Day: June 2, 2022

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh(BGB) have seized smuggled goods, ammunition and drugs worth around Tk 132 crore through drives at different places of the country including in border areas in May.

Among the drugs seized by the BGB are– 12,13,171 Yaba pills, 7,898 Kgs of Crystal Meth(Ice), 1,885 kgs of heroin, 3,150 kgs of hemp, 22,067 bottles of Phensedyl, 12,588 bottles of foreign liquor, 3,960 cans of beer, 2,148 kgs of Marijuana, 2,80,639 packets of cigarettes and Bidi, 835 kgs of tobacco leaves, 51,137 injections, 5,696 bottles of Eascof syrup, 1,031 bottles of Mcadyl syrup, 6, 4,400 Sanagra tablets and 68, 963 other tablets, said a press release.

Besides, 14,585 kgs of gold, 35,274 kgs of silver, 71,959 cosmetics items, 18,786 imitation jewelleries, 9,526 Sarees, 1,800 pieces of other clothing items, 466 pieces of readymade garments items, 1,942 cubic feet of timber, 5,536 kgs of tea leaves, 49,600 kgs of coal, 111 kgs of fishing nets, a statue made of precious stone, five trucks and covered vans, four private cars and microbuses, seven pick up vans, 25 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and easy bikes and 84 motorcycles were among the seized goods.

BGB also seized 31 weapons, two magazines, 84 rounds of bullets and 116 kgs of explosives.

Besides, legal action has been taken against 227 smugglers, 163 Bangladeshi citizens, nine Indian citizens and one Afgan citizen for crossing the border illegally, said Public Relations Officer of BGB Headquarters Md Shariful Islam.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank on Thursday withdrew the fixed exchange rate of US dollar for banks allowing the market to decide the rate based on demand and supply.

The central bank on Thursday backtracked on its earlier decision after the remittance from expatriates marked a fall and exporters failed to convert their bills since the bank set a single exchange rate of a dollar at Tk89 on Sunday.

The BB informed banks the latest decision by giving some regulatory instructions. As a result, banks can set their (banks) own dollar price in line with the market demand.

The BB directive said that expatriate income (remittance) and import bill will be exchanged at a competitive market price of dollars. Besides, export income will be encashed at market price of dollar. Banks will sell dollars at a slightly higher price than they buy it.

Md Serajul Islam, executive director and spokesperson of BB told UNB that the central bank allowed banks to fix dollar pricing in consequence of market demand from Thursday.

Explaining why the decision was made, he said, “Banks have said that those who are sending remittances do not think the dollar rate is right. Therefore, banks will set the dollar rate depending on the competitive market.”

But the BB instructed banks they cannot make any abrupt raise in dollar price,” Serajul said.

At the same time banks were instructed to keep watch on the money exchange houses so that they cannot raise dollar prices at unusual levels.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, now in Stockholm on a three-day visit, has said that the plights of displaced coastal people due to sea-level rise may turn into a security issue if the current trend continues.

Momen and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde had a bilateral meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Stockholm+50 international meeting and sought Swedish assistance to enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to adapt to the adverse effects of the climate crisis.

Bangladesh and Sweden have agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation to combat climate change challenges through joint efforts.

He invited Sweden to build partnership with Bangladesh on further cooperation in climate adaptation, renewable energy, innovation, technology transfer and green growth.

The Swedish foreign minister applauded Bangladesh’s leadership role in global climate change discourses, especially as Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Chair under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Momen said they have just passed on the presidency of CVF, an alliance of 55 climate vulnerable nations- to Ghana. “However, we will continue to promote the interests of the vulnerable nations as part of the TROIKA of CVF.”

He also requested Sweden to enhance and diversify its climate cooperation with Bangladesh through GCF, Adaptation Fund (AF), and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF).

Momen also stressed on the need of additional financing mechanism for loss and damage.

The two ministers underlined the importance of global cooperation for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and agreed to work together to that end.

While emphasizing on the importance of trade and investment for a strengthened bilateral relation, Momen urged Sweden to further diversify its exports beyond the traditional items and invest in the 100 Economic Zones that the government of Bangladesh has established.

He sought Sweden’s proactive role in both bilateral and multilateral contexts in promoting the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homes in Myanmar at the earliest.

Stockholm+50 international environmental meeting being held from June 1-3 under the theme “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity.”

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A fire broke out at a garment factory in Kaliakoir of Gazipur district Thursday noon.

The fire started in a godown of the garment factory of Nur Group at Chandra at noon, said Hamid Mia, deputy director of Gazipur Fire Service.

Four firefighting units are trying to bring the blaze under control, he added.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) is offering International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Co-brand Prepaid Card with SSBCL Group in association with Visa.

The ISIC cards will come in three variants, especially designed to cater to students, youth and full-time teachers and professors.

