Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said her government has taken up a ten-year perspective plan (2010-2021), a five-year plan (2011-2015) and also a sustained development strategy to build Bangladesh as a happy, prosperous and poverty-free welfare state. During a question-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad, the prime minister presented a detailed list of economic activities given priority by the present government since it took over power with a view to developing agriculture, industry and the overall infrastructure of the country. After promulgating Bangladesh Economic Zonal Law, 2010 and establishing Bangladesh Economic Regional Authorities, the government has divided the country into five economic zones, she said adding that 50 projects receiving highest amount of project aids have been identified and are being monitored on a regular basis.
Replying to a question from Enamul Haque, a legislator from Rajshahi-4, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Development Bank has been set up merging Bangladesh Industrial Bank and Bangladesh Industrial Credit Agency for industrial development. The government has also enacted Competition Law 2012 and introduced a One-Stop Service Centre for creating an investment-friendly environment in the country, she added.
The prime minister informed the House that a company called Bangladesh Infrastructural Fund has been established while the guidelines for PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Assistance Fund and Economic Viability Fund have been approved for increasing investments. She said her government has also formulated Bangladesh Rubber Policy, National Salt Policy, Jute Policy, Ship Breaking and Recycling Guidelines, National Skills Development Policies, National Tourism Guidelines, Trademark Law as well as laws relating to labor welfare association and industries.
Highlighting her government’s achievements in the power sector of the country, Sheikh Hasina said the present electricity generation capacity has been raised to 8,825 megawatt, exceeding the target of 8,294 megawatt set for 2013. Simultaneously, she said 24,980 kilometer new power transmission line has been installed in the country for bringing more households under the network of electricity. The prime minister said that about 2,260 million cubic feet of gas is being produced daily from 84 gas wells scattered on 19 gas fields in the country.
She said the government has also formulated Dhaka Transport Coordination Authorities Act, 2012 and established Dhaka Transport Coordination Authorities. In this connection, she pointed out that her government has also set up Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) for implementation of Dhaka city’s Mass Rapid Transit System.
Steps have also been taken for rapid implementation of projects upgrading the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway to four lanes and Dhaka-Chittagong Railway to two lines.
Sheikh Hasina told the House that her government has also taken a series of measures for the overall development of country’s agricultural sector including expansion of arable land, multiple crop productions, continuation of subsidy on agriculture, introduction of e-information service, continuation of an increasing flow of agricultural credit and implementation of the One-House One-Farm Projects.
-With The Independent input
