Produce arms, reduce dependence on import: PM

FE Team | Published: May 22, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed on Thursday the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories to produce arms, ammunition, weapons and explosives for various forces reducing dependence on import, reports UNB.
"You'll (Ordnance Factories) have to keep in mind we won't import all the arms and explosives, as we'll have to produce those by ourselves. If we can produce enough, we'll go for export in the future," she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also in-charge of the defence ministry, said the Ordnance Factories has been producing 7.62mm auto rifle, cartridge of various calibre and hand grenades for Bangladesh Army.
The prime minister was delivering her introductory speech at a meeting with high officials of the ministry of defence and its associate bodies at the ministry conference room in Dhaka. This was her second visit to the ministry since April 27 last year following her assumption of office as prime minister for the second consecutive term.
She also expressed the hope that fast steps would be undertaken to enhance the capacity of the officials and employees of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories to meet the local demand for arms, ammunition and explosives.
Referring to the maritime boundary verdicts over Myanmar and India, the prime minister said it was both political and diplomatic success of her government to gain vast maritime areas after winning the cases keeping the relations intact with the two neighbouring countries.
She also urged all concerned, including the Armed Forces, to take steps for tapping marine resources.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the GDP growth this year could have crossed 7.0 per cent, had there been no political turmoil from January to March.
She termed the attainment of 6.51 per cent GDP growth for the current fiscal year (FY ‘15) a big achievement despite the political turmoil.
"I had firm the belief we could have gained over 7 per cent GDP growth rate had there been good and peaceful environment in the country.
Despite that (political turmoil) attaining 6.51 per cent growth is a big achievement for the country, and we'll continue to move ahead," she said.
Expressing her firm belief that her government would be able to win the war against poverty, Hasina said the target of her present government is to reduce poverty by another 10 per cent from the present level of 24 per cent.