Month: December 2022

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Bangladesh’s apparel sees highest growth in EU during January-August

The European Union’s (EU) apparel imports from Bangladesh saw the highest growth among all the top exporter countries during January-August this year, Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, said.

 

During the first eight months of 2022, the EU imported clothing worth $67.18 billion from around the world, including $15.37 billion from Bangladesh.

 

Read more: BGMEA wants increased police vigilance to stop RMG goods theft during transportation

 

Bangladesh remained the second largest apparel import source for Europe with a 22.89 percent share of the EU’s total apparel import.

 

The EU’s apparel import from Bangladesh increased by 45.26 percent during the first eight months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

 

China, the top apparel import source for the EU, had 28.06 percent share, registering 26.59 percent year-on-year growth. The EU’s apparel imports from the country reached $18.85 billion in January-August this year.

 

“While China had the larger share of the EU’s total apparel import, Bangladesh saw better export growth than it,” Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said.

 

Turkey, the third largest source for the EU, posted 20.38 percent growth during the same period. The EU’s imports from the country grew by 16.97 percent.

 

Also, the EU imported apparel worth $3.56 billion from India. The EU’s imports from the country grew by 28.85 percent compared to the previous year.

 

Other top countries having high growth were Cambodia 42.21 percent, Pakistan 31.34 percent, and Indonesia 35.41 percent.

 

Read more: Initiatives taken to establish fair price shops for RMG workers

 

“Bangladesh’s apparel has always done well in the European market. So far the import figure of the EU indicates a good position for Bangladesh’s apparel in the market. Numbers from January to August indicate that the EU’s imports from Bangladesh will maintain a positive trend till September,” Rubel said.

 

“However, it may slow down afterwards as retail sales are already affected by geopolitical tension, global economic turmoil and buyers being cautious about overstock and current production.”

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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French federation files complaint over disallowed goal

The French soccer federation is filing a complaint with FIFA over Antoine Griezmann’s disallowed goal at the end of a 1-0 loss to Tunisia at the World Cup on Wednesday.

 

Griezmann drilled in a low shot in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time at Education City Stadium. Referee Matthew Conger ruled out the equalizer following a video review.

 

The FFF’s statement overnight Thursday said the goal was “unfairly refused” but did not elaborate, amid reports it focused on the fact Conger restarted the match then blew the final whistle — after which he consulted VAR and ruled out Griezmann’s goal.

 

Read: Messi fans from Asia cheer on Argentina

 

Griezmann was in an offside position when a cross came over but then retreated and appeared to be played back into an onside position following a Tunisia defender’s deflection when he shot into the bottom left corner.

 

The FFF said that it had 24 hours from the end of the match to file an official complaint with governing body FIFA.

 

No further details were given.

 

It was France’s first World Cup defeat since 2014, when it lost 1-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals.

 

Read: Brazil coach sends message of support to Pelé

 

Defending champion France finished atop Group D on goal difference from Australia and will face Poland in the last 16 on Sunday.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Wales investors are keen to do business in Bangladesh

Visiting Executive Chair of Chambers Wales and leader of the delegation Paul Slevin said on Thursday that Bangladesh has recently done a tremendous prospect in infrastructure sector.

 

“Now it is time for action and execution as we are serious about business. UK investors are keen to do partnerships here in Bangladesh with their state-of-the-art, intellect, knowledge and skills to help Bangladesh for its journey towards being a developed nation,” he said.

 

He made the remark during a business networking meeting between Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a 10-member business delegation from Chambers Wales at DCCI Auditorium.

 

He admired the preeminent role of the Bangladeshi private sector in building the economy.

 

Read more: Bangladesh seeks ease of visa process, investment from Guatemala

 

Slevin also said UK investors are already here and they are more eager to do business in Bangladesh, and they are being engaged with various new ventures already.

 

Welcoming the business delegation from Chambers Wales of UK, DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said Bangladesh and the UK maintain a friendly diplomatic tie and bilateral relation since ages.

