AL in power for a long time helped accelerate development: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said it has been possible for the Awami League government to make Bangladesh a role model of development in the world as it is in state power for a long time.

"The whole world respects today's Bangladesh… the government has been able to do that as a scope has been created for it due to its long stay in power," she said.

The premier was speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, held at Bangladesh Secretariat, virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said once Bangladesh used to be known for natural calamities, cyclones, flood and poverty. "But no-one talks about that these days. Rather, Bangladesh has set an example in the whole world on how to achieve development, reduce poverty, generate employment, develop the lifestyle of people and provide healthcare. This trend has to be continued."

Terming 2021 a very important year for the country due to the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of the country's independence, the PM said Bangabandhu wanted to build a poverty- and hunger-free Bangladesh.

She expressed her gratitude to the people for giving her the scope with their mandate in the last three general elections.

Talking about the Padma Bridge issue, Hasina said a famous person had raised questions about the bridge and that individual committed the notorious job just for holding the managing director's post of a bank.

"It was very unfortunate," she said without mentioning any name.

The PM also said the government took the matter as a challenge and had decided to build the bridge with its own resources and that bridge is now a reality.

"This particular decision has changed the image of Bangladesh across the world. And this proves that Bangladesh is not dependent on anyone."

She said the country's vast workforce and other resources have to be utilised properly to take the country forward.