PM Hasina
PM Hasina off to Germany to attend Munich Security Conference
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here for Germany on Thursday (February 15, 2024) morning on a three-day official visit to attend the Munich Security Conference.
This is her first official tour abroad since being re-elected as the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term in last month's parliamentary polls.
The Munich Security Conference is considered the world's leading forum for debating security issues.
Read: Govt measures to tame inflation soon: PM tells Parliament
A flight of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11 am carrying the prime minister and her entourage members.
During her stay in Munich from February 16-18, Sheikh Hasina will also hold meetings with German chancellor, Ukraine's president, prime ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands on the sidelines of the security conference.
Indian external affairs minister will also call on the Bangladesh prime minister.
Read more: Focus on rural dev along with infrastructure: PM Hasina tells ECNEC
Focus on rural dev along with infrastructure: PM Hasina tells ECNEC
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (February 13, 2024) put emphasis on the rural development along with building infrastructure.
“I think besides the infrastructural development we also need the overall development of the rural areas,” she told the ECNEC meeting at NEC conference room in Agargaon.
She asked authorities concerned to quickly finish the development projects which are being delayed due to allocation of small funds.
“I will ask the cabinet secretary to convey this to all secretaries in different ministries so such projects are completed quickly,” she said.
Read: Ecnec nods 44 projects worth Tk 39,094 crore
She said with the finishing these projects it would be easy for the government to take up new development programmes.
She also said that deadline of some development projects have been increased, but hose also have to be completed very soon.
“Because, if that remains unfinished costs of the projects will increase unnecessarily and it also kills time. Make sure that this is done,” she said.
Hasina said that for the socioeconomic development of the country the government must take development projects.
In this regard, she asked all to remain cautious while taking any kind of development projects so that the government could attain its goal.
Read: Ecnec approves 19 projects to cost Tk 18,067 crore
She mentioned that due to global condition the countryis having some pressure on economy. Otherwise the country was moving fast towards prosperity.
“The growth was increasing, development was expediting, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the whole world came to a standstill, and when the whole world started to move from that situation, it was hit by the Ukraine-Russia war followed by sanctions, counter-sanctions,” she said.
She also mentioned that the world is bracing for another phase of instability after Israeli troops launched heinous attacks on the innocent people in Palestine.
“As a result, the cost and time of transportation has increased manifold," she said.
She said that due to these external factors the pressure is on in Bangladesh.
Read more: Ecnec nods setting up 50 technical training centres
The prime minister said she has requested all to utilise every inch of arable land of the country for production of food grains.
“And it has given us better results,” she said.
The Jan 7 election ensured democracy and people's right to vote: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the absolute win of Awami League in the January 7 election was the victory of Bangladesh, its people, and continuation of democracy and development.
The prime minister was addressing several hundred expatriate Awami League leaders from across the globe gathered at her official residence Ganabhaban to congratulate her on her party's fourth consecutive win in the parliamentary election
Hasina, who is also the chief of ruling Awami League, said that her government has been able to ensure people's right to vote in this month's election.
“We have ensured the constitutional right of the people,” she said.
She also said that the election was highly competitive as Awami League has opened the contest to all.
Read: Don’t allow the ‘looters’ to come to power: PM Hasina tells Bangladeshi expatriates in South Africa
“We have given our electoral symbol boat to our candidates and asked others from the party to participate in the election whoever were interested,” she said.
Talking about BNP which did not participate in the election, she questioned how will they come to the election.
“In 2008 election BNP with their 20 party alliance got 30 seats only while AL alone bagged 233 seats,” she added. That election was held under a neutral caretaker government.
In this connection, she mentioned that many people thought in 2008 that BNP is equal to Awami League considering the organisational strength.
“But it was proved wrong in 2008 election,” she said.
Read: 1.49 crore Bangladeshi expatriates work in 176 countries
After that, she said, BNP never wanted election. They insread unleashed arson attacks killing people and set fire to trains to foil the elections.
“The more they (BNP) unleash the arson attack the more people will reject them. They know that they were rejected by the people,” she said.
The prime minister said that's why BNP does not want to participate in the election.
“Rather they wanted to spoil the election and looked to the illegal way to be in the power,” she said.
Also read: Expatriates send $1.65 bn in 26 days of May
India congratulates PM Hasina on election victory, hopes for ‘even stronger momentum’ in ties
India has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her election victory and eyes “even stronger momentum and growth” in the bilateral partnership in support of each other’s national development.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma during his call on PM Hasina today (January 08, 2024) conveyed warm greetings and congratulations on behalf of the government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Read more: Envoys of India, China, Russia and four other countries congratulate Hasina on her big election victory
India was the first country to congratulate the Prime Minister today.
