PM seeks Russian investment in jute industry

Laying emphasis on expanding the areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought Russian investment in Bangladesh’s jute sector.

Sheikh Hasina said this when newly-appointed Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy met her at Ganabhaban.

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said both agreed to explore potential in Bangladesh’s agriculture sector and expand cooperation in other areas.

Hasina highly appreciated Russia’s cooperation with Bangladesh in its various sectors, particularly the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, reports UNB.

She recalled the cooperation and assistance of the then Soviet Union during the Liberation War of Bangladesh and after its independence.

The Prime Minister mentioned that many students had studied in Russia, especially in its medical colleges, and said those who had helped Bangladesh during its trying time have special places in the hearts of the people of this country.

She also said Bangladesh will be happy to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin here if he visits Bangladesh.

Alexander Mantytskiy said he had been in Dhaka 20 years back and now found Bangladesh’s present development massive and remarkable.

He mentioned that the friendship between Bangladesh and Russian started back in 1971 when the then Soviet Union had extended cooperation to Bangladesh.

Mantytskiy mentioned that Bangladesh and Russia are working closely in the United Nations, while the trade and commerce between the two countries have increased substantially.

Mantytskiy also expressed his country’s interest in building the second nuclear power plant in Bangladesh on completion of the Rooppur Power Plant.

Talking about various agreements between the two countries, he said those have to be updated, and put emphasis on strengthening cooperation in the defence sector.

Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present at the meeting.

Earlier on the day, the prime minister while addressing a function marking 50 years of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction vowed to continue the country’s development spree whatever risks come, calling all to act cautiously keeping in mind the dangers of disasters, reports BSS.

“We always think the country is ours. So, whatever risks will come, the development spree will surely be continued. We will surely step forward towards the development facing everything. We have been working to pursue the goal,” she said.

“People of our country need to be careful and take some measures accordingly. While constructing houses, offices, and business establishments you have to keep in mind that disasters such as fire, storm and flood can strike at any time. So, everyone should follow the building code while constructing those to stay away from the risks,” she said.

The prime minister also launched CPP’s four units —Druto Saradan Unit (quick response unit), Pani Theke Uddhar Kora Unit (rescue from water unit), Oti Joar Monitoring O Saradan Unit (high-tide monitoring and response unit) and Khelay Khelay Durjog Prostoti Unit (disaster preparedness with fun) — and hoped that these units will help CPP accelerate disaster management work.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is becoming an ideal country to counter the disasters in the world due to the government’s tireless efforts following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She called upon all concerned to work accordingly to uphold the global dignity of Bangladesh as a disaster-resilient country.

The prime minister said that the inclusion of women in the CPP activities has made the programme more effective. “We will always take the measures required to free the people from the risks of disasters,” she said.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman and its Secretary Md Mohsin spoke at the function from Osmani Memorial Hall.

She also unveiled a book titled “Durjog Sahonshil Bangladesh Binirmane Sheikh Hasina (Sheikh Hasina in building disaster-resilient Bangladesh).

Three organisers and six volunteers, including three women, were also given lifetime honorary medals at the function for their outstanding contribution to disaster risk management. They are: organisers Saidur Rahman, AKM Hasan Al Rashid, and AJM Golam Rabbani and volunteers Shova Rani Das, Ratna Rani Dey, Hawa Begum, Fazlul Karim, Abdul Hasim Siraj Kazi, and Md Hanif.