"It is necessary to sign and implement bilateral and regional trade and investment agreements so that Bangladeshi products can have access to duty-free benefits in the export market:" President said.

On Tuesday, President Mohammed Shahabuddin called on MPs to combat corruption head-on while also overhauling the financial industry.

"Global economic uncertainty is rising as a result of geopolitical unrest. In this sense, we will be impacted if there is a global economic catastrophe," he said.

He was speaking at the freshly elected 12th Parliament's first session.

Earlier, he used the authority granted to him by Article 72 (1) of the Constitution to call the first meeting of the legislature for 2024.

The cabinet gave their approval to the president's address.

The national election on January 7 resulted in the formation of the current parliament.

He emphasized how important it is to get ready for the impending world disaster.

According to him, the agricultural sector's production structure needs to be maintained, with a focus on producing high-value crops.

To increase productivity, the president also urged the application of cutting-edge agricultural technologies.

He added that the agriculture processing and storage sectors ought to grow.

"It is necessary to sign and implement bilateral and regional trade and investment agreements so that Bangladeshi products can have access to duty-free benefits in the export market," he said.

He also pointed out strengthening deep sea gas and oil exploration activities in order to ensure energy security.

 "New labour markets should be explored so that skilled labour can be exported  in addition to create skilled human resources," President Shahabuddin said.

Concerning the election, he said a group tried to obstruct the peaceful course of democracy by creating violence and conflict. Their anti-democratic and violent activities temporarily left people in a state of anxiety, but the spirit of democracy did not deter voters from voting.

"All the measures adopted by the government and the Election Commission have been beneficial due to the spontaneity and active participation of the mass people," he said .

He also said the parties abstaining from election participation carried out their political programmes without any hindrance.

He hoped that the political parties of the country will shun violence and anarchy and carry out constructive programmes in non-violent ways for the establishment of constitutional rights and the welfare of the people and democracy.

"It is expected that the government will also play appropriate role in this regard," he said.

AL won 223 seats, JP 11, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and Bangladesh Kalyan Party one apiece, and independent candidates 62 seats out of the 299 seats that were up for election. Up to 58 independent contenders are affiliated with the governing party.

The president swore in the newly elected speaker and deputy speaker of the House at the start of the session.

Following a meeting where the AL Parliamentary Party nominated them for these positions, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Shamsul Haque Tuku are remaining in their positions as Speaker and Deputy Leader of the House, respectively.

At the parliament's president's box were first lady Rebeka Sultana and the president's relevant secretaries.

End//voice7news.tv