Dhaka: Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said the  government in its current term will be working to make more opportunities available for the country’s youth to craft their future.

He lauded the country’s progress under the Awami League-led government in the last 10 years spanning two terms, reports the UNB.

‘Around 49 percent of our country’s population is below the age of 25. If we can provide proper education and training, we will get a skilled and talented generation,’ he said at a programme at Dhaka University (DU).

‘Our government is working to ensure proper education for all,’ Dr Momen, who enjoyed an academic career teaching at a number of colleges in the New England region of the United States before turning to serve the nation in various capacities in the Foreign Service, also said.

Bangladesh Supply Chain Council (BSCC), in association with DU, organized the programme as a part of their supply chain conference and career opportunity programme.

The foreign minister noted that the unemployment rate was proportionately higher among university graduates and those possessing post-graduate degrees compared to those who finished upto high school only. ‘We are working to empower all the people in near future,’ he added.   

Meanwhile, when asked about US president Donald Trump’s congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her ‘remarkable’ victory in the 11th national election, the foreign minister said that those expressed doubt are narrow minded people.

The Foreign Minister said, ‘There was a beautiful election. That's why the US President sent a letter to our Prime Minister. He (Donald Trump) said that I congratulate the millions of people of the country who voted for you to win for the third time.’

He said, ‘President Trump further said that America and Bangladesh are very friendly countries. Bangladesh has set up a unique example in the world by providing shelter to the Rohingya.

Presided over by BSCC chief M Nayeem Hossain, former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman, and DU Business Studies faculty Dean Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, among others, also addressed the programme.