An agreement to this effect was signed between EBL and SSBCL Group recently at the EBL’s head office in the capital, said a press release.

These cards have been endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1968 to help nurture cross-cultural understanding and international exchange.

The cardholders will get access to exclusive discounts on travel opportunities, allowing them to discover and interact with new countries, cultures and languages at reduced rates.

These cards have been endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1968 to help nurture cross-cultural understanding and international exchange.

The cardholders will get access to exclusive discounts on travel opportunities, allowing them to discover and interact with new countries, cultures and languages at reduced rates.

EBL Deputy Managing Director and Head of Retail and SME Banking M Khorshed Anowar, Visa Bangladesh Country Director Soumya Basu and SSBCL Group Managing Director Sumon Talukder along with senior officials from respective organisations were present.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that an artificial crisis of rice and different food grains has been created to make a quick buck by raising their prices.

“The problem with the present government is that they want to make profits from everything, even from essential food items, illegally,” he said.

Talking to reporters in front of a hospital in the city, he said the famine Bangladesh faced in 1974 was caused by misrule and corruption, not by the food crisis.

“In the same way, they are now unjustly raising the prices after stockpiling the food grains that people need much. They are raising the prices in the market by creating an artificial crisis,” the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul went to Health Aid Diagnostic and Hospital in the city’ Basabo area to visit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal senior vice-president Rashed Iqbal Khan, organising secretary Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya and Dhaka City north unit leader Shahabuddin Shihab, who were seriously injured in attacks by Bangladesh Chhatra League on May 24 on Dhaka University campus.

He voiced concern that the prices of wheat, flour, milk and bread have gone up alongside rice.

“What will our poor people do? Most of the rickshaw pullers eat a banana and bread from the footpath shops. The price of that bread has doubled. The price of rice has gone up by Tk 10 to 15 per kg,” the BNP leader said.

He said the government itself is playing the biggest role in raising the prices of essential and food items. “Their evil tricks are behind it, but people are going through immense sufferings.”

Fakhrul said Awami League government wants to hang onto to power by resorting to terrorism, not with the love of people. “This is their basic character. Not just this time, they have been trying to establish their politics in the country through terrorism since their inception.”

He alleged that the ruling party is now trying to cling to power by holding the next polls under it, terrorising and intimidating people. ”People of Bangladesh won’t give them a chance this time to make it happen.

The BNP leader said Awami League must step down from power and the election has to be conducted by a neutral election commission under a neutral government.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said tariffs on power and gas will be adjusted in such way that would not create any burden on people.

“I don’t know how much the prices will go up in the adjustment as the energy regulator will set the prices. But definitely it will not be a big burden on people,” he said.

The state minister was addressing a “Citizen Meeting” organised by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at the National Press Club on Thursday.

The CAB organised the function, with its president Dr Ghulam Rahman in chair to unveil a book titled: “Bangladesh Energy Transformation Policy 2022 (proposed). The event was also addressed by economist Dr MM Akash, architect Mobassher Hossain, energy experts Dr Badrul Imam and Dr M Shamsul Alam.

The CAB placed an alternative proposal against the power and energy ministry’s move for raising power and gas prices saying if the government provides a subsidy of Tk 2,400 crore for the gas sector and Tk 5,089 for the power sector, it would not need to raise the prices.

The alternative proposal includes enhancing local gas production and shutting down costly rental, quick rental and inefficient power plants and checking the misuse of power and energy.

Defending the government’s decision on LNG import, Nasrul Hamid said that there is no alternative to import gas from abroad as the demand for energy is increasing day by day.

“New industries are coming into production. There 800 applications from industries to provide gas connections are now pending,” he said adding that if the LNG is not imported, many industries will face closure.

The government’s priority is to provide gas to industries as those provide thousands of jobs, he noted.

Dr Badrul Imam said the government has to import gas of 150 million cubic feet per day. But this gas could easily be extracted from the local gas fields through a workover process.

He suggested the government for bringing gas from Bhola to the country’s gas network through a pipeline.

Mobassher Hossain said it’s not clear why the government failed to explore gas after many years of winning in the maritime boundaries with neighboring India and Myanmar while the two countries are extracting their gas.

Ghulam Rahman said the government has a tendency to increase its dependency on gas import instead of exploring gas locally.

He said the people are immensely suffering for excessive hike in prices of essentials. “If the gas and power prices are raised now it will trigger the peoples’ anger,” he added.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

With the advancement of technologies the reputed Smartphone manufacturing brands are competing with each other to provide modern features in phones at lower price ranges. Every month diverse phones are entering the market ranging from budget to flagship level. June won’t be an exception. Here are some of the most hyped coming soon Smartphones in Bangladesh in June of 2022. Stay with us to know which phones are worth getting excited for.

Top Coming Soon Phones in Bangladesh in June 2022

IQOO Neo 6

IQOO, a subsidiary of Vivo, launched its latest offering, the Neo 6 back on April 13. The release was exclusively for China at that time with a scheduled global release happening on 31st May.

The international variant will be shipping with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and a massive 12 GB of RAM. With its 64 MP camera, FHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED display, and 80 W fast charging, there is a lot to get excited about this new device. The device is priced at 2799 CNY which translated to around 36,804 BDT (1 CNY = 13.5 BDT).

Oppo Reno 8

The self-certified camera specialists are back with their Reno series once again. This time the Reno 8. The device was officially announced in China on 23rd May 2022 with a scheduled global release on 1st June 2022.

The Reno 8 boasts a few cutting-edge specs like the Dimensity 1300 chip from MediaTek. It also comes with 12 GB RAM and FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate. On the camera front, the device will be sporting a 50 MP main shooter with an additional 32 MP selfie lens.

The price of the Reno 8 will be 2584 CNY which translates to 33,977 BDT (1 CNY = 13.5 BDT).

OnePlus Nord 2T

OnePlus is not new to the mid-range market. The company has been consistently producing reliable and performance-based mid-range devices under its Nord banner. The phone has been officially released on 19th May 2022 in India.

The Nord 2T brings impressive features like an FHD+ AMOLED display with HDR 10+ support. The company has consistently featured MediaTek in their mid-range devices and the Nord 2T is no different. Users will be getting the Dimensity 1300 processor on the 2T. The device also boasts an impressive triple camera setup with the main lens being a Sony 50 MP one.

The price of the Nord 2T is 389 USD which in Bangladeshi currency comes to about 34,644 BDT (1 USD = 89.03 BDT).

Poco F4 GT

Poco was first launched as a Xiaomi subsidiary back in 2018. Over the last 5 years, the company introduces several lineups which have been incredibly successful.

The company’s latest flagship, the Poco F4 GT was first announced back on 15th April 2022. However, due to different supply chain constraints, the device did not make it to the international market. The device is expected to be launched in India officially sometime in June.

As a proper flagship, the Poco F4 GT brings a lot to the table. The device will be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor with RAM options going up to 12 GB. The triple camera setup will feature a 64 MP Sony IMX as its main sensor. The device will also sport some handy gaming features which will alleviate the overall gaming experience.

The price of the Poco F4 GT is expected to be 628 USD or 55,929 BDT (1 USD = 89.03 BDT).

realme GT Neo 3T

The name of the device is a mouthful but the China-based subsidiary of BBK electronics is here with another upper mid-range device this year. As part of their Q2 launch schedule, the company will be unveiling the Realme GT Neo 3T on June 7th in China.

Most of the specs of the device have already been confirmed including the latest E4 AMOLED panel sporting FHD+ resolution. Other specs include Snapdragon 870 5G along with an 8GB or 12 GB RAM option. The device will also sport a 64 MP camera which is another bonus at this price point.

The launch price of the realme GT Neo 3T is expected to be around 29,999 Rs which roughly rounds up to 34,460 BDT. (1 INR = 1.15 BDT).

Vivo X Note

The Vivo X Note will be the proprietary mid-year flagship from Vivo. The device has already been announced with an expected release date falling in the last week of June 2022.

The device will feature a large 7-inch E5 2K AMOLED display which will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Adreno 700 series as the GPU.

On the camera front, the device is expected to boast a quad-camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor and a 16 MP front one. The device will bring a high fast charging speed as well.

The price of the Vivo X Note is 5,999 CNY or 79,903 BDT (1 CNY = 13.5 BDT).

Final Words

The smartphone markets are now exciting as ever and companies are bringing breakthrough techs with each iteration. Traditionally, companies keep their latest and greatest for a Q3 or Q4 release. The mid-year Q2 releases are almost exclusively on the mid-range end. The month of June will also be similarly positioned with a few notable flagships in the mix. So far, we have discussed some of the best upcoming phones in June 2022 in Bangladesh. Hope you will find the perfect Smartphone you are waiting for.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Man held with gold bar at Sylhet airport

A Bangladeshi national was detained with a gold bar weighing 1.16 kg at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport on Thursday morning, Customs officials said.

The detainee has been identified as Mainul Islam Shakil, a resident of Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet.

A Bangladeshi national was detained with a gold bar weighing 1.16 kg at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport on Thursday morning, Customs officials said.

The detainee has been identified as Mainul Islam Shakil, a resident of Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed on Thursday said that Malaysia will start taking workers from Bangladesh this month.

He was speaking at a press briefing after a Joint Working Group meeting with Malaysian representatives at the ministry’s office in the capital’s Eskaton.

