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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said no one can chew up forex reserve as it’s for the people.
“Many may wonder where the forex reserve money went. Money from the forex reserve went to Payra Port, procuring food for the people, fertiliser, and meeting the daily needs of people… No one can chew up that money. That is (forex reserve) for the people. We are using that for import and other necessary purposes,” she said.
She said this while inaugurating some development projects virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, including capital dredging at Payra Port, aiming to equip it with better facilities for smooth operations, reports UNB.
Other inaugurated projects included eight ships and vessels, the first terminal, the construction of a six-lane approach road and a bridge at Payra Port.
Sheikh Hasina said that for the first time, money from Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Fund is being used. It is being used for capital dredging of Payra Port.
“We have provided the loan, with the minimum interest rate, to the port. With a one per cent service charge, they will have to give only a two per cent interest rate,” she said.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the country’s money will remain in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s forex reserve can be used for infrastructure development. In this connection, she mentioned the hassles Bangladesh has to deal with when taking foreign funds.
“Considering that we have created a fund – Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Fund. We have created this fund using our forex reserve money. Using that fund, we are starting the dredging of Payra Port,” she added.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
