Hasina wants cooperation with Seoul in green growth

16 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Star Report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said South Korea's technology and expertise in green growth will help her country develop renewable sources of energy and promote economic growth in the future. “I'll encourage more economic interaction between South Korea and Bangladesh in the form of trade, investment, technology transfer and development support,'' she said in a interview with The Korea Times. Hasina arrived in Seoul yesterday on a three-day visit. Ways to foster a bilateral partnership on green growth and climate change are expected to be high on the agenda at her summit with Korean President Lee Myung-bak at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. “We will discuss how Bangladesh can benefit from Seoul's green technology and expertise to develop renewable sources of energy,'' Hasina said. She will also meet with political and business leaders to discuss joint cooperation projects. “I intend to have a frank discussion with President Lee on all areas of our cooperation ranging from trade, investment, development cooperation, cultural exchange and ways and means to further expand these relations,'' Hasina said. “I welcome Korean businessmen and investors to invest more in Bangladesh and take part in the establishment of a power plant, development of energy sources, exploration of oil and gas, construction of large roads, highways and bridges.'' Hasina is paying keen attention to Lee's New Asia Initiative, under which he plans to upgrade the country's relations with regional partners in economic, security and cultural areas. Seoul plans to increase economic contribution to developing countries in Asia and promote people-to-people exchanges based on the growing popularity of Korean dramas and pop songs. “We want more training and educational opportunity for our experts and professionals as part of knowledge sharing,'' said Hasina. “I shall seek to establish regular contact at the high political level and elevate our relationship to a comprehensive partnership.'' She also expressed keen interest in improving women's rights and promoting the spirit of democracy. Recalling the turbulent years following the assassination of her father Banga-bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of her other family members in August 1975, she said her father devoted his life to liberating the country from all kind of injustice, discrimination and social evils. Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were the only survivors as they were in West Germany at that time. “Life was very harsh and painful in those days, but I have always received support from the people of my country,'' she said. “From my early childhood, I saw my parents actively involved in the struggle for democracy and independence of Bangladesh.'' In terms of women's status in society, Bangladesh is far more advanced than South Korea. “No society can make progress without taking on board the 50 percent of its population constituted by women. The status of women is an important indicator of that society's maturity and progress,” she said. “In a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh, women empowerment reflects the progressive and moderate nature of our society which also helps keep extremism at bay.”