No hidden agenda in Boeing deal: Humaiun Kobir
“We need to expand the
fleet to become an aviation hub. There is nothing… there is no hidden agenda.
Bangladesh does it based on its needs. We need to expand our fleet,” he told
reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 28.
The latest agreement
comes after Bangladesh signed a USD 3.7 billion deal with Boeing in April to
purchase 14 aircraft for Biman. The deal was described as the airline’s
largest-ever aircraft order.
Kobir also stressed the
importance of maintaining a mixed fleet for the development of Bangladesh’s
aviation sector.
The State Minister termed
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to New York to attend the 81st
session of the United Nations General Assembly “successful and meaningful”,
saying the premier held extensive engagements with the international community.
He said the Prime
Minister’s address to the UNGA received considerable appreciation from the
international community.
During the visit, Biman
Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to
purchase 11 additional aircraft for the national flag carrier.
US Ambassador to
Bangladesh Brent T Christensen welcomed the agreement shortly before the
signing ceremony in New York.
Secretary
(Intergovernmental Organizations) M. Forhadul Islam and Additional Foreign
Secretary (Public Diplomacy and Other Priority Matters) AKM Shahidul Karim were
present at the briefing.
