Distinguished
Guests,
A very good evening to you all.
At
the outset please allow me to express my great sense of pleasure and honour for
having this opportunity to speak a few words before this distinguished gathering
at the Wilson Center. I owe this to my very dear and esteemed friend Dr, Robert
Hathaway, Director of the Asia Department of the Center. Thank you Bob, very much.
My
association with Dr. Hathaway dates back to more than a decade when I was posted
here as a mid level diplomat in our Embassy in Washington. My beat then was the
Capitol Hill. I did not have any experience of how the American political system
worked and we did not have any Washington Representative to help us out on this.
It was friends like Dr. Hathaway and many others like him at the House Pacific
Sub Committee who took time to hear us out and appreciate our view points. It
is not that we always agreed but we did establish a relationship that I believe
contributed substantially towards better understanding and appreciation of the
issues from each others view points and strengthening of the special relationship
between Bangladesh and the United States.
I
have always tried to remain in touch with my friends here though not as often
as I would have liked, but we did. So when I sent an e mail to Bob that I was
made the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh , his immediate response was that if
and when I come down to Washington, I should stop by the Wilson Center and say
a few words on Bangladesh. What struck me was when he told me that Washington
perhaps paid less attention to Bangladesh than it deserved and that it was necessary
for someone in my position to project Bangladesh for what it was. His words remained
with me ever since and continued to intrigue me because of a recent trend in the
international media as well on the internet to negatively project Bangladesh by
distortions and half truths than facts. I see that Dr. Hathaway has tried to arouse
your interest in today's event by crafting his invitation letter in a manner that
seemed to underscore his theory of the inadequate attention in Washington for
Bangladesh. I am happy to see by your presence this evening that that his appeal
has had an impact.
I
will try to briefly share with you my views on the Foreign Policy challenges for
Bangladesh. Let me begin by telling you what Bangladesh is all about. If there
was ever a country that rose against an overwhelming powerful force and spilled
blood for the sake of self determination, for democracy, for democratic beliefs
and practices, it was surely Bangladesh. If there was ever a people that rose
and made sacrifices to establish their inalienable right to speak in their own
mother tongue, uphold its tradition and culture, it was surely Bangladesh. If
there was ever a nation that challenged the brutal authority of a dictator and
forced him to succumb to the will of the people, it was Bangladesh. For any country
of the size of the state of Wisconsin and with a population that is almost half
of that of the entire United States and saddled with formidable constraints including
poverty, it would be difficult for democracy to flourish. But Bangladesh which
has all these attributes has successfully institutionalized democracy. Our people
who are committed to democracy, human rights, tolerance and a fiery passion to
protect and uphold our distinct identity as Bangladeshis would not have it any
other way.
The domestic setting of Bangladesh Foreign Policy.
The
present government of Bangladesh assumed office after receiving a massive
popular mandate. The elections of 2001, as on two earlier occasions,
was internationally recognized as free and fair and took place under a neutral,
non-party, Caretaker government which has been a useful innovation by Bangladesh.
The government assumed office against a backdrop characterized by ongoing challenges
emanating from globalization. Events like September 11 and its aftermath changed
the perspective in which public policy was so far formulated in many countries
of the world including Bangladesh with issues like terrorism assuming significance.
The imminent phasing out of the Multi-fibre Arrangement gave rise to deep concerns
about its socio-economic impact in Bangladesh. Serious tension was also building
up in our neighbourhood, having implications for peace and development in the
region.
As a result of disruptive politics in the home front and an orchestrated campaign
to discredit the government as well as the image of the country, the Government
took up, as its immediate task, measures to counter the negative propaganda
against the government and the country. Efforts were, therefore, undertaken to
project Bangladesh as a moderate Muslim majority country enjoying excellent communal
harmony and a pluralist, modernizing, functioning democracy creating basic conditions
that help achieve socio-economic objectives. Those are the realities gaining greater
international recognition. Yet the Government has to grapple with the phantom
of so-called "Talibanization" of the society or alleged rising extremism.
b.
