Bangladesh must move ahead overcoming global crisis: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday said the country's economy keeps rolling although the world has been going through a global crisis and economic recession, hoping that Bangladesh must move ahead confronting the global crisis with cooperation of all.

"Amidst global economic recession, our economy is still moving and pulsating. But, with the cooperation of all, we will overcome the situation," she said while speaking at a reception ceremony marking the Armed Forces Day at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment.

The prime minister said although the world recognised Bangladesh as a role model of development, the country has fallen to some troubles due to the Coronavirus, Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter sanctions.

She reiterated her call to all in bringing every inch of land under cultivation to grow own food aimed at overcoming the global crisis.

The prime minister said the entire world from the United States, Europe and Great Britain is going through an economic meltdown and Britain has already announced that it is facing an economic recession.

"Pray to Allah so that we can protect Bangladesh from the economic recession and looming famine," she said.

As the world is reeling from the Coronavirus, she said the earth has been rattled by the Russia-Ukraine war for which the prices of various commodities that included fuel, edible oil, wheat, maize have increased manifolds alongside the transportation costs.

The prime minister said despite the fact her government has been trying its best to keep people out of the sufferings.

"We are trying as the people of our country cannot suffer from the global crisis. So, we are purchasing the goods from anywhere in the world by paying how much their prices are," she said.   

On her arrival at Senakunja, the premier was received by Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan.

PM's Security Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was present on the dais.

The Speaker of parliament, cabinet members, political leaders, foreign diplomats, high military and civil officials were present at the function.

To ease public sufferings amid the global crisis, Sheikh Hasina said they are giving 30kg of rice to elderly and physically disabled people free of cost while 15kg to 50 lakh low-income people at Tk15 per kg.

She also said they have distributed TCB cards to one crore people as they can purchase four essentials, rice, oil, pulse and sugar at fair price alongside giving monetary assistance to village level during the Covid-19 pandemic as none remained deprived.

The prime minister said they have a target to give landless and homeless people home at government expenses to give them a beautiful and improved life as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.   

"We are implementing all sorts of measures to upgrade the living standard of the masses," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has been able to carry out massive development of the country due to the continuation of democracy since her party assumed office in 2009 after winning the 2008 general election.

"We have been in power till date through people's mandate since 2009. The democratic process is continuing in Bangladesh and we have been able to make huge developments due to it," she said.

Briefly describing various measures taken by her government to transform Bangladesh into a developed country, she said her government is determined to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation free from hunger and poverty by 2041.

Sheikh Hasina, who also oversees the defence ministry, said the Father of the Nation wanted to develop the Bangladesh Army as "people's army" and it has really been turned into a pro-people one as it stands beside the masses during any disaster or crisis.

"I believe that our army is now truly becoming the people's army. The armed forces stand beside the people and extend cooperation to them during any disaster and accident," she said.

Referring to the foreign policy "Friendship to all, malice to none" formulated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the prime minister said Bangladesh doesn't want war against any country rather pursues peace and friendship.

"We will not fight against anyone. We want peace. The Father of the Nation has taught us it and we're working to ensure socio-economic development of the commoners of our country by maintaining friendly relations. The people of the country are now benefiting from it," she said.

Referring to solving the enclave problem with India in a peaceful manner by implementing the land boundary agreement, she said it had set an example for the entire world.

She added that her government had won a vast sea area, winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar by maintaining friendly relations.   

The prime minister said her government has taken measures to build armed forces as stronger ones as the Father of the Nation wanted it and for which he formulated Defence Policy in 1974, adding that they have formulated Forces Goal-2030 in line with the defence policy to make the armed forces as time befitting equipped with all modern equipment, arms and vehicles and world class training as they can compete the global standard.

"We want armed forces to be time-befitting – we are making the armed forces stronger in accordance with the Force's Goal-2030," she said.