By Walid Ahmed
Dhaka, Oct 21 (UNI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said development of the SouthAsian nation has been possible because of the continuity of her government.
She inaugurated the newly constructed 'Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center' in Purbachal by virtually connecting via video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban in the capital Dhaka.
Hasina is the longest serving PM of Bangladesh. She was in power from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 till date, almost 17 years.
By organizing export fairs, trade fairs, exporters' conferences, buyer-seller fairs and other trade enhancement activities the newly opened center will be put to the best use, a statement released said quoting the PM.
She said the pace of development has slowed down due to the epidemic but the country has not stopped, the country is moving forward. "As a developing country, investment opportunities will be created," she said.
The Prime Minister said the exhibition center would be used as a permanent venue for various product-based fairs throughout the year. From now on, Dhaka International Trade Fair will be held here on a permanent platform, she said.
In 2015, the government allotted 20 acres of land in favor of the Export Development Bureau in RAJUK's Purbachal, and later another 6.1 acres. This spacious exhibition center with all kinds of modern facilities has been built with the project assistance of the Chinese government, the official statement said.
The construction of the center has cost a total of 817 crore taka including the value of the land. Of this, the Chinese government spent 526 crore taka, it added.
Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Project Director (Joint Secretary) of the project, told the media that the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has taken up the 'Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center Construction Project' in Purbachal New City Project Area. Bangladesh and China have jointly funded it.
He said the floor space of the center is 33,000 square meters. It has an exhibition hall of 15,418 square meters.
Karim added that the modern exhibition center has its own water treatment plant, CCTV control room, WiFi system for internet, a modern fountain and remote-control entrance.
Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jimming also spoke on the occasion.
Members of the Cabinet, Advisers to the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, high-ranking civil and military officials of the government and invited guests from home and abroad were present at the main function in the Purbachal New City project area.
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