Bangladesh Foreign Policy : recent years.
Poverty alleviation has been pivotal focus of the present government in Bangladesh.
The record of Bangladesh on poverty alleviation and improvement in key socio economic
sectors is not negligible. Bangladesh believes that deprivation from food, shelter,
clothing, education and health services amounts to a gross denial of human rights.
Bangladesh therefore, places highest priority on alleviation of poverty
with particular emphasis on the disadvantaged sections of our population. Special
initiatives are being taken to integrate women and children in the process of
development. These include provisions of compulsory primary education, expanded
programme of sanitation, health care and immunization, access to micro-credit
and greater training and employment opportunities for women.
Despite
being one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 140 million
people in an area of 55 thousand square miles, Bangladesh has achieved near self-sufficiency
in food sector. With the third largest number of poor people in the world, Bangladesh
has achieved 2 out of the 8 MDGs relating to gender parity in primary school enrollment
and provision of clean, drinking water while is well on its way to achieve the
third one. The extent of poverty fell by 9.2% to 49.6% between 1991 and 2000.
We have the satisfaction of achieving two MDG targets already, namely removing
gender disparity in primary and secondary schools and ensuring access to safe
drinking water. Numerous constraints notwithstanding, we achieved progress
in six key socio-economic development areas.
First,
despite floods and other natural disasters, we have achieved sustained GDP growth
rate of over 5 percent in last 10 years. Despite the floods of last year, our
GDP growth rate reached 5.5 per cent.
Second,
in Bangladesh the percentage of the poor fell from over 70 percent in 1971 to
less than 45 percent in 2002. Indeed, our record exceeded that of most developing
countries.
Third,
a country of 140 million has improved food security to achieve near food self-sufficiency.
Fourth,
we have enhanced our capacity to better manage natural disasters and are in a
position to offer some of our experience for the benefit of the others.
Fifth,
through government's allocation of highest amount of resources to education and
health sectors year after year, we have made a difference to the physical quality
of life. What is even more spectacular is that through education of the girl child
who in turn as an educated mother makes important family decisions transforming
the landscape in a significant way in a traditional Muslim society.
Sixth,
we have had laudable successes in the key social sectors. Bangladesh has one of
the highest primary school enrolment rates in the developing world. Most importantly,
we have achieved gender parity in enrolment at the primary and lower secondary
levels. Population growth rate has been drastically reduced, falling to 1.47 percent
in 2005 from 3 percent in the 1970s. Total fertility rate has dropped by 50 percent
from 6.3 to 3 births per woman over the last two decades. Infant mortality has
decreased by over 60 percent since 1980. The empowerment of women has also gathered
pace primarily through micro-credit programmes that have reached over 12 million
people, most of whom are women. In the garment factories, a female worker earns
bread for the family and ultimately respect for herself. This is largely the result
of the conviction that poverty needed a home-grown strategy that recognizes and
utilizes the inherent energy and initiative of a resilient people.
We
have just finalised a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) through wide-ranging
consultation with all stakeholders. Our strategies include: ensuring participation
in economic development of the poor and women; promoting good governance and sound
allocation of resources; improving the quality of service delivery to meet basic
needs of the people, such as employment, nutrition, education and health; and
ensuring sustainable development and environmental balance.
The democratic tradition of Bangladesh is rooted in the sense
of deprivation of basic rights of the people during the Pakistan days. Through
unprecedented popular upheavals such as the Language Movement and our struggle
for independence, we aspired for the promotion and protection of the
basic needs and respect for human rights of our people. Democracy, development
and human rights remain the key underpinnings in moving Bangladesh towards
a stable, moderate and modern society. Together they constitute not only well
defined and consensus goals for the whole country but also in many ways a gauge
of accountability. These being linked, an objective assessment of progress in
one cannot be made in isolation of the others.
