PM asks Biman officials to gain trust of passengers

Hinting at purchasing two more Boeing aircraft for Bangladesh Biman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked on Tuesday the authorities of the national flag carrier to work with honesty and sincerity to ensure the quality of passenger services, reports BSS.

"Apart from the existing aircraft, three Dash Bombardier planes will be added to the Biman fleet. We have also got news that Boeing is interested to sell its two aircraft soon, the order of which was cancelled by somebody else… we'll take this opportunity," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest the induction ceremony of Biman's 4th Dreamliner, 'Rajhangsa', at the VVIP Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the city on Tuesday afternoon.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said the country's foreign currency reserve remains at a good position and there will be no problem to purchase two new Boeing aircraft.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mohibul Haque, Chairman of Board of Directors of Biman Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Enamul Bari also spoke at the induction ceremony.

Managing Director and CEO of Biman Md Mokabbir Hossain delivered the welcome address. Ministers, advisers, parliament members, dignitaries and high civil and military officials were present at the function.

US Ambassador in Bangladesh Earl R. Miller was also present at the ceremony.

Earlier, the premier formally commissioned the newly-procured state-of-the-art aircraft of the national flag carrier by cutting a ribbon at the VVIP Tarmac of HSIA.

After the inauguration, Sheikh Hasina boarded the aircraft, inspected it and talked to the pilots and the crew members.

A munajat was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

About the country's current forex reserve, the Prime Minister said: "We calculate it because there should have such an amount deposited with which we can purchase the food for three months if the country is hit by any natural disaster."

She went on saying: "There is no need to keep additional amount of reserve money. We can utilise the additional money in development purpose."

The premier said the government will purchase two cargo planes to create more opportunities for exporting goods, including foods. "We'll also set up a cargo village so that we could export easily," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in food.