DHAKA, June 30, 2022 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has
reiterated that those who made false corruption allegations against the
people involved in Padma Bridge Project and defame Bangladesh should seek an
apology and compensate the individuals.
 
 
"Under the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the
historic Padma Bridge has been built with our funds and resources and now
represents a nation on the road to self-reliance and prosperity," he said.
 
The foreign minister was speaking as the chief guest at gala celebration
titled- Padma Bridge: Milestone of a Decade of Growth and Prosperity,
organized by Bangladesh High Commission in London on Monday, according to a
press release received here today.
 
He highlighted Bangladesh's economic growth that was achieved under the
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the past decade.
 
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's timely and innovative initiatives made
Bangladesh a self-sufficient country in staple crop production, which
increased fourfold from 11 lakh tonnes to 44 lakh tonnes, and her business-
friendly government boosted export earnings from 7 to 8 million US dollars to
48 million US dollars," he said.
 
Apart from this, he said the country's economy gained a strong foothold
during the pandemic as expatriate Bangladeshi including from the UK and
Ireland remitted 25 billion US dollars to their homeland.  
 
Dr. Momen, in his speech, expressed solidarity with the flood victims in
Sylhet and other areas of Bangladesh and spoke in detail about the relief and
rescue operations the government has been implementing since the recurrence
of the natural disasters.
 
Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem, in her welcome remarks,
lauded the contributions of Bangladeshis living in the UK and Ireland to
Bangladesh's economy, including in the Padma Bridge, by sending a record
amounts of remittances.

Expressing her deep solidarity with the flood-affected people in Bangladesh,
including in Sylhet Division, the envoy said, Bangladesh High Commission has
set up a helpline to provide the necessary information and emergency
assistance to the expatriate Bangladeshis whose family members and relatives
are affected by the flooding.
 
 
Speaking on the occasion, Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman who is a British-
Bangladeshi, congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government
for building the Padma Bridge, which significantly improved the country's
communication infrastructure.

A prominent British-Bangladeshi community member Jalal Uddin also spoke at
the event, attended by over 400 enthusiastic expatriate Bangladeshi who came
from different cities and towns of the UK and Ireland to celebrate the
inauguration of Padma Bridge.