Underscoring the need for ensuring smooth connectivity among all the countries and communities to secure peace, stability and prosperity, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here on Friday said connectivity should be taken as a ‘strategic opportunity’.

‘Connectivity is indeed no longer a ‘choice’ for any community, it’s about seizing ‘strategic opportunity,’ she said while speaking at the Plenary 2 of 11th ASEM summit on its theme - ‘20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for Future Through Connectivity’, reports UNB.

The Prime Minister said, ‘Whatever be the modality of connectivity frameworks, these should aim to accelerate sustained, inclusive growth and sustainable development.’

At the turn of 20 years, she said, ASEM reflects on deepening connectivity here in Mongolia in the wake of multiple transformations that ‘we are witnessing now’.

Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here Thursday to attend two-day Asia-Europe Summit, joined the inaugural session of the Summit held at Shangri-La Hotel.

President of Mongolia Tskhiazin Elbegdorj received Sheikh Hasina on her arrival at the summit venue.

Hasina also noted that all the development initiatives need to be based on core values and principles like solidarity, friendship, mutual trust, and equitable sharing of benefits.

Today new growth hubs and nodes are emerging across ASEM landscape, she said adding that long-known business patterns and industries are giving way to new ones.

‘Principles like ‘sustainability’ and ‘responsible business conduct’ increasingly shape manufacturing and service across our economies. Regional and global supply chains deepen our regional cooperative engagements,’ Hasina told her audience.

Pointing to the advancement in multimodal connectivity among the countries in Asia-Pacific region, she said in South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) and Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar - Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) are worth noting.

The Prime Minister, however, said to yield greater advantages and improvements in people’s living and livelihoods for connectivity they need to seriously explore greater resources, further capabilities, and newer partnerships.

Listing Bangladesh’s progress in e-services, Hasina said 4.5 million under-served citizens receive over 70 e-services from 5,300 Digital Centres across the country while around 43,000 government offices are connected under a single national e-portal.

The Prime Minister hoped that ASEM will be able to bring greater result orientation on connectivity, especially under ASEM Working Group on Connectivity.

Hasina also appreciated excellent arrangements and gracious hospitality given to her and Bangladesh delegation to Mongolia saying the historic city is a silent witness to inter-connections between the east and the west, the north and the south.