Dhaka, Apr 15, (V7N) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is set to launch the Fifth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP-5) starting July 1, marking a significant step in the country's educational advancement. During a parliamentary question and answer session on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister detailed the five-year roadmap aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of primary education across the nation.

Alongside educational reforms, the Prime Minister unveiled a major digital healthcare initiative to provide 'e-health cards' to citizens within the next six months. He informed the Parliament that a dedicated project is currently awaiting final approval, which will initially target five specific districts—Khulna, Noakhali, Bogra, Sirajganj, and Narsingdi—to deliver streamlined medical services via these digital cards within a 180-day timeframe.

Addressing the challenges posed by geopolitical instability in the Middle East, the Prime Minister stated that the government is formulating a specific plan to explore alternative and new labor markets for Bangladeshi workers. He noted that active diplomatic efforts and administrative work are already underway to open and expand labor markets in Southeast Asian nations, specifically highlighting Malaysia and Thailand as key destinations.

On the subject of infrastructure and environmental management, the Prime Minister emphasized that while river management is a resource-intensive and costly endeavor, the government is prioritizing the digging and restoration of canals as a more cost-effective alternative. He also mentioned that a national tourism master plan has been developed to boost the potential of the Kuakata region, focusing on specific upazilas to transform the area into a major international tourist hub.

The Prime Minister further highlighted advancements in the ICT sector, announcing the formation of a high-level committee to oversee the effective management of hi-tech parks, software parks, and ICT centers. This committee is also tasked with taking the necessary initiatives to finally launch PayPal operations in Bangladesh, a long-awaited move intended to facilitate smoother international transactions for the country's growing freelance and tech communities.

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