 

“UK is the third largest export destination of Bangladesh and we kept maintaining positive trade balance with the UK. Bilateral trade reached approximately $4.11 billion in FY21, when Bangladesh exported around $3.75 billion.

 

Read more: ADB to invest $2 billion over next 3 years in Bangladesh’s education sector

 

DCCI Senior Vice President Arman Haque, and Directors Sameer Sattar, Malik Talha Ismail Bari were also present at the meeting.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Messi fans from Asia cheer on Argentina

On their way to Argentina’s decisive game against Poland, Mohit Daga and Aayush Verma approached the stadium carrying a massive painting of their heroes Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona with the World Cup trophy.

 

Daga had spent 17 days painting it. It weighed 5 kilos. An offering. Anything for Messi, whom he described as a “God.”

 

“He is the epitome of everything. He is the source of inspiration and happiness,” said Daga, who is from Kolkata, India. “He brings happiness to our life.”

 

Argentina is finding a legion of passionate superfans from India, Bangladesh and other Asian countries at the World Cup in Qatar.

 

Thousands have traveled to the Gulf nation specifically to see Messi and his team with their own eyes, while many others are among migrant workers that make up about 90% of the emirate’s population of 3 million.

 

Other Argentina fans cheered from afar. In Indonesia, social media showed hundreds of people celebrating Argentina’s team’s 2-0 win over Poland after watching the game on large screens. They paraded on motorbikes waving flags after Argentina secured progress to the knockout stages. A newsreader wore an Argentina shirt during a broadcast.

 

Read: Messi, Lewandowski to square off as Argentina face Poland

 

Smitha Issac, originally from India, now living in Qatar, was attending the game with her family, including two sons who were “too excited” to see Messi.

 

“He is something like Messiah,” Isaac said. “We are expecting that he will just make something like magic today.”

 

Outside Stadium 974 shortly before kickoff on Wednesday, Argentina fans were still scrambling for any spare tickets to see the game. Demand far outstripped supply for the 44,000-capacity stadium.

 

Mohammed Haque from Bangladesh, now living in Australia, was one of the lucky ticket holders. He waved a large Argentina flag as he walked toward the flood-lit stadium made of shipping containers, approaching it like a holy shrine.

 

“It’s unbelievable,” Haque said of seeing Messi for the first time. “I’ve actually been preparing for the last two or three weeks for this. I had a sleepless night last night.”

 

Argentina has had a big following in Bangladesh since the days of Maradona, one of the greatest to play the game, and an icon to fans around the world.

 

Read: Special record that Messi can break if he plays in FIFA World Cup 2022 final

 

“Diego Maradona, he was exceptional. And from then I just loved this country and especially the soccer every time,” Haque said. “Then later, (Gabriel) Batistuta, (Hernan) Crespo, every Argentine player, and now Messi is the legend.”

 

Bangladesh, India and Pakistan — where cricket is king — have never played a World Cup. So when the tournament comes along, many soccer fans typically root for Argentina or Brazil, soccer powerhouses admired for their attacking style of play and a long line of international stars, including Messi, Maradona and Pele.

 

Fans who had traveled from Argentina to support their team in Qatar were delighted with the support from non-Argentines.

 

“We love to see other countries showing their love for Messi and Maradona,” said Mauricio Neraj from Mendoza, Argentina. He posed for pictures next to the Messi and Maradona painting by Daga outside the stadium.

 

Some of the South Asian fans in Qatar said they were deeply hurt by speculation on social media and in some Western media before the tournament that they were hired actors, paid by Qatar to fill the stadiums. The World Cup organizing committee rejected the reports as false.

 

“It is coming from the bottom of our hearts. It is not coming from any outside forcing or anything like that,” said Binoy John, and Indian worker in Qatar who has been an Argentina fan since childhood when he saw Maradona lead Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup. “All the fans are true fans. There is nothing like fake fans out here.”

 

Read: Messi played vs Mexico in front of 88,966 spectators, largest turnout in World Cup in 28 years

 

Argentina has a following among Arab soccer fans, too. Messi-devotion brought Ahmed Qassim Nasher from Yemen to see his favorite player as Argentina advanced.

