PM urges all neighbours to take united stance against poverty

LONDON, June 15 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh thinks about the welfare of its neighbours instead of going alone.
She also urged all the neighbouring nations to take a united stance against poverty as it the common enemy.
"Bangladesh wants to maintain good relations and strengthen connectivity with all of its neighbours taking the advantage of its geographical location in South Asia to ensure the development and welfare of all, including its own people," she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a civic reception accorded Sunday to her at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel here by the Awami League United Kingdom unit for her outstanding achievements in different fields, particularly the implementation of the much-awaited Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with India.
She mentioned that Bangladesh and three other countries -- Bhutan, India and Nepal -- reached a consensus to boost connectivity in the region and a deal in this regard would be signed soon.
Besides, Hasina said, four countries -- Bangladesh, China, Indian and Myanmar -- have undertaken a joint initiative titled 'BCIM Economic Corridor' to ensure their economic development through boosting communications and connectivity.
About the country's gradual economic progress and remittance inflow, she said Bangladesh's foreign currency now stands at US$ 24 billion dollars as the Bangladeshi expatriates are continuously sending money back home.
Hasina said she always got encouragement to construct the Padma Bridge with the country's own fund as the expatriates always assured her of all-out support to this end.
Turning to the LBA issue, the Prime Minister said the sufferings of enclave people would have removed and Indian parliament ratified it much earlier had Bangabandhu not been assassinated in 1975 as Bangladesh ratified it through the third amendment to the Constitution on November 28 in 1974.