Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has hailed the emergence of Bangladesh from a least developed country to a developing one as a 'historic achievement' at a time when the nation is gearing up to mark the 50th year of its independence, reports bdnews24.com.
Hasina was speaking at a media briefing on Saturday after receiving the final recommendation from the UN Committee for Development Policy on its graduation from the LDC category.
"Yesterday, Bangladesh received the final recommendation from the United Nations to move from a least developed country to a developing country. We are fully qualified to be promoted to the rank of developing countries," she said.
"This is a matter of great joy and pride for the entire nation. It comes at a time when we are celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time, and are on the verge of celebrating the golden jubilee of independence."
The prime minister dedicated the achievement to the next generation of Bangladeshis who will "take the country further and transform it into a developed and prosperous nation".
"This achievement belongs to the common people of this country. We have achieved this milestone through the combined efforts of all. At this auspicious moment, I extend my sincere congratulations to all the citizens of Bangladesh, both at home and abroad," said Hasina.
The Awami League chief reiterated the government's commitment to realising Bangabandhu's vision of building a non-communal Bangladesh, free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy.
"We continue to work for the people. The transition from a least developed country to a developing country is the result of our relentless planning, hard work and effort over the past 12 years. The people of the country have done all this. We have created opportunities through policy support from the government."
Bangladesh plans to import another 30 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, as the government aims to inoculate more people in its pandemic battle.
The government is also trying to find ways to produce vaccines in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.day.
"I have already ordered the purchase of 30 million more doses. We are taking steps to ensure that not a single person falls out of the vaccination programme," she said.
Bangladesh is using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India.
The government struck a deal with India to import 30 million doses at the end of 2020. In January and February, a total of seven million doses were shipped to the country in two batches. Separately, India sent two million doses as a gift.
Serum Institute is scheduled to supply the rest of the doses in monthly installments by June, while Bangladesh is likely to receive 1.25 million doses from World Health Organisation's Covax platform in the first half of 2021.
Revealing a plan to produce vaccines in Bangladesh with the approval of companies that make vaccines, Sheikh Hasina said: "I've asked different pharmaceutical companies, capable to do it, to stay prepared."
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
