June 16,2010

Bangladesh will open an embassy in Brazil soon to facilitate bilateral relations and trade between the two countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this Wednesday when Brazilian Ambassador to Dhaka Ricardo L Viana de Carvalho paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office. Brazil recently reopened their Embassy in Dhaka. Assuring the Brazilian Ambassador of all out cooperation from Bangladesh side, Sheikh Hasina said that with the opening of the Brazilian embassy here it would be possible for the two friendly countries to strengthen friendship and cooperation. Brazil can import readymade garments, ceramics, handicrafts and food items from Bangladesh, as these items are of world-class standard. The Prime Minister mentioned that her government has been giving utmost importance to social safety net and food security. She expressed deep shock at the death of Brazilian peacekeeping personnel in Haiti. In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said both Bangladesh and Brazil are contributing a lot in the UN peacekeeping missions. 

June 15,2010

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government will redesign every village in a planned manner in order to dedicate greater amount of agricultural land to increased food production. Addressing the launching of a three-month tree plantation program of the Bangladesh Krishak League at Ganobhaban, she said all installations in a village including schools and hospitals have to be established according to a pattern that ensures the best use of agriculture land. Sheikh Hasina urged the people not to waste a single inch of agricultural land as she stressed that increasing food production is a must to ensure adequate food for the large population of the country. Sheikh Hasina said no piece of land should be left uncultivated as Bangladesh’s landmass is limited, but its population has already taken on massive proportions. She further said the government will revive the project “one home, one farm” project in a bid to increase food production of the country. “If necessary, the government will give financial assistance to the home owners to create farms inside their home areas,” she said. The Prime Minister suggested that there will be cooperatives of the home farmers and the cooperatives will collect the agriculture produce from the homes and market them. In this regard, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on building small and medium industries across the country and going for processed agriculture products including organic foods. She said organic foods of Bangladesh enjoy high demand in the international markets. Announcing stern action against those felling trees and damaging the environment, the Prime Minister mentioned her government’s steps to stop recent tree felling in the coastal areas. “I had directed the authorities concerned to arrest the persons even if they are from my party” she said. She requested everyone to plant three saplings of medicinal, timber and fruit trees to create a balanced environment in the country. The Prime Minister said after planting saplings, these have to be preserved with full care.

June 15,2010

The official talks between Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were held at the Prime Minister's Office here yesterday afternoon. The two leaders held fruitful discussions about the cooperation on trade, commerce, investment, education, culture and defence between Bangladesh and China. Later, Bangladesh and China signed an agreement on economic cooperation, under which Beijing will provide 40 million yuan as grant. Chinese Vice Minister for Commerce Chan Jian and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. The Chinese vice president and Bangladesh premier witnessed the signing ceremony. Xi Jinping arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh.