No hidden agenda behind Boeing deal

There is no hidden agenda behind the latest agreement signed with Boeing, said Humaiun Kobir, state minister-1 for foreign affairs.

“It was done through a signing ceremony in a very open environment. As per our requirements, we are purchasing Boeing. The (existing) fleet needs to be expanded in a big way. This is nothing. There is no hidden agenda in it,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry yesterday.

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Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the country’s national flag carrier, signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to acquire 11 additional aircraft during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

This comes after Bangladesh signed a deal with Boeing in April to buy 14 planes for $3.7 billion.

Humaiun laid emphasis on a mixed aircraft fleet in the interest of the country’s aviation sector.

Asked when the Dhaka-New York flight would resume, he said the government has initiated the process for a technical and safety reassessment.

He described the just-concluded visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as “successful and meaningful”.

This visit not only provided an opportunity to present the new government’s commitments to the global community but also created a significant opening to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation, he said.

When asked for comment on an opposition leader’s remark that Tarique’s speech focused solely on the party and served to glorify it, lacking any fundamental discourse on behalf of the nation, Humaiun said: “Honestly, I am astonished at the logic behind such remarks.”

“Climate change was a primary focus of the prime minister’s speech. Is climate change an issue specific to the BNP or Jamaat? It is a matter concerning the entire nation and is a crucial issue for the world. It is not right to make comments without understanding, reading or listening to the facts.”

Tarique spoke about various domestic policies, international peace and stability, and the Palestine and Rohingya crises.

“Are these merely party issues? He addressed the entire world. It was a comprehensive and highly significant speech that covered matters of both national and international interest. Therefore, these comments have no basis in logic.”

Asked why Tarique’s visit was longer than other heads of government from around the world, Humaiun said the visit was entirely in accordance with the UN’s pre-scheduled programme, so the question of cutting it short does not arise.