“The whole international community is now praising the development of Bangladesh, even those who called Bangladesh “a bottomless basket” in the past. The poverty rate is now under 21.3 percent and if this process continues, it will go below 5 percent very soon,” Momen said, while addressing a program at the National Museum organized by the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB) to mark National Mourning Day.

The day was observed on August 15 commemorating the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sharing his experience of working with Bangabandhu,  Abdul Momen said that he was very fortunate to get the opportunity to work both Bangabandhu Sheikh Mheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Our PM has the same characteristics as Bangabandhu and under her dynamic leadership, Bangladesh will become a rich and prosperous country soon,” the foreign minister added.

APUB president Sheikh Kabir Hossain presided over the function, while Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Deputy Minister of Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, and University Grants commission Chairman (UGC) Professor Dr Kazi Shahidullah also spoke.