DHAKA, Dec 7, 2022 (BSS) - 'Planet Green Africa', an organization of Southeastern African country Malawi, has been conferred the First ever 'Commonwealth-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Green Investment Award'.

The award was handed over to 'Planet Green Africa' at the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit-2022 held in London on Tuesday, said a press release received here today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman handed over the award as a special envoy of Bangladesh premier. 

Earlier in November 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland and Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Chairman Lord Marland jointly announced the award in a high-level meeting on 'Climate Prosperity Partnership' during the COP-26 held in Glasgow.

Later, a jury board had sought applications from 'eco-friendly small and medium-sized innovative technology-based businesses' established in Commonwealth's 54 member countries. 

Primarily, out of the total submissions, the jury board nominated four institutions from Australia, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Malawi and finally had selected the "Planet Green Africa" as the awardee.

During the ceremony, Rahman expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth secretary general and CWEIC chairman on behalf of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Minister for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment Lord Goldsmith, CWEIC Chairman Lord Marland, Bangladesh High commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem spoke on the occasion, among others.

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland also graced the juncture with a video message, the release said.