, when her government made a pledge to the people to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021, at the time, it sounded like a tall order.
“But, the Covid-19 pandemic proved that we could fulfill that pledge.”
Read More: Graduating LDCs want to make sure growth momentum isn’t slowed down: PM in Doha conference
She said that the pandemic reminded all that LDCs cannot wait to invest in scientific research and technological innovation.
“Such investments are a must for advancing their economies through productive capacity building,” she said.
She mentioned that LDCs average GDP expenditure for research and development still remains below 0.6 percent. Only a handful of them feature in the Global Innovation Index.
“But, LDCs cannot afford to lag behind with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our young people should be made part of the future of work. We need meaningful global partnership for that,” she said.
Read More: Private sector should prepare to face challenges of LDC graduation, FBCCI president says at AGM
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh qualified for LDC graduation in 2021 under all three criteria.
“We are now preparing for graduation in 2026. During this transition, investment in science, technology and innovation is a priority for our government. We are working with the UN Technology Bank for LDCs on a national needs assessment,” she said.
She said that the government attaches importance to promoting a scientific mindset in the education system.
“We have established a host of science and technology universities and specialized institutes around the country,” she said.
Read More: Switzerland to work with all Bangladeshi stakeholders for a ‘smooth, inclusive, sustainable’ LDC graduation
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has introduced the Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship and National Science and Technology Fellowship.
The PM said that the new focus on blended education is aimed at developing IT skills for all.
In this regard, she said that Sheikh Russel Digital Labs and Schools of Future are being set up across educational institutions. Bangladesh now has the world’s second largest community of registered IT freelancers. A new Institute of Frontier Technology is in the making for supporting high-end research and development.
She mentioned that following the launch of Bangabandhu-I communication satellite, the government is now planning for an earth observation satellite.
Read More: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs
“Bangladesh had to invest in improving early warning and weather forecast systems to drastically reduce natural disaster risks,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has worked on home-grown climate adaptation measures, including through technological applications.
“We also need access to mitigation technologies to further curb greenhouse gas emissions. Our government is building two nuclear power plants as part of a clean energy transition. We aim to increase our share of renewable energy, preferably with floating solar panels, offshore wind turbines and green hydrogen.”
She said that the government has given emphasis on supporting agricultural research which made it possible for Bangladesh to combat hunger and become largely food secure.
Read More: Int'l community must renew commitment for real structural transformation in LDCs: PM in Doha conference
“We are investing further in making our agriculture and livestock environment-friendly. We stand ready to share our good practices with other LDCs through various means, including contract farming.”
Talking about the government's present focus on enhancing scope for medical research, she said, climate change’s impacts on public health are being manifested through new disease burdens.
“We must have international collaboration for research in neglected tropical diseases. We urgently need investments in developing new treatments for antimicrobial resistance,” the PM said.
Bangladesh open to Qatar’s investment in energy sector: PM tells Doha Investment Summit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (March 06, 2023) urged oil-rich Qatar to make investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector, especially in renewable energy.
“We remain open to investment proposals in our infrastructures and logistics sectors. We believe there is scope for Qatari investment in the energy sector, including in renewable energy,” she said.
The premier was addressing the Doha Investment Summit 2023 Titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh’ held at Grand Ballroom of The St. Regis Doha.
She mentioned that Bangladesh could benefit from Qatar’s expertise in offshore gas exploration and energy distribution system.
Read more: PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Qatar to join UN conference on LDCs
She urged the business people from Qatar to look at certain thrust sectors in Bangladesh and invited a delegation of Qatari business people to visit the country soon.
“I also urge the non-resident Bangladeshis based in Qatar to invest in Bangladesh. We need your participation in our nation-building efforts,” she said.
PM Hasina said that Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Qatar should be readjusted based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership as there are immense untapped potentials.
“Bangladesh and Qatar are bound by strong brotherly ties and friendship. Our two nations need to reposition our ties based on a mutually beneficial economic partnership,” she said.
Read More: PM in Doha: LDCs need 5 key support from dev partners
She also put emphasis on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment and a Joint Business Forum to bring private sectors on a single platform.
“Our two governments should work on setting up a Joint Committee on Trade and Investment. There should also be a Joint Business Forum to bring our private sectors on a single platform,” she said.
She mentioned that Bangladesh’s agricultural growth also creates scope for cooperation in agro-processing industries, with buy-back arrangements to Qatar.
