‘Looters’ must not come to power: PM
FROM PAGE 1
The premier, also Awami League president, sought votes for “boat”, her party’s electoral symbol, in the next general election.
She said people achieved independence and a strong economy as they voted the AL to power.
“On the other hand, they [BNP-Jamaat] were involved in looting, corruption and killing.”
Hasina said the government already brought back some money which was siphoned off by two sons of BNP chief Khaleda Zia and the remaining money was frozen.
“I don’t know from where they are getting money with which they have again started destruction by setting police vehicles and buses on fire,” she said.
The PM called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in Bangladesh to join hands in making the country a developed one.
She urged them to send money home through banking channels. She also advised them not to go abroad for jobs with fake certificates.
South African unit AL President Lutfor Rahman Rupok spoke at the function.
The PM joined the reception from Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton through videoconferencing.
PM MEETS HEADS OF STATE
Hasina held bilateral meetings with the heads of state of four countries on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, reports BSS.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters about the PM’s daylong engagements.
The premier said Bangladesh has attached priority to enhancing bilateral and trade relations with the African nations
She sought investments in various sectors from the African countries.
The bilateral meetings between Hasina and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Tanzania President Saima Suluhu and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi were held at Sandton Convention Centre.
A meeting was also held between Hasina and Dilma Vana Rousseff, president of New Development Bank, at the same venue.
During the meetings, the five dignitaries highly praised Bangladesh’s remarkable development under the PM’s prudent leadership, Momen said.
The foreign minister said Brazilian President Lula assured Bangladesh of all sorts of cooperation. He invited the Bangladesh premier to visit Brazil.
After the bilateral talks with Hasina, Iranian President Raisi expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh again to see in person the massive development.
During the meeting with Mozambique President Nyusi, Hasina sought investment from the African country, particularly in pharmaceuticals.
President of New Development Bank Rousseff has expressed her organisation’s eagerness to provide assistance to Bangladesh, particularly in women empowerment. She said the bank has already sanctioned $700 million for two development schemes in Bangladesh.
Hasina reached Johannesburg on August 22 to attend the 15th BRICS summit at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, also the current chair of BRICS.
The PM is scheduled to depart Johannesburg for home today. She is expected to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow morning.