Government plans fleet expansion to boost aviation sector
Bangladesh to Buy Both Boeing and Airbus
- Despite a fragile economy the government aims to expand fleet while maintaining financial discipline
- Nation interest remains top priority as government plans a sustainable mixed aircraft fleet
Stressing the need to elevate Bangladesh's tourism and civil aviation sectors to greater heights, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam stated that the Prime Minister is fully aware of the fragile economic situation of the country. To recover the economy after seventeen years of rule, the country must practice frugality while also purchasing essential assets. Therefore, Bangladesh needs both Boeing and Airbus, and both will be purchased.
On Thursday, July 16, the State Minister made these remarks while responding to reporters' queries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Addressing whether purchasing Boeing from the United States conflicts with the interest in buying Airbus from France or if it results from external pressure, she rejected such ideas and said, "In terms of investment, the interest of Bangladesh gets the highest priority. We need Boeing, and we also need Airbus. We will buy both."
A day earlier, the government officially expressed interest in purchasing Airbus aircraft to build a sustainable mixed fleet. The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, French Ambassador Jean-Marin Schuh, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Sistiaga, German Charge d'Affaires Anja Terstein, and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Baiba Zarina. The European diplomats welcomed the interest of Bangladesh in purchasing Airbus and reaffirmed their commitment to providing necessary assistance.
//DBTech/DND/EDP//
