In response to a question about the country’s reserves, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that when we talk about the reserves, it has entered everyone’s mind. There is no shortage of reserves in the country. No worries about reserve.
She said this while replying to questions from reporters after a press conference held on Monday (May 15) afternoon at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Ganabhaban, on the recently concluded Japan, United States and United Kingdom tour.
The Prime Minister said that our concern is that we should have enough dollars to buy food for three months. But we always try to keep reserve. How many reserves were there before, how much are our reserves now? So no worries about it. We have land, we will grow our own food. We have no problem with that either.
In response to another question, the Prime Minister said, I am not afraid of sanctioning those who sanctioned us. There is nothing to worry about. We have to be confident. But I have told others including the finance ministry not to buy anything from those who have sanctioned us.
Regarding the ongoing dollar crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “We are providing electricity from house to house.” Our investment is increasing, production is increasing. So the pressure on the dollar will increase. A few days ago, the corona virus, followed by the Russia-Ukraine war, resulted in inflation around the world today. Transportation costs have increased. That is why the dollar crisis is now present in the entire world.
I made extensive preparations to mitigate the damage caused by Cyclone MoKha.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated, “We have taken extensive preparations to protect lives from the devastating impact of Cyclone Mokha. I personally monitored the situation and provided various directives.”
She further mentioned, “We opened 7,040 shelters in 13 vulnerable districts, accommodating over 700,000 people. Instructions were given for swift rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.”
Enhanced bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commented that the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Japan has been strengthened in terms of “technical cooperation.”
She stated, “The two countries have expedited economic partnership agreements, strengthened regional connectivity through the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), enhanced economic infrastructure, fostered investment-friendly environments, revived the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program, promoted trade growth, attracted Japanese investments in specialized economic zones in Bangladesh, discussed the Indo-Pacific region, and considered direct flights between Dhaka and Tokyo.”
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Japanese government has assured Bangladesh of providing assistance worth 30 billion yen. During the meeting, she expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their support in assisting the Rohingya and requested their assistance in facilitating their safe return to their homeland. In the context of this announcement on the technical cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan, eight agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, covering agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrading, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual property, defense cooperation, and IT and cyber security cooperation. Additionally, I and the Prime Minister of Japan jointly signed a joint statement outlining the framework for bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan. Later, I participated in a dinner hosted in my honor at the Prime Minister’s residence in Japan.
She said that apart from the summit, some bilateral meetings were held between the two countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, President of JICA, Chairman and CEO of Jetro, Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) and President of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League (JBPFL), wife of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and JBIC The President paid a courtesy call on me.
The Prime Minister stated that on April 27, I attended a Meet and Greet event with the CEOs and business leaders of renowned Japanese companies at the Westin Hotel in Tokyo. Afterwards, I participated in the Bangladesh Business Summit held at the same hotel. The President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry praised the economic development and business potential of Bangladesh in his speech. I highlighted Bangladesh’s existing political stability and the remarkable progress achieved in recent years, urging increased investment and trade in Bangladesh.
During this time, a total of 11 agreements were signed between business leaders of the two countries. Then, I visited the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan Museum) in Japan. In the evening, the renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, had a meeting with me. Tadao Ando, along with his associates from Tadao Ando Architects and Associates, signed an agreement regarding the establishment of a Children’s Library within the premises of the Bangladesh National Museum.
On that day, in the evening, I attended a ceremony at the Akasaka Palace to confer the “Friends of Liberation War Honor” to four Japanese citizens for their special contributions to Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
That afternoon I gave interviews to NHK and Nikkei media. Then I attended a civic reception organized by Bangladeshi expatriates in Tokyo at the Westin Hotel in Tokyo.
What the prime minister said about the salary increase, not the expensive allowance
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “In 2015, when we increased the salary allowance, we conducted a study that showed that with inflation (devaluation), the salary would increase at a certain percentage. We have provided many opportunities, starting from the festival bonus, housing allowance, and car loan.”
“Since inflation has increased, we are considering how much more opportunity we can provide in that area. Commissions and additional tasks do not result in significant benefits. Some people are hindered, while others benefit. Therefore, we increase salaries in line with the annual inflation rate. Apart from that, we have provided many opportunities. Starting from the festival bonus, we have also provided facilities for flat and car loans.”
