General Polls: Foreign observers welcome
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the next national election will be held as per the country's constitution, and her government is ready to welcome foreign election observers.
She made the comments at a meeting with four MPs of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group, who called on Hasina at her office.
The MPs are Rushanara Ali, Jonathan Reynolds Mohammed Yasin and Tom Hunt.
After the meeting, the PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
He said Hasina told the delegation that the Election Commission in the country is an independent body.
"We follow your Westminster type of democracy. We do not have any problem if election observers come," Ihsanul quoted the PM as saying.
She also urged British entrepreneurs to invest in the 100 economic zones across Bangladesh.
"We will welcome the UK's investment there," she said.
The British MPs lauded the unprecedented infrastructural development of Bangladesh, and praised Hasina for her role in making it possible, said Ihsanul.
"They highly appreciated the development in connectivity, including the Metro Rail, Padma Bridge and Bangabandhu Tunnel."
They also discussed Bangladesh's next general elections, he added.
The PM appreciated the UK's support for Bangladesh in tackling climate change.
She said the government is serious about the climate issues and has started the adaptation and mitigation programmes with its resources.
Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson were also present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the PM also called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to send remittances through the banking channels instead of hundi and to make investments in Bangladesh.
"I request you all [expatriates] -- please don't send remittances through hundi and take steps to send those directly to the banks," she said as expatriate Awami League leaders from various countries, including the USA and the UK, met her at her office.
Urging the expatriate leaders to make investments in Bangladesh, Hasina said, "We have taken joint measures for attracting investments in Bangladesh. We're currently establishing 100 economic zones across the country. Those who have interest can invest in the economic zones. It will be better to invest with a partner. The more you invest, the more the country will benefit."
Expressing satisfaction over the incoming investments, she said the inflow of foreign investment in the country is good as the countries are showing their keenness to this end.
The PM recalled the contribution of the expatriates during troubled times and disasters in the country.
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