Sri Lanka: $3bn IMF bailout for struggling economy

Sri Lanka has secured a $3bn (£2.4bn) bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as it faces its worst economic crisis since independence.

The deal has been nearly a year in the making and a lifeline for the country that has billions of dollars in loans.

Foreign minister Ali Sabry told the BBC the government will raise funds by restructuring state-owned enterprises and privatising the national airline.

However, analysts warned Sri Lanka still faces a tough road ahead.

The country's economy has been hit hard by the pandemic, rising energy prices, populist tax cuts and inflation of more than 50%.

Why is Sri Lanka in crisis?

The daily heartbreak of life in a country gone bankrupt

A shortage of medicines, fuel and other essentials also helped to push the cost of living to record highs, triggering nationwide protests which overthrew the ruling government in 2022.

As a result the country defaulted on its debts with international lenders last May for the first time in its history.

"We have lived beyond our means. Whether we like it or not, these difficult measures which may be very unpopular need to be taken," Mr Sabry said in an interview before the funding was announced.

"Luckily, most [people] other than politically-motivated unions have understood that. I know they are not happy, but they also understand we have no choice," Mr Sabry added.

Earlier this year the country introduced income taxes for professionals, ranging from 12.5% to more than 36%.

It also raised other taxes to pay for critical purchases, including fuel and food.

This is in stark contrast from the big tax cuts former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa introduced in 2019, which lost the government income of more than $1.4bn (£1.14bn) a year.

Can Sri Lanka trade its way back to prosperity?

Sri Lanka's children go hungry as food prices soar

Andrew Wood, analyst at the SandP Global Ratings agency, said: "Sri Lanka still faces a long road toward consolidation of its government balance sheet, consistent economic growth, and external stability.

"We expect the economy to contract again in 2023, albeit at a more modest pace, before returning to growth in 2024."

Earlier this month, the IMF said Sri Lanka had secured financing assurances from all its major creditors, including China and India, which paved the way for the bailout.

Mr Sabry said it was "a little premature" to discuss if China - Sri Lanka's biggest bilateral lender - would consider writing-off some of the country's debts.

"We have the will to pay, but we don't have the capacity to pay. What we are now trying to do is get that capacity back," he said.

"That's going to be a very difficult and serious discussion."

The Sri Lankan government had initially hoped to agree a new payment plan with China and India by the end of 2022.

Beijing's lending to Sri Lanka stands at around $7bn (£5.71bn) while India is owed around $1bn (£820m).

Source: BBC

Bangladesh cruise to final

Bangladesh cruised to the final of prestigious

Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi tournament beating Thailand by 45-26

points in the first semifinal held today (Monday) at Shaheed Noor Hossain

National Volleyball Stadium in the city's Paltan area.

The defending champions Bangladesh ranked number five in the world had a

cautious start against the ninth ranked Thailand. The scoreline of Bangladesh

2 Thailand 3 in the sixth minute showed the slow scoring rate.

Bangladesh leveled the scoreline for the first time in the 13th minute as the

score board showed 7-7 draw. Tuhin Tarafder ousted three Thai players in the

16th minute with a superb raid and it proved as the turning point of the

match. The host team inflicted the first Lona or allout with the super raid

of Tuhin and started firing all cylinders. The signal of the conclusion of

first half saw Bangladesh led by 17-11 points.

After the change of ends, Bangladesh concentrated upon keeping the lead

taking more points with raids rather than catching the Thai attackers.

However, right corner of Bangladesh Roman Hossain branded a super performance

in the dying minutes with his precise catching. Thailand raider Chayaphon

Kamunee troubled Bangladesh defence line and scored eight points but Thailand

was unable to break the superiority of Bangladesh.

Tuhin Tarafder, who was adjudged man of the match for his impressive

performance in the match, scored 11 points while Mizanur Rahman supported him

with 11 points in his team's account.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

India beat Nepal in SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship opener

Shilji Shahji slammed a brilliant hat-trick as

favorite India made winning start in the SAFF U-17 Women's Championship

beating defending champions Nepal by 4-1 goals held today (Monday) at

Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's

Kamalapur.