 

“Football is a festival, joy, celebrations. It connects people from different nationalities, different languages, and different ethnicities,” Nasher said. “You will find Arabs and non-Arabs coming to cheer for Messi. It’s common sense that he will have the best audience and fans, because he is the best player throughout history.”

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Hajj service expansion begins at AIBL

A 15-day service expansion of Hajj and Umrah started on Thursday at Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited (AIBL).

 

Managing Director and CEO of the bank Farman R. Chowdhury inaugurated the service campaign as chief guest at AIBL Tower on Thursday, said a press release.

 

Deputy Managing Director Md. Shafiqur Rahman presided over the occasion. Additional Managing Director S M Jaffar, Deputy Managing Directors Shabbir Ahmed and Md. Mahmudur Rahman also spoke at the function.

 

Deputy Managing Directors Muhammed Nadim, Abed Ahmed Khan, Md.Abdullah Al Mamun, Md. Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury, Senior Executive Vice President Mujibul Quader, Engr. Md. Habib Ullah, Senior Vice President Jalal Ahmed and other senior officials of the bank were present on the occasion.

 

The campaign will continue until December 15 in all branches of the bank to make Hajj and Umrah services more flexible.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Patuakhali HSC examinee stabbed in front of test centre

A Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinee was stabbed by some unidentified people in front of his exam centre in Patuakhali Thursday.

 

Md Faisal Akon, 18, is from Hajikhali village in Madarbunia union of Patuakhali Sadar upazila and a student of Patuakhali Government College. He is taking this year’s HSC examination from the Science group.

 

The incident took place in front of the Abdul Karim Mridha College exam centre in Patuakhali municipality around 12:45pm and Faisal was taken to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital with serious injuries.

 

Read: Rohingya leader shot, stabbed to death in Cox’s Bazar

 

Faisal said he went to the test centre to sit for his Biology Second Paper exam. “When I came out after the exam, five to six people forcibly took me from the gate of the centre and started beating me up as I tried to scream. At one point they stabbed me with a knife.”

 

Although the 18-year-old said he managed to flee the scene to the college principal’s room, he could not tell the reason behind the attack.

 

Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Patuakhali Sadar Police Station, said: “Police visited the spot. No one has filed a complaint over the incident. We will take action if anyone files a complaint.”

 

Read: Chandpur teen stabbed to death after argument over World Cup match

 

Acting principal of Patuakhali Abdul Karim Mridha College ANM Saifuddin said: “Foysal’s hands were badly wounded in the attack that happened outside the college. He ran to my room to take shelter and was bleeding profusely.”

 

“Foysal has an exam on Sunday. We will make an alternative arrangement, as per the rules, if he cannot write with his hands,” Gazi Jafar Iqbal, secretary of the Teachers’ Association of Patuakhali Government College, said. “Also, the college will take action against the attackers.”

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Croatia march to Round of 16 after 0-0 draw with Belgium

Croatia qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar on the back of their draw against Belgium. In a game where Belgium needed to win in order to qualify, they hit the post through striker and top scorer Romelu Lukaku, who also missed a sitter in the dying embers of the match.

 

Croatia needed just a point to progress, and they managed it through their determined defensive display.

 

Read More: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Morocco top Group F with win over Canada

 

Key Performances

 

Josko Gvardiol: A brilliant defensive performance from the RB Leipzig defender helped his side to a clean sheet, which ensured their qualification.

 

Borna Sosa: His crosses into the box created numerous chances for the Red and White stripes as he was a constant threat from the left back position.

 

Jeremy Doku: The shining light in a cloudy Belgian attacking display. The Rennes man managed to play his heart out, but it wasn’t enough.

