Tried to protect interests of Bangladesh, its people: PM on Malaysia, China visits

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (27 June) told Parliament that his recent visits to Malaysia and China were guided solely by the interests of Bangladesh and its people, saying any achievements from the tours belong to the nation rather than any person. 

"What I have tried to do, Honourable Speaker, from my position is to speak for the interests of my country and the people of my country and to protect those interests," he said, reports UNB. 

The Prime Minister said this while extending thanks and gratitude to all members of Parliament, including the Opposition Leader, for unanimously adopting a thanksgiving motion in the House on his recent six-day visit to Malaysia and China.

He said the people of Bangladesh entrusted his government with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests.

"The core issue here is that the people of Bangladesh have given us the responsibility to look after their interests," Tarique Rahman said.

Referring to his party's 'Bangladesh First' slogan, he said, guided by that principle, they tried to uphold and protect the interests of Bangladesh and its people during the visits.

"None of us has any personal issue here. If any positive thing has been achieved, it is an achievement for Bangladesh. If the people of the country have gained any achievement through these visits, that achievement belongs to them," he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home from Beijing, wrapping up his six-day maiden overseas visit to China and Malaysia.

Bangladesh and China yesterday unveiled an extensive joint communiqué during Tarique's visit to Beijing, announcing an upgraded bilateral partnership alongside agreements spanning trade, infrastructure, defence, connectivity and regional cooperation.

Among the key outcomes are China's support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, backing for Bangladesh's aspirations to participate in BRICS as well as become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), plans for new strategic dialogue mechanisms and commitments to deepen cooperation in investment, ports, education and climate action.

The two countries signed 17 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said.

Before that, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on 22 June urged Malaysia to open its labour market to Bangladeshi workers as soon as possible and recruit more Bangladeshis.

During the visit, an MoU on cultural cooperation was signed in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries.