Staff Correspondent: Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said Bangladesh is one of the countries across the globe which achieved highest economic growth amid coronavirus pandemic in 2020 under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “The economic growth of most of the countries is negative in the year of COVID19 epidemic. But, Bangladesh has achieved about five percent economic growth under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. And Bangladesh is one of the countries among only 22 countries which achieved positive economic growth,” he said.

The minister told reporters emerging from a seminar of National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) titled ‘Liberation War, Bangabandhu and Mass Media’ through online from the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the city.

State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hasan, Information Secretary Khaza Mia and heads of departments under the ministry attended the seminar with NIMC director general Shahin Islam in the chair.

Hasan said Bangladesh’s, as per a report of Bloomberg, position in combating COVID-19 is first among the sub-continent and 20th in the world. The economic position of Bangladesh, as per another report of Center for Economics and Business Research of the United Kingdom, will be 28th by 2030 and 25th by 2035, which means, the position of Bangladesh’s economy will stand above many developed countries in the world, he added. He said, “One of our biggest achievements in 2020 is that Padma

Bridge is near completion with our own funding. And the per capita income has been raised to 2006 US dollar from 1900 US dollar during the prevailing Coronavirus situation.”

The minister said a report of IMF told that Bangladesh will cross India in per capita income in the next year. Being a digital Bangladesh, it has been possible to active the government, business and educational activities through online by overcoming the obstacles of the epidemic after maintaining physical and social distance, he added. Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said not a single person died from starvation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Awami League leaders and activists from all levels stood beside the people and gave relief items to 1.25 crore people as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

 “For this, many leaders of our party were infected with coronavirus and died also. Three central leaders among 81 leaders died. Some members of advisory council and lawmakers died. One-third Cabinet members have been infected with the virus, even one member died,” he added.

Besides, the minister said, about 600 leaders and workers died due to the virus.

In the seminar, Hasan said if the fourth organ-media is strong among the four organs, then the state is also strong. For this, to materialize the dream of Bangabandhu, Bangladesh Press Council, Press Institute and Wage Board were formed under his leadership, he added.

In the continuation, the information minister said, many steps have

been taken for proper exploration and the independence of the mass

media under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s worthwhile daughter Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We believe that constructive criticism

strength the democracy,” he added.

About challenges of BNP in 2021, Hasan said, BNP itself is in the

dark with its close eyes, that is why they are looking dark all

around. “I hope, they (BNP) will see the light in the next year,” he

added.

He said BNP is becoming isolated for its leadership and hoped that

BNP will back in the positive politics.

He said it is regretful that BNP and their allies didn’t stand

beside the people during the COVID-19 situation which was needed. They

(BNP) kept their activities in spreading hatred against government and

press conferences, he added.

The minister said they have given priority to their political

motives and party interests instead of giving priority to the people

which is really regretful.

About challenges of AL, Hasan said, Awami League is moving ahead

after facing all challenges since decades. The country is moving ahead

during the last 12 years after facing challenges and there is no

change in next year.

The minister hoped that the people of the country would take breathe in open sky freely.