In 2003, for the first time the Human Development Report graduated Bangladesh
from low developmental category to the medium human development category,
a status which has been maintained till date. The US human rights report itself
stated that Government incentives to families sending children to schools contributed
significantly to the rise in the enrollment in primary schools in recent years.
A World Bank report launched in February 2005 said Bangladesh achieved considerable
success in lowering population growth, fostering women's empowerment, reducing
aid dependence, achieving success in human development and attaining disaster
management capacity. "Not many countries at Bangladesh level of income
can list so many of these achievements .... this is a remarkable success",
the report concluded.
The
people of Bangladesh are deeply religious, but not guided by any extreme ideology
or intolerant philosophy. It is manifest in the rich cultural diversity
that they celebrate throughout the country on important occasions, irrespective
of religious affiliation. Such a society cannot but be an open, tolerant, moderate
and democratic one. Bangladesh also had its share of problems to which she was
sincerely trying to find solutions. However, it must be borne in mind that other
societies also have their own problems and no one standard should be applied to
judge all other countries.
Bangladesh believes that the protection and promotion of all human rights should
be guided by the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.
Bangladesh believes in the universality and interdependence of all human rights.
Bangladesh has, therefore, consistently underscored the need for more focused
and action oriented dialogue with our partners on all human rights, including
the right to development.
Freedom of religion is enshrined in Article 2A of the Bangladesh Constitution.
It is clearly spelt out in Article 27 that all citizens of Bangladesh irrespective
of religious affiliation will enjoy equal rights and privileges and are entitled
to equal protection under the law. Article 28 of the Constitution prohibits any
type of discrimination on religious or other grounds while the contents of religious
freedom have been detailed in Article 41. Bangladesh also acceded to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (6 September 2000). The Constitution of
Bangladesh under article 29 (1), (2) and (3) provides for equal opportunity in
public employment for all, with special opportunity and provisions for citizens
belonging to backward sections of people of Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh
is committed to meet the obligations that flow from the above mentioned Constitutional
provisions. The US Commission on International Religious Commission (USCIRF) acknowledged
on one occasion that it often held out Bangladesh Constitution as a 'model' while
drafting Constitutions for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Negotiated political
solution to the only minority issue of the country, the Chittagong Hill Tracts
issue, is the unique example of providing if not more but equal rights and opportunities
to the small percentage of tribal minority of Bangladesh. The government has implemented
development projects in Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban districts of the
CHT during the last few years.
In order to encourage further integration
of minority communities, a separate Ministry for Religious Affairs was established
right after the inception of Bangladesh. Under its supervision, the Hindu Religious
Welfare Trust and Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust have been established. Generous
financial support has also been extended to them. Special efforts have been made
by the government for the preservation and maintenance of religious shrines, and
a number of Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious shrines have been
declared as national archaeological property and are considered as an integral
part of the rich multicultural, multi-racial and secular heritage of the country.
Historically,
people of Bangladesh share a greater culture and civilization existent in this
part of the world over a long time. The absence of any backlash in Bangladesh
in the wake of provocative events like the destruction of Babri mosque and the
Gujarat massacre in India point to the tolerant attitude of the people and the
pragmatic measures taken by the government.
Bangladesh's
emergence as a sovereign, independent state in 1971 was governed by nationalism,
not religion. Bangladesh's national ethos is one of liberalism and tolerance.
It is an exception among Muslim countries in that it has over a hundred years
of historical experience and practice of parliamentary democracy. Its written
constitution is based on liberal political ideas and traditions. So also are its
legal and educational systems. Islam in Bangladesh is practiced on centuries of
historical interaction under Hindu and Buddhist empires, Muslim and British colonial
rule. Tolerance is inbuilt through this religious interaction and peaceful co-existence.
Extremism is alien. Furthermore, in Bangladesh women are closely integrated into
our homogeneous society. Their empowerment and mainstreaming into the labour force,
educational system and development process are also factors that operate against
extremism.
