Bangladesh can support EU's efforts to diversify pharmaceutical production: PM Hasina
During a meeting with European Investment Bank (EIB) President Werner Hoyer in Brussels, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her country's willingness to assist the European Union (EU) in diversifying the production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical equipment.
The meeting took place in Sheikh Hasina's hotel suite in Brussels, where she discussed the potential collaboration with President Hoyer.
Hoyer commended Bangladesh's effective utilization of the 1-billion-euro loan portfolio provided by the EIB since 2000, which has been directed toward shared priority areas. He specifically noted the progress in projects related to water treatment and the upgrading of the rail network. In response, the prime minister highlighted the significant achievements made in providing safe water and sanitation to nearly 97 percent of Bangladesh's population.
Sheikh Hasina also requested the EIB's support for projects involving river dredging, water conservation, and surface irrigation. Additionally, she discussed the government's initiatives to develop dual-track railways aimed at facilitating cost-effective passenger and container traffic. She expressed her appreciation for the interest shown by multilateral development banks in funding connectivity projects with substantial impact.
President Hoyer acknowledged that Bangladesh is well-positioned to engage in vaccine production and the prime minister briefed him on the government's efforts to establish vaccine production facilities and molecular testing laboratories. She suggested that the EIB extend support for essential infrastructure development to aid these initiatives. Furthermore, she discussed the potential support measures for combating dengue outbreaks, which could include vaccine-related efforts.
The EIB stands as the world's largest multilateral public bank, and in 2022, it channeled approximately €10.8 billion into investments outside the European Union through EIB Global, an entity established for international activities in that year. This meeting underscores the potential for collaboration between Bangladesh and the EIB in crucial areas of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical equipment production, as well as various infrastructure development projects.
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