President Abdul Hamid on Saturday said the island Swarna Dweep holds prospect of being developed as ‘Singapore’ one day.
He said the island, whose land area is nearly same to Singapore, has huge potentials and hoped that it would contribute to the country’s economy in the future.
Swarna Dweep is situated under Hatiya Upazila in Noakhali. It was earlier well known as ‘Jahaijjar Char’.
“The Swarna Dweep has huge potentials. The island can play due role in our economy,” he told reporters after visiting coconut garden here on Saturday afternoon.
The President said “I am really amazed to see the island ‘Swarna Dweep’. The island is isolated from the mainland of Bangladesh. Total area of the island is almost equal to Singapore,” he said adding that “it is situated near the sea, it (Swarna Dweep) may become Singapore for Bangladesh in future.”
“It was allocated to Bangladesh Army so that it can be developed in a planned way,” he said adding there should be another plan so that the area will not turn into populated one. It can be developed in a planned way either under the auspices of the government or Bangladesh army, he added.
The army can use this nice place as for their training purposes. There is no such place except haor areas, President Hamid added.
Earlier, Chief of Bangladesh Army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq received the President when he reached the island by a helicopter. Later, he was briefed about various development activities taken by the Army.
Later President Hamid also laid foundation stone of a 31-bed hospital, which will be constructed within 18 months under supervision of Army with the financial support of the Health Ministry. He also visited military farm there, reports UNB.