Bangladesh
is fully committed to the principles of good governance, democracy, rule of law
and protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its
citizens, with special focus on the women, children and the minorities. Bangladesh
believes that no action for enhancing good governance can meet with complete success
unless poverty and under development are addressed. Similarly, failures in areas
of human rights including establishment of good governance, rule of law and institutionalization
of democracy of a country should be judged in their proper perspective - in the
larger context of the existing socio-economic conditions. The presence of religion
based political parties in the ruling coalition in Bangladesh has perhaps been
called into question in some quarters. But it needs to be pointed out those parties
emerged through an acclaimed democratic electoral process leading to the formation
of the present Government. Situations obtaining in other countries with comparable
milieu in the region and beyond should also be taken into account.
We
have tried through our foreign policy apparatus to project the socio-economic
progress at home and to contribute to the institutional policy making and thematic
work of the UN. Notable among these are sustained macro-economic stability, poverty
alleviation, literacy, women's empowerment, enhanced maternal and child health
care etc. In recognition, we have earned the confidence of the international community.
In the last few years Bangladesh has not lost a single election in the UN. (may
mention our election to ECOSOC, Human Rights Commission, CRC etc.)
We
also remained active in other multi-lateral fora. On the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group (CMAG), Bangladesh Foreign Minister played a key role in addressing
issues of democratic governance in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
In the OIC, Bangladesh contributed to democratization of the decision making process
of the organization. We pursued greater intra-OIC trade, investment and economic
cooperation. We also remained actively involved in Non-Aligned Movement initiatives.
As
part of commitment to international peace and security, we remain a major contributor
to UN peacekeeping operations including in some of the most dangerous
regions. In about 11 ongoing missions, we would soon go past the 10,000 mark in
contribution of peacekeepers. This is also an area of strong and widening cooperation
between Bangladesh and the US.
18.
Economic diplomacy is a major thrust of the present government.
In this context, we focused on expanding bilateral trade relations and on attracting
foreign direct investment. Several steps have been taken to translate the notion
of economic diplomacy into concrete actions. These include reorienting efforts
to promote trade and investment in Bangladesh, to secure large
flow of remittances from expatriate workers, to ensure enhanced
interface with private sector and trade and investment related bodies as well
as to enhance coordination with line Ministries/agencies dealing with these matters
including Ministry of Commerce, Finance, Board of Investment, Bangladesh Export
Processing Zone Authority, Export Promotion Bureau etc.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also involved in facilitating exchange of visits
of business delegations and Chamber of Commerce of Bangladesh with other countries,
in the context of economic diplomacy. This has been reflected in the growing investment
relations with foreign firms in various countries. Investment delegations from
Taiwan (telecom sector), India (Tata for steel and power), Orascom of Egypt (mobile
telecom) and Abu Dhabi group from the UAE (power, and other sectors) have visited
Bangladesh over the last few months and talks are continuing with them.
We
attach particular importance to further expand and deepen our cooperation
with neighbouring countries. The government remains fully engaged in
strengthening our bilateral relations with our South Asian neighbours including
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan. The Government
took special initiatives to infuse new dynamism in Bangladesh's bilateral relations
with these countries for socio-economic development through regional cooperation.
These include high level bilateral visits and meetings, both incoming and outgoing,
promotion of political and diplomatic relations, strengthening of economic and
commercial ties and enhancing cultural, defense, educational, scientific and technological
cooperation.
An
important initiative in our foreign policy orientation has been to put a special
focus on South East Asia and Far East. This Look East Policy aimed
at exploring further new avenues for advancing our foreign policy objectives -
securing greater understanding and friendship, export of goods and manpower and
attracting investment. We have pursued these objectives in the economically vibrant
regions with some measure of success.
