Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday termed the displaced Rohingyas and stranded Pakistanis as burden for Bangladesh as they are putting pressure on the country's economy.

She said: "Three years have already passed after Rohingyas influx in Bangladesh and it's a burden for us."

The premier made the remark when newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Anne Gerard Van Leeuwen paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence here.

She said the Rohingyas are also destroying the environment and forest resources of Cox's Bazar.

The PM also talked about the stranded Pakistanis, saying, "These (Rohingyas and stranded Pakistanis) are creating economic pressure on Bangladesh."

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim later briefed the newsmen about the meeting.

The Netherlands envoy expressed his realization that the solution is rooted in sending back the Rohingyas to their native land Myanmar.

Sheikh Hasina appreciated the Netherlands contribution to her country’s development and formulate the Delta Plan-2100.

Recalling her last visit to the Netherlands the Prime Minister said that she was overwhelmed to see production and preservation of agricultural items using the Green House system.

She said: “We can also adopt the system as our country is an agro-based one.”

The Dutch envoy said they are eager to share their experience to this end.

The Prime Minister also said that they are converting the Cox’s Bazar airport into an international airport to attract more tourists in the world's longest unbroken sandy sea-beach.

She said her government is setting up 100 economic zones at different parts the country to attract more domestic and foreign investment and thus spur the country’s overall development. 

BDST: 1910 HRS, OCT 17, 2021
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