PM seeks Saudi, French help for dev programmes

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh called for increased investment from Saudi Arabia and sought cooperation from development partners, including France, to accelerate the country's socio-economic development, according to UNB reports.

The prime minister made these statements during separate meetings with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy at her official residence, Ganabhaban.

The Saudi envoy expressed a desire to establish eight mosques and Islamic language institutions in eight divisions of Bangladesh, while France expressed interest in assisting the country with its green energy transition, blue economy, and cyber security.

PM's speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the call on.

Hasina told the envoy that Saudi Arabia and it's people are very close to the heart of Bangladesh.

"Saudi Arabia always stands beside Bangladesh," she said.

The Saudi envoy pledged to continue his country's cooperation with Bangladesh in its development journey.

The prime minister said they wished welfare of the Saudi Arabia and its people as they are the Custodian of the Two Holy mosques in Mecca and Madinah.

Saudi Ambassador handed over a congratulatory message of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to Prime Minister on her reelection as head of the government.

In the message, the crown prince wished Bangladesh's further progress and prosperity.

The Saudi envoy expressed his country's desire to establish eight mosques and Islamic language institutions in eight divisions of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the prime minister told French Ambassador that during the tenure of the Awami League government transformation of rural areas has taken place in Bangladesh, which was known as poverty, flood and drought.

"Today's Bangladesh is totally different," she said.

In this connection, she mentioned that every village of the country has now electricity and communication network has been established.

"The rural areas have changed a lot while poverty has been reduced significantly," she said.

Hasina said that the government has planned to build flats in rural areas for the poor people. Such flats are being built in the urban areas.

On Rohingya issue, she said that forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals must be repatriated to their homeland.

"They are getting involved in various types of crimes like drug trafficking and arms smuggling. They are not engaged in education or work," she said.

She mentioned that without repatriation the crimes cannot be stopped totally.

She urged the Western countries including France to mount their pressure further for the quick repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Talking about the stranded Pakistanis, the premier said that their fourth generation is living here.

"It seems Pakistan will not take them back. So we are planning to build flats for them to ensure their permanent rehabilitation here," she said.

She requested the French gas companies to invest in Bangladesh gas sector, including exploration.