At
the political level, we had high level visits to and from Indonesia, Singapore,
Thailand, Myanmar, China, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, the UAE. These visits
have contributed to the expansion of our bilateral relations and the strengthening
of the bond of friendship. Efforts have also been made to reduce the trade gap
with China, Japan and Republic of Korea.
Let
me now turn to relations between Bangladesh and the United States.
US - Bangladesh Relations
Bangladesh's relations with the United States have both a strategic angle as well
as economic overtones which need to be delicately balanced. This assumed an overwhelming
importance in view of the post 9/11 role that the US set for itself in the international
arena. As I outlined already, we proclaimed our opposition to terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations .
Bangladesh
and the United States have worked together to bolster an excellent bilateral relationship.
Regular visits by the US legislature members, mid level US officials have taken
place. Notable of course are the two high level visits by the then US Secretary
of State in June 2003 and by the US Secretary of Defense in June 2004. In turn,
from Bangladesh Finance and Foreign Ministers have visited Washington more than
once in the last few years and conducted very useful consultations with their
counterparts. These consultations reflect a maturity in our relations and mutual
confidence because of the array of issues covered.
US
confidence in Bangladesh's commitment to fight international terrorism
led to the signing of a Memorandum of Intent on border control cooperation.
Signed in May 2004, this agreement enables us to receive state of the art information
technology and training for effective border control to check smuggling and illegal
flow of persons, weapons and funds. Cooperation between the two countries continues
in preventing financing of terrorism as well as in anti money
laundering activities.
As
you know, with the passing of the EPZ Workers Association and Industrial
Relations Act in July 2004, the US terminated the GSP review for Bangladesh.
This also cleared the way for negotiation on a Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) and for efforts towards a Free Trade Agreement
with the US. An agreement on avoidance of double taxation was
initialed last year which augurs well for attracting US investment in Bangladesh.
Our
efforts in setting up a national mechanism to fight trafficking in persons
through a process of sustaining, institutionalizing and integrating the various
anti-trafficking measures continued with great success. The government established
close cooperation with the NGOs for providing shelter, medical care, counseling,
repatriation, and reintegration services. Bangladesh's achievements in prosecution,
protection and prevention aspects of its fight against human trafficking have
been commended by the US high officials as significant progress in the region.
As a whole, the progress achieved in this field reflects the commitment, diligence
and drive shown by the government of Bangladesh and other actors such as NGOs
and civil society as well as the excellent cooperation and encouragement extended
by the US Administration.
Close
cooperation between the defense and law enforcement forces of
the two countries have continued to widen entailing various exercise and training
programmes. The US also extends substantial help in enhancing our peacekeeping
capabilities through training and equipment assistance.
29.
The importance of trade between Bangladesh and the United States
cannot be overemphasized. The US is the largest destination of our export, with
textile and garments covering about 80% of the total export. In the post-MFA environment,
there is apprehension of a substantial loss of US market for the garments products.
Its impact on the women workforce in the garments industries would be devastating
particularly on women's socio-economic empowerment and their well-being. A bill
titled "Tariff Relief Assistance for Developing Economies (TRADE)"
has recently been introduced in both Houses of the US Congress. Basically initiated
by the private sector in Bangladesh, the bill aims at securing duty and quota
free access for the products of a number LDCs including Bangladesh. We hope this
initiative would succeed in realizing its objective and provide a tremendous boost
to our exports in the aftermath of the MFA-phase out.
It is important to understand that Bangladesh and the US are engaged more actively
than ever before on each one of these areas mentioned . This engagement does reflect
the unwavering commitment and political will of the government to make a difference.
Institutionalizing
Democracy : Free and fair elections
Through the 13th amendment of the Constitution, a provision for a non-party interim
caretaker government has been made to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.
Bangladesh believes that it is vitally important for the people to be able to
exercise the right to change a Government through free and fair elections. One
of the clear manifestations of our democratic credentials has been the peaceful
transfer of power on last three successive occasions. The government is strongly
committed to upholding the integrity of the election system. According to observers
from the international community, including the US, previous elections under caretaker
governments were free and fair. The caretaker government system, as enshrined
in the Constitution, is the best mechanism to continue to hold free and fair elections.
