BNP's statement against Bangladesh's intention to join BRICS reflects their blindness, Dr Ashikur Rahman Shanto has said.
“BNP's propaganda against BRICS has turned them into an immature entity within the intellectual space. By arguing that BRICS is an anti-western platform, BNP has shown they have no understanding of political blocs in the global stage and such propaganda against BRICS reflects their blindness," he said on Sunday while speaking at a Jubo League meeting in Bhola.
Dr Ashikur Rahman is an executive member of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League and senior economist at the Policy Research Institute (PRI).
He said: "By taking Bangladesh to BRICS, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to open a new international corridor for our country, which can bring investments and open new avenues for more trade culminating in sustained economic progress.”
He added that with the correct set of policies, Bangladesh could potentially export $50 billion annually to BRICS over the next decade.
BRICS is a political bloc that constitutes regional economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. All five states are members of the G20, with a combined nominal GDP of approximately $28 trillion.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was invited by the next BRICS meeting host South Africa to join the summit in August.
He had also said that Bangladesh would likely join the bloc.
BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the move and said when the Awami League saw the Western world wasn't accepting them, they started negotiating to join the BRICS.
The Jubo League meeting in Bhola was presided over by Mostaq Ahmed Shahin, a local Jubo League leader and former President of Bhola District Chatro League.