Indian experts came to Dhaka while Bangladesh experts would visit New Delhi to resolve the problem through bilateral discussions, she said replying to a supplementary from Jatiya Party members Mashiur Rahman Ranga and GM Qader during the prime minister's question-answer time in parliament.

Khaleda said the government is aware of the problem so that Bangladesh does not face any desertification. She, however, said all people should take a united stand in the interest of the country and the nation.

Asked by Jamaat member Mia Golam Parwar whether the government has any plan to construct any alternative barrage, the prime minister said the government would take decision and move ahead after conducting study and consultation with the experts.

Replying to GM Qader, she said the government has taken some steps, including plantation and afforestation by the Barind Development Authority and the Forest Department, against possible desertification in the northern region.

She said the anti-desertification measures are being hampered due to withdrawal of water through construction of barrage by the upper riparian country.

The prime minister assured the House that the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has been conducting a study under the supervision of the Department of Environment to combat the problem. She hoped that the government would be able to undertake a coordinated scheme to face the trend of desertification or drought.

Replying to a supplementary from BNP member Major (retd) Manzur Qader, the prime minister said despite anti-Bangladesh campaign by some parties and individuals, the volume of export and investment in the country has increased.

"The people of this country have identified them… they could not harm the country, they harmed themselves," She told the House.

She said volume of export this year has increased while flow of investment is also on the rise.

Without mentioning the Tata's planned investment in Bangladesh, the prime minister said investors have come from a neighbouring country. Besides, talks are continuing under Safta as well as at bilateral level to increase Bangladesh's export to the neighbouring country, she said.