Sheikh Hasina said, “The way we increased salaries was for everyone. Therefore, we have no plans to reduce the Mahargho allowance. Since inflation has increased, we are trying to increase salaries while maintaining compatibility with purchasing power.”
Regarding the private sector, she mentioned, “It is their matter, not the government’s. We have encouraged them to ensure that they do not face any crisis in the private sector during the coronavirus pandemic. We have provided them with low-interest loans. We have supported them. However, this support has affected the budget during the crisis.”
Sheikh Hasina said, “No country in the world provides subsidies. Who benefits the most from electricity subsidies? Those who use air conditioning the most. The benefits do not reach the poor. In reality, the wealthy are the ones who benefit. Fuel prices and transportation have increased everywhere. It is not possible for us alone to bear this. Products must be purchased at the cost of production. People will buy as much as they can afford. There is no logical reason to provide subsidies in places that hinder ordinary people.”
The Prime Minister stated, “During this pandemic and the Ukrainian war, I want to express gratitude for being able to manage the budget. We have prepared the budget properly. We will not take on the responsibility of someone who comes and says they are helpless. The IMF provides loans to those who have the capability to repay them. Bangladesh’s economy has not become so helpless. We have taken it based on our capacity to give, and that’s the reality.”
Awami League’s election manifesto will be ‘Smart Bangladesh’
Awami League’s election manifesto for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election will be ‘Smart Bangladesh’, party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.
She said, our next election manifesto will be Smart Bangladesh. Although I have said it before. But this will happen, we will build Bangladesh as a smart Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said, “No country in the world provides subsidies. Who benefits the most from electricity subsidies? Those who use air conditioning the most. The benefits do not reach the poor. In reality, the wealthy are the ones who benefit. Fuel prices and transportation have increased everywhere. It is not possible for us alone to bear this. Products must be purchased at the cost of production. People will buy as much as they can afford. There is no logical reason to provide subsidies in places that hinder ordinary people.”
The Prime Minister stated, “During this pandemic and the Ukrainian war, I want to express gratitude for being able to manage the budget. We have prepared the budget properly. We will not take on the responsibility of someone who comes and says they are helpless. The IMF provides loans to those who have the capability to repay them. Bangladesh’s economy has not become so helpless. We have taken it based on our capacity to give, and that’s the reality.”
Prime Minister said in response to another question from journalists about population growth in Japan, “We did not and do not encourage population growth in Japan. Japan desires skilled and educated manpower. Another aspect is the Japanese language. To work in Japan, one must learn the Japanese language. Those who learn the Japanese language can go there and acquire the necessary skills through training. Then there will be no inconvenience in going. The problem lies with those who wish to go to the country without adequately preparing themselves. There are no other obstacles.”
The Prime Minister further stated, “In our country, there are some people who fail to recognize any positive developments. They may be visually impaired or suffer from ignorance. There might be a lack of knowledge or a skewed perception. They tend to criticize without reason. When we engage in politics, criticism is inevitable. We are doing our work, and by doing so, we have brought Bangladesh to its current state. If we calculate the state of Bangladesh in 2008 when we formed the government and compare it to now in 2023, we can understand how much progress Bangladesh has made. The extreme poverty rate was 25%, which we have reduced to 5.6%. Extreme poverty is now a thing of the past.”
Sheikh Hasina said, “After coming to power in 1996, I initiated the launch of private mobile and telephone services. I have also upgraded analog telephones to digital ones. Today, there are training facilities for using technology in the country. Digital labs are available in schools. Now I can make calls and send pictures from my mobile phone. Isn’t this smartness? During the time of the pandemic, how did we provide cash assistance to people? We directly sent money to 3.5 million people with their names and ID cards. Whatever support we provide to the elderly, widows, and others, we do it through mobile phones.”
The Prime Minister stated, “In the future, our population will become digital. They will use the internet. Now we are receiving online consultations from doctors. We even seek opinions from foreign experts online. This is how the country will progress. This is Smart Bangladesh, where there is no room for misunderstanding.”
