Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it. "There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said. The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”. Read: PM Hasina urges the US to lift sanctions against Russia “What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said. On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation. Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace. Read more: ​​​​​​​IEB protests DCs' proposal on design, implementation of projects

Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said Padma Bridge is a symbol of pride and dignity of Bangladesh. "Padma Bridge is not just an engineering masterpiece but a symbol of pride and dignity of Bangladesh as well. All the people of this country equally share this glory," he said Friday night sharing a video from his verified Facebook account.  Joy said the future of Bangladesh hinges much on this bridge. This bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital, he said.  Consequently, Joy said, it will catalyze the local and international trades of Bangladesh.  In addition to transforming the economic footing of around 50 million people of the South-west part of the country, Joy said, it will also ensure a rise in the national income, meaning GDP, by at least 1.5%, a paradigm shift for the entire Bangladesh.  "Padma Bridge with my money, Padma Bridge for Bangladesh," he added.  Also read: PM Hasina model helps Bangladesh escape poverty: Joy

Speakers in a workshop emphasized adopting policy for plastic and light engineering as these products see a higher export growth along with increasing use of such products. They came up with remarks at a validation workshop to finalize the export roadmaps on plastic and light engineering sectors jointly organized by the ministry of commerce business initiative leading development (BUILD) in collaboration with IFC-WBG prepared the roadmaps. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary, ministry of commerce attended the program as the chief guest. He said the ministry of commerce endorsed the projection of BUILD for the plastic sector roadmap to be the 40th largest exporter by 2030. READ: Speakers emphasise zero tolerance of corruption to encourage entrepreneurs In order to meet the target, he asked the stakeholders regarding the needs to support since the Government is keen to see higher export growth through relevant policy interventions. Tapan Kanti mentioned that Vietnam attracts a significant portion of foreign direct investment (FDI) enhancing its light engineering and bicycle export. After 2026 when Bangladesh will graduate from LDC status, the government will not extend cash subsidies but provide support in the forms of research, knowledge, logistics, and so on, he said. “Bangladesh needs to shift its product concentration to sectors like light engineering so that it can gradually move upwards in its industrialization pathway. As Bangladesh will upgrade from being the 43rd largest economy to 25-26th economy in 2030, greater FDI may be attracted and the ease of doing business may be gradually improved, along with proper factor analysis, the projected target for 2030 can be upgraded,” Tapan Kanti. READ: Kurigram sets an example in reducing child marriage: Speakers Refering different projections of the light engineering sector, Commerce Senior Secretary said considering the global export of 700 trillion, economic situation, supportive policies extended by the government and the target of perspective plan to be a developed country, there is a need for alternative projections. He suggested BUILD to revisit the target considering the global issues and economic development.