Amid the ongoing questions regarding Bangladesh membership to BRICS, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that Bangladesh did not try to become a member of the platform right now.
The premier made the remark while responding to journalists during a press conference at Ganabhaban yesterday, which was arranged to announce the outcomes of her recently concluded visit to Johannesburg in South Africa from August 22-26 to attend the 15th BRICS Summit.
Sheikh Hasina said: “This time, Bangladesh was focused on becoming involved with the New Development Bank, established by the BRICS states. Bangladesh got 1% share of the bank.
"I have always had good relations with the heads of government of these five countries since BRICS was established. From our side, we have been interested in the New Development Bank since we heard about it."
She added: "We didn't think that we would get membership of BRICS by joining its summit for the first time. We didn't make any such attempt, we didn't even tell anyone (about getting BRICS membership)."
The premier also said the BRICS president told her that they would add more countries as members in phases.
“If Bangladesh wants, it can apply for membership next time,” she added.
Regarding the ongoing political scenario inside the country ahead of the next election, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina said the people of Bangladesh would decide what is going to happen in the country in the next few months.
She also mentioned that she was not bothered with the meeting of some opposition leaders in Singapore, as the people of Bangladesh are with her party, the Awami League.
Regarding the insistence of some world leaders to stop the ongoing trials against Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, the prime minister urged the world leaders to send experts to investigate instead of sending statements.
The prime minister also urged for an end to the cycle of sanctions and counter-sanctions, as it was causing suffering for countries in the global south.
Emphasizing the need for speaking out against all kinds of threats, provocations and wars, Sheikh Hasina called on the countries of the global south to reject unequal policies imposed in the name of universal norms.
Regarding the upcoming national parliament election, she said: “For me, participatory election means people's participation. The people are participating in voting.”
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Deputy Leader of the House Begum Matia Chowdhury and AL Presidium Membe Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam were present on the dais with the PM.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ishanul Karim conducted the function at the premier's official residence Ganabhaban.
Reject propaganda against Universal Pension
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the people of the country not to listen to propaganda about the universal pension scheme, saying most of the misinformation being spread was “absurd.”
In response to a question related to this, she said: “The Awami League government has come to work for the welfare of the people, the countrymen should have that trust.
“This money could have been used as election funds for the Awami League! The party has not fallen into such tyranny. Awami League always works for people. This is the reality. The government officers were getting pensions, but the general people were not in any pension system. We have made pledges about this universal pension in our election manifesto, which we have now implemented.”
'We are breaking market syndicates'
In response to a question regarding the price hike of daily commodities by syndicating the market, the prime minister said the syndicates can be broken.
“I will see who is bigger and stronger. If my commerce minister says that syndicates cannot be broken, I will catch him too. I will see who is big and strong,” said the premier.
She also urged the countrymen to become involved in the production sector and said: “If we all produce something, we will not have any problems. We are breaking syndicates by increasing production and providing alternatives, and will continue to do so.”
