We don't want mercy, we want fair rights: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, till the situation with the global economy returns to normal, financing must be continued on reasonable terms. "Bangladesh does not want any mercy from anyone rather it wants fair rights", she also added.

She said these things on Tuesday morning at the 50th-anniversary celebration of Bangladesh and Asian Development Bank (ADB), held in the ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel in the city. She was the primary guest at the event.

The Prime Minister said, "Easy financing is needed until the state of the world economy returns to normal. Developed countries should give this issue more attention alongside the financial institutions. We demand what is rightfully ours; we do not ask for mercy."

The government mentioned, "The most serious concern is that at this critical point we are saddened to note that many partners are increasing interest rates; this makes development financing unprofitable for most projects," pointing out that many shareholders are making the development of the project unfeasible due to rising interest rates. That is to say, it is important to work together to coordinate responses to the effects of several unethical acts.

The Prime Minister said, "We have built the Padma Bridge with our own funding. We are doing various action-oriented projects including Metrorail, Bangabandhu Tunnel, Elevated Expressway. The construction of Padma Setu was a symbol of great pride, dignity and merit for us.”

"ADB has been working with us for 50 years. Our relationship with ADB was established under the leadership of the Father of the Nation in 1973. In the last 50 years, ADB has been supporting in each case of our socio-economic development and structural development." added the Prime Minister.

Sheikh Hasina stated that ADB's assistance to Bangladesh has increased three times after the current government came to power. She said, "Since the formation of the Awami League government in 2009, ADB's assistance to Bangladesh has increased. At present, the cumulative contribution of ADB stands at 28.38 billion US dollars. Bangladesh is now the third largest customer in ADB's portfolio.”