Boeing purchase deal signed giving priority to Bangladesh's interests: Mahdi Amin

Adviser to the Prime Minister and spokesperson of his office, Mahdi Amin, has remarked that the decision to purchase aircraft from Boeing was not one imposed on anyone.

He further said the decision had been taken earlier based on bilateral interests. The Prime Minister was not present at the time of the agreement signing, but the deal was signed through representatives of the two countries giving top priority to the country's interests.

Mahdi Amin made these remarks at a briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning home with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday morning, September 27, following participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The matter was conveyed in a Facebook post by the BNP Media Cell.

Mahdi Amin also said that during the visit, a highly important memorandum of understanding on 'Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation' was signed between the governments of Bangladesh and the United States. This too was completed at a separate sideline meeting without the Prime Minister's presence.

The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson further mentioned that during this visit, it was not only US or UN programmes; the Prime Minister participated in bilateral meetings and discussions with the top leadership of a total of 11 countries. In each of these discussions, Bangladesh's sovereignty, national interests and the welfare of the people were given priority.

The spokesperson, Mahdi Amin, also said that during the four-day visit to the United Nations, the Prime Minister presented Bangladesh's interests, sovereignty, independence and potential very strongly on the world map in every respect. He also said Bangladesh's confidence, self-belief and sense of self-respect have reached their highest peak on the world stage.

Referring to the Prime Minister's speech at the United Nations, Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister highlighted specific policies and plans in his speech for every class and profession, from education, health, agriculture, employment, technology and artificial intelligence to the youth and women.

Saying these plans will be implemented in phases, he said the Prime Minister did not only speak about Bangladesh's development; he also made a strong call for world peace.

Recalling Bangladesh's firm stance on the Palestine issue, Mahdi Amin said that right after the Prime Minister's speech at the United Nations, when the Israeli Prime Minister rose to speak, Bangladesh staged a 'walkout' from there in protest. This carries a clear message from Bangladesh in favour of world peace.

Describing the visit to the United Nations as highly fruitful and successful, the Prime Minister's Office spokesperson, Mahdi Amin, said that after a long time, a head of government elected by the people's votes in Bangladesh represented the country on the world stage. Through this visit, the Prime Minister has taken Bangladesh to a higher place on the world stage. The heads of government and state of every country in the world received him with great warmth and cordiality.

The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson, Mahdi Amin, said the Prime Minister completed a successful four-day visit in a very short time and with the fewest possible entourage. Within this short time, he participated in a total of 30 programmes, including several important bilateral and multilateral meetings. Additionally, he participated in eight major UN events and delivered important speeches at seven of them.

Noting that several high-level events were also part of the Prime Minister's busy schedule, Mahdi Amin said two special programmes were organised by the Bangladesh government itself, one on universal health coverage and the other on the Rohingya crisis. Alongside this, he participated in two more global high-level events on environment and healthcare.

The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson further said that taking inspiration from the Prime Minister's successful visit, everyone has pledged to work shoulder to shoulder to make Bangladesh self-reliant and self-sufficient. At the same time, the government's efforts to protect domestic and international peace, human rights, inclusive development, establish the rule of law and change the fortunes of the common people, which are widely praised at home and abroad, will continue in the days ahead.

Also present at the press briefing were Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shiblee, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman and Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque.