BANGLADESH

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her government's commitment to root out terrorism and terrorists at any cost.

Claiming that the previous BNP-Jamaat four-party alliance government had made Bangladesh a terror-infested country, Hasina on Tuesday said, "We have been able to highlight Bangladesh's image in the global arena."

She said the country has established itself as a model for curbing terrorism under this government.

Hasina made the statements while addressing a function to unveil the much-awaited container terminal management system (CTMS) and the radiation detection system of Chittagong port.

She said the government is sincere in developing Chittagong port since it handles 90 percent of the country's exports and imports. She said several steps were taken for the port's development, while many others are in the offing.

Hasina assured that the government is taking various measures to see to it that there are no snags for the port-users and ensure transparency in export and import. She said Chittagong port has been digitised through introduction of the CTMS and the radiation detection system.

EFFICIENT PORT

According to Hasina, the Mega Port Initiative Project being implemented would make Chittagong port a part of the global anti-terror mechanism by enabling it to check transportation of illegal goods and radioactive substances.

She took the opportunity to thank the US government for providing financial assistance to set up the radiation detector.

She also said work on introducing global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) has already begun for smooth movement of ships and saving life of sailors in Bangladesh's maritime boundaries. "We have also taken initiatives to procure modern passenger ferries to check capsize of ships on inland river routes," Hasina said.

Presided over by shipping minister Shahajan Khan, the inaugural function was also addressed by Chittagong port chairman Anwarul Islam. Among other dignitaries present were chairman of parliamentary standing committee on shipping ministry Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, shipping secretary Abdul Mannan Hawlader and US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena.