Bangladesh will have to maintain the steady GDP growth to continue the momentum towards achieving the Visions 2021 and 2041 of the government, country’s leading business conglomerate Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks while addressing a function organised by daily Bangladesh Pratidin and News24 at East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) at Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital.
The event was organised for the conference of the local correspondents of the two media outlets of EWMGL, a concern of Bashundhara Group.
Referring to a World Bank statement suggesting that Bangladesh needs to raise its GDP projection to 10 percent in order to graduate to the developed country status, the Bashundhara Group chairman said “It’s a big challenge for Bangladesh”
The media outlets of East West Media Group Ltd have been portraying positives stories to contribute to the government’s efforts for image building of the country, he said.
“EWMGL newspapers, TV channel, radio and online news portal always emphasise on the positive news and highlight the potential sectors of the country to be a part of the government’s development activities,” he said.
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said “We are involved in the politics of development. Our business ventures work for the economic development of the country and its people.”
Underscoring the need for the pro-liberation spirit to continue the ongoing development process in the country, he said “The spirit of the liberation war remains very close to our heart no matter what party or ideology comes to the power.
All concerned at Bashundhara Group have proved through their activities that they embrace the pro-liberation spirit.”
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan termed drug, corruption and irregularities as the biggest foes to the nation and its march towards development. He said the EWMGL outlets have been a strong voice against these ordeals and cover reports showing zero tolerance for these issues.
He also called upon the journalists the dig out the information on misdeed, irregularities, corruption, persecution and discrimination.
Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam said Bangladesh Pratidin, News24 and other media outlets of the EWMGL are doing objective journalism highlighting the image of liberation war spirit and secularism.
“We have created a large readership and viewers of the newspapers, radio and TV channel through objective journalism which has been possible due to freedom of press ensured by the government,”
Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haque Milon said Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has made significant contributions to the nation and its economy over the past three decades.
Daily Sun editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury said Bashundhara Group has ensured full professional freedom of the journalists across its media outlets.
“At the daily sun, we have been able to take the newspaper to a stronger position than ever before level in terms of content, readership and revenue by exercising professional freedom and covering reports for the people,” he said.