redtimes desk 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought cooperation in the implementation of the Blue Economy in addition to extracting every resource from the country's maritime boundaries.
The Prime Minister sought this cooperation when Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Yingming Yang paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister's Parliament House office tonight.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary. Naemul Islam Khan told reporters after the meeting that Sheikh Hasina has asked ADB for help in agricultural research, although Bangladesh is doing well in this field and there are many good researchers in the country.
Pointing out that the per capita income and purchasing power of the people of Bangladesh should be increased, the Prime Minister said, "We want to make Bangladesh a big market especially for our own products."
As the Prime Minister laid emphasis on agricultural production, he noted that ensuring food security is the government's priority. The Prime Minister said, 'We consider agriculture as the backbone of the economy for food security. Along with this, I give priority to industrialization. We are in favor of industrialization, keeping agriculture in a prominent place'.
Sheikh Hasina has also sought logistical support from ADB to strengthen Bangladesh's competitiveness for export products after it graduates from least developed countries in 2026.
He outlined various short, medium and long term programs of the government to elevate the country to a developed country by 2041.
In this context, the Prime Minister referred to the government's goal of ending poverty and raising it to upper middle income status by 2031 and eradicating poverty on the way to becoming a developed country by 2041.
He asked ADB to assist Bangladesh in integrated river management including river supply, capital dredging and maintenance dredging.
ADB Vice President Yingming Yang highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership.
He said ADB has decided to increase its assistance to urban and water policy from 13 percent to 26 percent of total assistance.
He noted that ADB intends to support Bangladesh in health projects and digital technology as well as cooperation in agricultural research in the larger field.
He said, ADB wants to help Bangladesh improve primary education and health care capacity in their new five-year plan.
The vice president also said that ADB wants to develop a city master plan for Bangladesh to make better use of existing resources.
In this context, the Prime Minister asked them to consider upazilas of Bangladesh for the project. Because the government is moving the country forward as Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
Prime Minister's Office Secretary Mohammad Salah Uddin and ERD Secretary Shahriar Quader Siddiqui were present at the time.