PM Tarique Rahman: I tried to protect interest of country in Malaysia, China tours

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that the people of Bangladesh have given them the responsibility to look after their interests. He said during his visits to Malaysia and China, he spoke about and tried to protect the interests of the country and its people.

"There is nothing personal here," he said. "If anything good has been achieved from this visit, it is Bangladesh's achievement. It is the achievement of the people of this country."

The Prime Minister made these remarks today, Saturday, on the 16th working day of the second session (budget session) of the 13th National Parliament.

The parliamentary session, which began at 11:00 AM, was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman successfully completed his first official six-day visit to Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26.
The PM said, "I sincerely thank all members for thanking me on behalf of the Parliament. From our party's position, we use a slogan – 'Bangladesh First'."

The Prime Minister also thanked all members of the Parliament, particularly the Leader of the Opposition. "I also thank the Leader of the Opposition. He too has encouraged working for the welfare of the people of this country," he added.

Earlier, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir moved the vote of thanks motion. Later, after detailed discussion in Parliament, the motion was adopted by voice vote.

Taking part in the discussion on the motion, ruling party and opposition MPs described the visit as a landmark event in Bangladesh's foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

During the discussion, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the strategic importance of the Prime Minister's two-country visit from June 21 to 26.