Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh is facing massive socioeconomic and demographic pressure due to the presence of a huge number of Rohingyas.

‘The presence of a large number of forcibly evicted Rohingya people in Cox’s Bazar is creating a massive socioeconomic, environmental and demographic pressure on Bangladesh,’ she said.

The prime minister made the remarks when newly-appointed Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Charlotta Schlyter paid a courtesy call on her at her Jatiya Sangsad Office here yesterday evening.

After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The premier said Bangladesh has negotiated with Myanmar about the repatriation of the Rohingya people, and an arrangement has been made to this end.

She said the government is developing an island to give temporary shelter to the Rohingya people.

Charlotta Schlyter reassured her country’s support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.

In this regard, the prime minister appreciated the strong role played by Sweden regarding the Rohingya crisis both politically and humanitarian grounds.

The displaced Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh territory since Aug 25, following an army crackdown in Buddhist-majority Myanmar’s northwestern Rakhine State.

Highlighting her government’s remarkable achievements in various sectors, the premier said though Bangladesh is an agro-based country, the government has taken initiatives for setting up various kinds of industries.

‘We’re establishing special economic zones across the country to attract both foreign and local investment,’ she said.

She also spelled out her government’s various initiatives for the welfare of the workers like increasing their wage, arrangements for training, setting up daycare centres and construction of dormitories.

The ambassador expressed her desire to broaden the development cooperation between the two countries.

She appreciated Bangladesh’s support to the Swedish premier’s personal undertaking about the ‘global deal initiative’ which is aimed at promoting a decent work for all and inclusive economic growth.

PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman was present on the occasion.