“We have plans to set up three special tourism zones, where Qatar can engage in both real estate and hospitality sectors,” she said.
Read More: PM meets Guterres in Doha, discusses Ukraine, Rohingyas
The PM said that Bangladesh aspires to have at least ten Unicorns in ‘Smart Bangladesh’, and country’s vibrant start-up scene is ready to draw Qatari investment.
In addition, she said, Qatari investors can consider portfolio investment in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission is working hard to further develop our capital markets. We have taken several steps to establish our bond market on a solid footing. We are soon going to include derivative products in our capital markets,” she said.
PM Hasina said that the disruptions in international fuel market due to the war in Ukraine have pushed countries like Bangladesh into a hard spot.
Read More: Energy-rich Qatar faces fast-rising climate risks at home
In order to meet the growing energy need, she said, Bangladesh is interested in increasing its LNG imports from Qatar.
She also requested Qatar to explore opportunities for increasing import of goods from Bangladesh.
She said that Bangladesh is now well on track to graduate from the UN LDC Group in 2026 which has been achieved by 168 million people through their hard work and commitment.
She said that just before the pandemic, country’s economy reached a growth rate of 8.15 percent, and even during the pandemic, it posted a growth rate of 6.94 percent.
Read More: PM urges South Korea for more investments in Bangladesh
She said that Bangladesh is now the world’s 35th largest economy with a GDP of USD 460 billion while projected to become the 24th largest by the first half of the 2030s.
“It was during my first tenure in 1996-2001 that our government fully opened up the door of trade and business for the private sector. Now our private sector is flourishing and our government is working as a facilitator. Together, we hope to take Bangladesh to the next level of development,” the PM said.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh has one of the most liberal investment regimes in the region.
She mentioned that the incentives being offered include tax holiday, concessionary duty on machinery import, remittance of royalty, technical know-how and fees, allowing 100 percent foreign equity, unrestricted exit policy, full repatriation facilities of dividend and capital on exit, etc.
Read More: Eswatini wants trade, investment promotion with Bangladesh
“The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is offering a number of services to foreign investors under one roof.”
She mentioned that the government is setting up 100 Special Economic Zones with coordinated facilities and there are so far five country-specific Economic Zones in the making.
“We are investing heavily in our infrastructures fit for a regional connectivity and logistics hub. Our mega-projects like the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli river tunnel, the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the expanded Third Terminal at Dhaka International Airport, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Metro-rail system in Dhaka all testify to our determined march forward.”
Hasina mentioned that the government has already brought the entire nation under electricity and internet coverage while country’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I has opened up new horizons.
Read More: Bangladesh, South Africa discuss ways to boost trade and investment
“We have a large pool of easily trainable workforce available at a competitive wage<” she said, adding “Bangladesh has got the world’s second largest community of registered IT freelancers.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh has made big leaps in developing its digital backbone down to the remote areas. “Our boys and girls are preparing themselves to join the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
She said that the government is gradually building 38 Hi-tech Parks, with opening for foreign investment.
She said that government’s vision now is to build a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, drawing strength from a knowledge-based society.
Read More: It is high time to work together on more projects, investment areas: Chinese Envoy
“Bangladesh offers to be a willing partner in realizing the Qatar National Vision 2030. We can equip our workforce with knowledge and skills to cater to the advanced employment market in Qatar,” she said.
She reaffirmed her commitment to fulfill Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ and said that she is confident the Qatari leadership and people will continue to stand by Bangladesh as they did in the past decades.
“I encourage our business peoples to keep adding new feathers to our excellent bilateral relations,” she said.
Chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam and Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hosaain Miah made two separate presentations focusing on potentials of trade and investment in Bangladesh.
Read More: Bangladesh-Turkiye Business Forum launched to usher in new era of economic cooperation
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in partnership with the Foreign Affairs Ministry arranged the event.
PM Hasina holds meeting with former British PM Sir Tony Blair
Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair had a breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday morning at her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, while briefing reporters, said that during the meeting the former British Prime Minister apprised Sheikh Hasina of the activities of his Institute.
PM Hasina appreciated the Tony Blair Institute’s mission to equip leaders and governments for the global future.
She recalled her various meeting with Tony Blair while he was the Prime Minister of Britain.
Karim said that both reviewed Bangladesh-UK relations.
Read more: Sunak marks 100 days as UK prime minister as problems mount
They also talked about sports, particularly cricket, as the England cricket team is touring Bangladesh right now.
Principal secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson were present during the meeting.