Apart from, Shilji Shahji's hat-trick with three goals, Pooja supported her

with a lone goal for India who led the first half by 3-1 goals.

Barsha Oli netted a lone goal for Nepal.

In the day's match, Shilji put India ahead early in the 10th minute and she

doubled the led scoring her second goal in the 40th minute of the match.

Pooja further widened India's margin scoring the third goal in the 41st

minute while after the breather Barsha Oli reduced the margin scoring a lone

goal for Nepal in the 54th minute of the match.

Shilji completed her hat-trick scoring her third and fourth goal for India in

the 81st minute of the match.

Nepal, however, tried heart and soul to stage a fight back in the match, but

they failed to convert any in the remaining proceeding.

India will play their next match against host Bangladesh on March 24 while

Nepal will meet Bhutan in their next match scheduled to be held on Wednesday

(March 22). Both the matches will be held at the same venue.

Five teams -- host Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Russia U-17 women's

national football teams-- are participating in the round robin league format.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

President, PM greet all ahead of Bangabandhu and Bangamata gold cup primary school football tournaments’ finals

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have congratulated all concerned ahead of the finals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 that will be held tomorrow.

In separate messages today, the President and the Prime Minister wished success of the two tournaments.

President M Abdul Hamid said he is very happy to know that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Communication is organizing the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 to enkindle young generations with the thinking and ideals of Bangabandhu and Bangamata for building 'Sonar Bangla'.

Physical, mental social and moral development of a child begin from his/her primary education and sports can play a vital role for the development of a child's healthy and morality, he said, adding that besides, sports create competitive attitude, mutual respect and responsibilities among the children.

He said Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournaments 2022 are playing a unique role to create budding booters in the country.

The events also would create scopes for young children of today to know about Bangabandhu and Bangamata and they will be groomed as worthy citizens, the president added.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "The two tournaments will instill into the primary school students the sense of patriotism, discipline, brotherhood, liberality and the quality of leadership."

Bangabandhu, the Greatest Bangalee of All Time, loved to play football as he was captain of Gopalganj Mission School Football Team, she said, adding that Bangabandhu was a regular football player of Dhaka Wonders Club.

After the independence, Bangabandhu took various measures for the development and modernization of the country's sports, she added.

The Premier said the Awami League government has given topmost priority to education and implemented various programmes for the development of education.

In 2013, the government nationalised 26,193 private primary schools and jobs of 105,616 teachers, she said, adding that status of headmasters has been promoted to second grade and salaries of assistant teachers have been brought under pay scale.

She said Awami League government has been able to take the sports at international level and side by side with the men, women have also been able to achieve remarkable successes in sports. Following these achievements, Bangladesh emerged champion in 'SAFF Women's Championship 2022'.

"I think that our tender-mind new generations will groom themselves being imbued with the great ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib and engage them in building the nation," the premier added

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

85 RAB members get medals for bravery and services

total of 85 RAB members received the RAB Director General Medal in recognition of their bravery and service on the occasion of 19th founding anniversary of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and RAB Memorial Day-2023.

The elite force also honoured for the first time one of its dogs for sniffing out three dead bodies from the debris of the Gulistan blast that left over 20 people dead, said a press release.

The dog,-'Cheetah' - managed by RAB official Sajib Mia - helped the crime busting force to locate and recover three dead bodies.

Thirty-five RAB members received special honor (bravery) and 50 members received special honor (service) awards.

RAB Director General (DG) Additional Inspector General of Police M Khurshid Hossain presented the medals to the members at RAB headquarters's Shaheed Memorial Lt. Col. Azad Memorial Hall in Uttara's Kurmitola.

Earlier, RAB DG paid tributes to the martyred RAB members and exchanged greetings with the family members of the martyred RAB members.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangabandhu, Bangamata Gold Cup finals tomorrow

Both the finals of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 will be held tomorrow at Bangladesh Army Stadium here.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to witness the two final matches and later she distributes the prizes.

