Day: April 19, 2024

The month-long 14th International Women's SME Expo-2024 will begin at the port city's Railway Pologround tomorrow (Saturday). The women's mega trade event will be held under the auspices of Chattogram Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) in cooperation with SME foundation. A total of 350 stalls, including 15 pavilions and information technology zones, have already been set up covering four lakh square feet of land area at the Railway Polograound here. There will be women zone, food court and zone for startups for small entrepreneurs. This was disclosed by Abida Mostafa, senior vice-president of Chattogram Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) at a press conference at Engineer Abdul Khalek Auditorium of Chattogram Press Club today. CWCCI President Manowara Hakim Ali replied to the various questions of journalists. Manowara Hakim Ali said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants smart Bangladesh. 'We are working towards that goal', she said. Abida Mostafa said with t he aim of marketing the products of women entrepreneurs in the region, they organized a month-long Eid Bazaar in BAWA school grounds in last five years since 2002. 'Since then, we have been organizing the International Women SME Expo at the polo ground for 13 years. This fair has become the largest fair organized by women entrepreneurs in the country', she added. Entrepreneurs from Iran, India, China, Thailand, Pakistan have confirmed participation in the fair. CWCCI vice President Nishat Imran, Shamim Morshed, Seema Khatun, Director Ruhi Mostafa, Baby Hasan, Ludmila Farid, Member Chowdhury Zubair Saki, Rekha Alam Chowdhury and Khaleda Akhtar Chowdhury, among others, were present in the press conference. This time, the entry ticket of the expo is Tk 20 per person. The fair will remain open for the visitors from 10 am to 10 pm everyday. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Fire Service and Civil Defence brought the fire at Dhaka Shishu Hospital under control around 2.40pm today. Confirming the matter to BSS, Talha Bin Jasim, officer (media) of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire was brought under control around 2.40pm after an-hour of efforts. The fire broke out at the Cardiac ICU Unit of the hospital around 1.47 pm. On information, five fire engines from Mohammadpur, Siddiqbazar and Tejgaon Fire Stations rushed to the area and brought the fire under control. The extent of damage and source of the fire could not be known immediately. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed 5-22 while opener Imrul Kayes complemented him with a 71 ball-92 not out as Mohammedan Sporting Club recorded a five-wicket victory over Brothers Union in their last match of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) group phase today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Having won the game, they registered their eighth victory, which placed them in the third spot in the point table. Shinepukur Cricket Club which also had eight wins claimed second spot as they won the head to head battle against Mohammedan in the group phase. Abahani Limited are in the top spot, having won all of their 11 matches in the group. Shiekh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Prime Bank Cricket Club and Gazi Group Cricketers are the three other teams to confirm Super League. Put into bat first, Brothers Union were bowled out for just 135 in 34.3 overs after being dismantled by Nasum's spin. Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz snared 3-28 to play a perfect foil to Nasum. Mahmudul Hasan and Rahatul Ferdous scored iden tical 45 runs to be the highest scorer for the team. Zakirul Ahmed Gem who made 25 was the other batter to reach double digits. Mohammedan also tasted a batting collapse but Kayes's unwavering resolve helped them overcome the troublesome situation. Kayes single-handedly led the side to the victory as Mohammedan overhauled the target in 23.2 overs, reaching 140-5. Kayes struck 12 fours and three sixes in his fluent knock. No other batters could reach even 20 runs mark with Rubel Mea's 15 was the next best score for Mohammedan. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said no case filed against BNP men is political as they were accused of specific criminal charges that include arson terrorism, grenade attack, firearms smuggling and corruption. "BNP is now going everywhere and crying about the cases against them. Ask them, what are the cases about? They committed crimes and legal actions were taken again them. It is the reality," she said. 'No case against them (BNP men] is a political one ... The cases against them are for different crimes. They committed offenses. So, legal action is being taken against them,' she said. The Prime Minister said the cases should be disposed of quickly to ensure punishment for those crimes. She said these while speaking at a view exchange with central committee members of Bangladesh Krishak League on the occasion of its 52th founding anniversary at her official Ganabhaban residence this morning. Mentioning that they unleashed arson violence in 2013 and 2014 to resist the 2014 general election, she said during the mayhem they burnt 3800 cars, buses, launches and trains. About violence before the 12th parliamentary election, she said they committed the 28th October incident and killed a mother and her child by setting fire to trains to thwart the polls. 'Won't cases be filed against those who committed these things? Would people worship them?' she said. Turning down the claim that 60 lakh BNP leaders and workers are in jail, the Prime Minister said that all jails of the country do not have the capacity to accommodate so many people. 