Japan’s help sought for Padma Bridge
Japans-help-sought-for-Padma-Bridge
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought increased Japanese assistance for the socio-economic uplift of Bangladesh especially for construction of Padma Bridge.
She sought the cooperation when a delegation of Friends of Bangladesh led by President of Parliamentary League of Japan Shin Shakurai called on her at hotel suit in Tokyo.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues of bilateral interest and matters relating to Japanese assistance for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
The premier on the second day of her five-day Japan visit will hold summit talks today with her Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan.
The talks will be held at the Prime Minister’s Office at local time 6:20pm and is likely to continue about an hour culminating to signing of a number of accords on economic assistance and investment.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting with the delegation of Friends of Bangladesh, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the delegation members assured of making their best efforts to ensure more Japanese assistance to Bangladesh for the overall development of the country.
They also lauded the prudent leadership of Sheikh Hasina in different international forums specially for addressing the climate change issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Hasina recalled the Japanese assistance to rebuild the war-ravaged Bangladesh. She expressed her gratitude to the Japanese people as well as its government for helping Bangladesh’s freedom loving people during the Liberation War in 1971.
The delegation included Vice-President of Japan-Bangladesh Cultural Association Madame Konoe, former Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Masaki Inoue, General Secretary of Japan-Bangladesh Ladies Cultural Association Ms Nara, Organiser of Support for Bangladesh Liberation War Prof Nara and Director of NHK Bangla Service Watanabe.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, PM’s Advisers Prof Dr Alauddin Ahmed and Dr Moshiur Rahman and Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan A K M Majibur Rahman Bhuiyan were, among others, present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government wants to establish Bangladesh’s permanent missions in all countries concerned to intensify the countries diplomatic activities.
“We’ve already decided to set up embassies or local consul offices in 16 countries which will also provide permanent address for the expatriate Bangladeshis,” she said after laying the foundation stone of Bangladesh Embassy building yesterday morning in Tokyo.
The embassy building will be constructed on 714 sq metres and completed by June 2012.
Speaking on the occasion, Hasina said her government wants to ensure opportunities for Bangladeshis both at home and abroad so that they can contribute to make Bangladesh a digital country.
The government is constructing mission offices in four countries including the office in Japan, she mentioned.
The premier said soon after taking office, the present government has been able to free Bangladesh from the stigma of corruption and militancy.
“Now our image in the world community has been restored. But the anti-people force has again become active to foil the progress of the nation,” she said.
Bangladesh has now become a model country for its efforts in eradicating corruption and strengthening democracy, Hasina added.
She blasted opposition leader Khaleda Zia for calling hartal on November 30 saying that it was “only to protect her illegally grabbed property.”
“Instead of working for mitigating people’s sufferings, she is increasing it by giving hartal just to meet her personal interests,” she added.
She mentioned that soon after Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971, the government of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had established permanent missions in several countries.
“During our last government, we also set up some missions. But the next government did not maintain the continuity,” she said.
Hasina in her address described Japan as a historic and time-tested friend of Bangladesh and recalled its assistances in constructing the Bangabandhu Bridge and the Rupsha Bridge as well as many other infrastructures in Bangladesh.
She mentioned the immense contributions of the expatriate Bangladeshis to the national economy through sending remittances along side their contributions to the countries where they now live.
The PM said the expatriates can contribute more by making investment in various development sectors of Bangladesh.
“It is our duty to ensure all facilities for the expatriates. And I hope, they will come forward to develop the country further,” she said.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan A K M Majibur Rahman Bhuiyan moderated the function while Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni also spoke.
WB Vice-President for South Asia Region Isabel M Guerrero calls on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence in the city yesterday.Photo: PIDThe World Bank (WB) will increase its assistance to Bangladesh and help in the construction of Padma Bridge, which will connect the south-western region directly with the capital and other parts of the country.
WB Vice-President for South Asia Region Isabel M Guerrero made the assurance when she called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence yesterday morning.
During the meeting, Isabel conveyed her sympathy at the gruesome killing of the army officers at the BDR Headquarters and praised the PM for tackling the matter quickly in a peaceful manner.
In response to the prime minister's call, the WB vice-president also assured her of providing cooperation in different sectors including social safety-net project, energy, education, river dredging and checking river erosion, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters after the meeting.
Hasina also requested the delegation to cooperate Bangladesh in preparing its new budget. Isabel assured her of providing WB cooperation in this regard.
Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office Mollah Wahiduzzaman, Secretary of External Resources Division Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Country Director of World Bank Xiaqn Zhu were present.
পদ্মাসেতুর অর্থ সহায়তা আটকে দিতে ইউনূসের লবি!
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment