Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that people will reelect Awami League in the next general election to maintain the continuity of development in the country. “In the next election, I believe the people who are now getting the benefits of development will surely vote for ‘boat’ and reelect Awami League to maintain the continuity of development and thus turn Bangladesh into a mid-income country by 2021 and a prosperous one by 2041,” she said. The PM said this when leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies met her at Gono Bhaban yesterday, marking the ninth anniversary of her release from prison.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the ulema of Qawmi madrasas to motivate people against the spread of terrorism and to help the government’s efforts to eliminate this social menace from the country. The PM made the call when a group of ulema (Islamic scholars) of Qawmi madrasas, met her at her parliament office. The PM said a huge number of students who were receiving education in Qawmi madrasas across the country should be brought into the mainstream. The PM also assured the ulema of extending all-out support from the government to develop the country’s Qawmi education.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to stay beside Afghanistan for establishing peace in the war torn country. When Afghan Ambassador in Dhaka Abdul Rahim Oraz paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister at her Jatiya Sangsad Office yesterday, the latter said, “We have a historical and wonderful relation with Afghanistan. We will continue our support and stay beside Afghanistan to establish peace in the country.”
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said the Prime Minister’s upcoming Sweden visit will help expand cooperation between the two countries on a number of bilateral and regional issues, including climate change, SDGs implementation and combatting terrorism. Addressing a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry, Mahmood Ali said the visit will also help bring a momentum in bilateral trade and investment, cooperation on migration, UN peacekeeping missions and Global Deal Initiative. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave for Sweden tomorrow on a bilateral 3 day visit upon an invitation by her Swedish counterpart Stefan Löfven. She will lead a high-powered business delegation on the first ever such high level visit to Sweden.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) signed an agreement with four consulting firms on expanding the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at the CAAB office in Dhaka yesterday. The cost of HSIA expansion project, which has been estimated at Tk 136.10 billion, would be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for which another agreement is expected to be signed on 21June. The cost of consultancy service is Tk 5.70 billion,which will be provided from the JICA fund. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon was present at the function.
Law Minister Anisul Huq left for Geneva yesterday to attend the ongoing 106th International Labour Conference, where Bangladesh will make clear its stance on implementing ILO conventions and protecting labour rights. The conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) member states began on June 4 and issues concerning Bangladesh will be discussed on June 14.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told parliament yesterday that nine power plants under construction will go into production by 2017. State Minister said some 8,500 to 9,500 megawatt of electricity is being generated a day to meet the country’s demand.
Bangladesh has topped a global list of countries that have installed the highest number of Solar Home Systems (SHS). With four million of the systems set up so far, the country is also at the forefront of nations using clean stoves and biogas plants, and promoting renewable energy. “As of 2016, more than 6 million SHS and kits were in operation worldwide, with 25 million people benefiting from them. Bangladesh, the largest SHS market worldwide, now has more than 4 million units installed,” said “Renewables 2017 Global Status Report”.
Press Wing London, 12 June 2017