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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm determination to overcome all economic challenges despite the global economic downturn and other obstacles in the country.
“The growth target we have set, we will be able to achieve that,” she said, reports UNB and BSS.
She made the assertion while briefing journalists at her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday on her recent participation in the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Sheikh Hasina said that she wants to maintain the economy’s growth momentum despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine war, sanctions and counter-sanctions.
She found no major risks in the long-term, short-term or immediate for the country’s economy, and there was nothing to worry about the dwindling foreign currency reserves.
Hasina said, “Bangladesh’s economy, in terms of midterm and long-term aspects, is at no risk. I can ensure all of you that there is nothing to worry.”
Mentioning that the government has put concentration on making the economy vibrant overcoming all challenges, she said that they’ve given emphasis on the issue of mitigating people’s sufferings of any kind.
She said, “There is no issue to worry…if we all think that this is our country and we all together have to pull the country ahead.”
She said whenever Awami League comes in power it pulls the country ahead. “So, I can say that we will be able to achieve the target of overall economic indicators.”
“But, our people have to remain conscious,” she added.
Besides, she said that there is nothing to be worried about the foreign exchange reserves because in 1996, AL government started journey with US$ 1 billion in reserve, while at that time, electricity generation was 1,300 megawatts, food shortage was 4 million metric tons and the literacy rate was only 45 per cent.
The Premier said, "I can promise that there is no risk in Bangladesh in any case."
She said the government wants the participation of all political parties in the next parliamentary election, but it’s up to a political party to join it or not.
Hasina said the Awami League, along with its allies and all others, made all the improvements and reforms in the country’s electoral system. “Even that if anyone doesn’t join, what can we do?” she said.
“Yes, we want all parties to join the election and vie in the polls. Awami League will never come power, rigging votes at least and didn’t do (in the past) also,” she said.
Pointing at BNP, she said they blamed the government when they lost the national election, giving nomination to 700 aspirants in 300 constituencies in 2018.
“Do the people vote for those who killed people through arson violence? They (the people) never can do,” said Hasina, also the president of Awami League.
She said Awami League came to power time and again working for the people, winning their hearts and cashing in their votes. AL never came out from the pocket of any military dictator. “AL always came to power through votes and elections,” she added.
The AL chief said her party’s triennial council will be held in December next and the party started taking preparation for the 12th parliamentary elections to be held late 2023 or early 2024.
She said AL is now perhaps the only party in the country that abides by its charter always.
Hasina said Bangladesh's active participation in all important meetings in the UNGA would strengthen Bangladesh's position in multilateral forums along with widening the field of international cooperation on issues relating to the country's interests.
She said, "During the UN assembly, Bangladesh actively participated in all important meetings and I hope that this participation would strengthen Bangladesh's position in multilateral forums and widen the field of international cooperation on issues relating to Bangladesh's interests. Overall, I think Bangladesh's participation in this session was very successful."
Sheikh Hasina touched on a number of important issues, including climate change, the Rohingya crisis and the global crisis that erupted from the Russia-Ukraine war. She attended a reception at the invitation of US President Joe Biden when she invited the US President and First Lady to visit Bangladesh.
In her speech, the prime minister said she participated in a high-level side event organised jointly by Bangladesh along with European Union, the USA, the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and Gambia jointly on the Rohingya issues on September 22.
Bangladesh has taken bilateral, trilateral and multilateral initiatives so that the Rohingyas can return to their home of origin with dignity and safety. But, due to the lack of political will of the Myanmar government, the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas has not been possible yet, she added.
Hasina also said she called upon the United Nations to play an effective and strong role in putting pressure on Myanmar to create a safe environment for the return of the Rohingyas in Rakhine State and to execrate the repatriation process.
The Premier said she highlighted Bangladesh's commitment to and participation in nuclear disarmament, preventing terrorism and the UN peacekeeping and peace-building activities to establish global peace.
In response to a query, Sheikh Hasina questioned the motive behind the imposition of sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) by the United States.
“Who created RAB?” she asked, pointing out that the US trained RAB and provided everything to the anti-crime agency, which has been credited for its role in dealing with militancy and terrorism.
She said that some people provide false and fabricated information about human rights violations in the United States, and some of them are misguiding the US after committing crimes here and leaving the country.
Hasina also appreciated RAB, saying that it has successfully tackled crimes and terrorism, but now criminals are being encouraged because of such sanctions on the agency.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for making people aware of cybercrimes.
She said, “Cybercrime is a big problem, there is no end to it; many things related to social problems such as terrorism and militancy flourish here and various other issues take place. Keeping that in mind, (cyber) security is very important.”
There is a need to make people aware of how cybercrime is harmful to society--from personal life to family life—as well as to a country.
Mentioning that information technology has brought the world closer, she said “It has both good and bad sides.”
She said those who ensure the security of the country need to know more about the issue.
Hasina also stressed the need for finding out the best possible ways to ensure the country’s security digitally.
"This meeting is very important for us as the world is going through a very critical time and its impact also falls on Bangladesh. Give well-thought-out opinions so that we can ensure the security of the countrymen and can continue the country’s progress and prosperity to march the country move forward," she said.
She said security officials will have to find out what Bangladesh can do to ensure its security and utilise the experience of others in doing so.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
