Khaleda can bring any doctor from abroad: FM tells diplomats

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is allowed to bring any doctors from abroad and she is free to take treatment anywhere in the country, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Monday.

"If Khaleda Zia wants to go abroad for treatment, she has to follow the legal procedure," the FM told journalists at the State Guesthouse Padma in Dhaka.

Momen spoke to the media after briefing foreign diplomats stationed in the capital on a number of current issues including Khaleda Zia's treatment, the ongoing Union Parishad election, the Rohingya issue, COP 26, the prime ministers' recent visit to France, Covid-19 management and the upcoming World Peace Conference to be held in Dhaka from 4-5 December.

"We talked about recent issues, including our former prime minister Khaleda Zia's current medical condition. She is [still] a convict," the FM said.   

Momen said Khaleda's medical documents have already been sent abroad and foreign doctors were "most welcome" to come to Bangladesh for her treatment.

He told diplomats that the government was committed to free, fair and transparent elections in Bangladesh.

The minister referred to the recent UP elections, saying they were held fairly and without government interference.

"The major opposition did not contest officially, but unofficially they had a number of candidates, many of whom also got elected.

"There was some violence in the elections due to over-enthusiasm of some people," he said.

On adopting the UN resolution on Rohingyas, the FM said, "We are thankful to all the countries as this is the first time a resolution on the Rohingyas was adopted with the consensus of all the countries in the world. No one opposed the resolution. The basic element of it was that Rohingyas must go back to their country for a better future.

"And we also told them [foreign diplomats] that the UNHCR agreed to support the Rohingyas in Bhasanchar. The agreement is complete. They have started work in Bhasanchar. There are around 19,000 Rohingyas there," added Momen.  

The FM said that the resolution was jointly tabled by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), with Saudi Arabia the contact point for supporting the resolution.

Investment environment in Bangladesh is attractive: Saudi minister

Saudi Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, who also had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Momen, during the press conference said that at least 30 Saudi private companies were interested in investing in Bangladesh.

"This is a sign that the investment environment in Bangladesh is attractive. The reform, concessions and the regulations implemented here are investment friendly," he said.

"I was honoured to represent Saudi Arabia in the international investment summit in Dhaka, which was very successful," he added.

"We have seen how much progress and economic development have been achieved. The economic growth is also very impressive. The Saudi private sector is a thriving sector. It is experienced in investing in many countries of the world. Some of those companies were here during the summit."

He mentioned that investment in renewable energy and many other sectors were under discussion.

"I am also very impressed with the investment on ongoing infrastructure and connectivity. Saudi Arabia is extending its hand and funding to support Bangladesh in some of the projects. We are looking forward to expanding our relationship," he added.

The Bangladesh FM also thanked the Saudi minister for help regarding the Rohingya issue.

"We talked about many investment proposals and Saudi support for us. They are very eager to invest in the private sector," said the FM.