The Chittagong Mayoral election early this year is a clear testimony to the government's
commitment to democracy. It also showed that holding free and fair election is
quite possible under the existing system.
Bangladesh appreciates US support and encouragement in consolidating democracy
in Bangladesh. The US policy statements found Bangladesh as a vibrant, moderate,
modernizing democracy with Muslim majority. Bangladesh is not only striving to
shore up democracy within the country, but it also works hand in hand with the
US to promote and defend values of freedom and democracy worldwide. Our peacekeepers
helped conducting elections in Sierra Leone, our soldiers worked side by side
with the US soldiers to defend democracy in Haiti.
I now wish to touch upon few issues that are generally raised by the US side during
their interactions .
a. Law and Order and Political violence : special anti-crime drives
Like any other elected government, ensuring basic rights of the people is a priority
for the government in Bangladesh. There is documented evidence of how a number
of hard core criminals, armed with sophisticated weapons, created havoc in the
lives of the public through indiscriminate killing, extortion, looting and so
on. Unfortunately the poorly equipped law enforcement machinery proved to be no
match for these elements. The government could not allow the denial of human rights,
or more precisely, the right to life and property of 140 million peace loving
people to go on.
Therefore, anti-crime drives are conducted by specially constituted
law enforcement forces. These forces were launched to clamp down on the hard-core
criminals. As a result of these measures, the incidence of violence and other
criminal acts has remarkably decreased. The general public and the business community,
who bore the brunt of the extortion, have welcomed this improvement in situation.
Clearly, this is only a temporary measure. For a longer term solution, the present
government, with the help and assistance from our development partners including
the US , has started to reform the law enforcement machinery and
retool them to measure up to the increasingly difficult task.
The law and order incidents including the bomb and grenade attack received heightened
international attention, as some of the victims or targets were political luminaries.
The government is fully aware of its responsibility, and with regard to these
incidents, effective measures have been taken to launch full and in-depth investigation.
On
17 August bombing incidents
The bombing incidents on 17 August 2005 in many parts of the country have been
condemned by the Government and Hon'ble Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia while
she was on an official visit to China which she had cut short. It was an attack
on our independence and sovereignty, on our democratic values and beliefs and
on our image of being a tolerant society. The bombings did not create any panic
or fear among the people but anger against the perpetrators of the violence who
were set to undo the very principles on which our country and democracy was based
on.
The Government has taken this matter most seriously and is determined
to find out the criminals who are behind these acts. The Hon'ble Prime Minister
has ordered a thorough investigation and actions are already underway to find
out the actual criminals and their mentors.
Corruption
In
most reports of corruption in the press, the focus is obviously misplaced as the
significant progress made in socio-economic areas is not receiving the same attention.
Unfortunately, it is these press reports that are picked up by various organizations
in issuing their own reports. Bangladesh could not have met all its international
debt servicing obligations so regularly if there was rampant corruption in the
country. With the setting up of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), the government
has demonstrated its commitment to fight corruption. Already the Government has
fired a number of high officials who were proved to be corrupt. To ensure transparency
and accountability in the revenue sector, the government has created the office
of Tax Ombudsman.
Trafficking in Persons
Since
the issuance of the June 2004 report on trafficking in persons, which placed Bangladesh
at Tier 3, the process of sustaining, institutionalizing and integrating the various
anti-trafficking measures continued with great success. As a result of which,
Bangladesh was upgraded to "Tier-2 watch list" in an interim assessment
made last December.
