Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) to strictly ensure compliance of environmental standards and obligations in the specialized economic zones producing export bound products, reports BSS. "The prime minister issued particular directives as she addressed the BEPZA's sixth Governing Council meeting at her office," premier's press secretary Ihsanul Karim told newsmen emerging from the meeting.

He said Sheikh Hasina, herself the BEZA Governing Council chairperson, particularly asked the regulatory authority to keep provision of adequate water bodies and effluent treatment plants (ETP) in every industrial zone.

The premier, he said, simultaneously asked for creating artificial mangrove forest around the industrial zones particularly along the southern coastlines to protect the region from cyclones, storm surges and other disasters.

The prime minister said the government planned to construct a marine driveway from Mirersari to Chittagong.

BEPZA's Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury gave a presentation on the activities of the regulatory body and progress of the implementation of decisions taken in its 5th governing council meeting held in January 2017.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Planning Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal were present among others, in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Awami League yesterday congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on receiving Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) from Kazi Nazrul University of West Bengal in India for her outstanding role in improving the living standard of the people through democracy, women empowerment, poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development.

In a statement, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said, "It is a milestone of pride and dignity for the country."

He said Bangladesh is now a role model before the world in different sectors including education, health, communication, culture, sports, power, science, information technology, industry, commerce, poverty alleviation and women empowerment.

Bangladesh is moving forward fast under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Quader added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL chief, received an honorary Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) degree from Kazi Nazrul University of West Bengal for her outstanding role in improving the living standard of the people through democracy, women empowerment, poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development on May 26. The university conferred the degree on her at a special convocation and the 3rd annual convocation of the university on its campus in West Burdwan district, India.