Dhaka wants peaceful solution: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh seeks a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis.

“Bangladesh and Myanmar have already signed an agreement for the repatriation of Rohingyas. As a next door neighbor, Bangladesh always wants a peaceful solution to the problem,” she said.

The premier said this when Director General and CEO of Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish met her at her office.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said Suleiman praised the prime minister for giving shelter to the refugees saying she has accomplished a humanitarian obligation by doing so. He also enquired about the progress of Rohinya repatriation.

Suleiman said Opec wants to explore new areas of cooperation with Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh is a major partner of Opec and has a good relationship [with Opec] for the last 32 years. Now we want to explore new areas of cooperation with Bangladesh,” he said.

Ihasanul Karim said the premier and the OFID DG discussed issues related to mutual interests, particularly the energy issues and the ways to eradicate energy poverty.

The OFID DG informed the prime minister that about 1.3 billion people in the world are deprived of electricity. Opec gives priority to water and food as well as energy, he said.

Referring to the discussion with the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, the OPEC DG said he would place a report at the council meeting of the organisation in June to do more for Bangladesh.

Hasina informed the DG about Bangladesh's endeavour to meet the energy demand.

She said she had taken office in 1996 when the country's electricity generation was 1,600MW, and then her government raised it to 4,300MW in its five-year tenure.

Now, Bangladesh's total electricity capacity rose to 16,350MW, she said. It was possible mostly due to a decision of her government in 1996 to involve the private sector in the electricity generation, she added.

She said she is glad to know that women are holding important positions in the Opec.

Principal Secretary to the PM Md Nojibur Rahman was present during the meeting.