In separate messages today, the President and the Prime Minister wished success of the two tournaments.

In his message, President M Abdul Hamid said he is very happy to know that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Communication is organizing the Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 to enkindle young generations with the thinking and ideals of Bangabandhu and Bangamata for building 'Sonar Bangla'.

He said Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournament 2022 and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Primary School Football Tournaments 2022 are playing a unique role to create budding booters in the country.

The events also will create scopes for young children of today to know about Bangabandhu and Bangamata and they will be groomed as worthy citizens, the President added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, "The two tournaments will instill into the primary school students the sense of patriotism, discipline, brotherhood, liberality and the quality of leadership."

Bangabandhu, the Greatest Bangalee of All Time, loved to play football as he was captain of Gopalganj Mission School Football Team, she said, adding that Bangabandhu was a regular football player of Dhaka Wonders Club.

After the independence, Bangabandhu took various measures for the development and modernization of the country's sports, she added.

The Premier said the Awami League government has given topmost priority to education and implemented various programmes for the development of education.

She said Awami League government has been able to take the sports at international level and side by side with the men, women have also been able to achieve remarkable successes in sports. Following these achievements, Bangladesh emerged champion in 'SAFF Women's Championship 2022'.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have also congratulated all concerned ahead of the finals of the two tournaments.

Nolma Govt. Primary School of Tangail district take on Bancharampur Model Govt. Primary School of Brahmanbaria district in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup final while Binodpur Collagepara Govt. Primary School of Rajbari district sadar upazila face Purbo Ponchopukur Govt. Primary School of Nilphamari district sadar upazila in the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup final.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain will present in the prize distribution ceremony as the special guest.

Primary and Mass Education Ministry's secretary Farid Ahmad will preside over the prize distribution ceremony.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Mushfiqur’s record ton powers Tigers to its ODI highest 349-6

Mushfiqur Rahim smashed a fastest ton by a

Bangladeshi batter as the Tigers racked up 349-6, its highest ever ODI total

in the second one-day International against Ireland at the Sylhet

International Cricket Stadium today.

They indeed took just 48 hours to break their previous record which was 338-8

against the same team in the first match.

But the day's highlight was the century of Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 100 not

out, clattering 14 fours and two sixes. He reached the century off just 60

balls in the last delivery of the innings, making him the fastest centurion

of Bangladesh. He eclipsed Shakib Al Hasan who owned it for the last 14

years, having completed his century off 63 balls against Zimbabwe in 2009.

The Tigers which won the first game by a record 183 runs, is eying to wrap up

the three-match series by winning this game.

Opener Liton Das made a fluent 71 ball-70, clobbering three fours and as many

sixes while Najmul Hossain Shanto struck three fours and two sixes for his 73

off 77. Towhid Hridoy who made 92 on his debut missed out consecutive second

50 plus score, being dismissed on 49.

Put into bat first in the overcast condition, Bangladesh made a watchful

start as they scored just five runs in the first four overs. Captain Tamim

Iqbal took the onus to pace the scoreboard and came after pacer Mark Adair,

hitting him a four.

Out-of-form Tamim looked confident to get back amongst runs but was trapped

run out by a direct hit of Adair from short fine leg as he scored 23. During

this knock, he became the first Bangladeshi batter to score 15000 runs in

three formats of the cricket.

Shanto, who joined Liton, could have gone for 6 had Harry Tector could have

hold on a chance at backward point off Curtis Campher bowling.

However, he made the life count, having shared 101 runs with Liton for the

second wicket stand. The partnership was instrumental in Bangladesh's another

record total.

Liton's innings was almost chanceless and a treat to watch as he took the

Irish bowlers in disdain. He reached his eighth 50, pulling debutant Matthew

Humphreys for a six over long-on off 54 balls.

As he looked set to pick up his sixth century, Campher brought an end to his

innings with back of length delivery that he flicked straight to Andy

McBrine.

Hume who claimed 4-60 in the last match, sparked a mini collapse, dismissing

Shakib Al Hasan (19) and Shanto then in his consecutive two overs to leave

Bangladesh at 190-4.

