PM wants Bangladesh to be centre of world communications
Hoping that the Cox’s Bazar airport would be the world’s most attractive place for refueling, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government wants to turn Bangladesh into the centre of communications for the entire world, reports BSS.
“We want to make Bangladesh as the centre of communications for the entire world capitalizing its geographical position,” she said while inaugurating expansion work of the Cox's Bazar Airport runway.
She virtually opened the expansion work of the country’s longest runway from her official Ganabhaban residence this morning.
Sheikh Hasina said the runway would have to be developed in such a way that the world's largest planes could land at the airport easily and quickly for refueling.
The Prime Minister said, “I believe that, after completing expansion work of the runway, the Cox’s Bazar Airport will be the most comfortable place for the planes travelling from the East to West or the West to East. “
Stating that separate places have been being important at different times, she said, “Once upon a time Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok were important while Dubai is currently considered as an important place”.
In this regard, she also hoped that Cox’s Bazar would be the next most important place for the entire world.
A video documentary regarding activities for development of the civil aviation sector by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his elder daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the function.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali and its Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain spoke on the occasion while Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman gave the welcome address joining virtually the function from the Cox’s Bazar Airport end.
Cabinet members, local lawmakers, public representatives, political leaders and government officials were present at the airport.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at the Ganabhaban end.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has wanted to turn Cox’s Bazar into one of the most modern cities having all the facilities to attract more tourists, especially foreigners as they could enjoy Bangladesh the most.
“We have a lot of plans (regarding overall development of Bangladesh) while it is more about Cox’s Bazar. We will develop Cox’s Bazar in such a way as it becomes the world’s best sea beach and tourist spot and the most modern city,” she added.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh for the first time is going to expand the runway of Cox’s Bazar Airport reclaiming land from the sea using modern equipment.
Extending greetings to those who took the initiative of expanding runway by reclaiming land from the sea facing protest of environment activists, she said the runway would be eye-catching and many people would throng Cox’s Bazar only to see it.
The runway would be upgraded to 10,700 feet from the existing 9000 upon completion of its work, she said, hoping that the work would be completed in due time.
The Premier mentioned that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had said Bangladesh could make a bridge between the East and West considering its geographical location.
In this connection, she said, “International air routes have passed over Bangladesh especially over the Cox’s Bazar.”
The Prime Minister said that Cox’s Bazar was one of the most favorite places of Bangabandhu and used to take all of his family members there every winter while he was out of jail.
