Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought support and cooperation from all the neighbouring countries in her government's efforts to make Bangladesh a developed country, reports UNB. The Prime Minister came up with the call when visiting Indian Minister of State on Independent Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan met her at her official residence Ganobhaban. After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
Hasina said the government now puts emphasis on enhancing connectivity to further improve people’s lifestyle. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) initiative could play an effective role for developing the countries in this region, eh added. Besides, the Prime Minister said, a process is also underway to put Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor initiative in place. Hasina expressed her happiness to learn that Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation Limited are going to sign an MoU on setting up an LP Gas Plant in Chittagong. She also thanked the government of India for its cooperation in supplying Diesel to Bangladesh from Nomaligarh Refinery in India.
Describing her government's achievements and successes in various sectors over the last seven years, the Prime Minister said steps have been taken to establish special economic zones in the country to achieve more.
She also sought more foreign investments in these special economic zones which will ultimately benefit the people of this region. Hasina termed poverty and hunger as the common enemies of South Asia and said the countries of this region will have to fight together against poverty. The Indian State Minister said the policy of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ‘good will’ and ‘trust’ for cooperation with neighbours as India wants to build new relationship with Bangladesh. Describing energy as a key area of cooperation between India and Bangladesh, Dharmendra said his country is ready to build an oil pipeline with Bangladesh through northeast of India for boosting cooperation in energy sector as it has already built such pipelines with Bhutan and Sri Lanka.