Debunking misconceptions, Bangladesh marching towards development: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told the parliament that Bangladesh is marching towards development and progress debunking all misconceptions of pessimists about the future of independent Bangladesh.
In reply to lawmakers' queries, the PM also said her government is determined to build a safe and integrated communication network in the country.
"The government is committed to easing traffic congestion, ensuring comfortable public transport, increasing discipline and security on roads, safe and risk-free roads, and developing an integrated multimedia communication network by keeping the consistency of the existing system and the changing situation with the future development," she said in reply to a query from Awami League MP Didarul Alam.
In reply to a query from AL MP Nur Uddin Chowdhary Nayan, she informed the House that the government has a plan to set up burn units in all district hospitals for expanding treatment services to patients with burn injuries.
In a scripted answer, she said, "In the year of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence and Bangabandhu's birth centenary celebration, the UNDP recommended the graduation of Bangladesh as a developing country in 2026. It's a matter of pride for us".
Hasina said in a bid to dispel the misconception about Bangladesh's advancement in the future, her government has taken various time-worthy steps to implement plans to face the global trade challenges following graduation from a least developed country.
She added that Bangladesh has taken initiatives to sign the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with different commercially important countries.
The PM said her government has taken a step to sign trade agreements with 10 countries and three alliances on a priority basis. "The 10 countries are India, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, the USA, Canada, China, and Malaysia".
She said Bangladesh signed a PTA with Bhutan on December 6, 2020.
Besides, she said, a process is underway to conduct negotiations with Turkey, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and GCC countries over PTA, FTA or CEPA.
Due to the successful diplomatic efforts of Bangladesh, Hasina said, the LDCs including Bangladesh have been able to obtain a number of facilities, including the time extension of pharmaceutical patent exemption till 2033 under Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
"And general exemption was relaxed for LDCs further for 13 years from 2021 and so, the special facility will remain till July 1, 2034," she added.
The question-answer session was tabled with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Comments