Month: December 2021

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Rangs, Paperfly ink deal to deliver goods within 48 hrs

Rangs Industries Limited has partnered with Paperfly for nationwide high speed doorstep product delivery within 24-48 hours.

Rangs Industries Executive Director Quazi Ashiq ur Rahman and Paperfly’s co-founder & chief marketing officer Rahath Ahmed signed an agreement recently.

Rangs Executive Director Quazi Ashiq ur Rahman said, “We are producing the international-standard products with well-equipped research and development facilities. The strong network of Paperfly will help to reach the products to the doorsteps of customers.”

“Paperfly is well-known for high-speed doorstep pickup and doorstep delivery of any size of products within 24 to 48 hours all over Bangladesh with the strength of 216 delivery points across the country,” he said.

Rangs Industries corporate affairs head Fahim Adnan Khan, RANCON Electronics head of distribution Mir Mohammad Shamsul Alam, distribution manager Shajedur Rahman and assistant manager Tushar Mahmud Mamun, and from Paperfly, head of Cargo & Courier Ahsan Shameem, assistant manager Ahsan Ahmed (Courier & Cargo), were, among others, present at the signing ceremony.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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’Bongokonnar Tantprem’ premiered to promote local fabrics, heritage

HerNet TV, the first television channel in Asia on women’s wellbeing and welfare, recently premiered a fashion film on Bangladesh’s handloom and apparel.

The film “Bongokonnar Tantprem” presents local fabric to the world and shows how it is perceived and promoted by leading women and designers of the country.

Fifty iconic women participated in the film wearing dresses designed by 25 talented local fashion designers.

HerNet Magazine was also launched at the event.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni attended the film screening and magazine launching programme as chief guest in the capital.

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam and State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Md Murad Hassan were also present.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan joined the event as the guest of honour.

Faruque said the documentary would play a role in making Bangladesh’s tradition well known in the country and the international arena by showcasing local clothes and costumes.

“It would also help create more export opportunities for Bangladeshi garments by linking our rich culture and heritage with fashion,” he added.

BGMEA Director Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee and Giant Group Director Sharmeen Hassan Tithi were present at the programme and honoured as two of the 50 notable women.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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KOICA celebrates 25 years of its presence in Bangladesh

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has celebrated 25 years of its operations in Bangladesh recalling how KOICA’s projects helped the country grow and establish the pillars of Digital Bangladesh.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun, Country Director, KOICA Bangladesh Office Young-Ah Doh, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky and Representative of the World Food Programme Richard Ragan spoke at the function held on Tuesday night in a city hotel.

The occasion showcased KOICA’s successful projects and milestones in its 25 years of journey in priority sectors of ICT governance, health and education aligned with KOICA’s three programs, namely, Enhance Efficiency of Public Service by establishing Digital Public System, Enhance Public health by providing Quality of Health and Medical Service and Develop Skillful Human Resource for Sustainable Development.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister Palak recalled KOICA’s projects in the ICT sector since its operation which helped Bangladesh to establish the pillars of Digital Bangladesh.

Ambassador Lee emphasized on how the Korean government recognizes Bangladesh as an important partner and endeavors to increase exchanges between the two countries.

Shahriar Kader congratulated KOICA for its achievements over the 25 years and hoped that it would exceed the previous history of mutual development assistance.

Richard Ragan thanked KOICA for contributing to build resilience and achieve zero hunger in Bangladesh since 2013.

KOICA’s Country Director said as Bangladesh’s development has entered a new era and opening up new measures, it means even deeper bilateral collaborations between Korea and Bangladesh.

She emphasized the organization’s achievements have been possible because of Korea and Bangladesh’s joint endeavors adding how KOICA completed 44 development bilateral and multilateral projects, 566 World Friends Korea (WFK) volunteers dispatched and about 3,000 government officials sent to Korea.

The celebration came to an end by cultural performances by Sharkari Shishu Paribar Tejgaon (Girls) and Institute of Paediatric Neurodisorder, BSMMU, KOICA’s long-standing partners focusing on girl students to be better positioned in the society and enhancement of NDDs for Children in Bangladesh.

KOICA said it commits to contribute towards SDGs achievement aligned with the national development plan of the Government of Bangladesh.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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FAO launches training for nutrition master trainers

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has launched a training programme for master trainers of Agriculture Ministry for building sector-wide pool of expert nutrition trainers.

