Visiting Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland meets Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's office on Thursday; August 9, 2018 Focus Bangla

She made the remarks on Thursday when visiting Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland met her at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government is relentlessly working to strengthen the country’s democracy and accelerate its development.

She made the remarks on Thursday when visiting Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland met her at the Prime Minister’s Office.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The country's GDP growth is now 7.78%, while the inflation rate is 5.5%, the prime minister said adding that her government is working for women empowerment at the grassroots level and now a large numbers of women are participating in the socio-economic development, reports UNB.

"We're encouraging young entrepreneurs – both men and women," Ihsanul Karim quoted the prime minister as saying.

About the Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is having discussions with Myanmar. The biggest worry for the government is the weather.

She said the influx of 1.1 million Rohingyas has created a burden on Bangladesh and local people are also suffering as the Rohingyas have occupied their lands in Cox's Bazar.

Turning to terrorism, Sheikh Hasina said her government has successfully combatted terrorism and involved the people from all walks of life in the movement against the social menace. "It almost turned into a social movement. We don't want to allow our children to indulge in terrorism."

Talking about the election, she said more than 6,000 elections - local body polls and parliamentary by-polls - were held during the current term of her government and all the elections were free and fair.

About sports, the prime minister said the Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team has recently clinched the Asian Championship, while the Bangladesh National Cricket Team is also doing well. The government is promoting sports as a whole, she added.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland stressed the need for trade facilitation among the Commonwealth countries.

She said it will have to reduce trade barriers among the Commonwealth countries and enhance the connectivity for the SMEs network.

Scotland said the Commonwealth is ready to extend cooperation in upholding the democratic process in Bangladesh.

Talking about cricket, the Commonwealth secretary-general stressed the need for a creating Commonwealth Cricket Club and introduction of a Commonwealth Cricket League with the participation of both male and female teams.

She said the participation of women in the Commonwealth League will enhance their confidence and determination.

Patricia Scotland highly appreciated the women empowerment in Bangladesh and said women should be involved in trade and suggested that women and girls should be engaged in the SMEs.

Mentioning that the displaced Rohingyas are burden on Bangladesh, she also praised the prime minister for hosting 1.1 million Rohingyas calling it “great compassion.”

Scotland also appreciated the role of Bangladesh in combating terrorism and presented a copy of the Commonwealth Charter to the prime minister.