Democracy to stay in Bangladesh: D’Souza

UK House of Lords' Speaker Baroness D’Souza says Bangladesh's democracy is there to stay.

During her courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Saturday, she said peace and democracy would prevail in Bangladesh.

D’Souza expressed the hope that by 2021, Bangladesh would become a middle income country.

Prime minister’s Press Secretary AKM Shamim Chowdhury said that during the meeting the state of democracy was discussed.

After paying homage to the Language Martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar, D’Souza expressed deep satisfaction and said that Feb 21 unites all Bangladeshis.

Speaker D’Souza congratulated the prime minister over Bangladeshi candidates’ win at Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Bangladesh’s participation at the CPA and IPU would strengthen the parliamentary system, she said.

She also praised Sheikh Hasina for steps to empower women in different sectors and the role played by her government.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina told the UK House of Lords Speaker that during her tenure Bangladesh has been successful in reducing inflation, increasing growth rate and alleviating poverty.

The Speaker of the House of Lords also praised the economic growth and that of information and communication technology in Bangladesh.

The meeting also discussed projects related to foreign investments like establishing 20 economic zones in the country.

UK High Commissioner Robert Gibson, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser Gowher Rizvi and Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present in the meeting.