Day: January 22, 2024

DHAKA, The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Imad N. Fakhoury as its regional director for South Asia. Based in New Delhi, Fakhoury will spearhead IFC's strategy and operations, while reinforcing relationships with the private sector, governments, and regional partners to boost impactful development outcomes in the region. "Fueling economic growth and job creation in South Asia is imperative to unlocking the region's potential and paving the path towards prosperity. Fakhoury's deep experience in enabling and scaling up private capital mobilization for sustainable infrastructure and climate transitions will be a huge asset for IFC," said Riccardo Puliti, IFC's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific. "I'm confident his leadership skills and expertise will help further amplify our work, spurring private sector development and contributing to resilient economic growth in the region," added Puliti. IFC's focus in South Asia centers on providing strategic investments and advisory interventions across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka to promote inclusive sustainable growth and encourage global and regional integration, among others, said a press release. Strengthening capital markets, increasing competitiveness, and closing the gender gap are also among IFC's priorities in the region. "Private sector investment is key to achieving South Asia's development goals amid persisting global crises. By offering innovative and scalable solutions, IFC will help accelerate the region's transition to a greener, more inclusive and resilient development model," said Fakhoury. "Our focus is on creating opportunities where they are needed most, sustaining jobs, supporting climate goals, improving inclusion for all by improving services for people, and strengthening digital and financial access across the region. IFC will also support the region to mainstream gender considerations and help remove obstacles to gender equity in South Asia," h e added. In FY23, IFC provided nearly $3.45 billion in long-term investments in South Asia, including $1.3 billion mobilized from other investors. Fakhoury joined the World Bank Group in 2019 as a Senior Adviser at IFC and moved into his previous role as Global Director for Infrastructure Finance, PPPs and Guarantees at the end of 2019. From 2010-2018, he held several ministerial positions in successive Jordanian governments as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Minister of Mega Projects, Minister of Public Sector Development, and Chief of Staff to the King of Jordan. One of the key architects of flagship PPP transactions in Jordan, he also served as a co-founder and chair/board member in several national strategic infrastructure PPP companies, public organizations, and councils. Fakhoury has a BSc in Biomedical Engineering and an MSc in Engineering Management from Case Western Reserve University. He also holds a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, an d an MBA from the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh Under-19 team made a giant stride toward the Super Sixes after securing a six-wicket win over Ireland in their second game of the Youth World Cup at Bloemfontein in South Africa today. With the victory, they hit back to winning way following an 84-run defeat to India in the first match. Put into bat first, Ireland posted a challenging 235-8, with Kian Hilton hammering 90 off 113 with 11 fours and one six. Bangladesh though made a fluent start, faced a hiccup midway through the innings, before racing to the victory in 46.5 overs with 239-4. Ahrar Amin and Shihab James put on 109 runs for the unbeaten fifth wicket stand to seal the deal after Bangladesh lost four wickets for 40 runs, raising a prospect of being upset. James was the top-scorer for the side with unbeaten 55 off 54, hitting five fours while Amin was not out on 45. Ashiqur Rahman Shibli and Adil Bin Siddik added 90-run for the opening stand to make the chase looking an easy work. However when Matthew Weldon removed Siddik f or 36, Bangladesh tasted a slump. Scott MacBeth who took 2-41 and John McNally (1-23) ripped through Bangladesh batting after the former dismissed Shibli for 44. MacBeth also got rid of Ariful for 12 while McNally got the better of Chowdhury M Rizwan for 21. But Amin and James eventually denied Irish fairytale at the end. While Hilton anchored Ireland innings with 90, opener Jordan Neil gave him the support with 31. Scott MacBeth who made 27, shared 81-run with Hilton to help the side post a decent total. Maruf Mridha and Sheikh Parvez Jibon claimed two wickets apiece for Bangladesh. Bangladesh will take on USA in their last match of the group phase on Friday. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election of Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a greeting letter sent to Bangladesh Prime Minister, the President wrote "It is with great honour and immense pleasure that I extend to you my heartfelt congratulations on your assumption of the esteemed office of Prime Minister." "Your appointment to this esteemed and consequential office exemplifies the profound respect and unwavering confidence bestowed upon you by the people of Bangladesh," he said, adding, "I have full confidence in your illustrious career and vast experience, which shall undoubtedly furnish you with ample support and resources to steer Bangladesh towards a future brimming with prosperity." Joko Widodo said, "It is with great optimism that I express my hope for the elevation of bilateral relations and cooperation between our esteemed nations, as we embark on a new era of progress and prosperity." He went on "Over the course of more than five d ecades, our bond has steadily flourished and now is the time for it to reach unprecedented heights." Joko Widodo continued, "I am filled with utmost confidence that we shall discover means through which we can enhance our collaborative efforts in order to seize the unparalleled opportunities of our era." The President ended, saying "I humbly extend my deepest regards and utmost respect to Your Excellency, while expressing my unwavering commitment to your prosperous endeavors in fulfilling your esteemed responsibilities." Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today issued a note of caution against the hoarders and market manipulators of essential commodities, saying they would face the music for this unholy job. "If anyone hoards any goods from bad-intention, we'll have to take instant action against them through mobile courts and if needed they will be sent to jail," she told an introductory speech while chairing a meeting of Awami League Central Working Committee in her official Ganabhaban residence this evening. Mentioning that the sudden price-hike (of essentials items) immediately after the election is a very much abnormal, Sheikh Hasina said, "It is inevitable to find out who are manipulators behind this price hike". She added: "It's not only necessary to find out them, but also take instant actions against them. We'll do it in future". The premier urged the countrymen to remain vigilant so that none can play games with the (prices of) food items by hoarding and black marketeering. "There i s no meaning to play games with the food items of people," she said. Party Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Kazi Zafarullah, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, its General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Central Working Committee Member Abul Hasnat Abdullah, among others, were at the dais. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

JAMALPUR, Two young men were killed when a speeding train crushed them in Melandah Upazila of the district here this noon. The victims were identified as Majibur Rahman, 18, son of Shahid Miah and Md Shakil Miah, 20, son of Shahabuddin Makku at east Rukhnai village under Melandah Upazila of the district. According to Government Railway Police (GRP), both victims covering them with a wrapper were playing free fire game on a mobile set sitting on railway track at Rukhnai Battola Bazar area. At that time, Dewangaj bound commuter train from Dhaka crushed them at around 12:30 noon killing Shakil on the spot. Critically injured Majibur Rahman died on way to hospital. Officer-in-Charge, Jamalpur Railway Police, Mahbubur Rahman said the bodies were recovered and sent it to Jamalpur General Hospital morgue for autopsy. An unnatural death (UD) case was registered with Jamalpur Railway Police station. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly for the development of the country and its people. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working for protecting of the human rights," he told a blanket distribution programme among the cold-hit people in city's Abu Jar Gifari University College. AL will work for the country and its people as well as the party doesn't politics to hostage people, he added. BNP is a terrorist political party as they killed people in the name of movement, the AL leader said. Dhaka South City Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, among others, was present in the function with 12 no ward councilor Mamunur Rashid Shuvro in the chair. Later, Bahauddin Nasim distributed blankets among cold-hit people in city's Paltan community center. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh today recorded one Covid-19 death while it reported 30 coronavirus positive cases. "Bangladesh reported 5.14 percent Covid-19 positive cases as 584 samples were tested during the last 24 hours," a daily statement of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said here. During the period, the combined figure of coronavirus infection in Dhaka district and the capital is 26 while zero Covid-19 death was reported here. The official tally showed that the virus killed a total of 29,481 people and infected 20,46,788 so far. The recovery count rose to 20,46,788 as four other patients were discharged from the dedicated hospitals during the last 24 hours, the statement added. From the beginning of the pandemic, 98.41 percent Covid-19 patients recovered among the infected people while 1.44 percent died, the DGHS statistics showed. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, As many as 30 patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till this morning, according to the daily statement of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). "During the period, four dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 26 were admitted to different hospitals outside the capital city," the statement added. The total number of cases this year rose to 883 while 151 dengue patients are still undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. Among the total cases, 718 patients have already been released, the DGHS statement added. Last year, the country recorded 1,705 dengue-related deaths and a total of 321,179 dengue cases. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, After witnessing a downward trend in the two sessions, stocks today rebounded in the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges as investors remained active on sector-wise issues. Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Taka 10.42 billion on the premier bourse which was Tk 5.89 billion at the previous session of the week. After witnessing volatility, DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up by 14.05 points or 0.23 per cent to settle at 6,254.31. Two other indices also ended higher with the DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, rose 10.46 points to finish at 2,147.65 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 6.59 points to close at 1,380.76. Out of 392 issues traded, 207 advanced, 146 declined and 39 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor. BDTHAI dominated the turnover chart, closely followed by AOI, ORIONINFU, LHBL and KARNAPHULI. DACCADYE was the day's top gainer, rising 10 per cent, while BBSCABLES was the worst loser, shedding 10 per cent. The Chitta gong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the day with the CSE All Share Price Index - CASPI -losing 93.95 points to settle at 18,235.50 and the Selective Categories Index - CSCX losing 50.92 points to close at 10,913.19. Of the issues traded, 118 declined, 123 advanced and 26 issues remained unchanged on the CSE. The port city's bourse traded 94.28 lakh shares and mutual fund units with turnover value of Tk 21.82 crore. