No hidden agenda in Boeing deal: Humaiun

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said there was no hidden agenda behind Bangladesh’s latest agreement with Boeing, stressing that Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet would be expanded based on the country’s needs.

“We need to expand the fleet to become an aviation hub. There is no hidden agenda. Bangladesh does it on the basis of needs. We need to expand our fleet,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to New York to acquire 11 additional aircraft.

In April, Bangladesh also signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft for Biman in an order valued at $3.7 billion, described as the national carrier's biggest-ever aircraft order.
Kobir said Bangladesh needed a mixed fleet to support the expansion of the country's aviation sector and routes.

He was briefing journalists on the Bangladesh delegation's participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, describing the prime minister's four-day visit to New York as "successful and meaningful".

Tarique Rahman arrived in New York on September 21 and took part in 30 international engagements, including an address to the UN General Assembly, speeches at seven high-level meetings, bilateral meetings with representatives of 11 countries and meetings with senior officials of 10 international organisations.

The prime minister addressed the UNGA in Bangla on September 24, outlining Bangladesh's democratic transition and the government's "Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction" strategy. He also discussed women and youth empowerment, social protection, education, technology and support for Bangladesh's graduation from least developed country status.