Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a press conference on her recent foreign visit. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the socio-economic development of Bangladesh is appreciated in the world. Bangladesh has never defaulted or fallen into the so-called debt trap. The Prime Minister said this at a press conference at his official residence Ganabhaban on Monday. In the press conference, the Prime Minister highlighted various important points about his recent visit to Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a written speech that in her bilateral meeting, the Prime Minister of Japan, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the head of the World Bank all praised the remarkable socio-economic development of Bangladesh under her leadership. They assured their continued support to his government to make Bangladesh a ‘Smart Bangladesh’. Referring to his visit to Japan, the Prime Minister said that during the meeting with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, the Emperor expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries would deepen. At the official bilateral summit between the heads of government of the two countries at the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, the two countries concluded an economic partnership agreement as soon as possible, strengthening regional connectivity through the Big-B project, developing economic infrastructure, creating an investment-friendly environment, relaunching the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer Project, trade Growth, Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zone, free Indo-Pacific region, Dhaka-Tokyo direct flight, etc. were discussed. The Japanese government has assured 30 billion yen of budget support to Bangladesh. Apart from this, a total of eight agreements and cooperation memorandums have been signed between the two countries in various sectors. The Prime Minister said, “Through my visit, the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan have been upgraded to a strategic partnership. Regarding her visit to the United States, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that she reached Washington on April 28 at the invitation of World Bank President David Malpass on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank. On April 29, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Ms. Kristalina Georgieva paid a courtesy call to him. Georgieva praised Bangladesh’s remarkable progress and the stability of Bangladesh’s macroeconomics even during the pandemic. The IMF Managing Director expressed the opinion that leadership like the current government is needed in Bangladesh to take the country forward on the road to prosperity by facing all obstacles. He called Bangladesh a role model of the world in terms of overall development. The Prime Minister said that she urged the World Bank and other international organizations to continue their cooperation in the journey of building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ in a discussion program at the World Bank headquarters on May 1. At the event, World Bank President David Malpass praised Bangladesh’s remarkable success in increasing per capita national income and reducing poverty and expressed the commitment of the World Bank to continue its cooperation and support to Bangladesh in its development journey. The Prime Minister said, “I said on the occasion that the current overall situation in Bangladesh indicates the growth opportunities and adaptability of our economy.” Bangladesh has never defaulted on debt repayment or fallen into the so-called debt trap. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that 5 loan agreements worth about 24,000 crore rupees were signed between the Bangladesh government and the World Bank during the discussion. The Prime Minister said that the Bangladesh delegation’s visit to Washington on the occasion of 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank is a reflection of the integrated partnership of the World Bank with Bangladesh in the journey of development. The Prime Minister said in a written statement that he visited the United Kingdom from May 4 to 8. He attended the reception of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on 5 May and the coronation of the King and Queen at Westminster Abbey in London on 6 May. He exchanged greetings with the King at the Commonwealth Leaders event held at Marlborough House. Apart from this, he participated in the Commonwealth Leaders event organized by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House on May 5. The Prime Minister said that he had a meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Marlborough House on the same day. He said, “The British Prime Minister praised our role in various international forums including climate change, giving houses to the landless and homeless people of Bangladesh at government expense. I call for more investment in Bangladesh from UK companies. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referring to the meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland on May 7 said, “She offered me to be the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Champion. He appreciated Bangladesh’s achievements in digitization, e-governance, etc., and requested to exchange Bangladesh’s experience in these sectors with other developing countries of the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “I believe that Bangladesh-UK relations will go further through this visit.” Apart from this, I believe that Bangladesh’s position in the Commonwealth will be strengthened.
