ZCZC
BSS-05
PM-CHANCERY
Govt responsibility is to ensure expatriates’ welfare: PM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, April 23, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina today thanked the expatriate Bangladeshis for their special
contributions towards increasing forex reserve, saying that it is a
responsibility of her government to ensure their welfare.
“The expatriate Bangladeshis have special contributions to boosting forex
reserves. Especially the role of the workers in this regard is great. So,
it’s our duty to look after their betterment,” she said.
The prime minister said the expatriates are also playing an important role
in infrastructural development and economy of those countries where they are
working.
She made the remarks while addressing a function here this morning marking
the foundation laying stone of new Chancery Building of Bangladesh High
Commission at the Diplomatic Enclave at Jalan Kebangsaan in Brunei capital.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to
Brunei Air Vice Marshal (retd) Mahmud Hussain also spoke at the function.
The premier said her government is giving priority to construct own mission
buildings where the number of expatriates Bangladeshis is more.
“Bangladesh missions will have their own buildings in every country in
phases,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said she has already given directives for establishing at
least one Bangladeshi school in every country where large number of
Bangladeshi expatriates are living so that their children can pursue study
there properly.
The prime minister said when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman was rebuilding the war-ravaged nation, he purchased some
buildings for Bangladesh mission.
But after his assassination, she said, nobody took any initiative in this
regard. When Awami League government assumed office after long 21 years, it
took steps for construction of own missions in different countries including
the USA, India and Japan, she said.
“We also took decisions to buy lands for construction of our own missions
in different countries,” she added.
Lauding the architectural design of Bangladesh’s Chancery Building in
Brunei, the prime minister put emphasis on construction of the mission
building by keeping consistency with local weather, environment and other
infrastructures.
The premier thanked the main architect of Bangladesh’s Chancery Building in
Brunei Rozain Mery Yanti and her team for preparing a beautiful design of the
building.
Rozain Mery Yanti, also a lawmaker, visited Bangladesh a number of times
“Through the Chancery Building, the expatriate Bangladeshis will get better
services and it will help them move here smoothly,” the premier added.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said she will visit Brunei again for the
inauguration of the building which will be finished by 18 months.
The prime minister said her government is constructing Bangladesh missions
one after another. “The construction work of Bangladesh’s Chancery Building
in Italy has almost been completed,” she said, adding that she will visit
Italy to open the building.
Terming Brunei as a very beautiful country, she said there are many places
like Brunei which Bangladeshi businessmen are yet to explore. “Such places
can be new areas for our business and trade,” she added.
Later, she visited Royal Regalia Museum.
BSS/SH/GMR/1130 hrs