 

Read More: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Day 12: Germany, Belgium facing group-stage elimination

 

Aftermath

 

Belgium have been knocked out of the World Cup, finishing third behind Croatia and Morocco with 4 points. Croatia managed to finish second behind Morocco with 5 points after drawing with Belgium, qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Qatar World Cup.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Li Jiming pays farewell call on Raushon

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming Thursday paid a farewell call on opposition leader in parliament Raushon Ershad in the capital.

 

The envoy paid the visit at a city hotel around 11am, Golam Masih, political secretary to the Jatiya Party leader, said.

 

During the meeting, Li and Raushon discussed issues of bilateral interests.

 

Raushon hoped that China would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh in the future.

 

Read: Shahriar bids farewell to Li Jiming

 

Rangpur-3 MP Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad was also present at the meeting.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

 

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Rights landscape sees advent of ‘ghost’ cases, alarming rise in custodial deaths

The number of ‘ghost’ cases (gayebi in Bangla), arrests of political leaders and activists and the use of the police force for political ends continues unabated in the country, according to a human rights monitoring report.

 

The term ‘ghost’ cases was coined by opposition activists to describe a category of false case filed against someone who is not even present at the scene of the crime, hence gayebi or ‘ghost’.

 

Contrary to an impression that grew in the wake of the US government’s sanctions against paramilitary force RAB as an entity and seven present or former personnel last December, the report by the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (Human Rights Culture Foundation, or MSF) finds extrajudicial killings in what are claimed to be ‘gunfights’ have not stopped, while deaths, torture and harassment in police custody or prison have increased significantly.

 

Meanwhile the incidence of violence against women and children, including rape, declined in November, but still remains at alarming levels.

 

Read more: BNP at IGP’s door; Seeks remedy for ‘fictitious’ cases

 

MSF, which was founded by renowned human rights activist Sultana Kamal as an entity committed to protect and promote human rights across the country, revealed the findings in its monthly human rights monitoring report for November this year.

 

MSF prepared the monthly report based on news published in various national dailies, besides reporting by its own sources, from November 1 to 30 this year.

 

According to the MSF report, the police and pro-Awami League men conducted various activities centering the divisional rallies of opposition party BNP in order to prevent the leaders, workers and supporters of the opposition parties from going to the meeting place.

 

Especially, the public transport workers and owners’ leaders used the transport sector for political interests, preventing road and waterway communication to the rally venues in the name of strikes.

 

The law enforcement agencies and the government party workers’ obstruction of opposition leaders, supporters and activists’ who were going to join the rally from different places were gross violations of civil and political rights, the MSF said in its report.

 

According to data collected by MSF from media reports, 40 ‘ghost’ cases were filed centring the BNP’s Rajshahi divisional rally in November month alone, with over 10,000 accused.

 

A BNP delegation led by the party’s Vice-Chairman Barkatullah Bulu met IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) this week, where Bulu told reporters after the meeting: “Members of police and Awami League men are exploding crude bombs but cases are being filed against BNP men. They are being arrested in ‘ghost’ cases.”

 

During November, 59 incidents of political violence occurred, as recorded by MSF. A total of seven people were killed in political violence, including one Chhatra Dal leader killed in police firing. Apart from this, a total of 527 people were victims of violence, out of which 10 people are under treatment in hospitals with serious gunshot wounds, 517 people are injured.

 

There were five incidents of extrajudicial killings claimed to be ‘gunfights’ in November. One youth and one woman were killed in two incidents of alleged firing, while one Rohingya woman and three (3) others were shot and seriously injured in two other separate incidents.

 

Read more: HC turns down plea seeking panel to probe ‘fictitious’ cases

 

According to the MSF report, three people died while attempting to escape the custody of law enforcement agencies, of whom one died by jumping into water while trying to escape arrest, one died after falling from a roof while trying to escape and one person died after hitting a tree while trying to escape.

 

Besides, eight people including one woman died in prison custody, which is denoted as ‘very alarming’ by MSF. The number of such deaths was three in the previous month of October.

 

Due to inadequate treatment facilities in jail, most of the sick prisoners were taken to the Medical College Hospital outside the jail and declared dead by the doctor on duty.

