Bangladesh buying 14 Boeing aircraft, plans to lease more: Aviation minister
The government signed a $3.7 billion deal with Boeing in April to buy 14 aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Highlights:
- New Airbus aircraft also planned
- Power and gas crisis to take time to resolve
- Govt vows action against attempts to create instability
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat today (31 August) said Bangladesh is buying 14 Boeing aircraft from the United States and it also plans to lease some additional aircraft.
"US had requested that Bangladesh use Boeing aircraft, and the government is acting accordingly," he told reporters, responding to a question over the government's reported plan to purchase Boeing aircraft from the United States.
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The minister attended a law-and-order and development coordination meeting as the chief guest in the conference room of the Mymensingh deputy commissioner in the afternoon.
Millat said Bangladesh will procure new aircraft from Airbus, jointly manufactured by France, Britain and Germany, as part of efforts to modernise and strengthen the aviation sector.
US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and its Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has said Bangladesh has committed billions of dollars to buy additional Boeing aircraft from the United States under a new deal between Dhaka and Washington.
In April, Bangladesh signed a deal with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to buy 14 planes for its national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the two sides announced - the airline's biggest-ever order, in a deal valued at $3.7 billion.
The government is working round the clock to resolve the existing problems in the country's power and energy sectors, describing the current electricity and gas crisis as a "mess" left by its predecessors.
He said a sustainable solution to the crisis would take time and strict action would be taken against those seeking to create disorder and administrative instability.
"Gas and electricity during Sheikh Hasina's time have left us in trouble. But we are carrying this trouble; we did not create it," he said.
Responding to criticism over the electricity and gas shortages, the minister said some opposition lawmakers and representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami frequently stage movements demanding the government step down for failing to ensure adequate power and gas supplies.
"But if you ask us to step down, can you provide electricity tomorrow? Can you provide electricity or gas within six months? You cannot," he said.
Millat said resolving the crisis and developing new infrastructure would require time.
"Even after laying the foundation stone of a building, it takes at least two years to complete it. Even if we work rapidly using new technologies, it will still take one-and-a-half to two years," he said.
"We are working day and night toward that goal," he added.
The minister also urged law-enforcement agencies and administration officials to take strict measures against those attempting to create social and administrative instability.
"We must not create disorder at every turn. Those who want to create social and administrative instability must be dealt with firmly," he said, instructing officials to properly enforce existing laws.
"Our only goal is to ensure that people live in peace and get a better Bangladesh," he said.
Senior officials of the local administration, lawmakers, representatives of law-enforcement agencies and officials from different government departments were also present.
