PM seeks French cooperation for sustainable development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought cooperation from the development partners, including France, to sustain the ongoing development spree in Bangladesh.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy called on her at the Prime Minister's official Ganabhaban residence on Tuesday. PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed newsmen after the meeting.

The Prime Minister said once Bangladesh was known as a country of poverty, flood and drought which it has now transformed into a developing nation with a huge development.

She said that every village of the country has been illuminated with electricity and connected with communication network.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has planned to build flats in rural areas for the poor people.

On the Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said that the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals must be repatriated to their homeland.

“They are involving in various criminal acts like drug, arms and human trafficking here,” she said.

The Prime Minister urged the western countries including France to mount their pressure further for the quick repatriation of the Rohingyas.

About stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that their fourth generation is living here.

“It does not seem that Pakistan will take them back anymore. We are planning to build flats for them to ensure their permanent rehabilitation here,” she said.

She requested the French Gas Company to invest in Bangladesh gas sector and for gas exploration.

They also discussed on some bilateral issues including Airbus purchase and launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-II.

French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy handed over a congratulatory message of French President Emmanuel Macron for being reelected as the Prime Minister through the last Parliamentary election held on January 7.