ZCZC
BSS-57
PM-MEETING-UN ESCAP
ESCAP invites PM to attend 76th annual session in Bangkok
DHAKA, Dec 11, 2019 (BSS) – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend its 76th annual session to be held in Bangkok.
The invitation came when Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Officer of the United Nations ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana paid a courtesy call to the premier at her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the meeting.
The annual session of the United Nations ESCAP is usually held in the month of May.
During the meeting, Salsiah highly praised the unprecedented development of Bangladesh coinciding with its higher economic growth under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She also lauded women empowerment and development in Information Communication Technology (ICT) of Bangladesh.
The premier sought assistance for further development of Bangladesh when the UN Under Secretary General wanted to know on which sector they could extend assistance to Bangladesh.
Spelling out the massive development initiatives taken by her government, she said, “All development programmes, taken by the government for overall development of Bangladesh, are rural centric.”
In this context, the premier said the GDP growth of Bangladesh is now stands at 8.15 percent. She also said her government has taken some programmes under the social safety network.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Bangladesh support ESCAP’s works of developing and intermodal regional network, incorporating the Asian Highway network, the Trans-Asian Railway and the network of Dry Ports.”
She expressed hope that it will strengthen connectivity optimize the use of existing infrastructure and increase the level of integration among different transport modes.
Referring to the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) initiative and Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) initiative, the premier said, “If connectivity is increased among the member countries of the organizations, trade and commerce will be increased in the region.”
About the climate change issue, she said that Bangladesh is not the carbon emitter nation, but it is the worst affected of the climate change. “We have taken various measures to combat the adverse impact of the climate change,” she continued.
Regarding Rohingyas, the premier extended her sincere thanks to the friendly countries and international organisations for supporting Bangladesh.
PM’s International Relations Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, ERD Secretary Monowar Ahmed and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Mia Seppo were present in the meeting, among others.
Later, a seven-member delegation of Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB), led by its President Anjan Chowdhury, called on the prime minister at her official Ganabhaban residence.
They informed the prime minister about present state of the private sector airliners and helicopter operators of the country.
Apprising the problems the sector, now facing, they have sought cooperation from the prime minister for further development of the sector which they described a as potential sector.
The premier gave them a patient hearing and assured them of extending all necessary cooperation for further development of the sector.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan and Civil Aviation Secretary Md Mohibul Haque were present during the meeting.
BSS/AHJ/MRU/2232hrs