Biman signs deal for 11 more Boeing jets

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a supplementary agreement with Boeing to acquire 11 more advanced aircraft as part of its long-term fleet modernisation and network expansion plans.
“A significant signing ceremony was held with Boeing. Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 11 more Boeing aircraft,” Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said at a press conference in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on Wednesday evening (local time).
He said senior US government officials, including US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur, attended the signing ceremony.
Mahdi Amin said the decision to purchase new aircraft was taken in view of the need to expand Bangladesh’s aviation sector.
Noting Bangladesh’s long-standing commercial relationship with Boeing, he said discussions with Airbus could also take place in future, depending on the country’s requirements.
“Bangladesh will purchase aircraft based on its needs. The aviation sector is expanding and there are plans to open new routes. Therefore, new aircraft are required,” he added.
Mahdi Amin also said a Boeing delegation later paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Briefing journalists on the prime minister’s visit to the UN, Mahdi Amin said that on the second day of his four-day visit, the prime minister held a number of meetings on health, agriculture, the Rohingya crisis, climate change, regional stability and bilateral relations.
He said discussions with the Gates Foundation focused on expanding cooperation in health and agriculture, using technology to support farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and developing vaccine production capacity in Bangladesh.
On the Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh and The Gambia jointly organised a significant side event at the UN, attended by representatives of various countries and international organisations.
He said international support was needed to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. 
“Emphasis was also given to improving the law-and-order situation in Myanmar and ensuring accountability for the persecution of Rohingyas,” he added.
Mahdi Amin said more than 1.2 million Rohingyas are currently staying in Bangladesh and declining international assistance has increased pressure on the country. 
“In this situation, more support from the international community is needed,” he added.
He said the prime minister’s meeting with his Croatian counterpart focused on strengthening bilateral relations in trade, investment and migration.
Mahdi Amin also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met the president of Iran.
Replying to a question about ongoing tensions in the Middle East, he said Bangladesh believed in the peaceful resolution of conflicts and could, if necessary, help create opportunities for dialogue from a friendly and neutral position.
On climate change, Mahdi Amin said the prime minister highlighted Bangladesh’s call for climate finance for vulnerable countries and outlined plans to reduce carbon emissions through river and canal dredging, tree plantation, greater use of renewable energy, including solar power, and the promotion of electric vehicles.