Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged people to remain vigilant so that no “evil anti-democracy” force can foil the progress of democracy in Bangladesh.
Addressing a meeting with Bangladeshi community at her hotel here on Thursday night, she said the anti-people force has been trying to hinder development activities in the country.
“The evil force does not want change of people's fate… does not want to see Bangladesh as a country free from hunger and poverty.”
Hasina alleged that the last BNP-Jamaat alliance government during their five-year tenure only amassed illegal money, plundering public property and through money laundering.
She said: “When our government is working hard to maintain peace and ensuring prosperity for the people, the BNP-Jamaat alliance doest not like it.”
Calling upon the expatriate Bangladeshis for investing in the country's development sectors, the prime minister requested them not to do anything on foreign soils that would harm the country's image.
“Every one of you is a goodwill ambassador of your homeland. So, don't do anything that will tarnish the image of your homeland,” she said.
Hasina said that her government had to face many difficulties in restoring the country's image, as “during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government Bangladesh was known to the world as a country of militancy and corruption.”
She said: “During the last two years, Bangladesh has again started to be known as a country of peace and democracy. Now it is our duty to uphold this image.”
The prime minister said expatriates can make investment in Bangladesh through the Expatriates Welfare Bank. “We give top priority to Bangladeshi expatriates seeking to invest in the country. So, come and invest in your homeland.”
She said the government is giving special facilities, including easy banking, to the expatriate Bangladeshis.
Hasina, in her address, also asked the followers of Awami League at home and abroad to work with utmost sincerity to implement the party's election manifesto.
Showing the election manifesto to the expatriate audience, she said it is the government's sacred duty to implement every pledge of the election manifesto. “We've to win the people's love by fulfilling their aspirations.”
The premier said democracy has been restored after so many sacrifices. “BNP tried to rig the last general election with 1.21 crore fake voters. But they failed in their bid.”
In this regard, she thanked the Bangladesh Army for making a flawless voter list for the December 29, 2008 election.
She told the expatriates that her government is working to make Bangladesh a mid-level income country by 2021. “We are making our best efforts to create social-safety net. We will have to work hand in hand to make Bangladesh a modern digital and developed country.”
Hasina also informed the Bangladeshi community about the outcome of her visit to St. Petersburg in Russia, and her meeting with European Union leaders.
She also told them about her government's activities to protect the people of Bangladesh from the disastrous impacts of the global warming.
The expatriate Bangladeshis congratulated the prime minister for receiving an honourary doctorate degree from the State University of Saint Petersburg.