Sheikh Hasina also promises in parliament to free Bangladesh from corruption, militancy

 

March 11,2010

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday said her government is working relentlessly to build a knowledge-based, digital and modern Bangladesh, free from corruption, misrule and militancy, by 2021."We are making our all-out efforts in line with our election manifesto to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful and economically advanced country in South Asia, free from all sorts of terrorism and militancy, by 2021 when golden jubilee of the country's Independence would be celebrated," she said. Taking part in the thanks giving motion on President's Speech in the Jatiya Sangsad, Sheikh Hasina categorically said that she is pursuing her politics for the welfare of the people and none can deviate her from the path to establish a modern and peaceful Bangladesh. The Prime Minister in her one-hour speech listed different programmes of her government and said those programmes are being implemented in health, education, infrastructure development, agriculture, power, energy and industries sectors for the greater interest of the nation. Besides, she said, her present government has taken steps to provide job opportunities to the unemployed educated youths across the country through its National Service Programme. However, steps have been taken to set up deep sea port, modernizing the Chittagong and Mongla ports and conducting dredging works in the country's major rivers and construction of a bridge on river Teesta. In agriculture sector, she said, her government has ensured uninterrupted irrigation service in farmland and supply of all agricultural inputs to boost production. It is for the first time in Bangladesh's history, the farmers are getting agricultural subsidy directly by opening a bank account depositing Taka 10, she added.

PM Sheikh Hasina asked the businessmen to explore new markets for export

March 11,2010

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday stressed the need for political stability and continuation of government policy for the economic development of the country. “We need political stability and continuation of government policy for the economic development of the country,” she said addressing the National Export Trophy distribution ceremony at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the city. The Prime Minister deplored that the country never got political stability since its independence. “Sometimes we got elected government, sometimes military dictator, sometimes an autocratic government, sometimes experienced minus-two formula and some other formulas.” She mentioned that the impact of the unelected governments affected the economic growth of the country and also trade, export and business. Sheikh Hasina underscored a “specific policy” for the economic sector of the country and also its continuation no matter whichever government comes. She noted that due to political instability the country had to suffer from lack of electricity, gas, infrastructure and other related issues that hampered the growth of trade, export and business. “As a result, the country kept lagging behind,” she said. The Prime Minister believes that trade and business are the driving force for socioeconomic development. Due to the speedy expansion of globalization and free market economy, there are vast changes going on in the global trading. It is important to make the economic development of the country more dynamic and diversified to compete on the fast-changing and competitive market. "It is necessary to diversify country’s exports," she said, adding that it is the responsibility of the entrepreneurs and businesses to produce and export the products. "Government is acting as the helping force," she said and mentioned that the government has formulated the import and export policy keeping in mind the tricks of trade.  

PM Sheikh Hasina sought Qatari support in establishing a school in Dhaka for the autistic children

March 11,2010

Qatar will intensify its cooperation in the development sectors of Bangladesh, including river dredging, construction of road infrastructures, community health clinic and power stations. The assurance came when a 7-member Qatari delegation led by the visiting Qatari Minister for State and International Cooperation Dr Khaled Bin Mohammad Al Atiyah called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban here this morning. During the meeting, they discussed various bilateral issues and cooperation between the two Muslim countries including Qatar's assistance to Bangladesh's development endeavours, trade and business and export of Bangladeshi manpower to that country. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its brotherly relations with the State of Qatar based on commonality of history, culture and region and expressed the hope that the relations will reach newer heights in the days ahead. She thanked Dr Atiyah for leading the delegation to Bangladesh to assess the need for Qatari assistance. The visit would pave the way for a meaningful cooperation and would add significantly in further strengthening the bonds of fraternity between the two countries, she added. Laying emphasis on further strengthening the cooperation in trade and business specially in the private sector, the Prime Minister said frequent exchange of visits in the fields of education, art and culture and trade and commerce between the to countries should be expedited for the benefit of two peoples. During the meeting, the Prime Minister sought Qatari cooperation in establishing a school in Dhaka for the autistic children. In reply, the Qatari minister assured of his government support to this end as well as Bangladesh's development sectors.