Duncan Calls on Hasina

PM for quick release of climate funds

Seeks British cooperation in exploration of gas, coal and oil

14 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her call to the developed nations specially Britain for quick release of climate change adaptation fund, committed in the last Copenhagen summit, for the most vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. The premier made the call while visiting British Minister for State for International Development Alan Duncan MP paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Gano Bhaban yesterday morning. After the call-on PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the premier thanked British government for their assistance in poverty alleviation, education, health, sanitation and emergency aid in natural disasters. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the press secretary said Hasina also sought British cooperation in exploration of gas, coal and oil in Bangladesh. The PM requested the British minister to continue current student friendly visa policy and withdraw temporary suspension on issuing visa to Bangladeshi students. During the call-on, the PM also requested the British government for regular intake of Bangladeshi workers for the restaurants in the UK and easing the process for them to obtain visa for work. She informed the British state minister that her government after assuming office with landslide victory in the last general election has started working to strengthen parliamentary democracy in the country. In this context, she mentioned the formation of all the parliamentary standing committees in the first session of the current parliament when seven posts of chairman were given to opposition political parties to this end. She said like British Parliament her government introduced prime minister's question hours in the Jatiya Sangsad. Laying emphasis on uninterrupted democracy for over all development of a country, Hasina said no country can achieve development without democracy. In this context, she said her government is working relentlessly to strengthen parliamentary democracy in the country. The PM said Bangladesh has harvested a bumper food production and been able to achieve food security as a result of some pragmatic steps taken by her government including drastic cut down of fertiliser prices. Hasina said her government achieved around six percent growth rate during last fiscal despite world economic recession. Referring to women empowerment, Hasina said the government is working to empower women at all levels for ensuring balanced development. In reply, the British minister appreciated the prime minister for her prudent leadership in different international forums on climate change issue and keeping the country's economic wheel moving even during the worldwide economic recession. Principal Secretary to the PM M A Karim, Ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin and Secretary to the PM's Office Mollah Waheeduzzaman, among others, were present on the occasion.