PM seeks Belgian investments in shipbuilding, pharma sectors

Hasina set to return today

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FE Team | Published: October 27, 2023 00:42:06

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BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to return home today (Friday), wrapping up her three-day official visit to Belgium where she attended the Global Gateway Forum-2023.
A commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the premier and her entourage members, was scheduled to depart from Brussels Zaventem Airport at 10:00pm on Thursday local time (2:00am on Friday Bangladesh time).
The plane is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:15pm on Friday.
Earlier, Prime Minister on Thursday urged Belgium to build high standard ships in Bangladesh alongside enhancing cooperation in several sectors including pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.
"We are building ships now. But you can come here in Bangladesh to manufacture high standard ships. We are building a large seaport in Payra. So, you are most welcome," she told her Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo in a bilateral meeting held at the FPS Chancellery here.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters about the outcome of Sheikh Hasina's engagement in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.
Croo expressed his hope that they would work on bilateral cooperation in the renewable energy sector.
In reply, Sheikh Hasina said Belgium can work with Bangladesh not only in renewable energy, but also in the shipbuilding sector.
In the meeting, Bangladesh also proposed Belgium to sign a partnership agreement over cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector, said Momen.
When the Belgian Prime Minister said his country is very good in the pharmaceutical industry, the Bangladesh PM said her country is also good in pharmaceuticals as it fulfills 90 per cent of domestic needs and exports pharmaceutical items to 117 countries across the world.
"Belgium was asked to sign a partnership agreement over the pharmaceuticals sector. If so, Belgium can produce pharmaceutical items at affordable prices. Croo liked the proposal," said Momen.
The Belgium premier highly praised the economic success attained in recent years and last year's celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Belgium.
Sheikh Hasina appreciated the dredging and spanning machines Bangladesh imported from Belgium saying that the two countries can work further to enhance cooperation in this regard.
In this context, the Belgian premier said the European country is the world's number-1 in dredging.
"It was a very cordial discussion with (her Belgian counterpart) Alexander De Croo. The discussion was very fruitful," said Momen.
Meanwhile, in another meeting Prime Minister highlighted Bangladesh Awami League's struggles to restore democracy in Bangladesh and creating an environment conducive for free and fair elections during a discussion with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen.
She also spoke about establishing an independent Election Commission, photo ID/biometric information-based voter list, and transparent ballot boxes.
The issues were discussed when the European Commissioner for International Partnerships called on the prime minister at her hotel suite in Brussels.
Urpilainen hoped that the upcoming general election in Bangladesh would be held in a free and fair environment, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Meanwhile in another event Vice-President of the European Parliament Nicola Beer met Prime Minister Hasina at her hotel suite in Brussels.
During the meeting, both sides underscored the urgency to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
The prime minister stated Bangladesh's position against wars anywhere in the world, highlighting that women and children suffer the most in wars and conflicts.
The European Parliament's Vice-President underscored closer cooperation between the European Parliament and Bangladesh Parliament, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Both sides also discussed women's empowerment, particularly in politics, education and workforce.
Another report adds: Hasina has sought support of the international community, including the European Union (EU), for an "early, safe and sustainable" repatriation of the forcibly-displaced Rohingyas.
The prime minister said the repatriation of the Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, to their homeland, Myanmar, is required for the sake of "peace and stability" in the region.
The issue was discussed when European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic met Prime Minister Hasina at her hotel suite in Brussels on October 25.