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BSS-01
JOURNALIST-MOMEN-DINNER
Momen urges foreign journos to portray Bangladesh’s economic prospect
DHAKA, Dec 22, 2019 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen called upon
foreign journalists and writers to expose the positive side of Bangladesh
including its current economically vibrant environment as well as prospect of
getting highest investment return.
“When you go back home … tell your countrymen that if you want to make
money, go to Bangladesh where investment return is highest among the south
Asian nations,” he told a media delegation of 20 different countries visited
Bangladesh from December 14-21 on Saturday night.
The minister was addressing a dinner hosted in honor of the visiting
foreign guests, comprising journalists, writers, historians and diplomats at
the State Guesthouse Jamuna.
Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister Salman F
Rahman presented a keynote paper describing immense investment potential and
future prospect of Bangladesh in front of the foreign dignitaries.
Secretary (Asia and Pacific) of Foreign Ministry Masud Bin Momen was also
present.
The foreign minister said presently an investment friendly congenial
atmosphere is prevailing in Bangladesh as there is no tariff barrier or
duties for the foreign investors.
He said the present government has taken a plan to set up 100 economic
zones to attract more FDI (foreign Direct Investment) to create more
employment for the country’s youth force.
The minister said Bangladesh became a development miracle and it has been
possible for the able leadership of Prime minister Sheikh Hasina. “I call her
(Sheikh Hasina) miracle woman,” he said.
Describing positive side of Bangladesh, Momen said one key element of
Bangladesh miracle is women development as “currently 36 percent of women are
in our workforce which was only six percent even ten years back”.
About the country’s religious harmony, he said it’s a land where there are
many religions but festivals are for everybody.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, the foreign minister said Bangladesh saved
the global leaders from witnessing one of the possible largest genocides in
the world by giving shelter of 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar
nationals.
“If we hadn’t given them shelter, another largest genocide would have been
happened,” he said.
But, he said “It (sheltering Rohingyas) is costing us. We need your (global
media) help so these (Rohingyas) people will go back (to Myanmar) and have a
safe and normal living there”.
He said the Rohingya crisis was created in Myanmar and the solution lies in
Myanmar as well.
Terming media as a powerhouse, Momen said “I need your pen. Write against
these atrocities and violence (against Rohingya). This must be stopped. This
can’t continue.”
He laid emphasis on having a mindset of tolerance and respect for others
for building a peaceful and sustainable world.
The 36-member delegation visited Bangladesh under “Visit Bangladesh
Programme” to uphold Bangladesh’s image and prospect to the external world.
During the weeklong trip, the delegation members also visited Tungipara and
paid their rich tributes to the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
BSS/ASG/TA/GMR/1007 hrs