Finance
Development Projects Development and public welfare works are being done with reserve money, not loans: PM Hasina
Dhaka, Ocotber 27: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the reserve money is being used for the development of the country, imports and the welfare of the people. She said this after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of several development projects at Payra Seaport under self-financing.
The Prime Minister said, "Many people may ask where did the reserve money go, I tell those who ask this question that the reserve money went to Payra Port. The reserve money went to buy food and fertilizer for the people of the country. The reserve money was spent on the welfare of the people and on imports. This money has not been embezzled by anyone."
Sheikh Hasina also said, "No one has chewed this money. It is useful for people, it is being used. We are using it in various fields including our imports."
Development projects include capital dredging of the port, opening of eight ships, first terminal and six-lane connecting road and a bridge.
On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the Tk 11,072 crore development project through video conference from his official residence Ganabhavan, connecting the project area to Payra in Patuakhali district.
The projects include inauguration of eight vessels along with capital dredging in Rabanabad Channel of Payra Sea Port, construction of first terminal and six-lane connecting road and a bridge. These development projects will enable the port to function at its full potential and add new dimensions to the country's foreign trade, the benefits of which the nation will enjoy for generations.
The Chief Minister said that this money has actually been given as a loan to the Port Authority for a small service charge and the house money remains in the house, only transferred from one place to another.
Summarizing the projects undertaken for the development of shipping routes, she said, "If the steps taken by us are completed, the economy of Bangladesh will be more vibrant, stronger and better."
The Prime Minister said that the name Payra port was given by her and her government started construction of a coal-based power plant here and the shipping of the port started only by bringing coal ships to this port. She had long wanted to do this with his own financing because, she said, pointing out that there are many risks in foreign currency, that is why she created a fund with Bangladesh's reserve money, which she himself named as 'Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Fund' and the dredging work of the port started with the money of that fund.
