PM suggests common currency like EU’s euro for Muslim countries

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has suggested that the Muslim countries introduce a common currency like the euro of the European Union to facilitate trade and commerce among them.

“It would be very good if we can introduce a common currency following the European Union to facilitate trade and commerce among us,” she said while addressing a delegation of D-8 trade ministers led by Turkish Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tizcu.

The delegation called on the PM at her official residence Ganabhaban on Tuesday. PM’s Speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the meeting, reports BSS.

Hasina said that the D-8 was formed with the eight Muslim-majority countries of the world aiming to enhance the trade and commerce among them along with improving friendship to develop the socioeconomic status of the people of these countries. The group comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye.

“My aim is to improve the fate and socioeconomic development of the common people. It is possible only when we will be able to enhance trade and commerce among us,” she said.

She mentioned that the member countries of the D-8 have ample scope to achieve this.

“If we can improve trade among us then we do not have to be dependent on others,” she said.

The delegation extended their gratitude to the prime minister as one of the initiators of launching the D-8 grouping 27 years ago.

The delegation said that at the meeting they decided to increase the trade volume among the D-8 member countries to $500 billion by 2030, which is now $146 billion.

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh were present during the meeting.