PM Hasina
PM returns home from Doha after 3-day official visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home Thursday (May 25, 2023) morning wrapping up her three-day official visit to Qatar.
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:58am.
She went to Qatar on May 22 last to attend the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) at the invitation of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Also read: PM leaves Doha for home ending 3-day visit
During the visit, Hasina joined the Qatar Economic Forum, met with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Amiri Diwan, held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and held a meeting with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame.
Besides, Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi met her as well as Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih and Saudi Minister Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim jointly called on her.
Sheikh Hasina also addressed the students of Qatar University and visited Awsaj Academy, a specialized school for the children with special needs, which runs under Qatar Foundation here in Doha.
Read more: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US
The United States has indicated their new Bangladesh-specific visa policy will help Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in its efforts to hold free and fair elections.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government have committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh. This policy is designed to support these efforts and the Bangladeshi people, so they may hold elections to choose their leaders," said the US Embassy in Dhaka, in a message to journalists just after the new policy was announced.
The United States said they support free and fair elections everywhere.
Also read: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls
The message also contained a set of FAQs with responses, through which it clarified certain points that may likely arise in people's minds.
To start with, the US Embassy said this policy applies to any individual responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh. This includes current or former Bangladeshi officials, government supporters, and opposition members, among others. This would also include the immediate family members of such persons.
The United States said they are committed to building a strong partnership with the government of Bangladesh grounded in democracy and human rights.
"We welcome the Prime Minister’s expressed commitment to holding free and fair elections," said the US Embassy.
Also read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam
The United States emphasised it does not support any particular political party, and that their handling of this policy would not favour anyone over another - except on the grounds of undermining electoral democracy.
"Restrictions under this new policy target individuals engaging in behavior that undermines the democratic election process, regardless of affiliation."
It also assured that it is a general practice to notify individuals whose visas are revoked or cancelled.
Given US' "close cooperation" with the government of Bangladesh, the US informed it of this policy decision on May 3.
Read more: New visa policy to be implemented fairly on govt & oppn: Donald Lu
Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday made it clear that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held under her Awami League government and it will be free and fair.
“So under our government, definitely election will be free and fair,” she told a session titled "In conversation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina" of the Qatar Economic Forum at the Raffles Hotel here in Doha.
Haslinda Amin, editor-at-large of Qatar Economic Forum anchored the session.
The prime minister is now in Doha on a three-day official visit mainly to take part in the Qatar Economic Forum 2023.
Her assertion came as the opposition BNP and its allies have launched a renewed campaign of street protests asking her government to step down to pave the way for holding the next election under a neutral caretaker administration.
Also Read: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
Bangladesh is due to go to polls by December this year or in the first week of next year.
Responding to a question, she said that after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, military dictators jeopardised all election process.
“The election was just a game (then),” she said.
She recalled that when the Awami League elected her as its president back in 1981 in her absence only then she could return to the country.
“Since then we started to struggle for restoring democracy and people’s right to vote. It was our struggle to ensure free and fair election. And we did it during our time in every election,” she said.
Regarding the opposition BNP's demand, Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, said that in 2008 election nobody raised any question about it.
“What was the result then? The party (BNP) which is raising the question now got only 29 out of 300 seats in the Parliament,” she said.
Sounding firm the prime minister said that she is here to ensure people’s voting right, Because people should decide who will run the country.
“It is people’s power, I want to ensure people’s power. I am here not to grab power. Rather I want to empower our people that they should have their right to choose their government,” she said.
Replying to a question, Hasina mentioned that now some parties said they will not participate.
“How will they participate? Because during their time the country suffered a lot. Our people suffered. At their time terrorist activities increased. Everywhere there was corruption, nepotism and exploitation. They never bothered about the people. It was very difficult for our people to get one meal per day. That was the situation,” she said. She said that after the Awami League came to power it has ensured everything for the people.
“It's the people’s right to vote in election. What we have done now the people understand that. If they vote for us I am here, if they don't, ok fine,” she said clearly.
Also Read: PM reaches Doha for Qatar Economic Forum 2023
The PM said that during her tenure there had been many by-elections, local government elections, which were free and fair.
“You can see, who is creating problem. We are not. But in every election some incidents may take place,” she said.
She also mentioned that the government has asked everybody to send election observers to Bangladesh for the next voting.
“So I can tell you I am here to ensure my people’s democratic right, voting right and it is our struggle," she stated.
She said that she is here to serve the country and its people so they could live a better and prosperous life.
“Bangladesh should be a developed country, that is my aim. Why should I try to jeopardise people’s right that we have established. Definitely election will be free and fair.”
She also termed BNP as a party of criminals and killers.
“They (BNP) may not feel comfortable. But, there are other parties, those parties will participate in the election," she said.
Replying to a question IMF's recent loan to Bangladesh, PM Hasina said the IMF assists only the country that can repay the loan. In providing the loan, the IMF considered whether the country can pay it back or not, she said
"We'll definitely be able to pay it back," said the PM.
