Day: December 15, 2021

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Rabab Fatima has said the vast and unexplored resource frontiers of the seabed have the potential to bring transformative changes in the lives and livelihoods of billions of people, including those of Bangladesh.

“As such, we need enhanced cooperation from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in the field of marine scientific research, capacity building and access to marine technology to reap the full benefit of seabed resources,” she said while speaking at the Assembly of the 26th Annual Session of ISA in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision to transform Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041, Ambassador Rabab Fatima stressed the need to ensure equitable share of the financial benefit of seabed resources from ISA and facilitate public-private sector investment of Bangladesh in this area to fast-pace our development journey.

The Permanent Representative underscored the importance of the protection of the marine environment while exploring minerals from the seabed.

On that note, she shared with the Assembly about Maritime Zones Law of Bangladesh enacted recently for the efficient utilisation, conservation, and protection of marine environment and its resources.

The Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the ISA. Its 26th annual session, which began on December 13, is scheduled to end on Wednesday.

Ambassador Fatima, also the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the ISA, attended the meeting at the invitation of its Secretary-General Michael W Lodge.

The meeting was attended by a significant number of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of the States Parties.

Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam, Secretary of the Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also serving as the current President of the Council of the ISA.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan is set to gain control over two directorships of the proposed Islamic Shariah-based People’s Bank.

Shakib and his mother Shirin Akhter’s names have been sent to Bangladesh Bank for NOCs to clear their way for bank directorship.

MA Kashem, chief sponsor of the proposed bank, confirmed the information on Wednesday. Similarly, the concerned officials of Bangladesh Bank also verified it is true.

However, the bank has not yet received the required banking license from Bangladesh Bank. Experts have for quite some time voiced a view that the number of banks in the country is too high, and rather than inducting new players, there is a need for consolidation in the sector.

Once finalized, People’s Bank will conduct Shariah-compliant banking activities.

To be a member of the bank’s board of directors as an entrepreneur, it needs to hold a minimum of 2% share. As such, Shakib will have to provide a minimum capital of Tk 10 crore for each post of director of People’s Bank.

It is learned that Shakib Al Hasan is providing more than Tk 25 crore for directorship of the bank. Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan secured licenses for a brokerage house and gold trading.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A four-member committee was formed on Wednesday to investigate the fire that killed five workers at a plastic factory at Santahar in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura district.

The committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate Salahuddin, has been asked to submit its report within seven working days.

The other members of the committee are—Adamdighi Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the representatives of the Department of Inspection for Factories and the Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defense.

Also on Wednesday the charred bodies of five workers, recovered from the factory, were handed over to the family members.

The fire occurred on Tuesday.

The deceased were identified as Siam, 13, Shahjahan, 24, Bijoy, 14, Belal Hossain, 43 and Abdul Khalek, 35 of the upazila.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has sought cooperation from the US-based tech giant Intel Corporation to develop cost effective healthcare services using the frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning.

The request was made to Intel Corporation Chairman Dr Omar Ishrak during a meeting with Palak at the mini conference room of the IDEA project of ICT Division on Monday.

Palak said the 18,000 community health clinics and 8,000 digital centres could play an effective role to implement any initiative in this regard.

Responding positively to Bangladesh proposal Dr Ishrak said that three things — collection of patients’ data, preparing a standard guideline and connecting people with the guideline–are very important to develop a cost effective healthcare services.

About using technology during Covid pandemic, Palak said “We have been able to keep functioning of all including the activities of office, courts, and business using IT during Covid-19 pandemic.”

Besides, some 7.5 crore people made registration using `Surokhha’, a platform developed by the ICT Division for conducting the vaccine management activities smoothly, the state minister added.

He also pointed out the benefits of implementation of Digital Bangladesh.

He said the digital economy has flourished in the country increasing ICT exports to $1.3 billion against exports of $26 million in 2008. “The government has now fixed the target of ICT export $5billion by 2025,” he added.

Palak said the people do not need to run for receiving services as the government has digitized 2000 services ensuring its easy access to the people.

ICT Senior Secretary N M Zeaul Alam, Director of National Data Center and LICT Project Director Tarique M Barkatullah, IT-ITES Policy Adviser of LICT Project Sami Ahmed, Country Director of Medtronic Bangladesh Farruk Alam, IDEA Project Director Md. Abdur Rakib were present at the meeting.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Speakers at discussion on Wednesday said Bangladesh needs to invest much more in diplomacy, continuing efforts to promote faster and strengthened regional economic cooperation in order to strengthen its position in the global arena and continue its progress further.