In further recognition of the continued progress, the 2005 Trafficking Persons
Report upgraded Bangladesh to Tier 2 from Tier 2 Watch List. The Report mentions
that with an institutionalized set up covering all 64 districts, an increased
number of trafficking and trafficking-related corruption cases were prosecuted,
161 boys were rescued from servitude in the fishing industry, and cooperation
with NGOs was increased in its fight against trafficking. The Report elaborated
Bangladesh Government's achievements in prosecution, protection and prevention
aspects of its fight against human trafficking. A senior official of the State
Department commented that Bangladesh is one of the few countries that have achieved
visible progress in fighting human trafficking over the last year. The Report
also highlighted Government's cooperation with the NGOs for providing shelter,
medical care, counseling, repatriation, and reintegration services. "During
2004, the government returned 123 victims to their guardians; it also turned over
21 victims to NGO-run shelters and 11 to government-run safe homes", the
Report noted.
Bangladesh realizes the importance of the creating national
frameworks for ensuring promotion of human rights. Accordingly, the Government
is considering the establishment of a national human rights commission and an
ombudsman.
Regional Cooperation - SAARC, BIMSTEC, ACD
Soon
after assumption of office, the present Bangladesh government invested considerable
diplomatic efforts in bolstering regional cooperation. The 11th SAARC Summit held
in Kathmandu in January 2002 created fresh impetus for concrete action in some
of the key areas. A major outcome of the Summit was to have an agreement on an
early conclusion of a free trade area agreement. In the social area, two regional
Conventions - one on Child welfare and the other on trafficking in women and children
were signed. The Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation (ISACPA)
was reconstituted with Bangladesh as co-convener.
Unfortunately
SAARC suffered a setback in view of the tension between the two nuclear neighbours.
Here again, Bangladesh diplomacy played a role in bringing the SAARC process back
to track. The 12th Summit held in January 2004 was crowned with several achievements:
the signing of the SAFTA agreement, the Social Charter and the Additional Protocol
on Terrorism and the endorsement of the ISACPA Report.
South
Asia today is faced with many challenges of socio-economic development. There
is need for collective efforts in the areas of - poverty alleviation, intra-regional
trade, foreign direct investment, communication and transport network, energy,
human resources development, natural disaster management and so on. But our region
has tremendous potentials and considerable resources. SAARC provides the framework
for realizing our collective potentials. The 13th SAARC Summit, due to be held
in Dhaka in November this year, will hopefully usher in a new era of regional
cooperation.
Let
me now turn to another promising regional endeavour - BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative
for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Prime Minister Begum Khaleda
Zia attended the first BIMSTEC Summit held on 31 July 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Agreement on Free Trade Area was signed in February 2004. Under this FTA different
sectors were identified for economic cooperation. Joint Projects in different
areas were also identified with concrete steps to implement those projects. Currently
under BIMSTEC the six sectors identified for cooperation are trade and investment,
technology, transport and communication, energy, tourism and fisheries. Bangladesh
is the lead country for trade and investment. During the first BIMSTEC Summit
existing sectors of cooperation have been expanded to Pharmaceuticals Industry,
Textile, Leather, Jute, Small and Medium enterprises, ICT and Health. At the Summit
it was also decided to develop a strategy for promotion of tourism within the
BIMSTEC region through better coordination among the national tourist organizations
and national airlines.
Beyond SAARC and BIMSTEC, we have been pursuing
economic diplomacy through our membership in various regional organizations like
ACD (Asian Cooperation Dialogue), and D-8. Bangladesh has been active in the ACD
which was launched in June 2002. Out of identified 18 fields of cooperation, Bangladesh
has been playing and important role in ACD as the prime mover in the field of
poverty alleviation.
Conclusion
Let me reiterate that the people of Bangladesh are deeply religious, but not guided
by any extreme or intolerant philosophy. It is manifest in the rich cultural diversity
that they celebrate throughout the country on important occasions, irrespective
of religious affiliation. Such a society cannot but be an open, tolerant, moderate
and democratic one. Bangladesh also has its share of problems to which she is
sincerely trying to find solutions. However, it must be borne in mind that other
societies too have their own problems and no one standard should be applied to
judge all other countries.
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