The premier said Bangladesh has successfully overcome the fallout of COVID-19 pandemic due to her government's pragmatic plans and steps.
How Bangladesh became a role model for dev: PM Hasina tells Qatar University students in Doha
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday spelled out seven suggestions, which she earned from the experience of her life, among the students of Qatar for becoming the future leaders.
“I would like to share a few suggestions for future leaders from my life’s experience and struggles: 1st: Represent a value, 2nd: Remain focused on your vision, 3rd: Make concrete plans to realize your vision, 4th: Lead by example and be the change-maker, 5th: Trust your people and team, 6th: Invoke your maternal spirit, and 7th: Embrace the new and the future,” she said.
She made the suggestions while delivering her speech before the students of Qatar University at its Research Complex auditorium in Doha.
The theme of the event 'A session with Prime Minister of Bangladesh' was “Bangladesh: a Development Model: Learning from Sheikh Hasina.”
Focusing on the history and recent development of Bangladesh, Hasina told the students that Bangladesh territory was once a land of opulence and prosperity. It was mercilessly exploited and robbed by the colonial rulers till 1947, when undivided India was partitioned, and then by the Pakistanis.
The PM said the prevalence of famine, extreme poverty, starvation, malnutrition, deaths, etc. was rampant in this territory due to the lack of commitment of the rulers towards the general masses, she said.
After a long struggle for 23 years and a nine-month war of independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh was born as an independent country in 1971, she said.
PM Hasina said her government managed to build a solid foundation for Bangladesh’s socio-economic transformation during her first regime from 1996 to 2001.
As her party got re-elected to office in December 2008 and then for two more consecutive terms, they got Bangladesh ready in the last fourteen and a half years for what her father had wished for—a happy and prosperous ‘Golden Bangladesh.’
“In 2015, Bangladesh became a lower middle-income country, and we envision it becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2031 and a high-income one by 2041. Meanwhile, we have been qualified to graduate to a developing country by 2026 from the LDC category,” she said.
She said Bangladesh has made impressive progress in almost all socio-economic fields and shed some light on the development of a few areas like economic development and poverty alleviation, education and knowledge-based society, and women's empowerment.
“Bangladesh is now the world’s 35th largest economy, with a GDP of USD 460.75 billion. In 2005–06, the GDP size was only USD 60 billion. Per capita income was USD 543 in 2006, which increased to USD 2,824 in 2022. The headcount poverty rate was 41.5 percent in 2005–06, while the current poverty rate has come down to 18.7 percent and the extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent,” she said.
In fiscal year 2005-06, the size of the country's national budget was BDT 610.5 billion. In the financial year 2022–23, the size of the budget is BDT 6.78 trillion. In the fiscal year 2005–06, export earnings were USD 10.52 billion, while in 2021–2022, they increased to USD 52 billion, she said.
Bangladesh's economy grew at an average of 6.5 percent over the past one and a half decades, and before the pandemic struck, it grew at 8.15 percent in the 2018–19 fiscal year, she added.
“We have made impressive gains in food security, free and affordable housing, community healthcare, compulsory primary education, women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, digital services, access to electricity, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation,” said the PM.
Besides, she focused on Ashrayan scheme being implemented to provide free houses for homeless families, establishment of over 18,000 community clinics and rural health centers to provide primary healthcare services, expansion of social safety net to support the poor and marginalized sections of society and development in education sector.
“We want to build a knowledge-based, SMART Bangladesh. In SMART Bangladesh, there will be a smart government, a smart economy, a smart population, a smart society, and smart manpower. People will be made skilled in using digital devices so that they can contribute to the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.
About women education, she said her government gave priority to women's education. “After a decade’s efforts, we now rank the highest in South Asia in reducing gender disparity….. We have gender parity in favour of our girls in our primary and secondary education,” she said.
Talking about women empowerment, she said, “We are among the world’s top ten nations for women’s political empowerment. Bangladesh is perhaps the only country where the Prime Minister, Speaker of the Parliament, Leader of the Opposition, and Deputy Leader of the House are all women. We have 33% reserved seats for our women in the local government bodies. I made it a point to break all glass ceilings by placing our deserving women in top leadership positions everywhere.”
Also read: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
The premier said today’s Bangladesh is a changed Bangladesh. “It is dubbed as a role model for development. Hunger, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, etc. are vanishing fast. Our hard-earned development in the country is not a miracle. It is the collective work of our men and women. I have only tried to guide them in the desired direction. However, it was not an easy journey to reach today’s position. I have had to undergo huge ordeals and persecution throughout my life,” she said.
Speaking of the ordeals and persecution, Hasina said she continued her struggle only to change the fates of her countrymen. “I shall continue to do so as long as I live, Insha Allah. My dream is to turn our delta into a land of prosperity once again,” said the PM.
Hasina arrived here on Monday on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum-2023 at the invitation of Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum here in Doha on Tuesday (May 23, 2023) morning.
The forum is being held at Fairmont & Raffles hotels in Lusail city on May 23-25.
Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Monday to attend the forum at the invitation of Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Also read: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon
The main objective of the forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
Later on Tuesday, she will deliver her speech before the students of Qatar University, have meetings separately with Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih, and attend Qatar Economic Forum Gala Dinner.
Also read: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi district BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
District Awami League General Secretary Shariful Islam Ramzan filed the case with Natore Police Station around 9:30pm on Monday (May 22, 2023).
Abu Sayeed Chand has been made the main accused in the case. The BNP secretary general has also been accused in the case.
Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Top leaders of district and municipal Awami League were present.
Nasir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, accepted the case.
Citing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi BNP leader Abu Sayeed Chand as traitors, the plaintiff said the “threatening remarks” made by the main accused towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished the reputation of the country.
The remarks may deteriorate the law and order situation of the country, the case statement reads.
Read more: People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters.
Read more: Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed
A case was filed against Abu Sayeed Chand with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in this regard.
PM’s 2nd visit to Qatar in 3 months bears sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in int’l arena: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday (May 22, 2023) said the two-time visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Qatar within three months this year bear the sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in the international economic arena as well as its close friendly relations with Qatar.
He made the remarks at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hours ahead of the Prime Minister’s departure for Doha to attend Qatar Economic Forum-2023. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin, among others, was present.
This forum will focus on nine important contemporary issues, Dr Momen said.
These issues include energy security; technology and innovation; changing market systems; innovation in the health sector; climate finance; trade strategies and arrangements; manpower in the fourth industrial revolution; sports in the digital world; and the future of foreign investment, he said.
Read more: ‘Very strange, no source mentioned’: Momen on report claiming new sanctions are coming
According to the organizers, prominent economists and leading business leaders of the world will participate in the discussion on these issues.
In addition to Minister Momen, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment; State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources along with senior government officials will participate.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha on Monday afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:13 pm.
Read more: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon
The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time).
The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” to be held on May 23-25.
The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment.
The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
Read more: PM Hasina to leave for Doha on Monday to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023
On May 23, Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih.
On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with the emir of Qatar at Amiri Diwan and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school).
PM Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25.
Read more: PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
PM Hasina off to Doha to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Doha on Monday (May 22, 2023) afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
A regular commercial flight of , Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:13 pm.
The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time).
The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” to be held on May 23-25.
Read more: Qatar Economic Forum 2023: PM to leave for Doha this afternoon
The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment. The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
On May 23, Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih.
On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with the emir of Qatar at Amiri Diwan and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school).
PM Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25.
Read more: PM’s 2nd visit to Qatar in 3 months bears sign of Bangladesh's visible presence in int’l arena: Momen
PM Hasina to leave for Doha on Monday to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Doha on Monday on a three-day official visit to attend the Qatar Economic Forum 2023 to be held on May 23-25.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airline, carrying the premier and her entourage, will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:00 pm.
The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport at 6:00pm local time (9:00pm Bangladesh Time).
Also Read: PM Hasina to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Qatar Economic Forum is the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment. The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
On May 23, Sheikh Hasina will join the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum, address the students of Qatar University in Doha, and hold meetings separately with Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih.
On May 24, the PM will join the forum, have a meeting with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (at Amiri Diwan) and visit Awsaj Academy (a specialized school).
Sheikh Hasina is expected to return home in the morning of May 25, leaving Doha the previous night.
UAE to support Bangladesh in building infrastructure and sea port: Envoy tells PM
The United Arab Emirates will continue its cooperation with Bangladesh in the development of its infrastructure and sea ports for mutual benefits.
The UAE's newly appointed ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi said this during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Wednesday (May 17, 2023).
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The UAE envoy said that his county will carry forward the friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh for economic development.
Also Read: Economic cooperation needed among countries in South and Southeast Asia: PM tells outgoing Korean envoy
Ali AlHmoudi apprised the prime minister about his meeting with Bangladesh's state minister of civil aviation and tourism regarding the cooperation in the aviation sector.
The ambassador recalled that the foundation of the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and the UAE was laid by fathers of the two nations Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through a visit to the Gulf nation by Bangabandhu in 1974.
Later, Sheikh Nahyan also visited Dhaka in 1984 and played a very pivotal role in establishing solid foundation of the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries, he added.
Also Read: PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it
During the meeting, the prime minister highly appreciated the UAE leadership as they are going to host the COP-28 summit meeting in November next in Dubai.
About Bangladeshi expatriates working in the UAE and Middle Eastern countries, she put emphasis on learning Arabic language by those seeking to go there for jobs.
The PM welcomed the new UAE envoy in Dhaka and assured him of providing all cooperation during his stay in Bangladesh.
Hasina also conveyed her best wishes to the UAE leadership through the ambassador.
Read More: Community clinics model: UN adopts resolution highlighting Sheikh Hasina initiative
Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.