 

MSF believes that inmates inside prisons are living inhumane lives with mental and physical problems. As a result, in addition to improving the medical system, MSF urged the authorities to properly investigate each death in custody.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Morocco top Group F with win over Canada

Morocco qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup through their win against Canada, finishing top of their Group ahead of Croatia and Belgium.

 

In a match that was evenly contested by both sides, Morocco took a 2-0 lead in the first half through goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En Nesyri.

 

However, an own goal from center back Nayef Aguerd brought Canada back into the game, and the score was 2-1 at halftime.

 

Read More: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Croatia march to Round of 16 after 0-0 draw with Belgium

 

No more goals would be scored in the second half as Morocco secured their position as Group F champions, while Canada finished bottom of the group.

 

Key Performances

 

Hakim Ziyech: The Chelsea man opened the scoring for Morocco in the fourth minute, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

 

Youssef En Nesyri: An all-around dominant performance from the Moroccan striker was more than enough for the African side’s win against Canada.

 

Achraf Hakimi: The PSG flying fullback flew for the second goal for Morocco as he assisted Youssef En Nesyri brilliantly.

 

Read More: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Day 12: Germany, Belgium facing group-stage elimination

 

Aftermath

 

Morocco have finished on 7 points, ahead of second-placed Croatia. Belgium have finished third and will be going out at the group stage. Canada’s World Cup 2022 campaign ended with a defeat against Morocco.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Commuters asked to avoid airport road for BRT work till Saturday midnight

Commuters who need to go towards Mohakhali using Airport road from Airport Station have been asked to avoid the road from 8:00 pm on Thursday to 12:00 am on Saturday night for ongoing road development work of the BRT project.

 

BRT has issued the special traffic guidelines in this regard due to its ongoing road development works of the BRT project aimed at permanently smoothing the traffic flow.

 

A notification signed by A.S.M. Elias Shah, project director of the BRT, said that the road development work will continue in two lanes out of four lanes towards Mohakhali from in front of the Airport railway station.

 

Read more: Traffic alert: Outbound passengers urged to start early for Dhaka airport

 

It said there is possibility of creating severe traffic jam on the road during the work.

 

People have been requested not to use the road section except for essential travel during the time mentioned in the notification. Everyone’s sympathy and cooperation has also been sought in this regard.

 

Bus rapid transit is an improved modern bus transit system providing rapid, affordable and comfortable commuting, which operates in dedicated lanes to provide better passenger services.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh

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Bomb attack: 8 cleared of charges in 2003 death of Khulna policemen

A Khulna court on Thursday cleared eight accused of charges in the 2003 death of two policemen in a bomb attack.

 

Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court Judge Mahmuda Khatun gave the order during a hearing.

 

The acquitted are Abdur Rashi Malitha Tapan, Milan, Kamal, Biplab, Sheikh Sahadat Hossain Raju, Asaduzzaman Tipu, Ekram Hossain, and Rafiqul Islam Milton, lawyer KM Iqbal Hossain, who represented the state, said.

 

Read: HC summons 3 Khulna lawyers to face contempt charges

 

According to the case complaint, on March 3, 2003, policemen Shariful, Ramesh Chandra, Nizam Uddin and Maniruzzaman were on duty at the Power House intersection of Khulna city.

 

Around 7:50pm some unidentified people hurled a bomb at them which blew off Maniruzzaman’s legs completely and left Shariful and Ramesh severely injured.

 

Later, Shariful and Ramesh were declared dead after being rushed to the hospital.

 

Sonadanga Police Station Sub-Inspector Ashraful Islam filed two cases under the Explosive Substances Act 1908 against unnamed people.

 

Read: Police press chargesheet within 24 hrs of murder case in Manikganj

 

On September 4, 2004, police submitted a charge sheet to the court against nine people.

 

Of the accused, Riazul Islam Masud died; of the acquitted, Raju was in jail. Milton, Tipu, and Milan were out on bail; Ekram, Kamal, Biplab and Malitha remained absconding.

 

Source: United News of Bangladesh