Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the initiatives on regional cooperation like BBIN and BCIM-EC will generate greater economic activities among neighbouring countries accelerating their development, reports UNB.
Sheikh Hasina came up with the view when visiting Indian Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha met her at her office. Wife of the Indian Air Chief Lily Raha was also present. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Once the sub-regional cooperation initiatives like the BBIN and BCIM-EC start functioning, the prime minister said, these will create opportunities to generate more economic activities among the countries.
She said Syedpur Airport would be turned into a regional airport from where cargos could be airlifted to neighbouring countries.
Conveying her greetings to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hasina underscored the need for more unofficial visits alongside official visits among leaders of the neighbouring countries for exchange of views on economic cooperation.
She also laid emphasis on increasing the number of border haats along the Bangladesh-India border. The prime minister also said the residents of Assam and Meghalaya states could avail of flights to and from London from Sylhet Osmani International Airport.
Recalling the support and sacrifices made by the Indian allied force during the Great War of Liberation in 1971, Hasina said she along with other members of her family during confinement in 1971 used to witness air battle in Dhaka.