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PM-RAJHANGSA-SPEECH-3 LAST DHAKA
Highlighting her government’s steps for development of air connectivity, the prime minister said Chattogram and Sylhet airports have been developed as international airports.
“We resumed the operation of the airports closed by the BNP government and we’re also developing Cox’s Bazar Airport as an international airport so that wide-bodied aircraft could land there,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the work on constructing the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has begun. “It will create more work and generate more employments for the people,” she added.
The prime minister said: “The Father of the Nation has given the country to us … it’s now our responsibility to build the country and we’ll have to work together for the welfare of the people.”
Elaborating her government’s tremendous successes in various fields, the prime minister said the government has increased budget five times and raised the GDP growth to 8.1 percent.
“The country is marching ahead at an irresistible pace and it has been possible as the government remains in state power for over 10 years at a stretch,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is moving keeping pace with the world and got recognition in the entire world.
“Bangladesh is now a role model of development in the world … we’ve been able to keep inflation at 5.3 percent alongside increasing GDP growth,” she said.
The premier said the country had to face various hurdles like terrorism, militancy and arson attacks in its way to development. “Despite that, we are advancing by facing these and we want this advancement to continue,” she said.
The fourth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the 16th aircraft of the national flag carrier, was added to the Biman’s fleet on September 14. It landed at HSIA directly from the USA’s Seattle’s Boeing Factory in the afternoon on the day.
Biman’s acting Managing Director and CEO Captain Farhat Hasan Jamil along with other high officials received the Dreamliner at the airport after welcoming it with a water cannon salute.
Earlier, the first and second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, named as ‘Akash Beena’ and ‘Hangsabalaka’ respectively, arrived here in August and December last year, while the third one known as ‘Gaangchil’ landed in July last.
The prime minister named all the Dreamliners, the source said.
In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 new aircraft.
As per the deal, Boeing has already delivered all the aircraft – four 777-300ER’s, two 737-800’s and four Dreamliners – to Biman.
Rajhangsha, the 271-seat Boeing 787-8, has been designed as 20 percent fuel efficient carrier compared to the other aircraft. The airliner has the capacity to fly 16 hours nonstop with an average speed of 650 miles per hour.
It will provide its passengers with WiFi services at a height of 43,000 feet, allowing passengers to browse the internet or connect with their friends and family from any place of the world.
BSS/SH/GA/1931 hrs