In order to enable the more than a million Rohingyas who have been forcibly expelled to return to their motherland in Myanmar, Australia would give Bangladesh some $235 million.
The pledge was made this morning during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s farewell visit at her Ganabhaban home in Dhaka by departing Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Buer.
During his briefing following the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the premier as saying that during the discussion, they discussed subjects of bilateral interest.
Bangladesh has been undergoing a democratic transition since 2008, according to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but the nation was long under military dictatorship.
Covid-19 pandemic was a big challenge for Bangladesh and it has managed efficiently, she said.
Sheikh Hasina also said that Bangladesh has taken its own initiative for disaster management to cope with climate change impacts.
She mentioned that the government has strengthened the social safety net program in the country.
The Australian envoy wished all the best to the Prime Minister for the 12th national parliamentary elections.
He emphasized people-to-people collaboration between the two nations and expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to expressing happiness with the two nations’ trade relationship, Jeremy Buer emphasized the need for more collaboration in the energy and climate change areas.
He mentioned how well the Bangladeshi diaspora in Australia is doing and suggested that both nations should work together in the defense industry.
About Rohingya issue, the envoy reiterated his country’s support to Bangladesh for dignified return of more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar, saying his country would give some $ 235 million for them.
He expressed that democratic process would continue in Bangladesh.
Besides, the envoy said that if Bangladesh Cricket Board wants Australia’s cooperation in its infrastructural development and training facilities.
Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.
