ZCZC
BSS-14
PM-COMMONWEALTH 2 LAST DHAKA
The Prime Minister said women empowerment is being made from the
grassroots level and the womenfolk in large number is participating in the
country’s socioeconomic uplift.
“We’re encouraging the young entrepreneurs — both males and females — in
SME,” she said.
Talking about the country’s development, Sheikh Hasina said the GDP growth
rate has now increased to 7.78 percent while inflation brought down to 5.5
percent, thanks to various pragmatic steps of the government.
Noting that her government is promoting all kinds games and sports, the
Prime Minister said the Bangladesh women cricket team became champions in the
Asia Cup recently while the men’s team is also doing well.
The Commonwealth Secretary General termed the exodus of a huge number of
Rohingyas into Bangladesh as a huge burden for Bangladesh.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed a great compassion by giving shelter
to a huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh,” she said.
Patricia Scotland highly appreciated the role of Bangladesh in combating
terrorism.
She called for trade facilitation among the Commonwealth states saying
trade barriers need to be reduced among them and connectivity should be
enhanced for strengthening SME network.
The Commonwealth Secretary General also highly appreciated women
empowerment and development in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In this connection, she put emphasis on more involvement of women in trade
and business as well as the SME.
Patricia Scotland also highly lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speech
on women empowerment in the last Commonwealth Summit in London.
She highly praised the Bangladesh’s role in the interfaith conference held
in Kenya recently. “The speech of the Bangladesh representative was the best
of all,” she said.
The Commonwealth Secretary General also appreciated the role of Bangladesh
in the last Ocean Conference.
On cricket issue, she stressed the need for formation of a Commonwealth
Cricket Club as well as introduction of the Commonwealth Cricket League for
further development of the popular game in the Commonwealth states.
Patricia Scotland handed over a copy of the Commonwealth Charter to Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina.
PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman was present at the meeting,
among others.
The Commonwealth Secretary General arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day
visit.
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