HPM Sheikh Hasina for expanding Bangladesh-Malaysia cooperation

The Prime Minister expressed this view when newly appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Nur Ashikin Binti Mohd Taib paid a courtesy call on her at her Jatiya Sangsad Office here on Thursday morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Spelling out her government's various initiatives to build a poverty-free Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said: "We're trying to develop the country in a faster pace."

While talking about the strengthening connectivity with the neighbouring countries, the Premier mentioned the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement and setting up Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor.

"Those initiatives would open up a new horizon in the field of connectivity with the Southeast Asian nations alongside the neighbours," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also underscored the need for boosting trade and business with the South Asian nations side by side with enhancing connectivity.

Pointing out the power, health and education sectors cooperation between the two countries, she said a coal-based power plant is being constructed at Moheshkhali with Malaysian cooperation.

Referring to her government's success in the power sector, she said the country's power generation capacity has been stood at 14,700 megawatt from 3200 MW over last seven and a half years.

The Premier said huge number of Bangladeshi students are studying at public and private sector institutions in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister said her government has been striving to reach the healthcare services to the people's doorsteps by setting up community health clinics and union health centres across the country. In this connection, she said Sheikh Fazilatunnesa KPJ Memorial Specialised Hospital has been established with Malaysian cooperation on the outskirts of the capital to provide better healthcare services to the people at low cost.

She said her government has been giving importance to job-oriented vocational training to build a skilled workforce in the country.

The Prime Minister said her previous government during 1996-2001 tenure took various initiatives for health and education sectors development. "But after coming to power, the BNP-Jamaat government stopped the work of the most of the projects," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has solved various problems including water sharing and maritime boundary dispute with neighbouring countries peacefully.

Reiterating her government's "zero tolerance policy" against terrorism and militancy, Sheikh Hasina said none would be allowed to use Bangladesh's soil for terrorist acts against any country.

At the outset of the meeting, the Premier recalled the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Malaysia in 1973 and said that tour has laid the foundation of excellent relations that still exist between two brotherly countries.

The new Malaysian high commissioner said she would work to further consolidate bilateral ties and cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Ms Nur Ashikin opined that there are many areas of cooperation between the two countries including public administration, training and agriculture. "Both the countries could share experiences to this end," she said.

The Malaysian high commissioner said like Bangladesh, her government is also giving importance to job-oriented vocational training education.

Prime Minister's Office Secretary Suraiya Begum was present at the meeting.