PM seeks assistance from dev partners, donor agencies for economic uplift

FE Team | Published: March 17, 2010 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Tuesday sought assistance from Bangladesh's development partners and donor agencies, particularly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for economic development of the country, reports UNB.
The PM made the request when IMF Executive Director Dr A Virmani called on her at the PM's Office.
Hasina said that the economic condition of the country remains strong although the world had faced a serious economic downturn.
However, the nation's economic growth could not reach the desired level due to repeated interruptions in the country's democratic process, she said.
The PM said that the present government had enormous tasks ahead to bring about economic development of the country, but the time is short. "We want to develop the country quickly as the people voted this government to do so."
Hasina also said that her government was working hard to ensure food security and social safety by alleviating poverty.
Mentioning that her government put emphasis on improving the power and energy sectors, she said she has already directed the concerned authorities for gas exploration and to put utmost importance on power generation.
The PM said that the government was very much keen for optimum utilisation of the solar energy.
She said that she had already started using solar power in her office and urged all to use solar power in their respective offices as it is safe and cost effective.
Hasina said that according to her party's election manifesto, the government had been working for establishing a 'Digital Bangladesh' to face the challenges of the 21st century.
She also said that her government introduced the Public Private Partnership (PPP) for developing the information technology and social sector.
The PM attached importance to the regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence of the countries of the region.
Dr A Virmani praised the PM for successfully overcoming the adverse effects of the global recession.
He said that the worldwide economic recession failed to affect the economy of Bangladesh and the present government played the key-role for this achievement.