DHAKA: Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is determined to attain a middle income country status by 2021.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali made assertion while addressing a seminar at the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament on Friday.
Ali, who is now a three-day visit to the UK, came up with the assurance when during his keynote paper presentation at a seminar titled ‘Bangladesh Beyond the Headlines’, at Committee Room 2 at the British House of Lords in London on Friday.
The minister informed the house on the globally acclaimed socio-economic achievements of showcase d Bangladesh.
The country (Bangladesh) has achieved “a sustained robust economic growth, sound macro-economic indicators, diversification of a burgeoning exports, attainment of MDGs, impressive social indicators, exceptional pace in women’s empowerment, food self-sufficiency, strengthening of democratic institutions and promotion of human rights and the rule of law”, said Ali said.
On the GoB’s foreign policy towards the UK, the minister insisted on the ‘consolidating relations’ based democratic and secularist values would remain high.
“Consolidating relations with the UK based on shared values of democracy and secularism, our common aspirations for economic prosperity and welfare of our talented British- Bangladeshi Diaspora would remain high on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s foreign policy agenda towards Britain” said Ali.
He also underscored the economic policies of the government and affirmed the housed on the government’s determination to move faster towards attaining a middle income country status by 2021.
During his speech, the minister conveyed the GoB’s appreciation towards members of the UK Parliament, both in London and at Brussels, for their sustained support to Bangladesh on the members of issues of mutual interest.
Presided over by All Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh of UK parliament vice chairmen Lord Sheikh, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Baroness Pola Uddin, and members of the European Parliament Jean Lambert MEP, and Dr. Charles Tannock, among others, attended the function.
Members of the different foreign media outlets – BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, The Economist, Asian Voice – and the Bangladeshi media including the Daily Star and Prothom Alo and prominent British Bangladeshi Diaspora members – Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Rashed Suhrawardy and Iqbal Ahmed, OBE, also took part in the seminar.
Breakfast Meeting
On Friday morning, Ali attended a breakfast meeting arranged by London-based leading think tank Asia House’s (AH) Business and Policy Programme wing where he spoke on ‘Bangladesh Foreign Polciy 2014 and Beyond’.
During his speech, the minister briefed on a wide range of policy issues, including trade, investment, regional connectivity, energy cooperation, relations with neighbours as well as post-election political situation in Bangladesh.
He said, “Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been experiencing a booming economy and a steady growth over 6% on an average that have had tremendous impact on overall socio-economic development in the country and attracting unprecedented investments from China and Japan for infrastructure mega projects”.
Elaborating Bangladesh’s success in advancing economic development, the minister told that despite political turmoil and widespread violence during and in the run up to recent Parliamentary elections, the GoB has been able to double the nation’s per capita income and tripled the volume of its annual budget and revenue collection.
Ali urged the British investors to come to Bangladesh, particularly in garments, ship building, software, ICT, power and pharmaceutical industries.
The GoB makes lots of advantages, including tax holiday, infrastructure, land and other facilities in various industrial parks, available to the foreign investor, the minister told the participants.
Speaking at the function, UK’s Standard Chartered Bank vice chairmen Sir Tomas Harris said the high standard of a Garment factory, which he had visited recently in Bangladesh, was beyond his expectation.
AH senior executives, British investors and businessmen attended the function. The participants lauded Bangladesh for sustained socio-economic advancement despite political disturbances.
They showed their interests on different steps taken by the GoB in achieving investment friendly environment and strengthening the Anti Corruption Commission.
Fishing the address, Ali joined in question and answer session and replied to the queries.
The minister also gave two interviews in London on Friday afternoon, one to the BBC Bengali Service Radio and the other to BBC World Service Television, where among others he highlighted, reflected on Bangladesh relations with its neighbours, India and Myanmar.
Ali will leave the UK for Jeddah on Monday to attend the OIC Foreign Minister’s Conference (ICFM).
BDST: 1700 HRS, JUN 15, 2014
