PM urges global leaders to stop wars

BD, EU sign euro 400m deals for renewable energy projects

FE Team | Published: October 26, 2023 00:18:41

BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday appealed to the global leaders to take steps for ending wars, conflicts and arm race to build a better future.
"Human connectivity is the lifeline for peace and progress. We need to prepare better for future crises. We must restore faith in mutual respect and understanding among nations," she said.
The premier was addressing the opening plenary session of the Global Gateway Forum 2023 at GGF Conference Venue here in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.
She is participating in the Forum at the invitation of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Hasina said Bangladesh hopes to see the Global Gateway as a great connector for lasting peace and sustainable development.
Over 40 high-level government representatives from EU and partner countries, as well as representatives from financial institutions, the private sector, civil society and international organisations are attending the October 25-26 conference.
They will discuss issues relating to global investment in infrastructure, including challenges faced by the public and private sectors, best practices and lessons learned.
In her speech PM Hasina asked the EU investors to explore facilities in BD economic zones and hi-tech parks.
The prime minister said Bangladesh offers one of the most attractive investment environments in South Asia. "I invite EU investors to explore the facilities in our Special Economic Zones and Hi-Tech Parks. We have scope for working further on decent work and the circular economy," she said.
She said the road, rail, and port infrastructure is being built in Bangladesh as part of regional economic corridors. Bangladesh has constructed the Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge with its own resources. The country has offered access to the Bay of Bengal to the land-linked territories of Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India. The airports of Bangladesh can serve as gateways between the East and the West.
"Today, we officially launched negotiations on a bilateral partnership and cooperation agreement. We signed a landmark contract with EIB for a 350 million-euro loan for investment in renewable energy," she said.
On this 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-EU relations, she reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to further strengthen the strategic engagements with the EU.
Another report adds: President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen together with Prime Minister Hasina on Wednesday launched the negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to expand and develop the relationship between the EU and Bangladesh at the Global Gateway Forum.
On this occasion, the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bangladesh signed agreements worth €400 million for renewable energy projects to contribute to a sustainable green transition of Bangladesh's power sector.
It is also aimed at meeting the country's climate mitigation targets.
Five additional cooperation actions, worth €70 million, supporting education, decent work, green construction, e-governance and the prevention of gender-based violence were also launched.
Speaking in Brussels, President Ursula von der Leyen said: "The EU and Bangladesh have been reliable and trusted partners for 50 years. Now, we are taking this partnership even further, to reap the opportunities of the green transition under Global Gateway. The European Commission, the EIB and Bangladesh will join forces to support renewable energy and tackle climate change. This €400 million investment will make a difference for the people of Bangladesh and its economy".
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "We are confident that this initiative will enable developing countries such as Bangladesh to fight climate change, to address infrastructure gaps, invest in renewable energy, digital innovation, healthcare, education and much more. The Global Gateway is a sign of friendship, of partnership, of trust, of symbiotic interdependence".