DHAKA: In his first major policy address since taking office, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus affirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to supporting both its large Rohingya refugee population and its crucial garment industry.
Yunus, 84, who recently returned from Europe after leading a student-driven revolution, is now tasked with guiding democratic reforms in a country grappling with institutional decay. His predecessor, Sheikh Hasina, 76, had abruptly left the country by helicopter following 15 years of authoritarian rule.
Addressing diplomats and UN representatives, Yunus emphasized continuity on two major policy fronts. “Our government will continue to support the more than one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh,” Yunus stated. He stressed the need for ongoing international assistance for humanitarian efforts and the safe, dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
The recent unrest and mass protests that led to Hasina’s departure also severely impacted the country’s vital textile industry, causing disruptions and shifting of orders to other countries. Yunus assured, “We will not tolerate any disruptions to the global clothing supply chain, where we play a critical role.”
Bangladesh’s 3,500 garment factories are central to the country’s economy, contributing about 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports.
Yunus, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his innovative work in microfinance, has been recognized for his role in alleviating poverty for millions of Bangladeshis.