“We need to invest much more in reaching out to our ASEAN neighbours …and continuing our efforts to promote faster and strengthened regional economic cooperation, regional economic integration in South Asia,” said former ambassador Farooq Sobhan while addressing the Dhaka tribune panel discussion.

Dhaka Tribune in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy organised the discussion on “Bangladesh as Current and Future Regional and Global Player” at a city hotel.

Farooq Sobhan said Bangladesh needs to invest much more in its diplomacy particularly in the field of economic and public diplomacy. “We need to expand the number of embassies to strengthen our diplomatic services,” he said.

Noting that globalization and multilateralism are on the retreat, he said the second cold war has already begun. “That poses a challenge for Bangladesh as it has been a strong advocate and support for multilateralism and the UN and the UN systems,” he said.

Farooq Sobhan, also former foreign secretary, said Bangladesh has been a strong advocate for the regional cooperation and regional economic integration in Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, and linking South Asia to South East Asia.

Bangladesh had also played a critical role in the establishment of SAARC which is now in the doldrums. It was also an active player from the start of BIMSTEC and played a key role in the formation of BBIN, he said.

“At the moment, all these initiatives are suffering from the current global situations as rivalries and tensions have increased. And there is increasing pressure on small states including Bangladesh to take positions in favour of one grouping or other,” he said.

Farooq Sobhan said Bangladesh is now trying to extend its diplomacy into Africa and leverage successfully its peacekeeping operations. “We are trying very hard towards strengthening our relations with the ASEAN countries,” he said.

The former ambassador said Bangladesh needs to strengthen relations with various regional groupings and entities, in particular European Union.

Farooq Sobhan said there is a price to pay for the country’s graduation from the LDC and it is going to lose some market access benefits.

“In order to qualify GSP plus, we will need to address a number of issues including labour standards, human rights as well as enter into a number of international agreements,” he said.

Former ambassador Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said both China and India have converged on a number of areas. “Being players of today’s global politics, they know their soft power diplomacy connectivity and enhance economic and military cooperation with smaller countries in the neighbourhood especially Bangladesh can bring higher political and economic dividends,” he said.

He said Bangladesh must offer more, beginning with the fact that it would soon be graduating into a middle income nation, that it has a huge market and recorded consistent economic growth in recent times.

Mentioning that Bangladesh shares maritime and land boundaries with Myanmar and India, he said it is effectively the link in the chain that connects South and SouthEast Asia.

“But it also poses a challenge for Bangladesh to position itself in an evolving geopolitical scenario and try to preserve and protect its own national interests while maintaining healthy relationships with key friends in Asia and beyond. This is a challenge for a country like Bangladesh that must be ready to face and deal with it,” he said.

He said Bangladesh believes in the concept of using diplomacy as the first line of defence and for resolution of disputes. “It has been consistent in pursuing mutually beneficial bilateral, regional and trans-regional relationships. It has demonstrated its capacity and resolved to deal firmly with extremism and terrorism,” he said.

The former diplomat said Bangladesh has recognition as a responsible neigbour and regional player as it provided shelter to more than a million Myanmar refugees fleeing persecution at home.

Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Dr Fahmida Khatun hoped that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs will be able to withstand it after losing duty-free quota-free market access in the post-graduation period.

“Even after the graduation, they will continue to benefit from the preferential access because of their associations with trade agreements. So we have to make a full effort to become a member of such big trade blocs,” she said.

Noting that now trade blocs are not only trade blocs rather it is a comprehensive economic partnership, she said “It (trade bloc) is about investment, connectivity, services sector and intellectual property rights. So, we really need to prepare for that. We have to reform major regulatory measures and also improve our skills,” she added.

“Unless we improve our productivity, we can’t remain competitive and provide a higher salary to the workers and ensure decent work (during the post-graduation period),” she said.

Dr Fahmida said many countries could not make any progress in terms of GDP during the Covid-19 pandemic, but Bangladesh’s growth was 5.2 percent (according to the government’s estimation) in 2022 fiscal year which is exceptionally good. “Even if it is 3-4 percent, it is also very good performance,” she said.

