The government has signed an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 11 new aircraft as Bangladesh moves to expand its aviation sector and open new international routes, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said.
“A significant signing ceremony was held with Boeing. Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 11 more Boeing aircraft,” he said at a press conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York.
Mahdi Amin said senior US government officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur, attended the signing ceremony.
He said the decision to purchase the new aircraft was taken in view of the expansion of Bangladesh’s aviation sector and plans to open new international routes.
Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh has a long-standing commercial relationship with Boeing, while discussions with Airbus could also take place in the future depending on the country’s requirements.
“Bangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. Bangladesh’s aviation sector is expanding and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,” he said.
The Boeing delegation later held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Briefing journalists on the Prime Minister’s UN visit, Mahdi Amin said Tarique Rahman held meetings on health, agriculture, the Rohingya crisis, climate change, regional stability and bilateral relations during the second day of his four-day visit.
He said discussions with the Gates Foundation focused on expanding cooperation in health and agriculture, using technology to support farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and developing vaccine production capacity in Bangladesh.
On the Rohingya crisis, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh and The Gambia jointly organised a major side event at the UN, attended by representatives of different countries and international organisations.
He said stronger international support was needed to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. Discussions also highlighted the need to improve the law-and-order situation in Myanmar and ensure accountability for the persecution of Rohingyas.
Mahdi Amin said more than 1.2 million Rohingyas are currently living in Bangladesh and declining international assistance has placed additional pressure on the country.
He said the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Croatian prime minister discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in trade, investment and migration. Tarique Rahman also held a meeting with the President of Iran.
On tensions in the Middle East, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh supports peaceful solutions to conflicts and, if necessary, could help create opportunities for dialogue from a friendly and neutral position.
He said Bangladesh has important partners in the Middle East and that discussions highlighted the need for peaceful solutions in view of the impact of conflicts on energy security, trade and Bangladeshi expatriates.
On climate change, Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s position on the need for climate finance for vulnerable countries.
He said Bangladesh’s plans to reduce carbon emissions through river and canal dredging, tree plantation, greater use of renewable energy including solar power and promotion of electric vehicles were also highlighted.
Regarding the role of China and India in Rohingya repatriation, Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh was engaging with concerned countries and partners through both bilateral and multilateral channels.
He described China as an important development partner and said high-level discussions with Beijing were continuing on the Rohingya crisis.
“Diplomacy requires keeping all doors and all options open. The path of dialogue can never be closed,” he said.
Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister had two more days of engagements remaining during his four-day UN visit and would deliver his UN General Assembly speech in Bangla on September 24.
State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and members of the Prime Minister’s press wing were present at the press conference.
