No attempt made from Bangladesh to be a member of BRICS right now: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said no attempt was made from Bangladesh to become right now a member of BRICS as it was more interested in joining the bloc's New Development Bank.

“We didn’t have any such thought that we would get the membership right now or we would obtain the membership going there for the first time (on the first attempt). We neither made any such attempt nor told anyone (for it),” she said.

The premier said this while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban on the outcome of her recent visit to South Africa and her participation in the 15th BRICS Summit there.

BRICS, is a grouping of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. However, the BRICS leaders in the recent summit in South Africa expanded the grouping with a decision to include six more countries as members. They are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Noting that she had meetings with all the heads of BRICS states and governments during her visit to South Africa, Hasina said, “We didn’t go to tell anyone to make us a member (of BRICS) right now.”

The PM said she knew that questions would arise in this regard particularly from the opposition parties that Bangladesh failed to obtain the membership despite making attempts.

“It is not right that Bangladesh wants something, but will not get it. We’ve at least raised our dignity on the international stage. So, we’ve this scope,” she said, replying to a question from reporters over BRICS membership.

She said the BRICS President told her that they would add more countries as its members in phases.  When the membership would be given next time, if Bangladesh wants it could apply for it , she added.

“So, we’ll think of it at that time. We told the President when we get the scope, we’ll become a member,” she said.

The prime minister said her government’s goal was to join the New Development Bank and joined it as there is a flexibility over the dealing of currencies.

“We’d a larger focus on it (bank). There is no binding that all dealings will be based on dollars. A larger flexibility is there. So, we’re more interested for it (joining the bank),” she said.

The PM attended the summit in Johannesburg on August 22-24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.