Malaysian Human Resource Minister M Saravanan and some other officials represented their country at the meeting.

Replying to a question Imran said Malaysia will select both the workers and the recruiting agencies according to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries.

“There are a total of 1,520 licensed recruiting agencies in Bangladesh. According to the MoU it’s the right of Malaysia to choose recruiting agencies of their liking”, he said.

Imran added that Malaysia will continue to work towards ensuring zero migration costs. There are some expenses like passport fees and medical costs that have to be borne by the workers themselves.

“Malaysia will cover much of the costs including plane fares”, he said.

The minister also said that earlier, the cost for a single worker for going to Malaysia used to be Tk 1,60,000. This year, the amount will be much less.

“Malaysia will take stern actions if any recruiting agency breaches the rules while sending workers to the Southeast Asian nation”, added Imran.

According to him Malaysia will take a total of five lakh workers in the next five years from Bangladesh.

Secretary of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Ahmed Munirus Salehin informed that Malaysia plans to take at least two lakh workers from Bangladesh this year.

“Malaysia is interested to take security guards and domestic workers from Bangladesh in the future. Their salaries will be RM 1,500 per month per worker. Malaysia will also ensure their accommodation free of cost”, said Munirus.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation has taken initiative to set up a modern and combined steel mill with latest technology in order to make the rod prices stable.

It was disclosed at the 11th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries Ministry on Thursday.

The meeting was held at the Parliament Bhaban with its chairman Amir Hossain Amu in chair, said a press release.

In the meeting, the committee was informed that the move for the establishment of the standard factory came as part of modernizing Dhaka Steel Works Limited.

The parliamentary watchdog recommended raising the prices of sugarcanes with a view to promote farmers amid the price-hike of essentials in the market.

The committee will visit Savar tannery industrial estate and Ghorashal Industrial zone within the next two or one months. So, the Industries Ministry was asked to take necessary steps for the two visits.

Besides, transformation of the office of Chief Inspector of Boilers into the Directorate of Boiler Engineering, implementation of the government’s decision about procuring cars for government officers, the progress in implementation of projects under the Industries Ministry and the sugar industry, among others, came up for discussion in the meeting.

Committee members Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Abu Reza Mohammad Nezam Uddin Nadwi, Mohammad Shahiduzzaman, Kazim Uddin Ahmed and Parveen Haque Sikder attended the meeting.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Thursday sat with the Kalyan Party, one of the components of the 20-party alliance, as part of its political parley aimed at launching a united anti-government movement.

An 11-member delegation of the Kalyan Party, led by its chairman Sayed Mohammad Ibrahim had talks with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP standing committee member and 20-party coordinator, was also present.

After nearly one and half hours of talks, Sayed Ibrahim said both parties agreed that removing the current ‘autocratic’ government is now a top priority in politics.

“We also think waging a movement together with other parties is necessary to implement it,” he said.

He said they told BNP that their party is ready to initiate a simultaneous movement with other parties if it is not possible to activate the 20-party alliance for any reason.

“We also said that we are ready to cooperate with BNP in activating the 20-party alliance or incorporating more parties into the alliance,” the Kalyan Party chief also said.

Fakhrul said they reached an agreement with Kalyan Party on waging an effective movement against this government to force it to resign and hand over power to a non-partisan government.

He said they will initiate the movement also to force the government to dissolve the parliament with an aim to hold a credible and inclusive election to be conducted by a new impartial election commission.

On May 24, BNP formally began a dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya.

Three days later, the party also sat with Labour Party, another component of the 20-party.

BNP also had talks with Ganosanghati Andolon on May 31 and Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party on June 1 and agreed to wage a simultaneous anti-government movement.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A delegation of BGMEA headed by President Faruque Hassan met with Dominik Schnichels, Director General of the Trade Department at the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Change, in Germany on Thursday.

The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Md. Saiful Islam, Commercial Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin, included BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hosna Ara and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud.

They had discussions about various issues related to Bangladesh’s RMG industry including the current situation, opportunities and strategies to face challenges and move forward.

The issue of LDC graduation, its implications on the economy of Bangladesh and preparedness to continue journey forward in the post-LDC era was also discussed in the meeting, according to BGMEA.

They also talked about the future priorities of the industry to retain its export competitiveness in the global market in the post-LDC era.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan also apprised Dominik Schnichels of the RMG industry’s paradigm shift in the area of workplace safety and impressive strides in environmental sustainability.

He also briefed him about how the apparel industry of Bangladesh showed remarkable resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic and turned around from the fallout.

The BGMEA President extended sincere thanks to the German government for the cooperation and support extended to Bangladesh during the difficult time of the pandemic.

He expressed hope that German government’s friendly support for the betterment of Bangladesh RMG industry will continue in the coming days.

Source: United News of Bangladesh