PM for Strong Connectivity with Neighbouring Countries

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the brand-new Dash 8-400 aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, expressing her conviction that strong regional connectivity will be established for the country's geographical position in South East Asia, reports media.

"I want to establish a strong connectivity with neighboring countries. Working on this goal, and I think this inclusion (aircraft) of Biman will help in the future," she said.

The Premier joined the inauguration ceremony at the Shah Jalal International Airport VIP Lounge virtually from her official residence in Ganabhaban.

Noting that there is a need for effective connectivity for trade and business, she said that Bangladesh can easily develop strong and effective connectivity with Southeastern countries due to its geographical position, and that is why the government has taken a range of different steps to this end.

The Prime Minister said the Awami League government in its first tenure in 1996 had upgraded the Chattogram and Sylhet airports as international ones while developed the Shah Jalal International Airport massively.

“Now, we are upgrading Cox’s Bazar and Syedpur airports as international ones while construction works of the third terminal of Shah Jalal International Airport and expansion of Syltel international airport is going on, and the remaining work will be done gradually,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina named the Dash 8-400 aircraft as “Dhrubotara” mentioning that other brand new aircraft included by her government has been named as Palki, Arun Alo, Akash Pradip, Raanga Pravat, Meghdoot, Mayurpankhi, Akash Beena, Hongshobalaka, Gangchil, Achin Pakhi and Sonar Tori in accordance with the country’s nature.

“I have selected these names and my younger sister Sheikh Rehana helped me in it,” she added.

State minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali gave a welcome speech from Shah Jalal International Airport end while Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus conducted the ceremony at Ganabhaban.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated 20 newly built fire service stations in different places, six regional passport offices, women central jail in Keraniganj, and an LPG station for jail.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan also gave a welcome speech at the ceremony.

Earlier, the national flag carrier received the first Dash 8-400 aircraft out of three made by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, a prominent aircraft-maker of the North American country.

The Dash 8-400 aircraft, fitted with eco-friendly and state-of-the-art facilities, arrived here on 24 November.

Biman procured the three Dash 8-400 aircraft under the G2G (government-to-government) agreement between Bangladesh and Canadian governments.

With the addition of the new Dash plane, the number of Biman’s aircraft has been raised to 19, including four Boeing 777-300ER, four Boeing 787-8, two Boeing 787-9, six Boeing 737 and three Dash 8-400.