The Indian high commissioner expressed hope that during the new term of PM Hasina’s government, there will be even stronger momentum and growth in the bilateral partnership.
The envoy said that India will continue to support people of Bangladesh in realizing their vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation, guided by their long-standing friendship and inspired by their shared sacrifices in the Liberation War.
Read more: Visiting foreign observers describe National Election 2024 in Bangladesh as ‘free, fair and safe’
Election 2024: China congratulates PM Hasina, says committed to working with her
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for successfully holding of the 12th National Parliamentary Election and Awami League’s victory.
Ambassador Yao conveyed warm congratulations and best wishes from Chinese leaders to PM Sheikh Hasina this morning.
The Chinese ambassador called on PM Hasina at Ganabhaban and reaffirmed that Chinese leaders are committed to working with her to carry forward the long-established friendship, enhance mutual trust, and deepen practical cooperation – thereby uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.
Ambassador Yao noted that both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of development and revitalization, and China would always be the most trustworthy partner and the most reliable friend of Bangladesh on the way to modernization.
Read more: Celebrity candidates who failed to shine at the 12th National Election
Under the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Sheikh Hasina, China and Bangladesh have set a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
China will firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference, it said.
China will also support Bangladesh in maintaining unity and stability, and in playing a more active role in international and regional affairs, said the embassy.
China is committed to assisting Bangladesh in realizing the “Vision 2041” and the dream of “Sonar Bangla,” it said.
Ambassador Yao said that China is prepared to strengthen all-round cooperation with Bangladesh, and take due actions to facilitate and expand trade and investment with Bangladesh, promote high-quality China-Bangladesh Belt and Road cooperation, and make its own contribution to realizing “Smart Bangladesh”.
Read more: Election 2024: Former BNP vice chairman Shahjahan Omar wins from Jhalakathi-1
Bangladesh’s strong position in int’l arena due to AL’s successful foreign policy: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said if her party Awami League is re-elected, Bangladesh's development cooperation with all the countries will continue.
“Bangladesh has occupied a strong and prestigious place in the international arena due to the success of Awami League’s foreign policy, following the principle of ‘friendship to all, malice towards none’ as directed by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said today while announcing AL’s manifesto for the 12th National Parliamentary Election.
The AL President said cooperation with neighboring countries will continue in various areas, including cross-border communication, transit, energy partnership, and equitable water-sharing.
Read: Come to polling centres early, cast votes for Boat: PM Hasina at Pirganj rally
She said Bangladesh is firmly determined to prevent the presence of militants, international terrorists, and separatist groups on its territory.
The Awami League government will play an important role in forming the South Asia Task Force to combat terrorism and militancy and eliminate them from the entire region, Hasina said.
“We believe in peace, not war,” she said, adding that to enhance the defense capability of the armed forces to protect the security, sovereignty, and integrity of the country, the formulation and implementation of ‘Forces Goal-2030’ is ongoing in light of the ‘Defense Policy, 1974’ formulated by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Read: Bangladesh and Kosovo can boost bilateral trade: PM tells outgoing envoy
She said the efficiency and discipline of the defense forces will continue to improve, and management will continue to develop in light of Forces Goal 2030.
Hasina said necessary measures will continue to be taken to increase the professional skills of the officers and soldiers of the armed forces and their job opportunities according to the country's capability.
“To ensure the security of the country and the people, the capacity building of the defense system will continue. New welfare-oriented schemes and programs will be taken up for all ranks of the armed forces,” PM Hasina said.
Read more: In Smart Bangladesh Awami League pledges more safeguards for minorities, end of intolerance
Come to polling centres early, cast votes for Boat: PM Hasina at Pirganj rally
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday requested all voters to go to the polling centres early in the morning and cast their ballots for 'boat' to let her party serve them again.
“The election will be held on January 7. Please go to the polling centres early morning with other voters and cast your votes for boat (the electoral symbol of Awami League,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing a public rally at Taraganj Degree College.
Her younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on dais.
She said that boat is the symbol of the boat of Prophet Nuh that saved the human race during the Great Flood,
“This boat gave your independence and developed your living standard,” she said.
“Will you cast your votes for the boat? Promise me, please raise your hands,” she asked while the audience raised their hands and chanted slogans for the AL election symbol.
She also introduced Awami League nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) at the rally and requested all to vote for him.
Read: ‘PM sounded sincere about ensuring infrastructure facilities enabling those with disabilities to move independently’
Referring to numerous implemented development programmes of the government in the last 15 years, Hasina said that it was possible for the government as the people gave votes for her party in the last three elections.
She also said that there are some development programmes left unfinished to materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
These are to make the country free from homeless and landless people and eradicate poverty completely, she said.
No special message from PM, no hidden agenda: Foreign Secretary says ahead of Delhi visit
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen today (November 23, 2023) said he is not carrying any special message from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or there is "no hidden agenda" as he leaves for New Delhi tomorrow to hold talks with his Indian counterpart, scheduled for Friday.
He, however, said the Bangladesh side will definitely inform the Indian side if they have queries regarding the next national election.
Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masud said the relationship between Bangladesh and India is multifaceted.
Read: AL’s main task is to prevent propaganda, sabotage ahead of polls: Obaidul Quader
Efforts to keep the relationship unhindered and smooth before, during and after the election may come up for discussions, he said.
The foreign secretary said he will brief diplomats from countries that do not have missions in Dhaka about the situation in Bangladesh and the government’s efforts to hold a free and fair election.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said no political issues will be discussed in the foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries.
Read: Way towards green, sustainable businesses in Asia and the Pacific pointed at UN forum in Hong Kong
"I don't think so. Political discussion has already been done. There will be no discussion about politics there," Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter wanted to know whether politics and the upcoming election will be discussed in the forthcoming meeting.
The foreign minister said it is a routine meeting between the two countries where various issues of mutual interest will be discussed.
"We do FOC (Foreign Office Consultations) with many countries. It is a routine matter," he added.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is scheduled to hold the regular bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Friday.
This is the second foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries this year. The first one was held in February in Dhaka.
At the Foreign Office Consultations, the two countries usually discuss all the major issues of mutual interests to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors.
Read: ‘Those threatening to foil polls had shown bias towards undemocratic change in power in the past’
Recently, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the relationship between Bangladesh and India today stands out as a model in terms of shared benefits.
In an interaction in London, he said the two countries have settled the land boundary and maritime border issues.
Jaishankar highlighted connectivity cooperation, energy supply and use of ports and noted that Bangladesh-India ties stand as model ties.
PM Hasina urges G20 leaders to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ensure humanitarian relief
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (November 22, 2023) urged the G20 leaders to call with one voice for an instant ceasefire in Gaza and for an immediate, unhindered flow of humanitarian relief to the suffering victims.
The prime minister made the call speaking at the G20 Leaders’ Summit virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the virtual G20 leaders’ summit to deliberate on the implementation of the Delhi Declaration prior to concluding India’s presidency this month.
The G20 is a forum for international economic cooperation comprising 19 countries -Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US - and the European Union.
Spain was invited as a permanent guest at the forum, while India included Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates as guest countries during its presidency.
Hasina said that for over a month and a half, the world has been witnessing in Palestine a merciless, genocidal slaughter of thousands of men and women and tragically innocent children numbering over 10,000.
Read more: G20 agreement reflects sharp differences over Ukraine and the rising clout of the Global South
“All these monstrous acts have stunned the world, intensified global distress, and slowed worldwide economic progress,” she said.
She also mentioned that the current war in Europe with sanctions and counter-sanctions has taken a worldwide human and economic toll and continues to do so.
“In today’s globalized world, surely it would be easy to firmly say “NO” to all wars and conflicts to save human lives and humanity,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that a good beginning could be fostering good neighbourly relations and spreading their reach far around the globe.
“I am happy to draw your attention to Bangladesh and neighbour India’s excellent relations, which are recognised as a Role Model of Neighbourhood Diplomacy,” she said.
She said that neighbours can certainly resolve issues through friendly “Dialogue,” as Bangladesh and India have proven with their maritime and land boundaries.
The prime minister said that Bangladesh is committed to a peaceful and prosperous world.
“It has become our duty to ensure the wellbeing of everyone in our global family. In that spirit, I seek your earnest support for the repatriation of more than a million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingyas) from Bangladesh to Myanmar,” she said.
She hoped that the commitments that the nations have made at the G20 Summit will bear fruition and transform into concrete action.
“I also believe the Summit’s theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ will continue to inspire us to care for, protect, and make Planet Earth, our common home, a better place for our future generations,” she said.
PM Hasina said that she was heartened that the leaders agreed in New Delhi to strengthen Multilateral Development Banks to help Low-and Middle-Income countries address their development needs, particularly those related to Climate Action, Technological Transformation, Digital Public Infrastructure, and women-led development, which are imperative for a better future.
