Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the people of Bangladesh are the owners of the country and they will decide what to do and what not in future.
People will answer what is going on in Bangladesh at present and what will happen in time to come.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh came up with the remarks while replying to questions from the media personalities during a press conference on the outcome of her recent visit to Johannesburg in South Africa where she attended the 15th BRICS Summit on 22-24 August at the invitation of host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The press conference was held on Tuesday afternoon at her residence Ganabhaban in the capital Dhaka.
“People of Bangladesh will decide the future of Bangladesh. They will reply to the question what is going on in Bangladesh at present and what will happen next”, Sheikh Hasina told this in her reply to a question on what is happening in the country at present and what will happen next.
Prime Minister said, “The government has done a lot of things for the development of the country and welfare of the people. They are the beneficiaries of all the development works like the Padma Bridge, Elevated Expressway, Metro Rail, Bangabandhu Tunnel and other development work in the sector of roads, transportation, economy, education and health.”
Mentioning various development works and welfare for the people, including the pension scheme, Sheikh Hasina said, now the people in the villages are reaping the civic amenities the townspeople are enjoying.
She said, “I have the only word that whatever we are doing, everything is done for the betterment of the lot of the people. We are doing everything keeping in mind the welfare of the people.”
“Bangladesh and its people occupy my mind and heart always”, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the elder daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Replying to the questions on the outcome of the participation in the BRICS Summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “It was very much fruitful. A new door has opened for Bangladesh, specially new potentials for trade and commerce through the participation in the BRICS Summit.”
“During discussions with heads of government and state, all of them expressed their amazement how Bangladesh could be able to make such development and success so fast and so quick,” the Prime Minister said.
Talking about the membership of the BRICS, the Prime Minister said, “It is not that when Bangladesh wants something, but won’t get it as the situation has changed”, she said replying to a question from reporters over the BRICS membership.
“If Bangladesh wants something, we will get it as Bangladesh has already reached such a stage”, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said, “We were more serious about the BRICS Bank than the membership of BRICS.
She said there was no request from Bangladesh to make it a member of BRICS right now.
“We did not go to tell anyone to make us a member (of BRICS) right now” she said.
Talking about the outcome, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that global leaders got a better picture of Bangladesh's socio-economic development achieved under her leadership as she participated in the BRICS summit.
Apart from host president Ramaphosa the summit was attended in person by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the summit through video link.
Sheikh Hasina said that she informed the international community about the various preparations and activities undertaken by her government to build 'Smart Bangladesh' through the implementation of Vision 2041.
She also called upon the countries of the South to reject the inequality imposed on them in the name of universal rule.
“We are no longer willing to suffer because of artificial decisions imposed on the countries of the South,” she said.
She hoped that the initiative to establish Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism through this conference will be fruitful. “…and the BRICS alliance will play its role properly as an ideal platform in this regard,” she said.
Replying to another question on the ‘participatory election’, Prime Minister criticised the roles of some foreigners who are talking about the next 12th National Parliamentary election and participation of all the parties.
“Where did these statement makers remain when Ziaur Rahman, Ershad and even Khaleda Zia played foul centring the elections at different times and Zia and Ershad staged ‘Yes/No vote dramas,’ Khaleda Zia staged ‘15th February and Magura type elections?”, Sheikh Hasina raised a counter question.
In her written statement, Hasina mentioned that she urged the investors worldwide, particularly from South Africa, to explore the numerous investment prospects within Bangladesh investing in various sectors.
She also urged them to get involved in Bangladesh’s advancement and make the country reach the goal to become a trillion-dollar economy and a fully developed smart nation by 2041.
Later, Hasina also joined a conference of Bangladeshi envoys posted in African nations at her place of residence.
In the conference, PM Hasina asked Bangladeshi envoys to enhance bilateral and trade relations with their host countries aimed at increasing bilateral trade, business and investments following the “Look Africa Policy” taken by her government.
The PM held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President XI at Hotel Hilton, Sandton during the visit.
During the meeting, the Chinese leader said that his country wants a solution to the Rohingya problem and expressed interest to help Bangladesh in energy and renewable energy and infrastructure development .
Bangladesh and China being strategic partners have reiterated their commitment to fulfill their mutual interest.
Hasina also attended a banquet and cultural show with the BRICS leaders and others invited to the BRICS Leaders Dialogue and other guests at Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg.
The prime minister attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Dialogues and delivered her address there at Sandton Convention Center in the morning.
In her speech, Hasina urged the global leaders to take responsibility for peace, justice and stability around the world.
She also said in the Global South, all should say ‘no’ to artificial choices and divisions being thrown at them.
All must reject attempts to weaponise universal norms and values and need to stop the cycle of sanctions and counter-sanctions, she added.
PM Hasina also said all must speak out against all threats and provocations.
Sheikh Hasina highlighted Bangladesh’s success in women empowerment to the world leaders.
The PM also held bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders on the side lines of the 15th BRICS Summit.
The leaders include President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and President of Tanzania Dr Saima Sulluhu and NDB New Development Bank President Mrs Dilma Vana Roussrff.
During the meetings held at Sandton Convention Center, they discussed issues of bilateral interests as well as various regional and international issues.
Sheikh Hasina also joined a civic reception given by the Bangladeshi community leaders living in South Africa.
