Indonesia today offered to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh to meet its (Bangladesh) growing energy demand.
The proposal came when Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwan Wiranata-atmadja paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Jatiya Sangsad office here this evening, reports BSS.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
The Indonesian ambassador highly appreciated visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said Bangladesh achieved stunning success in socioeconomic field under her able stewardship.
In this connection, he mentioned over seven percent GDP growth achieved by Bangladesh and said it is a sign of its “robust development”.
“Bangladesh could not now be considered as a Least Developed Country (LDC) in terms of UN declaration as the country achieved over 7 percent growth,” the ambassador observed.
Praising quality of Bangladeshi various products, Iwan Wirnata Atmadja said these are highly competitive and are capable of competing with the commodities of any other country in the world.
The ambassador pointed out that the power of domestic markets is also a strength for both Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Iwan Wirnata Atmadja said his primary idea about Bangladesh has been changed after witnessing huge development in the country.
The Indonesian envoy expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for extending cooperation in discharging duty during his tenure in Dhaka.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s stunning success in different fields, the prime minister said her government has taken various measures over the last eight years to develop the country in a faster pace.
In this connection, she mentioned that her previous government during 1996-2001 tenure took many good steps for the welfare of the people. “But the subsequent BNP-Jamaat government nullified all good projects taken by the Awami League government out of political vengeance,” she said.
The premier said there is a huge market in Bangladesh and Asean countries and put emphasis on unlocking the market. “The socioeconomic condition of the people of these countries would improve further if we can tap this huge market,” she said.
Pointing out construction of coal-based power plants in the country, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh could import coal from Indonesia alongside other countries to run these power plants.
Mentioning her government’s steps to ensure food security, the premier said Bangladesh has been turned into a food-surplus country from a food-deficit one due to these measures. Referring to the construction of Paira Port in Patuakhali, she said a shipyard would be built there.
While talking about the initiatives for formation of BBIN and BCIM-EC groupings, the premier said huge economic activities would be generated with the functioning of the two forums.
Expressing satisfaction over the existing bilateral ties between the two countries, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh always values its relations with the close neighbors.
The prime minister also appreciated the Indonesian ambassador’s efforts to boost bilateral trade and commerce between the two countries.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury was present on the occasion.
