Pursue political, economic diplomacy together, PM asks envoys in Europe

She says Bangladesh could be a bridge between East, West

FE Team | Published: July 21, 2019 23:42:43

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked on Saturday Bangladesh envoys in Europe to pursue political and economic diplomacy together in the interest of the country's economic development, reports UNB.
"We need to focus more on economic issues besides political diplomacy so the ongoing development in Bangladesh will continue," the Prime Minister said while speaking as the chief guest at the 'Envoys' Conference', the first of its kind, in London.
A total of 15 Bangladesh ambassadors, high commissioners and permanent representatives posted in different European countries attended the conference, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said after the meeting.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also spoke on the occasion while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nojibur Rahman and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque were present.
At the conference, the Prime Minister held discussions with the Bangladeshi envoys on various issues and gave them necessary directives.
The issues included enhancing Bangladesh's image further in Europe, boosting trade and commerce and attracting more investment in the country.
Rohingya issue and migration as well as the celebrations of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the country's independence were also discussed in the conference.
Referring to the fast-changing world, Sheikh Hasina advised the diplomats to take effective and time-befitting action plan for establishing deeper and broader relations with foreign countries.
"To this effect, we need to explore opportunities for enhancing investment, trade and skilled manpower export in countries, particularly in the European states," the Prime Minister said.
She said Bangladesh now has a very big and skilled youth force who can meet the demand of global job markets.
Referring to the government's various initiatives for building a skilled work force, she said they have already introduced apps for helping people learn nine different languages.
She suggested the envoys to assess the markets of their respective countries of assignment and identify the barriers to bolster economic ties.
The Prime Minister said her government is working with specific target of making Bangladesh a developed nation by 2041 and asked the diplomats to draw their own specific targets in line with the goal. She also advised the envoys to provide better and faster services to expatriate Bangladeshis.
"We've already attained over 8 per cent GDP growth and put a target of 8.12 per cent GDP growth for the current 2019-20 financial year," she said, adding that the per capita income will reach at $2,000 in 2020.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is no more dependent on aid and is sourcing over 90 per cent of the national budget from its own resources.