In came Mushfiqur and right from the start, he made his intention clear. He

sent the Irish bowlers at the receiving end, unleashing some powerful shots

around the wicket.

Towhid also showed the steely resolve which gave Mushfiqur more freedom to

express himself.

Mushfiqur who missed out his 50 in the last match by six runs, this time

completed half-century off 33 balls, slashing Mark Adair a six over deep

point.

As he milked runs at will, Adair got rid of Hridoy, ending 128-run

partnership between him and Mushfiqur.

But the partner's dismissal hardly made impact on Mushfiqur as he bludgeoned

the bowlers to reach his ninth hundred, clipping a delivery of Hume for

single at mid wicket in the last ball of the match.

Thanks to his sheer aggressive batting, Bangladesh scored 108 runs in the

last 10 overs.

Hume was the most successful bowler for Ireland one again with 3-58.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A look at cricketers’ individual record in record-galore day

As Bangladesh made another record of highest

total in one-day International cricket in their second match against Ireland,

some of the cricketers also reached individual milestone at Sylhet

International Cricket Stadium today.

Mushfiqur Rahim blasted a 60 ball-century in Bangladesh's 349-6, which is

their highest total now, going past 338-6, a score that they piled up just 48

hours ago in the first match against the same opponent at the same venue.

Mushfiqur's century came in the last ball of the innings when he clipped

Graham Hume deep mid-wicket for a single. He faced just 60 balls to reach the

magical figure and became the fastest centurion by a Bangladeshi batter,

eclipsing his long term colleague Shakib Al Hasan. The talismanic allrounder

Shakib took 63 balls when he reached his century against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo

in 2009. It means Shakib's record were intact for 14 years before Mushfiqur

finally overtook him.

Even though he became the fastest centurion by a Bangladeshi batter, in

overall fastest century list, his name came in 33rd. Overall the fastest

centurion of the world still is South African talisman AB de Villiers who

brought up his century off just 31 balls against West Indies at Johannesburg

in 2015.

During his century, Mushfiqur also reached 7000 runs landmark as only third

Bangladeshi batter after Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. His feat came in

229 innings of 243 matches as he needed 55 runs to touch the milestone before

this match. Tamim brought up his 7000 runs in 204 innings while Shakib needed

216 innings.

Liton Das became the ninth Bangladeshi batter but joint fastest to reach 2000

runs landmark. He reached the milestone in his 65 innings of 65 matches, the

same number of innings that also Shahriar Nafees took. He made 70 runs in the

match but touched the milestone during 55 runs. Overall South African great

Hashim Amla is the fastest one to reach the 2000-run milestone bringing it up

in 40 innings in 41 matches.

Meanwhile, Captain Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi batter to reach

15000 runs milestone in three formats of cricket during his 23 runs against

Ireland in the second ODI. He scored 5082 runs in Test cricket, 8169 in ODIs

and 1758 in T20 Internationals.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Farmers eying bumper Boro rice production in Rangpur region

The Farmers are expecting a bumper production of Boro rice as its plants are growing superbly amid favorable climatic conditions this season in the Rangpur agriculture region.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said, the farmers have already completed transplantation of Boro rice seedlings in all five districts of the region.

“Farmers are busy in taking care of the excellently growing tender Boro rice plants and we are expecting a bumper production of the crop in the region,” Additional Director of the DAE’s Rangpur region Agriculturist Md. Aftab Hossain said.

The government through the DAE has fixed a target of producing 22,30,219 tonnes of clean Boro rice (33,45,329 tonnes of paddy) from 5,07,050 hectares of land for all five districts in the region this season.

Meanwhile, enthusiastic farmers have finally transplanted Boro rice seedlings on over 5,06,525 hectares of land or 99.90 percent against the fixed farming target in the region.

The DAE with other related organizations, Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited and Rural Electrification Board (REB) are ensuring smooth supply of fertilizers and electricity to the farmers to ensure smooth Boro rice cultivation.

