ZCZC
BSS-05
PM-IsDBG
PM seeks IsDB’s definite actions for Rohingyas
DHAKA, Sept 9, 2018 (BSS)-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon
Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) to take definite actions for
repatriation of the displaced Rohingya citizens of Myanmar to their home.
She said Bangladesh has been proactively responding to the unprecedented
humanitarian crisis, by keeping its border open and accepting the large
influx of forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
“But, now we want them to go back to their own land,” she said adding that
IsBDG cannot remain silent when Rohingyas are facing ethnic cleansing.
“Rohingyas are creating multifarious negative impacts on local community
and ecosystem along with our own resources,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the Regional Hub of the
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Dhaka today.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, president of the Islamic
Development Bank Dr. Bandar M. H. Hajjar, Economic Resources Division (ERD)
Secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam also spoke on the occasion.
The prime minister also sought support of IsDBG to meet the deficit of the
investment plan of Bangladesh to address the adverse impacts of climate
change.
Bangladesh will need a total amount of USD 11.7 billion to determine the
investment demand, current investment and investment gap that exist in
environment, forest and climate change sector.
So far USD 4.7 billion has been invested from internal and external
sources, and there is an overall investment deficit of USD 7 billion, she
said seeking IsDBG support to meet the gap.
Expressing her firm commitment to build Bangladesh as a middle-income
country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041, the prime minister hoped
continued support and cooperation of the IsDB.
“Together we will build a brighter and prosperous future for our new
generation,” she said adding that Bangladesh has already started the SDGs
implementation aligning the same with our national plans and strategies with
a target to achieve most of the SDGs within 2030.
The prime minister welcomed the decision of the IsDBG for opening the
regional hub in Dhaka saying it will definitely help IsDBG to speed up its
operational activities.
This will also help IsDBG to be more intimate and closer to client
countries in understanding the development needs and challenges as well as
development priorities, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said IsDBG is one of the trusted development partners of
Bangladesh. Bangladesh acknowledges the role of IsDBG over the last four
decades in its socio-economic development.
IsDBG has so far extended cumulative development assistance of USD 22
billion to Bangladesh making the country single largest recipient of Group’s
economic cooperation among its 57 member countries, the prime minister said.
The establishment of new office in Dhaka is also marked as a joint step
forward in further consolidating the relations and strengthening the
partnership between Bangladesh and IsDBG, she noted.
MORE/AKH/AKM 1205hrs