Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday inaugurated the Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Fund (BIDF), aiming to finance different development projects from the country’s own fund.
The BIDF, that formed taking funds from the foreign exchange reserves, began its journey through financing to the capital and maintenance dredging in Ramnabad Channel of the Paira Port.
To this end, a tripartite agreement between the Finance Division, Paira Port Authority and Sonali Bank was signed on Tuesday at the Finance Division.
BIDF is the first such its kind in South Asia as well as in the world which would finance the development activities.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the signing ceremony as chief guest virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Speaking on the occasion, she said as a developing nation now Bangladesh has to move on, with its own feet, and run develop work with its own financing, towards becoming a developed country.
Mentioning that during this Covid-19 situation, the country’s foreign currency reserve has increased alongside reduction of other costs, Sheikh Hasina said the government has thought about the potential use of this foreign currency to move out from loan dependency rather make instances of own financing or loan.
Regarding the Covid-19 situation, the prime minister said the second wave of coronavirus is already there to some extent.
She asked all to maintain health guidelines although the vaccination campaign is on. “I request you all to follow the health safety protocols, even after vaccination,” she added.
Also Read - PM Hasina: Govt to expand eye treatment to each upazila
She said the government has framed the BIDF keeping the foreign currency reserve to meet the country’s import cost of six months considering frequent natural calamities here and utilize the surplus forex reserve for profitable development works.
“This endeavor will be for an effective investment of surplus foreign currency reserve,” she said, adding: “It will not only be beneficial for the country but also help us to grow our own confidence and self-esteem, and we will be able to show the world that we can do it.”
The premier said investors now could borrow from the BIDF and use it in the country’s development initiatives.
Regarding the financing to the Paira Port, she said a deep sea port could be established in future centring this port. The prime minister expressed her gratitude to the authorities concerned to materialize her concept of using the surplus foreign currency reserve.
She raised the topic of taking loans from the forex reserves at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last year.
Later, Bangladesh Bank and Finance Division took necessary effective measures in this regard.
In the financing of Ramnabad Channel, Bangladesh Bank will issue loan to Sonali Bank and Sonali Bank will disburse it to the Paira Port as loan.
High foreign reserve from remittance
The country’s foreign exchange reserves now stood a new record of over $44.02 billion (Tk3,72,798 crore) due to the upward trend of remittance.
Finance Minister AHM Mustfa Kamal, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, and Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir also spoke at the ceremony.
Senior Secretary of Finance Division Abdur Rouf Talukder made a presentation on the country’s micro economy and BIDF while Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function.
At the outset of the ceremony, a theme song was played while a video on the Paira Port was screened.
‘Main magic for development’
About the country’s development and success, the prime minister said the love for people and the country is the main magic for this development of Bangladesh.
“Many people questioned me that what is the magic behind this development of Bangladesh? I replied that there is no magic. Love for people and the country, responsibilities for people and the country, as well as, patriotism are the main reasons for the development of Bangladesh,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina stressed on the necessity of boosting the country’s production and expansion of the market so that local products are exported after meeting domestic demand.
Also Read - PM Hasina: Rabeya, Rukaya returning home in Mujib Borsho is a matter of pride
Referring to the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said he wanted to make Bangladesh a developed state and started the country’s economic development along with other initiatives to this end, but the assassinators’ stopped the journey of his dream by brutally killing him with the other family members on August 15, 1975.
The premier said Awami League, established by Bangabandhu, assuming power, adopted mid-and-long term plans and turned Bangladesh into a developing nation.
PM thanks people for keeping her in power
Extending her gratitude to the country’s people, she said they have carried out this development as the people voted them power for a long term.
“Development is only possible when anyone can know the country and its people with affection,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina also highlighted that the government has taken steps to increase the capacity of Chittagong port and the increased activities in Mongla port while activities of Payra Port have started on a limited scale and there will be another port at Matarbari.
“All these ports will play a significant role in strengthening the country’s economy,” she continued.
