Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said democracy and development will go hand in hand in Bangladesh.

‘Our aim is to ensure development of the country from the grassroots level,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said this when German Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Fahrenholtz met her at her official residence Ganobhaban, reports the UNB.

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

He said the Prime Minister said the government has expanded the safety net programmes across the country and it will be strengthened further in the coming days.

Talking about the communications sector, Sheikh Hasina said the government is developing rail, water and road communications of the country and has given utmost importance to development of the rail communication.

The Prime Minister said the government is establishing special economic zones in different parts of the country where Japan, China, South Korea and other counties have been investing. ‘Lands have been allocated there for them,’ she added.

Hasina also offered lands for German investors to build their industries according to their choice.

Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz handed over a message of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Prime Minister where she wished every success of Hasina’s new term in office. ‘I wish your country’s every success as it continues on its path of economic and social development,’ Merkel said in her message.

The German Chancellor said Germany is pleased to continue to stand on Bangladesh’s side in a spirit of partnership.

Fahrenholtz said he read the election manifesto of Awami League and said his country will continue support to her government to implement the manifesto.

He also mentioned that two German delegations, one is comprised of German Parliament members and another led by German Parliament Vice President, will visit Bangladesh soon.

Fahrenholtz said Bangladesh has tremendous potentials and there are many sectors for enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

He praised the success of Bangladesh in containing terrorism and hailed the quick steps of the government during the Holey Artisan terror attack.

Fahrenholtz said many German companies are interested to invest in Bangladesh and assured the Prime Minister about the training of Bangladeshi professionals in Germany.

While discussing the Rohingya issue, Fahrenholtz said he visited the Rohingya camps for three days and talked to a cross-section of people there.

Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDG affairs Abul Kalam Azad and Military Secretary Major Gen Mia Md Jainul Abedin were present on the occasion.