PM stresses proper resource utilisation of Saarc region

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for proper utilisation of resources in the Saarc region for the overall development of its member countries. She came up with the view when newly-appointed Saarc Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa met her at her office in Dhaka on Thursday. PM's Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev briefed reporters after the meeting. The Prime Minister said the Saarc countries can develop themselves further if they can utilise the resources they have and create their own products and markets. She said the resource utilisation could take place in the fields like hydropower and port facilities on bilateral and multilateral basis. About connectivity, Hasina said her government has always supported the initiative beyond the region. Noting that poverty alleviation must be the main priority of the Saarc countries in the region, the Prime Minister said, “We should identify the areas to alleviate poverty further and Bangladesh has been a success story in poverty alleviation which we can share with other Saarc nations and thus get benefited.” She said Bangladesh has potentials in exporting handicrafts, argo-processing and ceramic items to these countries. Hasina also extended her greetings to the newly-appointed Saarc Secretary General for taking over office, according to UNB.