Bangladesh to benefit economically allowing neighboring countries to use Chittagong, Mongla ports: Dipu Moni
Bagerhat, Aug 13 (UNB) - Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Friday said Bangladesh would economically benefit by allowing neighboring countries to use Chittagong and Mongal ports.
Talking to reporters after visiting Mongla seaport, she said India, Nepal and Bhutan will be able to use Chittagong and Mongal seaports in the future.
On demarcation of the maritime boundary, Dipu Moni said Bangladesh is in the arbitration process with India and Myanmar under international law alongside the bilateral discussion to ensure the country’s ownership on the sea.
“We need to have our access to maritime resources for our development and we are working to get the maritime resources within next few years,” she said.
On the US$ 1 billion Indian credit, the Foreign Minister said the credit deal was signed in Bangladesh’s interest. The way Bangladesh will be benefited under the loan agreement, neighboring countries will also derive the benefit.
In an oblique reference to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s rejection of the credit deal as a ‘pact of slavery’, she said the opposition had also termed the post-independence 25-year Bangladesh-India treaty as ‘bond of slavery’.
During that period of 25 years, the Foreign Minister said they (BNP) had been in power most of the time but they did not cancel the treaty.
Bangladesh wants to expand connectivity for the interest of the people and make the country a commercial hub in this region, she said, adding that through connectivity peace and security could be established in the region.
Dipu Moni said the government wants to make Mongla as an international standard port. If the infrastructure of Mongla port could be used properly, changes in economic activities would take place in the country’s southern region, she added.
The Foreign Minister visited Khan Jahan Ali airport and Mongla EPZ on way from Khulna to Bagerhat. She talked with officials of the Mongla port and inspected the port channel.
Khulna City Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque and acting chairman of Mongla Port Shamima Sultana were present.
Talking to reporters after visiting Mongla seaport, she said India, Nepal and Bhutan will be able to use Chittagong and Mongal seaports in the future.
On demarcation of the maritime boundary, Dipu Moni said Bangladesh is in the arbitration process with India and Myanmar under international law alongside the bilateral discussion to ensure the country’s ownership on the sea.
“We need to have our access to maritime resources for our development and we are working to get the maritime resources within next few years,” she said.
On the US$ 1 billion Indian credit, the Foreign Minister said the credit deal was signed in Bangladesh’s interest. The way Bangladesh will be benefited under the loan agreement, neighboring countries will also derive the benefit.
In an oblique reference to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s rejection of the credit deal as a ‘pact of slavery’, she said the opposition had also termed the post-independence 25-year Bangladesh-India treaty as ‘bond of slavery’.
During that period of 25 years, the Foreign Minister said they (BNP) had been in power most of the time but they did not cancel the treaty.
Bangladesh wants to expand connectivity for the interest of the people and make the country a commercial hub in this region, she said, adding that through connectivity peace and security could be established in the region.
Dipu Moni said the government wants to make Mongla as an international standard port. If the infrastructure of Mongla port could be used properly, changes in economic activities would take place in the country’s southern region, she added.
The Foreign Minister visited Khan Jahan Ali airport and Mongla EPZ on way from Khulna to Bagerhat. She talked with officials of the Mongla port and inspected the port channel.
Khulna City Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque and acting chairman of Mongla Port Shamima Sultana were present.
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