Being inspired by the DAE, farmers are adopting conservation agriculture (CA)-based technologies, including Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation methods, while farming Boro rice to save irrigation of water and increase of rice output at reduced costs.

Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur Agriculturist Md Obaidur Rahman Mandal said tender plants of Boro rice seedlings are growing fabulously in the mainland and low-lying and char and river areas.

Farmers have brought more low-lying char lands, beels and river areas under Boro rice farming this time to complete its harvest before the commencement of the next rainy season.

“Vast tracts of Boro crop fields have worn an eye-catching greenish look now,” he said, adding that a bumper Boro rice output is likely if the climatic conditions remain favorable onwards.

Talking to BSS, farmer Ariful Haque Batul of village Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar said tender plants of Boro rice on his seven acres of land are growing excellently predicting a bumper Boro rice output this season.

Similarly, farmers Eshaq Ali, Nur Mohammad, Mostafizur Rahman, Sohel Rana and Amenur Rahman of different villages in Rangpur Sadar upazila said they are expecting a bumper production of Boro rice this year.

Agriculturist Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, who got the Independent Medal 2018 (food security), lauded the government for extending necessary assistance to the farmers for making the Boro rice farming program a success in the region.

“Farmers should adopt the CA-based technologies like AWD irrigation method and use of balanced and organic fertilisers to get maximum Boro rice yield at reduced costs also saving underground water,” he added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

BNP takes path of conspiracy as it fears polls: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP becomes afraid of elections as the party knows about their popularity.

"That is why they are not on the path of elections rather it takes the path of conspiracy," he said while replying to reporters after addressing as the chief guest a seminar titled 'Road Safety Reporting' at Tathya Bhaban in the city's Kakrail area.

National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) organised the seminar.

Asked about BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comment that 'BNP will not step into the trap of elections', the minister said actually BNP has become afraid of elections.

"It is natural for BNP to become afraid. Because, the party under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia got only 29 seats among 300 in 2008 elections even after applying its highest strength. Later, winning a by-election, they crossed 30 seats," he said.

In 2014, BNP had boycotted elections and in 2018 elections, BNP joined elections after forging an alliance of many parties and 'hiring' Dr Kamal Hossain but got only seven seats including woman seat.

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said: "BNP knows about their popularity. They know how much success they can achieve in elections. That is why, they become afraid of elections and they took the path of conspiracy".

"We want BNP joins the polls after overcoming their fear," he said.

The minister said current government will act as polls-time government and elections will be held under the Elections Commission as like as that of other democratic countries.

"Ruling party Awami League will join the polls and we expect that all political parties including BNP will join it," he said.

Replying to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comment that "Awami League's peace rally sounds like peace committee of 1971", Hasan said Fakhrul's father was member of peace committee and he was pro-Pakistani.

After the independence, Mirza Fakhrul also went into concealment for many days and that is why the issue of peace committee comes into his mind to a great extent and nothing else, he said.

The AL joint general secretary said whenever BNP holds political programmes either they are locked into infighting or makes chaos with police.

"We along with the people are holding peace rallies to keep intact the country's peace and discipline," he said.

Earlier, addressing the seminar, the minister said a road accident doesn't only kills a person or makes him or her paralyzed rather it kills an entire family or makes paralyzed.

He underscored the need for taking up concerted efforts by transport owners, drivers, workers and law enforcement agencies and people to stop road accidents.

The minister urged the electronic media to air consciousness-raising advertisement to this end at their own initiative.

"Many talk-shows are held on politics. Talk-shows should be held on road safety and journalists should make objective reports on the issue," he said.

NIMC Director General Faizul Haque chaired the seminar while Additional Secretary Md Faruque Ahmed addressed it as the special guest and Road Safety Foundation Chairman Professor Dr Al Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Accident Research Institute's Professor Dr Mohammad Mahbub Alam Talukder, News Agency UNB’s Advisory Editor Farid Hossain, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Road Safety) Sheikh Mohammad Mahbub-e-Rabbani, Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Programme Manager Nabeel Tirmazi, NIMC Director Dr Md Maruf Nawaz and NIMC Deputy Director Mohammed Abu Sadique addressed the seminar.

