PM Hasina
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.
Community clinics model: UN adopts resolution highlighting Sheikh Hasina initiative
The United Nations has unanimously adopted the first-ever resolution on community-based health care.
The resolution, titled “Community-based primary health care: a participatory and inclusive approach to universal health coverage,” acknowledged the important role community clinics play in promoting primary health care, women’s empowerment, community engagement and mobilization towards achieving universal access to health.
The resolution, in recognition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stellar contribution in establishing model community clinics in Bangladesh, highlighted “the Sheikh Hasina Initiative” as an exemplary innovative model of public-private partnership, said the government.
Read More: Bangladesh has achieved great progress in healthcare, health minister tells conference in Japan.
By introducing the “Community Clinic Model of Bangladesh’, the resolution asks member states to explore measures to scale up and reference best practices to benefit from successful national experience.
It reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to improve health and well-being of its citizens and to contributing to global health equity.
The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith introduced the resolution in the General Assembly.
Read More: PM Hasina urges rich countries to ensure universal healthcare for all
The resolution, the first of its kind in the United Nations or the World Health Organization, was co-sponsored by 70 countries.
Ambassador Muhith highlighted the impact of this resolution on achieving universal health coverage through inclusive community-based primary health care. Referring to today’s adoption of the resolution as a watershed moment in global efforts for universal and equitable access to health for all, he said that implementation of the resolution can make a world of difference to the lives of billions and their families and communities around the world.
“It has a far-reaching impact in promoting international cooperation for universal health coverage as it invites international financial institutions, multilateral and regional development banks and donors to provide appropriate resources, especially for developing countries, to strengthen community-based health services towards the full implementation of the SDGs,” he added.
Also read: Make medication available in community clinics to combat hypertension: Experts
To bring all people of Bangladesh under primary health care coverage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced this unique community clinic model in Bangladesh in 1998 which has revolutionized the health care delivery to reach the doorsteps of people all over the country, particularly those in under-served areas and hard-to-reach populations.
PM Hasina likely to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to attend the Qatar Economic Forum, the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment, to be held in Doha on May 23-25.
However, there is no official announcement yet regarding the visit.
Strategically located in Doha, the Forum draws on Qatar’s ability to link Asia with Africa and beyond, as well as its position as a key global diplomatic hub and a leader in LNG energy technologies.
Also Read: Economic cooperation needed among countries in South and Southeast Asia: PM tells outgoing Korean envoy
The forum features a curated group of global leaders and innovators exploring solutions for some of today’s more pertinent challenges as they draw up a blueprint for our shared future, said the organisers.
Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Irakli Garibashvili,
Prime Minister of Georgia, Paul Kagame,
President of the Republic of Rwanda, Akbar Al-Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment,
Also Read: PM Hasina: Election-time government can include opposition MPs in Parliament
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, State of Qatar, President & CEO of QatarEnergy are among the guests.
The organisers of the event put Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s name as one of the guests among Heads of State and Government.
Qatar Economic Forum 2023 will focus on prominent global challenges that affect societies and economies around the world.
Also Read: PM Hasina: Climate-induced disasters may disrupt Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation
The 2023 edition will revolve around global growth and establishing a new roadmap for global growth in this challenging economic environment.
Once finalised, the Prime Minister will be heading for Doha on May 22 and will return home on May 26, says a diplomatic source.
Economic cooperation needed among countries in South and Southeast Asia: PM tells outgoing Korean envoy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (May 16, 2023) called for economic cooperation among the countries in South and Southeast Asia for mutual benefits of the people in the regions.
The prime minister said this while outgoing Ambassador of Republic of Korea, Lee Jang-keun, called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said that PM Hasina admired South Korea’s success in transforming into a developed country within a generation.
Also Read: PM delivers 4-point recommendations at 79th UNESCAP Session
She mentioned that this success inspired Bangladesh in its endeavour to steer the nation towards development and prosperity.
The PM recalled her two visits to South Korea, saying that during the second visit she witnessed the amazing development there.
While highly appreciating the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the outgoing ambassador expressed deep appreciation for extensive cooperation and hospitality demonstrated by the PM and Bangladeshis during his tenure in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Lee shared with the Prime Minister recent milestone development in relations between Korea and Bangladesh in multiple areas such as trade, official development assistance, expatriate workers and investment in the year of 50th anniversary of South Korea-Bangladesh diplomatic ties in 2023, the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka said.
Read More:PM Hasina: Keep up the country’s dev momentum to foil anti-national conspirators
Ambassador Lee explained that the trade between South Korea and Bangladesh crossed the $3 billion mark in 2022 and $2 billion in 2021 for the first time, which was stagnant at around $1.5-1.8 billion over a decade before the Covid-19 pandemic.