She said Bangladesh is not only recipient of support, but also supporting other countries. Bangladesh provided US$ 150 million to Sri Lanka and now Maldives is asking for support.

She said the social development model that Bangladesh has achieved is an example across the world and Bangladesh’s climate adaptation model is also now replicated in many African countries. “Over the years, we have developed the model of adaptation also and local solutions,” she added.

Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen, AFP Bureau Chief Shafiqul Alam and Editor of Prothom Alo English Ayesha Kabir also spoke at the discussion moderated by Editor of Dhaka Tribune Zafar Sobhan.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The body of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Prof Selim Hossain was exhumed on Wednesday for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of his death, police said.

The body was exhumed around 9:30 pm in the presence of the Executive Magistrate Ahmed Sadat from Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia district.

Officer-in-charge of Khanjahan Ali Police Station Prabir Kumar Biswas, Shahriar Hasan, Quamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station and representatives of the health department were present there during the exhumation of the body.

Quamruzzaman Talukdar, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station, said the body of Prof. Selim was taken to Kushtia General Hospital and he will be buried again after an autopsy.

Earlier on December 5 an application was made to the Khulna deputy commissioner to exhume the body for autopsy. The DC on December 13 gave the go-ahead.

OC Prabir said a complaint was lodged at the police station on December 4 in connection with the death of the teacher.

On December 3, the university was declared closed till December 13 over the death of Prof Selim allegedly due to mental torture and harassment by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members.

Prof Selim, of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department, was also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall.

According to faculty members of the university, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League members led by Kuet BCL general secretary Sadman Nahyan Sejan allegedly confined the teacher to his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as the dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for December.

During this confinement, the teacher was allegedly subjected to abuses, humiliation and threat, his colleagues said.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

For the first time in 16 years, Germany has a government without the Christian Democratic Union. Negotiations among the Social Democratic Party (red), the Free Democratic Party (yellow) and the Greens have resulted in the “traffic light” coalition led by Olaf Scholz, who has been sworn in as Chancellor. Scholz has conceded the finance portfolio to the leader of the FDP, Christian Lindner, while the Greens have secured important ministries. For the first time, the foreign ministry is headed by a woman, Annalena Baerbock, who was the chancellor candidate of the Greens. Robert Habeck of the Greens heads a larger ministry including economy, energy and climate issues.

India must seek continuity and expansion of ties from the new government. While the SPD has been a part of earlier coalitions, the current generation of leaders of the Greens and the FDP have had little interaction with India.

The coalition document has emphasised the need to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Germany. Germany views India as an important partner for resolving global issues, including climate change, food security, energy and international peace and security. The Merkel initiative of establishing inter-government consultations, therefore, should continue. India also figures in the calculus of the coalition document by virtue of the fact that the coalition has decided to abide by the policy guidelines on the Indo-Pacific of 2020. Within the German Indo-Pacific guidelines, India is mentioned for the enhancement of engagement and fulfilment of objectives. India should now be an important node while discussing issues relating to international security. This is because Germany’s has an increased realisation of the importance of the Indo-Pacific.

Germany is keen to implement connectivity projects, through the European Union, to counter China. In this, the EU-India connectivity partnership announced at the EU-India leaders meeting in May 2021 is acknowledged. The coalition sees the conclusion of an India-EU BTIA as an important aspect that will help develop relations.

Chancellor Scholz met Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome when he accompanied Merkel. In my meetings with him, he came across as a person interested in India’s education and skill development policies. He speaks fluent English and is an amiable person.

The Greens may pursue a more potent green foreign policy and climate agenda. The foreign ministry will have three parliamentary state secretaries, and all of them Greens. There is much green content in the Indo-German engagement at present, including in the fields of solar power, transportation, smart cities, metros and the Namami Gange. What is required now is a bold, prudent action-oriented approach. However, if the German foreign ministry starts adopting an aggressive green role and determines its foreign policy engagement based on how German values and climate issues are seen by its counterparts, it may singe relations. India likes to determine its own pace in a responsible manner for the implementation of these ideas.

Baerbock recently called out China for being at variance with German values. The Chinese embassy in Berlin has cautioned against such a stance. Germany, if it pursues a values-led policy, will not be able to stop at China. India and Germany are due to hold the next intergovernmental consultations. This is a summit planned with senior ministers. The pace at which this is scheduled and prepared will indicate if the promise of the coalition document is bearing fruit.

