Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the launching of the country’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, is another milestone in Bangladesh’s continuous march forward.
“Today, we launched Bangabandhu Satellite-1. With this launching, we’ve hoisted the Bangladesh flag in the space. I would like to greet and congratulate the people of the country on this glorious occasion,” she said in a message on Saturday marking the launch.
“The satellite will be a great addition to our information technology, heralding our entry into the Satellite Club of the world,” she said adding, “The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will certainly bring revolutionary changes in our broadcast and telecommunications sector.”
Hasina continued: “With the launching of Bangabandhu-1, we’re moving forward another step in materialising the dream of the Father of the Nation.”
She said the government has been relentlessly working to build digital Bangladesh since 2009.
“We have expanded the internet services up to the union level. Initiatives have been taken to develop two million young ICT professionals by 2021. We have already achieved the third position in the world in internet freelancing. Hi-Tech Parks are being built to promote business opportunities for local and foreign investors,” Hasina said.
“We have connected submarine cables with SEA-ME-WE 5 for easy and affordable internet. Our government has established a state-of-the-art data centre,” she added.
The prime minister thanked the officials who were associated with building and launching of Bangabandhu-1.
“I would like to thank Thales Alenia, the satellite manufacturing company of France, for building the Bangabandhu Satellite-1, and SpaceX of USA which was responsible for launching the Bangabandhu Satellite-1. Also, I would like to thank Russia for giving us the opportunity to use their orbital slot,” she said.
