PM Hasina says right policy leading to economic growth

A sense of responsibility and following the right policy has helped the government achieve a 7 percent growth rate for the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

The prime minister was speaking on the occasion of the raising day of the Krishak League (Farmers’ League) at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion the prime minister said that currently the economy of the country is at 7 percent.

The Ministry of Planning expects the growth rate to surpass the 7 percent mark this fiscal.

The prime minister used the opportunity to highlight her government's contribution to the economic growth.

Taking potshots at the previous BNP governments, Hasina alluded to the shooting of 18 farmers during the BNP regime when they were demanding a subsidy in fertilizer prices.

"At that time the country's image had become synonymous with droughts, floods and natural calamities. We wanted to change that", she said.

Asserting that her government walks along the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the prime minister said, "Agricultural produce is the most important produce of the country. Food security can be obtained only when farmers are given priority. That's what the Father of the Nation wanted. That's what our government is committed to doing."

She said that when in power in 1999, her Awami League government had battled international pressure to continue subsidy to farmers while buying agricultural implements and other necessities.

When voted to power again in 2009, her government provided 10 million farmers bank accounts at TK 1 and another 20 million farmers received cards for procuring agricultural accessories at subsidised prices, she said.

The prime minister said that nutritional security along with food security is a priority for her government and added that boosting the research sector has led to a growth in the output of paddy, fish and vegetables.

She said that emphasis would also be given to processing and exporting agro products.

Awami League General Secretary Sayed Ashraful Islam also spoke at the function.

The event was presided over by Krishak League President Motaher Hossain Mollah.