POBNEWS24, Dhaka, May 15, 2023 : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that we had taken extensive preparations to protect people and property from the damage caused by Cyclone Mokha. I myself took constant inquiries, gave various instructions.
He said this at a press conference held at Ganabhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister, at 4 pm on Monday after the recent trip to the country.
The Prime Minister said that in the areas of the country where the houses were damaged due to Cyclone Mokha, the repair work has started soon. We have been spared from severe damage to life and property due to severe cyclone Mokha.
He said, we opened 740 shelters in 13 coastal districts. More than seven and a half lakh people took shelter in the centers. Instructions are given to take up rehabilitation activities in the affected areas as soon as possible. And the areas that were damaged by the cyclone, the repair work has started again. Apart from that, food, water and all the necessary things have been arranged.
Regarding his visit to Japan, the Prime Minister said, I arrived in Tokyo on April 25 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On the morning of April 26, I paid a courtesy call on Emperor Naruhito of Japan. The Emperor welcomed me and expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries would deepen.
Sheikh Hasina said that on that evening, the Prime Minister of Japan welcomed her to her office with a guard of honour. After that, the official bilateral summit between the heads of government of the two countries was held at the office of the Prime Minister of Japan. The meeting was attended by agriculture minister, foreign minister and related ministers and high level government officials.
Regarding his visit to the United States, he said, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank, I reached Washington DC on April 28 at the invitation of World Bank President David Malpass. On the afternoon of April 29, the first day of my visit to the United States, I was met by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mil Kristalina Georgieva. During the meeting, he praised Bangladesh’s significant progress in infrastructure development, communication and law and order and the stability of Bangladesh’s macroeconomics even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regarding his visit to the UK, he said, I am visiting the UK from May 4 to 8 in response to an invitation from His Majesty the King to attend his and Queen Camilla’s coronation and reception and from the Commonwealth Secretary General to participate in the Commonwealth Leaders event.
He also said that the reception of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla was held at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon of May 5. The coronation of the King and Queen took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 6 May. I attended both the reception and the coronation ceremony. I exchanged greetings with His Majesty King Charles III at the Commonwealth Leaders event held at Marlborough House.
At this time I congratulate the King and Queen and invite them to visit Bangladesh. On the afternoon of May 5, I attended the Commonwealth Leaders event organized by the Commonwealth Secretary General at Marlborough House.
