PM Hasina
PM Hasina advocates for enhanced direct RMG imports by Brazil to strengthen bilateral trade
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a meeting held on Monday (April 8, 2024) with the visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and his delegation, underscored the significant potential for enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil.
“There is immense scope to increase bilateral trade between the two countries,” she was quoted as saying.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's office, where Sheikh Hasina highlighted the opportunity for Brazil to augment its import of readymade garment (RMG) products directly from Bangladesh, thus eliminating the need for intermediaries and making the process more cost-effective.
The briefing to reporters post-discussion was provided by PM's speechwriter M Nazrul Islam.
He revealed that the Prime Minister expressed a desire to deepen the current bilateral relationship between the two nations. Noting the current trade imbalance heavily skewed in favour of Brazil — with Bangladesh importing substantial amounts of sugar, soybean oil, and cotton from Brazil and exporting only a minimal amount of RMG products in return — she pointed out the considerable scope for Brazil to diversify its imports to include not only more RMG products but also jute, jute goods, leather, and leather goods from Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the historical connections, Prime Minister Hasina remarked on Brazil's significant role as the first country in South America to recognise Bangladesh's independence in 1971, shortly after the Liberation War.
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She emphasised the shared perspectives and stances of Bangladesh and Brazil in various international forums.
The conversation also veered towards sports, with the Prime Minister expressing an interest in Brazilian football and seeking cooperation to elevate the standards of football in Bangladesh.
In a gesture of diplomatic goodwill, the visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister extended an invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Prime Minister Hasina to attend the final meeting of the G20 Task Force for the creation of Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty in Rio de Janerio on 24th July. The prime minister accepted the invitation.
The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the EU. The 19 countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Brazil holds the Presidency in 2024.
The discussions further ventured into global political arena, with Vieira commending Bangladesh for its stance against the ongoing conflict in Gaza and aligning with Bangladesh's condemnation of the Israeli aggression as genocide.
“They (Israel) have violated all kinds of international norms, they bombed hospitals, continue killing in the shelter camps… this is not a war, this is genocide,” the PM was quoted as saying.
She mentioned that Israeli forces are not even sparing children, women and the elderly.
Praising the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Hasina's leadership, Vieira expressed Brazil's interest in learning from Bangladesh's development experience, noting the similarities between the two populous nations in their battles against poverty and hunger.
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The visit, marked by Vieira's presentation of a Brazil National Football Team jersey to Prime Minister Hasina, bearing her name, underscored the amicable discussions and the mutual desire to explore avenues for cooperation and shared growth.
Leading a delegation of high officials and a robust trade team, this is the Brazilian Foreign Minister’s first visit to Bangladesh, opening new chapters in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil.
PM Hasina likely to travel to India and China in first bilateral visits since forming new govt
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to embark on bilateral visits to New Delhi and Beijing within the next three months, marking her first such engagements after the January 7 national election. These visits are aimed at deepening Bangladesh's connections with India and China, Asia's two leading economic powers.
Following the formation of the new government, Prime Minister Hasina attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February, highlighting her active engagement on the global stage.
Diplomatic sources indicate that PM Hasina's visit to India is planned after the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.
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Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.
"Prime Minister's (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.
He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.
In January, Prime Minister Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.
The last bilateral engagement between PM Modi and PM Hasina occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.
PM Hasina pays tribute to Father of the Nation on Independence Day
PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Additionally, PM Hasina's forthcoming visit to China in July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China's commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.
Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh's aspirations for "Vision 2041" and the realisation of a "Smart Bangladesh."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.