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Prime Minister’s Advisor Mahdi Amin announced that the government has signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to purchase 11 new aircraft, aiming to expand the country’s aviation sector.
He disclosed this information at a press conference held in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on Tuesday evening, local time.
Mahdi Amin stated, “Today, a significant agreement signing ceremony took place with Boeing, where Biman Bangladesh Airlines entered into a contract to purchase 11 more Boeing aircraft.”
He mentioned that high-level representatives from the US government, including US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt, and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapoor, along with other relevant officials, were present at the event.
Mahdi Amin said that the initiative to purchase new aircraft was taken considering the need to expand Bangladesh’s aviation sector. Highlighting Bangladesh’s long-standing commercial relationship with Boeing, he added that discussions with Airbus might also take place in the future, as needed.
Mahdi Amin stated that Bangladesh would purchase aircraft based on demand, saying, “Bangladesh’s aviation sector is expanding, and there are plans to launch new routes.”
“For this reason, new aircraft are necessary.” He also informed that the Boeing delegation later paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.
At the press conference, Mahdi Amin outlined various programs of the Prime Minister’s UN visit, stating that on the second day of the visit, the Prime Minister participated in multiple meetings on diverse issues, including health, agriculture, the Rohingya crisis, climate change, regional stability, and bilateral relations.
He mentioned that discussions with the Gates Foundation focused on expanding cooperation in the health and agricultural sectors, leveraging technology for farmers, increasing agricultural productivity, and building vaccine production capacity in Bangladesh.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Mahdi Amin stated that a significant event on the Rohingya crisis was held on the sidelines of the UN, a joint initiative of Bangladesh and Gambia. Representatives from various countries and international organizations participated there.
He emphasized the need for international community cooperation to ensure the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas. Simultaneously, importance was placed on improving the law and order situation in Myanmar and ensuring accountability for the persecution of Rohingyas.
Mahdi Amin said that currently, over 1.2 million Rohingyas are residing in Bangladesh.
As international assistance for them decreases, pressure on Bangladesh is increasing. In this situation, further cooperation from the international community is needed.
He informed that a meeting was held between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Croatia, where discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral relations in various fields, including trade, investment, and migration.
Mahdi Amin also stated that the Prime Minister had a meeting with the President of Iran.
Responding to a journalist’s question regarding the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Mahdi Amin said that Bangladesh supports peaceful resolution and, if necessary, can play a role in creating opportunities for dialogue from a friendly and neutral stance.
He noted that Bangladesh has important partners in the Middle East, and considering the impact of the conflict on fuel, trade, and Bangladeshi expatriates, the necessity for a peaceful resolution was highlighted in the discussions.
Regarding climate change, he informed that the Prime Minister presented Bangladesh’s position at the international level on ensuring climate finance for climate-vulnerable countries. Plans to reduce carbon emissions through river and canal excavation, tree planting, increased use of renewable and solar energy, and adoption of electric vehicles were also highlighted.
When asked about the roles of China and India in Rohingya repatriation, Mahdi Amin said that Bangladesh is communicating with relevant countries and partners at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
He stated that China is an important development partner for Bangladesh, and high-level discussions with China on resolving the Rohingya crisis are ongoing. He also mentioned keeping channels of communication and discussion open with all relevant parties, including Myanmar.
Mahdi Amin said, “In diplomacy, all doors and all options must be kept open. The path of discussion can never be closed.”
He mentioned that there are two more days of programs for the Prime Minister’s four-day UN visit, adding that tomorrow the Prime Minister will deliver a speech in Bengali at the UN General Assembly session.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Shama Obaid, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shiblie, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, along with members of the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, were present at the press conference.