Our top priority is ensuring food security, other basic needs: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (September 3, 2022) said the priority of her government is to ensure food security with other basic needs of the people considering the global crisis.

The prime minister said this when outgoing Ambassador of the Holly See-Vatican Archbishop George Kocherry, Papal Nancio, called on her at her Gono Bhaban residence.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

People around the globe are suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine War and sanctions and counter sanctions, said Hasina.

While congratulating the outgoing Vatican ambassador on completing his tenure in Dhaka, the prime minister said, he played a significant role with efficiency in discharging responsibilities as a dean of the diplomatic corps.

She said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relationship with the Holy See that values the dedicated work of many Christian Missionaries who have had profound contributions to socio-cultural life.

Hasina recalled her visit to the Vatican just before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Archbishop George Kocherry said he visited Bangladesh extensively and was amazed to see the overall socioeconomic development of the country.

He said they are setting up a 300-bed specialised hospital In Gazipur where general people would receive quality treatment at low cost and the hospital is scheduled to inaugurate in July 2023.

He also invited the PM to inaugurate the hospital and handed over a letter to her in this regard.

Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin and PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus were present at the time.