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BSS-60
MUHITH-SOUTH-SOUTH-COOPERATION
Bangladesh a good country for South-South cooperation: Muhith
DHAKA, July 31, 2018 (BSS) – Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith
today said South-South cooperation is pretty important in these days and
Bangladesh is a very good country for South-South cooperation.
“I personally consider that Bangladesh is a very good country for South-
South cooperation. We invite southern cooperation from others and we also
provide southern cooperation to other countries and it’s very good,” he said.
The Finance Minister was speaking as chief guest at the publication
ceremony of ‘South-South Cooperation for financing SDGs and Engagement of
NRBs in National Development Strategies, Challenges and Way Forward’ held at
the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area this
afternoon.
Former permanent representative of Bangladesh at the UN Resident Mission
Dr AK Abdul Monem spoke at the function as special guest with Economic
Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam in the chair.
Muhith said the southern countries can give something to the south. “In
course of time, we’ve also learnt that the southern countries can also give
to the northern countries. South-South cooperation is pretty important. But,
South-North give and take is also important and this is taking place in a big
way in these days,”
About the Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), he said Bangladesh has not
been able to attain that level of successes. “Mostly NRBs, who are now
getting involved, are coming with investment….they have made money, they
have done well abroad. So, they are coming to this country for making
investment and of course, in investment, there will be transfer of
technology,” he said.
The Finance Minister said: “I think the NRBs are playing an important
role in the development of Bangladesh…not only in terms of money they
transfer, but also in terms of the investment they are bringing up.”
He said an NRB is not always equally treated with the other investors of
the country while an NRB faces more difficulties.
He also cited the example of a successful entrepreneur of the country
naming founder of Pran-RFL Group late Maj Gen (retd) Amzad Khan Chowdhury,
terming him a ‘born entrepreneur’.
Former permanent representative of Bangladesh at the UN Resident Mission
Dr AK Abdul Monem said building partnership with the government, NGOs and
academicians is a key element for attaining the SDGs.
He said through triangular and South-South Cooperation, there is a good
chance of mobilising additional resources, which are needed for attaining the
SDGs successfully.
Monem said political commitment is also an urgent for that, which can be
achieved by collective efforts.
BSS/ASG/GM/MRI/2126 hrs