Economy
Rishi Sunak Applauds Bangladesh’s Thriving Economy, Lauds PM Sheikh Hasina’s Inspirational Leadership
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his deep admiration for Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, describing her as a profound source of inspiration during their bilateral meeting held at the Marlborough House of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Sunak, who recently assumed the position of Prime Minister of Britain, shared heartfelt sentiments by stating that his wife and two daughters are ardent admirers of Hasina’s remarkable leadership.
The encounter marked the first official meeting between the two prime ministers since Sunak’s appointment. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina traveled to London with the purpose of attending the momentous coronation ceremony of King Charles III. Following the meeting, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, provided an insightful briefing to the press, accompanied by PM’s Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam.
At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina extended warm congratulations to Sunak, commending his exceptional achievement of becoming the first British prime minister of Asian heritage at such a young age. She emphasized that Sunak stands as an exemplary figure, illustrating the boundless potential of the younger generation. Sunak, in turn, expressed admiration for Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, and he sought to unravel the secret behind their continued success in maintaining high economic growth, even amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the British Prime Minister holds Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in high regard, considering her a role model. The discussion between the two leaders also shed light on the enduring and amicable relationship between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, spanning over five decades. In fact, Sunak conveyed his optimism for an even stronger future partnership between the two nations.
The focus of the meeting extended to exploring business relations between Bangladesh and Britain. The High Commissioner underlined the transformation of the bilateral relationship, which has transitioned from one predominantly based on aid to a more diversified and mutually beneficial framework. Notably, Bangladesh’s GDP now stands as a testament to its reduced dependence on aid, constituting less than 1 percent.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina advocated for increased investments from British companies in Bangladesh, emphasizing the potential for further growth and cooperation. The High Commissioner emphasized the significant value attached by Britain to its relationship with Bangladesh. This sentiment was reinforced by the fact that among the numerous heads of states and governments attending the coronation, Rishi Sunak engaged in bilateral meetings with only seven countries, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being among the select few.
During the approximately 35-minute bilateral meeting, a range of topics were discussed, including various bilateral and regional issues. The plight of the Rohingya people, who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar, also featured prominently. Sunak acknowledged the immense burden carried by Bangladesh in accommodating and supporting the Rohingya community, affirming Britain’s understanding of the magnitude of this pressing humanitarian challenge.
In response, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her sincere gratitude to the British Prime Minister and the people of Britain for their unwavering support in addressing the Rohingya issue. She stressed that the situation not only poses a humanitarian crisis but also represents a significant security threat.
Deeply concerned about the circumstances faced by the Rohingya, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended a heartfelt invitation to Rishi Sunak to visit Bangladesh personally and witness firsthand the conditions and challenges endured by the Rohingya community. Sunak, in turn, lauded Prime Minister Hasina’s exemplary leadership in addressing the critical issue of climate change.
Turning the conversation to the Ashrayan Project, an initiative aimed at providing housing to the homeless, Prime Minister Hasina highlighted the substantial progress made thus far, with approximately seven hundred thousand families already benefiting from the project. This commendable endeavor received high praise from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as affirmed by the Bangladesh High Commissioner.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