The meeting aims to provide an impetus to implement the Delhi Declaration unanimously agreed upon by all members at the 18th G20 leaders’ summit held in New Delhi in September.
During the closing session of the New Delhi summit on September 10, Modi had announced India would be hosting a virtual summit.
Leaders of the G20 nations, including the chair of the African Union, as well as nine guest countries, and heads of 11 international organisations have been invited to the meeting.
On December 1, India assumed the mantle of the G20 presidency.
India holds the G20 Presidency until November 30. The G20 troika during the Brazilian G20 presidency in 2024 will comprise India, Brazil and South Africa.
The new troika will be formed when Brazil assumes the presidency next month, with India as the past presidency and South Africa holding the presidency after Brazil.
The G20 members represent around 85 percent of the global GDP, over 75 percent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
Read more: India forges compromise among divided world powers at the G20 summit in a diplomatic win for Modi
Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would be the 9th largest consumer market by 2030 with the government working with the goal of overtaking many established markets in the world.
“We’ve been working with a goal so Bangladesh could surpass established markets like the UK and Germany, and the current high-growth countries Vietnam and Thailand at that time. We’ve this effort,” she said.
The premier said this while inaugurating the 60 years’ celebration and Investment Expo, 2023 of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city.
“There are some 17 crore people in our Bangladesh. Besides, we’ve strengthened connectivity with our neighbouring countries. We think Bangladesh would become the world’s 9th largest consumer market by 2030,” she said.
Noting that Bangladesh has a large population, she said the government is developing them as skilled manpower for its better utilization.
Read: Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina
The PM said the number of growing middle class and rich people will be 3.40 crore by 2025 in Bangladesh and the estimated GDP per capita will be 5,880 US$ by 2040.
“Due to its strategic geographical location, Bangladesh can be the hub of the regional market of 3 billion people,” she said adding that her government has taken steps to strengthen the connectivity with this region.
Hasina said her government has successfully been able to bring a significant change in Bangladesh after assuming office in 2009. “Bangladesh has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the last 15 years,” she said.
Noting that Bangladesh is now considered as the 35th largest economy in the world, she said they have raised the GDP growth rate to 7.25 percent now due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and trade consolidation.
The PM, however, said the growth rate was even higher during the pre-Covid period as the government raised it to 8:10pc before the pandemic.
Read: Only votes can change govt: PM Hasina
The government has successfully increased per capita income to US$2,793 from only US$ 543 and raised the GDP size to Tk 50.31 lakh crore now from Tk 4 lakh crore in 2006, she said.
During this period, they brought down the poverty rate to 18.7 percent from 41.1 percent, while extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent from over 25pc, she said adding that her government has given the most importance to the development of the rural economy.
In the last 15 years, the Awami League government took multifaceted measures for the development of the business sector of the country. So, the private sector has become stronger and more developed. Bangladesh is currently the second largest garment exporter in the world, she said.
“Bangladesh is expected to be the 20th largest economy in the world by 2037,” said Sheikh Hasina, adding that the country will be transformed into a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
Mentioning that the government is setting up some 100 economic zones and established 39 hi-tech parks throughout the country, she said those economic zones and parks are kept open for foreign investment.
If any country can want land singly, seek land under joint venture or public private partnership (PPP), the government would allow them and provide them with lands, she said.
Read: PM Hasina collects nomination form for national election
The premier said one stop service has been introduced in investment development agencies to facilitate investment. “We have undertaken plans to make all offices providing investment services fully online and digitized,” she said.
In Bangladesh, there is a scope to develop USD 350-billion infrastructures in the energy, water, logistics and transport sectors. “By 2025, the logistics sector alone is expected to become a US$90 billion market,” she said.
The prime minister said they want to raise private investment to 31.43 percent of GDP by 2031.She said Bangladesh has become an attractive destination to many countries around the world for investment, industrialisation and export due to various reasons including its economic growth, structural development programmes, investment-friendly policy, large domestic market, strategic location, high profitability and large workforce.
Talking about the FICCI’s celebration, she said the chamber has stepped into 60 years this year since the inception of its journey in 1936.
As a leading chamber, FICCI represents investors from 35 countries in more than 21 sectors of Bangladesh. “FICCI represents 90 percent of the country's inward FDI, which carries special importance to the overall development of our country,” she said.
The premier extended sincere thanks to all former and current members of FICCI on the occasion of the celebration of its 60 years.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, among others, spoke at the function, while FICCI President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Naser Ezaz Bijoy delivered the welcome speech.
The premier also unveiled a research book titled ‘Catalyzing Greater FDI for Vision 2041’, which was published by FICCI.