Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Prof Gowher Rizvi claimed that numerous problems between Bangladesh and India have been resolved in last two years. He said negotiations on Teesta water sharing deal has not failed. He urged critics and media not only to see the glass as half empty but also to see as half full.
PM’s Adviser was speaking at a function on the occasion of lunch hosted by Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in honour of him at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday.
BGCCI president Saiful Islam and its executive director Daniel Seidl also spoke at the function attended by German Ambassador in Bangladesh Holger Michael.
Prof Rizvi argued that establishing regional road connectivity will benefit Bangladesh most by boosting its trade. He said the only thing that is pulling us back is power constraint.
“But India has allowed Bangladesh for the first time in history to set up tri-nation power grid line between Bhutan, India and Bangladesh,” Adviser said.
Awami League left power in 2001 with around 5000 MW of power generation, but when returned to power in 2008 saw power generation shrank to 4000 MW, although demand increased further, said Prof Rizvi.
He expressed his optimism that present government will be able to overcome the existing power crisis.
On achievements of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit, Adviser said Bangladesh has got approval of duty-free access for 46 apparel items into Indian market during the Indian PM’s visit, claiming that Bangladesh has made spectacular progress in relations with its close neighbour for the first time in last 40 years.
Talking about Bangladesh’s economy, Prof Rizvi put stress on inclusive growth, saying that no sustainable development is possible without proper distribution. “But we have so far failed to realise the full potential of Bangladesh,” he said.
Terming Bangladesh as innovative society, he said the country is growing at around 7 per cent and pulling itself out of poverty with a remarkable contribution by its vibrant garment sector.
PM Adviser, however, criticised mass media, critics and intellectuals as saying that they only talk about failures but not about successes of the country.
“Intellectuals are constantly talking down about Bangladesh. Media reports suggest us that disasters are to happen in Bangladesh.” He said it is wrong to focus on only the negative sides of the story.
BGCCI president Saiful Islam said German investors want to come in Bangladesh with more investments but they need power, gas and infrastructure.
He also called for further discussions on a sustainable regional road connectivity and rationale transit fee.
Later, BGCCI handed over a German jersey signed by entire German football team to an ICCDR, B representative to auction as a fund raising initiative for ICCDR, B and its HIV clinical services.
PM’s Adviser was speaking at a function on the occasion of lunch hosted by Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in honour of him at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday.
BGCCI president Saiful Islam and its executive director Daniel Seidl also spoke at the function attended by German Ambassador in Bangladesh Holger Michael.
Prof Rizvi argued that establishing regional road connectivity will benefit Bangladesh most by boosting its trade. He said the only thing that is pulling us back is power constraint.
“But India has allowed Bangladesh for the first time in history to set up tri-nation power grid line between Bhutan, India and Bangladesh,” Adviser said.
Awami League left power in 2001 with around 5000 MW of power generation, but when returned to power in 2008 saw power generation shrank to 4000 MW, although demand increased further, said Prof Rizvi.
He expressed his optimism that present government will be able to overcome the existing power crisis.
On achievements of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit, Adviser said Bangladesh has got approval of duty-free access for 46 apparel items into Indian market during the Indian PM’s visit, claiming that Bangladesh has made spectacular progress in relations with its close neighbour for the first time in last 40 years.
Talking about Bangladesh’s economy, Prof Rizvi put stress on inclusive growth, saying that no sustainable development is possible without proper distribution. “But we have so far failed to realise the full potential of Bangladesh,” he said.
Terming Bangladesh as innovative society, he said the country is growing at around 7 per cent and pulling itself out of poverty with a remarkable contribution by its vibrant garment sector.
PM Adviser, however, criticised mass media, critics and intellectuals as saying that they only talk about failures but not about successes of the country.
“Intellectuals are constantly talking down about Bangladesh. Media reports suggest us that disasters are to happen in Bangladesh.” He said it is wrong to focus on only the negative sides of the story.
BGCCI president Saiful Islam said German investors want to come in Bangladesh with more investments but they need power, gas and infrastructure.
He also called for further discussions on a sustainable regional road connectivity and rationale transit fee.
Later, BGCCI handed over a German jersey signed by entire German football team to an ICCDR, B representative to auction as a fund raising initiative for ICCDR, B and its HIV clinical services.