Another milestone set with launch of Bangabandhu-1: PM

Greeting the country's people on the occasion of launching of Bangabandhu-1, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said another milestone has been set with its launching in Bangladesh's continuous march forward.

"Today, we launched Banghabandhu Satellite-1. With this launching, we've hoisted the Bangladesh flag in the space. I would like to greet and congratulate the people of the country on this glorious occasion," she said in a message marking the launching of the country's first satellite.

"The satellite will be a great addition to our Information Technology heralding our entry into the Satellite Club of the world," she said adding, "The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will certainly bring revolutionary changes in our broadcast and telecommunications sector."

Recalling with deep gratitude Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and three million martyrs and 2 lakh women who lost their dignity during the Liberation War, she said, "With the launching of Bangabandhu-1, we're moving forward by another step in materialising the dream of the Father of the Nation."

"We've relentlessly been working to build digital Bangladesh since 2009. We've expanded the Internet services up to the union level. Initiatives have been taken to develop two million young ICT professionals by 2021. We've already achieved the third position in the world in internet freelancing. Hi-Tech Parks are being built to promote business opportunities for local and foreign investors," Sheikh Hasina said.

"We've connected submarine cables with SEA-ME-WE 5 for easy and affordable internet. Our government has established a state-of-the art data centre," she added.

The prime minister thanked the officials who are associated with building and launching of Bangabandhu-1.

"I would like to thank Thales Alenia, the satellite manufacturing Company of France, for building the Bangabandhu Satellite-1, and Space-X, the USA, which were responsible for launching the Bangabandhu Satellite-1. Also, I would like to thank Russia for giving us the opportunity to use their orbital slot," she said.