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, By-polls to mayoral post in Cumilla City Corporation (CuCC) and elections to Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) will be held in electronic voting machines (EVMs) on March 9, said Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman. He disclosed the information in a press conference in the capital's Agargaon Nirbachan Bhaban. Polls and by-polls to some municipalities, union, upazila, zila parishads will also be held on the same day. Detailed schedule will be announced formally soon, Anisur Rahman said. He said apart from municipality, zila parishad and city corporation polls, other elections will be held in ballot paper. MCC will be on in polls for the second time as last election was held on May 5, 2019. CuCC mayoral post fell vacant as its mayor and Cumilla City unit of Awami League general secretary Arfanul Haque Rifat died of pneumonia while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore on December 13. Nine municipalities where elections will be held on March 9 are Bakshiganj of Jamalpur district, Patuakha li, Katakhali of Rajshahi, Satkhira, Trishal of Mymensingh, Munshiganj, Taherpur of Sunamganj, Shibganj of Chapainawabganj and Amtali of Barguna. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today warned that no one will be spared if they stock paddy illegally from their capacity. "Everyone has to refrain from buying paddy through competition," he said while addressing a meeting with the representatives of six corporate organizations at his office at secretariat here. The minister said the millers are claiming that the corporate organizations are buying paddy with competition and stocking illegally. The mass media are also blaming the corporate organizations for illegal hoarding, "but we want to know the real fact", he said. Sadhan said the corporate organizations sell products adding value and for this they are buying paddy with high price. It has a huge impact in the market and the others are also forced to buy paddy with high price, he said. The minister said rice is available in the market under different brand names, on which the MRP is written. "We want the price of the mills to be written as well. Retailers cannot raise prices suddenly or u nreasonably if mill gate prices are written on sacks," the food minister said. Food secretary Ismail Hossain was present in the meeting. Representatives of City Group, Square, Pran RFL, Meghna Group, ACI and Akij Essentials took part in the meeting. Directorate General of Food DG Md Shakhawat Hossain, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority chairman Abdul Kaium and FPMU DG Md Shahidul Alam, among others, were present in the meeting. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam today urged the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) to invest in Bangladesh's potential sectors, including jute, jute-made goods, leather, leather products, and handicrafts. Ahsanul made the request when EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley and UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid courtesy call on him separately at his office today at Secretariat, said a press release. Mentioning that Bangladesh is working on export diversification with special importance, he said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instructions to promote jute and jute-made goods as well as leather and leather-made products. Besides, the Prime Minister has declared handicrafts as the product of the year for 2024. In this regard, the State Minister called upon the EU and UK to invest in these sectors. Apart from jute and leather products, he emphasized working in joint ventures to increase efficiency, capacity and improve the quality of pharmaceu ticals, especially in API sector, agro processing, sea food, light engineering, health, bicycle, frozen food and in agricultural products. Ahsanul said that the import and export policies are being made time-befitting through removing trade and regulatory related barriers to expand trade and attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Besides, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is creating a favorable environment for investment in various sectors of the country In addition to providing a one-stop service for the investors. Referring to the beginning of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2024, Ahsanul said that this year there is a plan to ensure visits to the fair by the heads of all foreign missions and trade/commercial counselors located in Bangladesh. Mentioning that this DITF is the biggest event for the display of local products in the world, he said that there are also many foreign pavilions at the fair. "Branding of Bangladeshi products will be possib le through the visit of the mission officials at the fair," he added. The State Minister for Commerce also urged both the EU and the UK to go for contract manufacturing of those products in Bangladesh which the country has to import from the EU and the UK. Noting that Bangladesh is now being regarded as a good place for making investment in the world, he mentioned that many countries are now investing in 100 designated special economic zones in Bangladesh. Apart from the economic zones, all kinds of facilities will be provided to the investors by the government for the establishment of industrial factories, he said. During the meeting, the State Minister for Commerce sought the cooperation of the EU and the UK for lending necessary support to the position of the less developed countries, including Bangladesh, in the upcoming ministerial conference organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be held in Abu Dhabi on February 26-29. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said that the United Kingdom is a long-standing and time-tested friend of Bangladesh while both countries are now enjoying excellent relations. In addition to development cooperation, she also emphasized partnership in terms of economic and trade cooperation. In order to create skilled manpower, the UK High Commissioner expressed her resolve to work jointly to strike balance in the certification and accreditation of higher education in the health sector, including doctors, nurses and engineers. Besides, Cooke emphasized the removal of regulatory barriers, simplification of service procedures, enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights and liberalization in competition in Bangladesh. Lauding the facilities provided by the government for attracting foreign investment, EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley expressed her interest in investing in various sectors of Bangladesh, including the pharmaceuticals and IT sectors. Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and senior officials were present. Source: Bangladesh Sa ngbad Sangstha