PM Hasina: Election-time government can include opposition MPs in Parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the next general election will be held in the country following the Westminster system of Britain.
“We follow the Westminster type democracy. We’ll hold the election as Britain does. Yes, we can show liberality (flexibility) that if anyone from among the MPs (parties) in Parliament expresses desire to join the election-time government, we are ready to take them,” she said.
By saying so she meant the MPs from the parliamentary opposition. All the seven MPs from opposition BNP quit the legislature in December last year as part of the party’s anti-government movement.
“Now they (BNP) are not in Parliament. So, there is nothing to think about them,” she said.
The premier made this remark replying to a question regarding the election-time government at a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban on the outcome of her recent three-nation visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom from April 25 to May 08, 2023.
Hasina said her government had shown such liberality earlier before the 2014 national election and asked BNP leader Khaleda Zia to give her party’s representation in that election-time government, but she didn’t do so.
“Now they (BNP) are not in Parliament. So, there is nothing to think about them,” she said.
The Prime Minister said the government has no objection with the movement of BNP, but it won’t tolerate any violence including arson.
“If they wage movement, we’ve no objection. But if they resort to arson violence and burn any person again, we’ll not spare them…… They can wage movement as much as they can,” she said.
Also read: PM starts addressing media on her recent three-nation visit
Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Bangladesh Awami League, said she has been working for the welfare of the people. “If the people vote for her, she will stay in power, otherwise not,” she said.
Replying to a question if any talks will be held with those who (BNP) are now waging movement on the streets against the government, the PM said, “What for are we going to call them to talks? Their demand is not specific as well.”
In reply to another question, the premier reiterated that the government won’t procure anything from those who impose sanctions on Bangladesh.
“We’ll procure nothing from those who impose sanction on us,” she said.
Responding to a question regarding the dollar crisis, the PM said the dollar crisis is worldwide, not in Bangladesh only.
“There is no such crisis (in Bangladesh). The reserve of foreign currencies was only $ 0.744 billion in 2006 during the BNP regime. That means less than one billion dollars. But now we have a reserve of $31.22 billion. Now there is not much reason to worry about it,” she said.
Replying to other questions, Sheikh Hasina said the IMF provided a loan to Bangladesh as the country has the capacity to repay it and its economy didn’t get poor yet.
She blasted a section of people who don’t see any good side of the government, saying that they are blind despite having eyes.
She said now the rate of extreme poverty has come down to only 5 percent from 25 percent in the country.
The AL chief said they will declare building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ in her party’s next election manifesto.
The premier ruled out any possibility to raise the age limit of entry to government jobs.
PM starts addressing media on her recent three-nation visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started addressing a press conference on the outcome of her recent three-nation visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom from April 25 to May 09, 2023.
The press conference began at 4:05pm on Monday at her official residence Ganabhaban here.
On April 25, Hasina left Dhaka for Tokyo on a four-day official visit to Japan on the first leg of her three-nation visit at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.
Also Read: PM Hasina: Climate-induced disasters may disrupt Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation
During her stay in Tokyo, the Bangladesh PM met Emperor of Japan Naruhito, held summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio.
She and her Japanese counterpart witnessed the exchange of eight instruments, mostly memorandums of cooperation signed between Dhaka and Tokyo to boost cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, metro-rail, industrial up-gradation, ship-recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense, ICT and cyber security.
She also attended an investment summit and a community reception as well as handed over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to two Japanese nationals for their special contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Also Read: Bangladesh's next general election will be fair, PM Hasina tells UK
Besides, Hasina held meetings separately with Foreign Minister of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Tanaka Akihiko, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial & Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Fumiya Kokubu, Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL) Taro Aso.
On April 28, the PM left Tokyo for Washington DC on a six-day official visit to the USA on the second leg of her three-nation tour in a bid to attend the celebration of the 50 years of partnership between the World Bank and Bangladesh.
Also Read: PM Hasina off to Tokyo on first leg of a two-week official visit to Japan, USA and UK
She attended a seminar titled "Reflection on 50 years of Bangladesh-World Bank Partnership" organized at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA on May 1.
In Washington DC, Sheikh Hasina also had meetings separately with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and President and CEO of US Chamber of Commerce Suzanne P. Clark.
Besides, she attended a high-level executive roundtable with the US business delegation and a community reception.
On May 04, the premier left Washington DC for London on a five-day official visit to the UK to attend the coronation of UK's King Charles III, hosted by Buckingham Palace on May 06.
Read More: PM attends coronation of King Charles III
In London, Hasina had interaction with King Charles III, and held a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Also Read: PM Hasina reaches Tokyo to begin four-day official visit to Japan
She also attended the Commonwealth Leaders Event, the King's reception for heads of states, governments and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace in advance of the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort, and a community reception.
She had a meeting with and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema there.
Also Read: PM returns home after 15-day foreign visit
Besides, PM Hasina had interactions with Presidents of Egypt and Rwanda, Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Namibia and Uganda in the coronation programme of King Charles III.
Sheikh Hasina returned home on May 09.
PM Hasina: Climate-induced disasters may disrupt Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (May 15, 2023) apprehend that frequent climate-induced disasters may disrupt Bangladesh’s smooth transition from the LDC to developing country.
“Bangladesh has been recommended for graduation from the LDC by 2026. However, the frequent climate-induced disasters may disrupt our smooth transition. Climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction are, therefore, policy priorities of my government,” she said.
The Prime Minister expressed her apprehension in her pre-recorded video speech that was played in the 79th Annual Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on "Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific for Sustainable Development" held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Also Read: Almost 3000 shanties damaged, but Rohingya camps spared the worst of Mocha
She said that Bangladesh has been hosting 1.2 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
“Their overdue presence not only poses a serious security threat but also triggers a severe environmental degradation,” she said.
She reiterated her call to take concerted efforts to send them back to their homes in Myanmar.
Hasina put forward four proposals for UNESCAP for the betterment of the world to face the climate change.
Read More: Climate Change: Leaders gather at annual UN policy forum in Bangkok to tackle the most daunting threat
The proposals are:
-Climate-vulnerable developing countries, especially in Asia and the Pacific, require adequate finances to implement their NAP as well as to achieve NDC targets.
-International Support Measures of knowledge sharing, technology transfer and innovation-driven trade and investment are to be placed for transition towards climate resilience growth for the graduating countries.
-Trade facilitation measures, digital trade and IT-enabled services should be available in the developing countries to deal with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and mitigate the challenges of climate change.
-Sub-regional cooperation is to be strengthened, especially accelerating the current partnership and developing new partnerships, for promoting the climate actions for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.
The prime minister said that climate change is the real challenge of this time. The Asia and Pacific region, home to 60 percent of the world's population, is highly vulnerable to climate change.
Also Read: Cyclone Mocha: 10,000 houses damaged in Cox's Bazar, inc 1200 in St Martin
She said that this region is facing natural calamities like floods, cyclones, heat waves and droughts in an increased rate due to the impacts of climate change affecting lives and livelihoods.
PM Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world although its contribution to global emission is very negligible.
“Our development programs, therefore, focus on addressing climate-resilient development efforts,” she told the conference.
She said that her government has established 'Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund in 2009’ to help vulnerable communities. About 851 projects costing around half a billion US dollars have so far been executed under the fund.
Read More: Many countries can learn from Bangladesh’s approaches to reducing poverty, empowering women, adapting to climate change: WB President
In October 2022, she said, Bangladesh has submitted the National Adaptation Plan-NAP to UNFCCC. It has identified 113 interventions across 8 priority areas with a costing outlay of around 230 billion US dollar up to 2050.
“Bangladesh has also submitted an ambitious and updated Nationally Determined Contributions-NDC to the UNFCCC in 2021.”
She mentioned that the government has adopted the 'Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100', a 100-year strategic plan, for achieving a safe, climate-resilient prosperous delta.
She said that Bangladesh is also implementing the 'Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan spanning from 2022 to 2041 with the vision of setting Bangladesh's development trajectory from vulnerability to resilience.
“Let us join our hands together to consolidate our partnership to fight against the perilous threats of Climate Change and make the world a safer and better place for our future generation,” she said.
Read More: Fakhrul slams govt for alleged inaction on climate change impact
All preparations taken to face cyclone Mocha: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that the government of Bangladesh has taken all necessary preparations to tackle cyclone Mocha.
“Cyclone Mocha is approaching . We’ve kept ready the cyclone centres and taken all types of preparation to tackle it,” she said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 60th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) as the chief guest on IEB premises.
Hasina said that electricity and gas supply will be shut in the cyclone-hit areas to save lives.
Also Read: Heavy rains may trigger landslides in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, 3 hill districts
She said the move ( shutting gas and electricity supply) would cause temporary sufferings but it would save the lives of people. “We will take and are taking such measures,” she added.
Maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been advised to hoist danger signal No 10, as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha - over east central Bay and adjoining area is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction.
Also Read: Great danger signal No 10 issued for Cox’s Bazar maritime port as cyclone Mocha approaches
The maritime ports Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist great danger signal number 8, and the maritime port of Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal number 4.
The very severe cyclonic storm 'Mocha' is likely to cross Cox's Bazar-Myanmar's north coast by 6 pm on May 14 (Sunday), said a special bulletin of the Met Office.
Cox's Bazar and adjoining coastal areas will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm by this evening.
Also Read: Don’t have capacity to evacuate 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar: State Minister.
PM Hasina: Bangladesh won't buy anything from those who impose sanctions against it
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