Prime Minister says government is working on communication to accelerate industrialization

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that the government is developing communication systems across the country, as developed communications accelerate industrialization and boost trade and business.

“We are reviving rail communication, laying new railway lines and reactivating rivers through dredging, alongside building bridges. . . . A developed communication system accelerates industrialization and boosts trade and business,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this during a financial donation ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office, joining virtually from his official residence, Ganabhaban in Dhaka.

Various banks and financial institutions have made donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Ahmad Kaikaus, on behalf of the Prime Minister, received the donation checks.

Mentioning that the government has established a network of road communication across the country by building bridges and the like, Sheikh Hasina said that they are reactivating the rivers by dredging while reviving railway communication, although the previous government almost did it. abandoned.

Referring to the recently inaugurated Padma multi-purpose bridge, she hopes it will change the fate of people in 21 districts.

She said the Padma Bridge has opened up the vast field of industrialization in the southern region of the country which could bring economic development to the rural people.

She also noted that it would also increase the purchasing capacity of rural people, which would also create a market for locally produced goods.

The Prime Minister again expressed his deep gratitude to compatriots saying, “People are my strength. The construction of the Padma Bridge with their own funds was possible because the people of the country stood by my side.

A total of 45 banks and financial institutions donated a total of Tk 304.41 crore.

These are – Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, Rupali Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, BDBL, EDCOL, BIFFL, Exim Bank, Al Arafah Islami Bank, United Commercial Bank, AB Bank, Bank Asia, Bengal Commercial Bank, Brac Bank , City Bank, Dhaka Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Eastern Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, IFIC Bank, Islami Bank, Jamuna Bank, Meghna Bank, Mercantile Bank, Midland Bank, Madhumati Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, National Bank, NCC Bank, NRB Bank, NRB Commercial Bank, One Bank, Padma Bank, Premier Bank, Prime Bank, Pubali Bank, SBAC Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Southeast Bank, Standard Bank, Union Bank and Uttara Bank.

In the context of the spread of the coronavirus again in the country, the Prime Minister reiterated her call for all to maintain health security protocols to protect against infection with Covid-19.

“Wear a face mask and follow health safety rules so you don’t get infected,” she added.

The head of government also expressed his gratitude to the banks and financial institutions, saying that “there should be no tension because you always stand with the compatriots in this way”. We will move the country forward.

With regard to exports, she again emphasized the diversification of export baskets.

To this end, she urged entrepreneurs to invest in producing new products beyond traditional items, exploring demand in different countries.

Sheikh Hasina said his government was also working to increase people’s purchasing power to create a local market.

“We will not only export our items, but also focus on creating the domestic market for the benefit of local industrialization,” she said.

In this perspective, she mentioned the government’s efforts to develop economic activities at the local level through various projects and programs.

She also mentioned her government’s efforts to establish 100 special economic zones.

Bangladesh is an agricultural country, but it lacks land, and that is why all development activities will have to be done while preserving arable land and the environment, she said.

“We have to pursue development, and at the same time we have to ensure food security,” she said.

Regarding floods and natural disasters, the Prime Minister said that the government is trying to solve all the problems, but nature goes on in its own way and human beings have no control over it.

Mentioning that problems follow one after another, she said that before the ill effects of the Covid pandemic ended, the war in Ukraine began, which not only affected the world but also Bangladesh.

Then the flood hit the Sylhet region of the country three times as well as other parts downstream, she said, adding: “There will be problems, but we have to move on. forward to deal with these problems”.

Sheikh Hasina also highlighted his government’s initiatives and financial assistance to keep the country’s economic wheel running while providing support to people from different walks of life, such as farmers and others, to manage their livelihoods.