PM calls for lessening dependence on foreign consultants

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought support of the local engineers to lessen dependence on foreign consultants while preparing and executing development projects particularly big ones. In this regard, she urged Engineers Institute of Bangladesh (IEB) to constitute some teams with their members to provide consultancy services to the government in taking and implementing public sector projects. Inaugurating the 55th Convention of IEB (IEB) in the city today, the Prime Minister said “Foreign consultants are taking away a large amount of resources of the development projects despite we have a brilliant and competent manpower.” Local consultants, from now, would get priority in the consultancy services in public sector projects, she added. President of IEB Shamimuzzaman Basunia, honourary general secretary of IEB Mia Mohammad Quiyum and chairman of IEB Dhaka centre Mohsin Ali and secretary Shariful Islam Sharif also spoke on the occasion. Renowned educationist former vice chancellor of BUET Professor Emeritus Abdul Matin Patwari was given IEB Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to the society. The Prime Minister conferred AMIEB degree on 50 engineers and distributed certificate of professional engineer to 42 engineers on the occasion, according to BSS.