Foreign leaders at BRICS summit lauded Bangladesh’s development under PM Hasina: AK Abdul Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the five dignitaries highly praised Bangladesh’s remarkable development under Sheikh Hasina’s prudent leadership.

The minister  said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva assured Bangladesh to give all sorts of cooperation and invited Sheikh Hasina to visit Brazil at the convenient time.

Momen said that after bilateral talks with Sheikh Hasina, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed his desire to visit Bangladesh again to see in person the massive development of Bangladesh citing that he had earlier visited Jessore in Bangladesh 30 years back when the country was very poor.

During the bilateral meeting with President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Bangladesh Prime Minister sought investment from Mozambique on a larger scale particularly in pharmaceuticals.

President of the New Development Bank Dilma Vana Rousseff expressed her organization’s eagerness to provide assistance to Bangladesh particularly in the projects regarding women empowerment, mentioning that the bank has already sanctioned $700 million in two development schemes in Bangladesh. “I can assure you Bangladesh will get top priority from the New Development Bank as long as I am the President of the bank,” she added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Johannesburg to join the 15th BRICS Summit on August 22 at the invitation of the Current Chair of BRICS and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. On the side-lines of the BRICS Plus Dialogue, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo earlier exchanged pleasantries with Sheikh Hasina. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Vice-President of Uganda, Deputy Prime Minister of South Africa, Russian Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia also exchanged pleasantries with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh attached priority to enhance further the bilateral and trade relations with African nations. While holding bilateral meetings with heads of the state of four countries including three from Africa on the side-lines of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, she made the statement.  Sheikh Hasina said, “We want to boost the bilateral and trade relations with the African nations for mutual benefits.”

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen briefed journalist. PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam was present during the briefing. Sheikh Hasina also sought investments in various sectors from the countries for mutual benefits. The bilateral meetings between Sheikh Hasina and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Tanzania Dr Saima Sulluhu and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi were held at Sandton Convention Centre.

A meeting was also held between Bangladesh premier and president of the New Development Bank Dilma Vana Rousseff at the same venue. Sheikh Hasina also joined a photo session with the heads of state and government who arrived in Johannesburg to take part the 15th BRICS Summit.