Staff Reporter :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has wrapped up her four-day visit to Japan and is now en route to the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC for important meetings with the bank’s president and other officials.
On April 29, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before her meeting with the World Bank President David Malpass on May 1.
During her visit to Japan, Sheikh Hasina also held a meeting with the Japanese Emperor and participated in a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the visit is expected to attract Japanese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Bangladesh and elevate the bilateral relationship to a new level of ‘strategic partnership’, leading to greater cooperation in economic sectors.
In addition to these developments, both Prime Ministers signed one agreement and seven MoUs to promote mutual and regional benefits. The agreements and MoUs are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the relationship between the two countries.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s partnership with the WB, Sheikh Hasina will head to the United States, where she will attend an event at the WB headquarters, at the invitation of World Bank President, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen during a curtain raiser in Dhaka on April 24.
The seminar will highlight Bangladesh’s development journey and the World Bank’s programs in Bangladesh over the past five decades. In addition, a multimedia presentation titled “Bangladesh – World Bank 50 years of Partnership” will be organised, showcasing Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and artistic creations alongside its partnership with the WB.
It should be noted that on the same day, there will be a board of directors’ meeting of the World Bank with the Prime Minister.
On May 2, the top officials of the US-Bangladesh Business Council will hold a meeting with the Prime Minister. Afterwards, the President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne P. Clark, will have the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister.
On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in a high-level executive meeting with a delegation of US business representatives, at the invitation of Nisha Biswal, President of the US Bangladesh Business Council, and deliver a speech as the keynote speaker.
In the evening, the Prime Minister will give an interview to the newspaper the “Economist”. Following this, as the chief guest, she will attend a community event organised by the Bangladeshi expatriate community in the United States.
In addition, there is a courtesy call between Prime Minister and the next President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga. The Prime Minister will leave Washington DC on May 4.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the United Kingdom will be the final leg of her tour to attend the coronation ceremony of Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.
Bangladesh has been invited to participate in the coronation ceremony, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will represent Bangladesh at the ceremony.
Momen said, “It is expected that representatives of around 130 countries, including heads of state or government from Commonwealth member countries, will participate in the coronation ceremony of British monarchy after 70 years.”
It is hoped that during this visit, the Prime Minister will have the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and several ministers from the United Kingdom.
Apart from this, Prime Minister will also participate in a civic reception at a hotel in London and exchange views with Bangladeshi and British Bangladeshi citizens residing in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister will leave London for Dhaka on May 8.