The programme that emphasises capacity development of government officials through training of trainers (ToT) fits the broader agenda of the National Food and Nutrition Security Framework and the related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 for Bangladesh.

FAO experts stressed that the main output is to have trained Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN), Ministry of Agriculture officials across the country through this ToT workshop to support the government to spur nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific actions and further their successful implementation.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Deal signed to set up Bangladesh’s first-ever waste-to-energy project

An agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Chinese firm China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to develop the country’s first ever waste-based power plant in Dhaka.

The power plant will generate 42.5 MW of electricity from the garbage in the capital city.

Welcoming the deal, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister M Tajul Islam has said a new era will begin in Dhaka city’s garbage management with the implementation of the project.

Under the agreement, Dhaka city will supply 3,000 mts of solid waste to the project daily while CMEC will set up an incineration plant to generate 42.5 MW power and BPDB will purchase the electricity from the plant at US21.78 Cents, equivalent to Tk 18.295, per kilowatt hour (each unit) over the period of 25 year.

A number of associated agreements were signed between the parties to implement the projects under which the DNCC will also provide 30 acres of land to set up the incineration and power plant at Aminbazar in the city while the CMEC will complete the construction of the project and start commercial operation within 24 months from the financial closing.

The Chinese firm will complete the financial closing of the project within nine months of the contract’s effective date.

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) will build required power transmission lines to evacuate electricity from the project.

The agreement was signed at a function at Sonargaon Hotel in the city while State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam, and Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke.

Tajul Islam said the project was undertaken in line with Bangladesh’s commitment to the COP26 conference to reduce the carbon emission.

Nasrul Hamid said similar projects will also be taken in all other City Corporation areas across the country.

Mayor Atiqul Islam said the DNCC and the DSCC have been working together to introduce electric vehicles in the city as part of the government’s commitment to green energy.

“No fuel-fired vehicles will be allowed in Dhaka city to run in near future,”he added.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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I’ve no mechanism to gather money-laundering info: Finance Minister

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said he does not have any mechanism to glean information about money laundering.

“I don’t have any mechanism of my own. I’ve received some information from newspapers. I believe the Bangladesh Bank has been working on it,” he told reporters while briefing them on the outcomes of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday.

The Finance Minister, however, said there are some other government bodies responsible to collect information and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We’re taking legal action against them and they’re being punished as per law.”

Mustafa Kamal said he has a plan to brief journalists soon about how many people have been brought under the law and tried and what kind of improvement made in this regard.

“I’ll inform you about the steps I’ve taken and how many people have been tried,” he said.

Responding to another question, the finance minister said he supports the state minister for power and energy statement that petroleum prices need to be adjusted downward if and when the international market gets stable.

“Now the market is flexible, the prices of fuels are fluctuating frequently’, he said.

No idea who’re siphoning off money

On November 27, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said he has no idea who are actually siphoning off money from the country and asked the opposition MPs to provide him with a list of money launderers.

“I don’t siphon off money. I believe you (MPs) also don’t. How will I be able to know of those who’re siphoning off money if you don’t provide me with a list!” he said.

During the passage of Bankers’ Book Evidence Bill 2021, the minister came under fire by the opposition MPs for his “failure” to stop money laundering.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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23 noted citizens urge govt to let Khaleda go abroad for treatment

Twenty-three noted citizens on Wednesday urged the government to allow ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go aboard for advanced medical treatment.

In a statement, they also said if the government demonstrates a humane attitude towards Khaleda it will help create a better political culture in the country.

“As per media reports, Khaleda Zia’s condition is now critical. She has long been suffering from various critical diseases while her condition has gradually deteriorated further after being infected with Coronavirus,” the statement reads.

It said the BNP chief’s family has already requested the government to allow Khaleda to go abroad for her treatment. “We urge the government to consider this request cordially and give Khaleda Zia a scope to go aboard for treatment immediately.”

Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Prof Kamal Ahmed, Prof Swapan Adnan, photographer Shahidul Alam, Prof Parveen Hasan, Prof Asif Nazrul and Prof Shahnaz Huda, human rights activists Shirin Haque, Nur Khan Liton, Rehnuma Ahmed, Hana Shams Ahmed and women leader Farida Akhtar are among the signatories to the statement.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.

Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

On behalf of her family, Khaleda’s younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Katakhali mayor Abbas Ali detained in Dhaka

The mayor of Rajshahi’s Katakhali Municipality, Abbas Ali, was detained by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.

The detention comes days after he was booked under the Digital Security Act (DSA) over his alleged derogatory remarks on Bangabandhu and announcement to stop the construction of a mural of the Father of the Nation in the city.

A RAB team conducted a drive at Razmoni Ishakha hotel in Dhaka and detained Abbas in the morning, ASP Imran Khan, assistant director (legal and media wing) at RAB HQ told UNB.

UNB Rajshahi Correspondent reports:

Mayor Abbas, in his second term as mayor, came under fire after an audio clip of his remarks on Bangabandhu went viral on social media recently.

“The Katakhali city gate will be built soon but the private contractor has submitted a design of Bangabandhu’s mural to be installed at the gate,” Abbas was heard as saying in the clip.

“It will be a sin if I allow construction of Bangabandhu’s mural… it is not right as per the Islamic Shariah laws.”

Abdul Momin, councillor of ward no 13 of Katakhali Municipality, lodged a complaint against Abbas under the Digital Security Act (DSA) at the Boalia police station, following which an FIR (first information report) was filed on that day.

On Monday, police arrested Liton, the personal assistant of Abbas, and following his confessional statement, cops came to know about the whereabouts of Abbas.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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World Peace Conf kicks off Dec 4 to infuse momentum in peace diplomacy

President Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the “World Peace Conference-2021” on December 4 that will bring together global thinkers, political personalities and peace promoters.

The conference aims at infusing momentum in peace diplomacy and looking back on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision and political struggle for peace.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the closing ceremony of the two-day conference on December 5. Both the President and the Prime Minister will join the event virtually.

Bangladesh is hosting the World Peace Conference as a part of its celebrations of the Mujib Year, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.

The conference, to be held in a hybrid format, will also shed light on the legacy being carried forward by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her “untiring quest” of building a peaceful, just, rights-based, inclusive and prosperous nation.

“Bangladesh will get a special document through adoption of – Dhaka Peace Declaration – which will work as a reference for Bangladesh’s all peace and security-related global initiatives to be taken in the future,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said while briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present.

Dr Momen said Bangladesh did not invite any head of states or governments to the conference but invited peace activists, writers, poets, singers and civil societies from different countries to join the conference for promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.

Representatives from 50 countries will join the conference both virtually and in person. Around 59 participants from over 30 countries will join in person while around 40 guests will join virtually. Some of the guests will send video messages.

State Minister Alam said some invited guests converted their participation into virtual one due to new reality amid new Covid-19 variant though they initially planned to join in person.

The guests who were scheduled to come from South Africa will now join virtually.

On the occasion of 50 years of Independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh celebrates five decades of its peace-centric diplomacy aimed at promoting sustainable development, fundamental rights and freedoms, and social justice and inclusion.

The idea of holding the conference is to let the world feel that peace has to be cherished in multifarious ways perceiving that the invaluable contributions of the global pioneers are universal, and that peace will be sustainable only through social justice, equity and inclusiveness, the government said.

Prominent Speakers

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Goh Chok Tong, former Prime Minister of Singapore; Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Irina Bokova, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria; José Ramos-Horta, former President of East Timor; Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar, Chairman, World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation; Dr Francisco Rojas Aravena, Rector of University for Peace; Surichai Wun’Gaeo, Director of Center for Peace and Conflict Studies Chulalongkorn University; Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan’s Ambassador to United States & Sri Lanka; Dr Akiko Horiba, Program Director & Senior Program Officer, Asia Peace Initiative Department, Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Archie Law, Chair of Sydney Peace Foundation; Dr Irene Victoria Massimino, Human Rights Lawyer, professor and activist; Simone Neads, Managing Editor, The European Security Journal; Philip Ruddock AO, President, NSW Liberal Party; Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and David Wick, Executive Director, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission, among others, will join the two-day event.

During the conference, a number of panel discussions will be held which will be participated by the intellectuals, educationists, eminent personalities and people of high stature of the world who are dedicated to establishing peace in the world.

The conference will be concluded with “Dhaka Peace Declaration, 2021”.

It is expected that the conference will offer an opportunity to the people around the world to share the bright ideas of the distinguished discussants and be able to impart those ideas in their respective countries with a view to achieving a sustainable global peace.

Earlier, a 46-member committee was formed with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury as its chair and Saima Wazed Hossain as its member secretary to successfully host the World Peace Conference.

The in-person sessions of the conference will be held in Hotel InterContinental, Hotel Sonargaon and Foreign Service Academy.

The inaugural and closing ceremony will be held in InterContinental while panel discussion will be held at Foreign Service Academy.

Foreign Minister Dr Momen will host dinner in honor of the guests on December 3 while Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will host separate dinner for the guests on December 4. Both the events will be followed by cultural programmes.

The participating guests will visit a number of places of historical importance including Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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50 years of Independence: PM inaugurates FBCCI’s gala celebration

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the 16-day grand celebration programme, arranged by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), marking the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence.

She opened the grand event at Amphitheatre adjacent to Hatirjheel, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening.

In collaboration with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the country’s apex business body arranged the celebration titled “50 Years of Independence-Grand Celebration of Red and Green (the two colours of the National Flag).”

PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam also spoke at the function presided over by FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin.

During the 16-day celebration, there would be fireworks, different cultural events, presentation of regional folk songs and Nazrul and Rabindra songs by noted singers, performances by distinguished dancers and programmes for women and children.

The celebration will start at the Amphitheatre after 7:00pm every day till December 16, which is open to the public.

The FBCCI has chosen the time to celebrate the 50 years of Independence as Bangladeshi forces won victory over Pakistani occupation forces in the month of December.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Govt is a barrier to Khaleda’s treatment abroad, not law

BNP on Wednesday alleged that the Awami League government, not the law, is a barrier to sending its chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment.

“We all know Khaleda Zia is seriously ill. She’s now fighting for life in a hospital. Why doesn’t the government let her go abroad? They talk about the law!” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a protest rally.

As per the law, he said, the government can send the BNP chief abroad anytime if it wants. “The barrier is not the law, but the current illegitimate government.”

The BNP leader said the government wants to stun Khaleda, gag her voice and remove her from politics as she is a pro-democratic leader.

Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office demanding the BNP chairperson’s treatment abroad.

As part of their prescheduled programme, around two hundred leaders and activists of Mohila Dal gathered in front of BNP’s central office to take out a ‘silent procession’ at 10am amid huge presence of law enforcers.

As law enforcers did not allow them to bring out the procession, Mohila Dal staged a demonstration and a brief rally there.

Enamul Haque Mithu, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Deputy Police Commissioner, told reporters that Mohila Dal was not allowed to bring out the procession as it did not take prior permission. “We’ve taken this measure to ensure public safety, maintain law and order and keep traffic normal. “Even though, they (Mohila Dal) staged a rally in front of their party office.”

Speaking at the programme, Fakhrul urged the Mohila Dal to unite and organise women to restore democracy and people’s rights through a movement.

“Mothers and sisters have to be awakened going from home to home. The government is depriving people of their right to vote, the right to speak and all other fundamental rights,” he observed.

The BNP leader alleged that the government wants to establish a one-party governing system under a different cover by destroying the achievements of the Liberation War.

He urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready for carrying out a tough struggle to restore democracy and force the government to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment.

Fakhrul hoped that Mohila Dal would move forward braving all barriers and play a pivotal role in the movement for ensuring the BNP chief’s treatment abroad.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.

Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

On behalf of her family, Khaleda’s younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Plane hits cows: Four Ansar guards suspended at Cox’s Bazar Airport

Authorities formed a four-member probe committee and suspended four Ansar guards on Wednesday, a day after a Biman Bangladesh flight struck and killed two cows grazing at Cox’s Bazar airport.

Cox’s Bazar Airport Manager Golam Mortuza confirmed this on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the Biman flight BG 434 was taking off from the airport on way to Dhaka. The plane with 94 passengers and crew members landed at Dhaka airport safely at 7.05 pm, airport sources said.

The collision happened at 17 Delta Post of the runway, the authorities said.

It was not clear how the cows got into the runway.

Source: United News of Bangladesh