India has expectations from the ministries of economy and energy as well as transportation. The high-speed railway project has been hanging fire for some time now. Germany can contribute to green railway infrastructure in a major way. Another area where Germany would focus attention is education.

India and Germany must realise the cooperative goals of the IP guidelines. These must involve businesses. German companies must be encouraged to use the liberalised PLI scheme to establish manufacturing hubs in India, which can export to ASEAN and Africa. The two nations may also initiate an Africa vaccine production facility. Germany has committed 250 million euro in loans to Africa for this. If implemented with India, as in the Quad initiative, such a facility can be established in the underserved East African region.

India and Germany must think afresh to engage more closely in areas of complementarity.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Tatiana Valovaya has said the heritage of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his vision for pursuing peace, justice, development, and cooperation still resonates with their common efforts to build a better world.

Valovaya made the remarks at an event organised by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva in collaboration with the UNOG to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and 100 years of multilateralism in Geneva.

Speaking as the chief guest on Tuesday, Valovaya referred to Bangabandhu’s historic speech in the United Nations General Assembly in 1974.

She said that the latter’s ideas to build a better future through the united and concerted effort of the people remain relevant in the context of present day’s need for a more inclusive and effective multilateralism. She acclaimed Bangabandhu’s Unfinished Memoirs as an inspiration for a peaceful world.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh M. Mustafizur Rahman highlighted the engagement, commitment and contribution of Bangladesh for promoting multilateralism.

He also underscored that Bangabandhu’s ideology and footsteps are inspiring and guiding the country to work for strengthening multilateralism for global peace and prosperity.

About the Unfinished Memoirs, Ambassador Rahman said that the book provides an opportunity to trace the evolution of Bangabandhu’s thought process for nation building from his own accounts.

The event was also addressed by the Permanent Representative of India in Geneva Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey and virtually by veteran freedom fighter Col. (Retd.) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, Bir Pratik from Bangladesh.

Ambassador Pandey reflected that there is much for everyone to learn from the exemplary life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, particularly, from the Unfinished Memoirs.

Col. (Retd.) Zahir observed that the book portrays Bangabandhu’s determination, courage and uncompromising spirit for the cause of freedom of Bangladesh.

At the end of the event, The Unfinished Memoirs translated in six UN languages was provided for the collection of the UN Library.

Ambassador Mustafizur Rahman handed over a sculpture to the Director General of UNOG on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh to mark the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The event was joined by Geneva based ambassadors, members of the Bangladesh community and mission’s officials.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Police arrested a man in connection with a case filed for violating a housewife in Sadar upazila, from Kahardanga village in Fakirhat upazila early Wednesday.

The arrestee was identified as Rubel Hawladar, 26, son of Zakir Hawladar of Badekarapara in Sadar upazila.

Tipped off, a joint team of Rab-6 and police conducted a drive in the area and arrested Rubel, said KM Azizul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

A 23-year-old woman was raped allegedly by a young man at Badekarapara village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila early Tuesday.

Police said Rubel Hawladar, 26, a youth from neighboring Polghat village, entered the woman’s house and raped her after threatening to kill her minor daughter in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rubel also looted cash Tk 47,000 and gold jewelries from the house, alleged the woman.

Superintendent of Police Mahmud Hasan of Bagerhat Sadar Circle said another youth Sajal was detained for his suspected involvement in the incident.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangabandhu’s grandson Sajeeb Wazed Joy came down heavily on Jamaat-e-Islami for its wartime brutalities and conspiracies geared towards strengthening the footing of Pakistan and wiping out the dream of freedom cherished by Bangladeshis.

In a Facebook post from his verified account on Wednesday, he mentioned multiple anti-liberation activities Jamaat engaged in.

“As the Liberation War was drawing towards the end, the victory of the Bengali nation seemed to be a foregone conclusion. When the world was vocal against the atrocities committed by Pakistanis and in favor of freedom sought by Bengalis, Pakistanis hatched one last conspiracy,” he added.

Joy said, “They took the initiative to take some Jamaat leaders to the UN council as the representatives of Bengalis. Their purpose was to resist the final victory of Bangladesh.”

“When freedom fighters shook the footing of the Pakistani junta in November of 1971, Jamaat spokesperson and Muslim League leader Shah Azizur Rahman resorted to the UN to speak in favor of the Pakistani junta and against Bengalis. They lashed out at the freedom fighters without reservation,” he wrote.

“Posing as a Bengali leader of Pakistan’s political party, Shah Aziz denied the mass killing conducted by the armed forces of Pakistan in Bangladesh. Later, Ziaur Rahman, after grabbing the state power, made this person the prime minister,” he added.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, heavily criticized former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for entrusting war criminals with the charge of ministries.

“Armed Al-Badr and Al-Shams, made by Niazi, assisted Pakistani soldiers on the warfield. They were led by Ghulam Azam, Shah Aziz, Nizami, Mojaheed, and other top leaders of Jamaat and Shibir. Long after the independence of Bangladesh, Khaleda offered the charge of ministries to these commanders of rapists and killers after forming the government,” Joy further said.

Condemning the conspiracies and strategic moves of Pakistanis during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, he said as the Liberation War was drawing towards the end, the victory of the Bengali nation seemed to be a foregone conclusion.

“When the world was vocal against the atrocities committed by Pakistanis and in favor of freedom sought by Bengalis, Pakistanis hatched one last conspiracy. They took the initiative to take some Jamaat leaders to the UN council as the representatives of Bengalis. Their purpose was to resist the final victory of Bangladesh.”

“The US security apparatus became active to implement the conspiracy of Pakistanis. That is why they formed a right-wing sphere with Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, Taheruddin Thakur, and Mahbub Alam Chashi. Their target was to resist the defeat of Pakistanis in the Liberation War and wipe out the dream of freedom of Bangladeshis and then form a confederation state with Pakistan. This secret plan was leaked and thus couldn’t be carried forward. But that didn’t stop Jamaat. They left no stone unturned to bury the desire of Bangladeshis for freedom,” he went on saying.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

President Abdul Hamid welcomed his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh upon the the latter’s arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Wednesday morning.

A special flight of national carrier Air India carrying the Indian President, the First Lady of India, their daughter, and his entourage landed at the Dhaka airport around 11.10 am.

President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom, the First Lady, welcomed the Indian President and his family with a flower bouquet at the VVIP lounge.

At the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid, the Indian President has come here to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh, the closing ceremony of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.

President Kovind was also given a guard of honour at the airport upon his arrival from Delhi. He also paid homage to the martyrs of the great Liberation War at the National Mausoleum in Savar.

On the same day at noon, he visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 and paid homage to the Father of the Nation.

In the evening, the Indian President will hold a delegation-level meeting with President Hamid at Bangabhaban. After that, the Indian President will attend a banquet to be hosted by President Hamid.

A cultural programme conducted by artistes of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will be presented before the official dinner in the honour of the Indian President.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also have a meeting with the Indian President on the same day at Bangabhaban, while Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also call on him.

Before going for the meeting, President Kovind will present a replica of T-55 tank and a MiG-29 fighter jet which was used during the Great Liberation War of Bangladesh, to President Hamid for display at Bangladesh National Museum.

On Victory Day, President Kovind will attend the two-day colourful programme on the theme ‘The Greatest Hero of the Glorious Victory’ organised by the National Implementation Committee for the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

President Hamid will join the programme as the chief guest while the Indian President will be present as the Guest of Honour at the programme of Bangladesh National Parliament.

Prime Minister and daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina will preside over the ceremony.

On the third day of his visit, on Friday, the Indian President will inaugurate and inspect the newly renovated section of the “Kali Mondir” at Ramna.

The Indian President will leave Dhaka for Delhi on Friday noon.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27 to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.

Minister of State for Education, two Members of Parliament, the Indian Foreign Secretary and other high-ranking officials are accompanying the Indian President.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Electronics and home appliances retailer Singer Bangladesh has come up with a 50 per cent discount on its special edition refrigerators to celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence.

The designs of the refrigerators are inspired by the 1971 Liberation War and the celebration of victory.

Chandana Samarasinghe, marketing director of Singer Bangladesh, said: “Singer Bangladesh is proud to be a part of the celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence.”

In March this year, Singer launched a year-long programme to mark and commemorate the 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence with special edition products and offers.

Source: United News of Bangladesh