ZCZC
BSS-49
PM-CHANCERY 2 LAST JEDDAH
The prime minister stressed the need for utilizing the Expatriates Welfare
Fund for the wellbeing of the expatriates solely.
“Major amount of foreign exchange comes from the remittances sent by the
expatriates and our embassies and missions are run by their money. So I want
the Expatriates Welfare Fund to be utilised for their welfare,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the fund will be spent for setting up schools for the
children of the expatriates and those schools will also be run through the
fund as the fund has been created with the money of the expatriates. “We’ve
to work keeping this in mind,” she said.
Regarding the closure of the Bangladeshi school in Madinah, the prime
minister said the school will not be shut down, it will remain operational.
“For this I will give money whatever is required,” she said asking the
Prime Minister’s Office secretary to take necessary measures in this regard.
Highlighting her government’s steps for the welfare of the expatriates,
the prime minister said her government has established Probashi Kallyan Bank
for them.
“We’ve taken steps for solving the problems of the expatriates and those
who want to go abroad can take loan from the bank for the purpose,” she said.
Elaborating her government’s initiatives for development of the country,
the prime minister said her government is implementing a 10-year perspective
plan side by side with five-year plan.
“We’ve framed the Delta Plan-2100 keeping in mind what will be the
condition of the country in the next century as well as the future of the
next generation,” she said.
The prime minister said Bangladesh now appeared as a development role
model in the world keeping its move towards achieving its status as an
advanced economy.
Sheikh Hasina reiterated her determination to build a middle income
country by 2021 and a developed and prosperous one by 2041. “We don’t want a
single person to remain homeless and hungry in the country and we’re working
untiringly to achieve this goal,” she said.
The prime minister also recalled the expatriates’ contributions to the
country’s socioeconomic development as well as their role in every movement
and struggle.
Bangladesh Ambassador to KSA Golam Moshi was present on the occasion,
among others.
Earlier, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of Bangladesh
Consulate Building in Jeddah by unveiling its plaque.
BSS/SH/ARS/1924 hrs