JS to be made centre of welfare activities

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a British delegation comprising lawmakers that her government is deeply committed to making the Jatiya Sangsad a centre of all public-welfare activities.

She sought the UK government's cooperation in providing offices and other necessary supports to Bangladeshi MPs for their more effective role in the country's democracy.

"As a rare example in the history of Bangladesh's parliamentary practice, chairmen of seven parliamentary standing committees have been selected from the opposition side," Hasina said.

She said Bangladesh can enrich its parliamentary practices through learning from the glorious history of the Westminster democracy of the United Kingdom.

She also sought more cooperation from the British government and its Department for International Development (DFID) for attaining the development targets in Bangladesh's socioeconomic sectors.

The prime minister made the remarks and request when the nine-member delegation of British International Development Committee (IDC) paid a courtesy call on her at her Office yesterday.

Deputy Press Secretary to the PM Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed newsmen after the meeting.

At the outset of the meeting, the British delegation recalled the supreme sacrifice of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members in attaining the country's independence, sovereignty and establishing democracy.

Hasina expressed her gratitude to the international community, including the United Kingdom and other European countries, for their support and assistance for the people of Bangladesh in holding the December 29, 2008 election in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner.

The PM said the government has taken the massive victory in the general election as a great responsibility and is working relentlessly for poverty alleviation, women empowerment, ensuring quality education and health facilities for the people of all walks of life.

She said the British government and its DFID can help the present government with more assistance for achieving the development goals.

She also called for more British investment in Bangladesh as a congenial atmosphere is prevailing now in the trade, business and investment sectors.

In reply, the delegation assured the PM of providing all necessary cooperation in attaining the socioeconomic development targets of the country.

Various other issues of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh and Britain were also discussed in the meeting.

The British delegation mentioned the contributions of Bangladeshi expatriates to development of the United Kingdom.

John Battle, Hugh Bayley, Malcolm Bruce, Nigel Evans, Mark Hendrick, Mark Lancester, Virendra Sharma, Marsh Singh and Andrew Stunell were on the delegation.