A total of 20 journalists took part in the seminar which was arranged with the association of World Health Organisation (WHO) and AIBD.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Meeting held to keep essentials’ price stable during Ramadan

A view-exchange meeting was held at the

Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) board room here today to keep

prices of essential commodities stable during the holy month of Ramadan.

Leaders of the RCCI and different trade bodies and common traders of the city

attended the meeting and exchanged views on the issue with the Deputy

Commissioner of Rangpur.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Chitralekha Nazneen attended the meeting as the chief

guest with RCCI President Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu in the chair.

Rangpur Divisional Deputy Director of the Department of National Consumer

Rights Protection Md. Azharul Islam attended the event as a special guest.

Director of RCCI Md. Akbar Ali, edible oil trader Md. Azizul Islam Mukul,

pulses trader Alhaj Sadek Hossain Munna, General Secretary of District Ata

Mill Owners' Association and sugar trader Alhaj Moin Uddin, prominent

businessmen Md. Mostafizar Rahman, Gobind Saha, RCCI Director Md Riaz Shahid

Sobhan, President of Rangpur City Meat Traders Association Md Abdul Quader,

Rangpur City Fruit Traders' Association General Secretary Mohd Mahbubar

Rahman (Shipon), among others, addressed.

The business community leaders and traders said there is no possibility of

increase in prices of daily necessities in Rangpur if the demand and supply

conditions remain favorable.

They called upon the local administration to stop needless harassment of

businessmen, take effective measures to alleviate traffic congestion, stop

the operation of unnecessary mobile courts, occupation of sidewalks and

emergence of seasonal traders.

They specially sought full cooperation of the Deputy Commissioner to remove

the obstacles and take necessary steps to reduce price variation in wholesale

and retail markets.

The RCCI President put emphasis on cooperation of the administration,

business community leaders and common traders to ensure smooth supply of

essential commodities in a hassle-free manner to local markets to keep the

prices stable.

Common consumers should not be worried as supply and stock situations of

essential commodities are quite adequate and satisfactory to contain prices

of those during the Ramadan, he said.

The chief guest sought cooperation of traders in maintaining sanctity of

Ramadan by supplying pure and hygienic food stuffs and conducting businesses

with normal profits keeping prices of essential commodities normal during the

holy month.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh needs US$ 373 b in climate actions: Shahab Uddin

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said Bangladesh requires US$ 373 billion to implement its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in the next 27 years, with US$ 8.5 billion per year as new and additional finance.

"For the full implementation of the (Nationally determined contributions) NDC targets of Bangladesh, it needs US$ 143 billion from international support...we need to ensure easy and quick access to climate finance as well," he told the first Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Meeting held at Eigtveds Pakhus in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to a message received here.

Shahab Uddin said the developed countries must keep their commitments of mobilising US$ 100 billion annually from this year to support actions to tackle climate change in the most vulnerable countries with an equal balance between adaptation and mitigation.

The most vulnerable developing countries urgently require new, predictable, and adequate grant-based public financing for adaptation beyond voluntary donor assistance, he said.

The minister said the financial mechanism must be settled for the effective implementation of the NAP.

He urged the developed countries to double adaptation finance to support developing countries in their efforts to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change.

In line with the position of the LDC group, he said, Bangladesh expects a more proactive role from the developed countries to ensure the ambitious contribution of climate finance towards grant-based adaptation support to the most climate-vulnerable countries.

Shahab Uddin said Parties must reach consensus on several critical issues regarding the 'Mitigation Work Programme' to reduce global green house gas (GHG) emissions by 43 percent by 2030 aiming to keep 1.5 degree Celsius within reach.

The Mitigation Work Programme should facilitate creating enabling conditions for the effective implementation of mitigation actions in the most vulnerable developing countries through the mobilisation of adequate financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building, he said.

Earlier, the minister joined a view-exchange meeting with the Bangladeshi community held in Bangladesh Embassy in Denmark with AKM Shahidul Karim, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Denmark, in the chair.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha