Don't be misled by rumour: PM urges countrymen

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday urged the countrymen not to pay heed to any propaganda over foreign reserves and bank liquidity as Bangladesh is economically stable while many developed countries are facing economic crisis for the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

"Inflation has increased globally. Many developed countries are at stake economically and facing trouble – their reserves are declining. But, we can say that we have been able to keep Bangladesh in a stable condition," she said. 

The prime minister was addressing a graduation ceremony of the National Defence Course-2022 and Armed Forces War Course-2022 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Mirpur Cantonment in the capital.

Pointing to rumour on foreign currency reserves and liquidity in banks, she said, "Some words will spread rapidly and you (people) might be misled. But, I will say there is nothing to be misled."

She said the reserve was only 2.5 billion USD while Awami League assumed power for the first time in 1996 as it was only 5 billion USD when her party came to the power for the second time in 2001. 

The reserve increased to 48 billion USD from the 5 billion USD during the tenure of the present government as everything including import was almost stopped during the Covid-19 period, she said.

The premier said her government has taken every possible measure including purchasing Covid-19 vaccines, giving stimulus packages to industries and business establishments, reaching cash to every person up to grassroots level to protect Bangladesh economy and its people from the wrath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said they have purchased the Covid-19 vaccines with giving Tk12,000 crore in advance while developing of vaccine was at research stage, adding that if the research failed, Bangladesh would have to lose the money. 

Bangladesh has administered the Covid-19 vaccines to its people free of cost despite the fact that no rich or developed country did it, she said.

She said Bangladesh has got recognition as a developing nation for measures taken by the government.

"It has been possible to get the status of a developing nation as the democratic process continues," she said.

The prime minister said her government has been able to reach the economic growth to 8 percent as the 9 percent economic growth was achieved during the government of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangabandhu government had achieved 9 percent economic growth within a very short period despite he had to rebuild the war-ravaged country, she said, adding that if Bangabandhu had been alive, Bangladesh could be a developed country in 10 years after independence.

The prime minister said her government is working to transform the armed forces into modern with state-of-the-art equipment and knowledge following the Forces Goal-2030 which was formulated in line with the Defence Policy-1974 by the Father of the Nation.

She said her government also formulated National Defence Policy-2018.

The premier greeted the armed forces personnel as they always stand by the people in any disaster.

"In any disaster, armed forces personnel always stand beside the people and thus they have achieved the confidence and trust of the masses," she said.

She greeted all the graduates and called upon the foreign military officials to work as ambassadors of Bangladesh after going to their country and elsewhere across the globe.

The prime minister later attended the 19th joint meeting of the governing body of the National Defence College (NDC) and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) held at Sheikh Hasina Complex, DSCSC in Mirpur Cantonment.