FROM PAGE 3

Ashraf Uddin during the question-answer session.

The premier said initiatives were underway to sign bilateral agreements with Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil and Russia to expand overseas employment opportunities.

He added that efforts are actively progressing toward reopening the Malaysian labour market. High-level visits have also been arranged to strengthen bilateral relations with countries outside the Middle East that recruit foreign labour.

An initiative has been taken to sign a labour recruitment agreement with Thailand, he added.

The prime minister said the government is continuing efforts to reopen the Malaysian market, answering a related question from BNP MP Nayab Yusuf Ahmed.

The minister and adviser in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment visited Malaysia from April 8–11, and bilateral discussions during the visit are expected to pave the way for sending Bangladeshi workers to the country, he added.

In response to a question from Nurul Islam, MP of Barguna-2, the prime minister said the government has already taken steps to plan for the maritime zone and assess potential national gains.

He said to ensure sustainable and long-term development of the blue economy by balancing marine resources, fisheries, tourism and environmental conservation, the establishment of an institutional framework in the 2027 fiscal year is under active consideration.

Responding to another question from the Barguna-2 MP, Tarique said the government has decided to recruit five lakh government employees.

Of them, the process of recruiting 2,879 people against vacant posts in the Ministry of Public Administration and subordinate offices and organisations is already underway, he said.

Replying to a question from Chattogram-7 MP Humam Quader Chowdhury, the prime minister said there are currently 3,76,489 teachers in primary schools, of whom 1,30,000 have received training in English.

Under the upcoming Fifth Primary Education Development Programme, set to begin on July 1, plans are in place to provide English training to the remaining teachers, he added.