'They're claiming that their 60 lakh men are arrested, but we (jails) don't even have such capacity (to accommodate so many people),' she said. The premier said if so many lakhs of BNP men are detained in jails, it means all who are now in jails are their men and there are no other criminal anymore. 'It means all criminals there (in the jails) belong to BNP,' she said. Describing the horrific scenes of violence and torture on Awami League leaders and activists during the BNP regimes, the PM said her government didn't go to take revenge, rather utilized the merit and power in developing the country and working for its people. 'It is their good luck that we are in power. They still get scopes to talk (raise voice) as we are not revengeful like them. They talk all the day using the loud speaker and then they say they don't get the scope to speak,' she said. President of Bangladesh Krishak League Samir Chandra presided over the function. Bangladesh Krishak League, an associate body of Bangladesh Awami League, was established on April 19, 1972. Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for increasing production of crops to ensure cooperative agriculture following the footprints of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She said the cooperative agriculture can protect huge quantity of arable land by erasing ail. "Make sure that not a single inch of land remains uncultivated," she said. The Prime Minister also emphasized on making the agriculture mechanized alongside d oing research in agriculture. "Bangladesh is the most successful in agriculture research. We have to continue the trend of the success," she said. The premier briefly described her government's initiatives that include food preservation and food management for the overall development of the agriculture sector. "The agriculture of Bangladesh has developed as the government gave priority to research in agriculture and farmers as well," she said. The premier said her government has been giving subsidy of Tk 26,000 crore in agriculture. The food production has increased with various initiatives taken by the Awami League government, she added. "Once those who thought about salt-rice or pulse-rice, now think about fish-meat-egg. So, those who criticise the government, should consider these to decide whether Bangladesh is developed," she said. Krishak League leaders led by Samir Chandra and acting General Secretary Bishwanath Sarker Bitu greeted the premier on the organization's 52nd founding anniversary. Th e Prime Minister gifted the Krishak League leaders with vegetables produced in the Ganabhaban. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

BFF Elite Football Academy team split point with PWD Sports Club when their match ended in a 2-2 goal draw in a match of the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Championship League Football held at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur on Friday. In the day's match, Rifat and Paervez scored one goal each for BFF Elite Football Academy in the 11th and 90+6th minutes respectively while Ridoy and Shadin netted one goal apiece for PWD Sports Club in the 17th and 19th minutes respectively. In the day's another match, Dhaka Wanderers Club played out to a goalless draw with Wari Club also held at the same venue. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Awami League General Secretary today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the country's war-time national flag designer and valiant freedom fighter Shib Narayan Das. In a condolence message, Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges minister, prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Shib Narayan Das, who had designed the first flag of Bangladesh just before the independence, died of respiratory ailment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) here this morning at the age of 78. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Dhaka today urged Thumpu to reduce its Sustainable Development Fees for tourists for the Bangladesh at the 3rd Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Bhutan. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and his Bhutanese counterpart Pema Choden led their respective side at the FOC held in Thimpu, a foreign ministry's press release said here. As per Bangladesh's request the Bhutanese side assured of positive consideration to reduce fees for the Bangladeshi tourists to enhance tourism and foster people to people contact. During the FOC, whole gamut of bilateral relations was discussed. Both the Foreign Secretaries expressed satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between Bangladesh and Bhutan. They discussed all the major issues of mutual interests and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially trade and commerce, health, investment, connectivity, power and energy, tourism, culture and education among others. Momen urged Bhutan to take neces sary measures to rejoin the BBIN MVA framework to promote prosperity through people to people contact. Both the Secretaries also discussed the means and ways of faster implementations of the decisions taken and MoUs signed during the recent visit of His Majesty the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh. On her part, Pema Choden stressed on the exploration of the untapped potential in economic, cultural and educational areas and proposed to establish meaningful collaborative relationship. She mentioned that Bhutan would like to pursue more trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh. She also stressed on mutual efforts to conclude the pending Agreements and MoUs. Bhutanese Foreign Secretary emphasized on the exchange of government and private level visits between the two countries. Both the Foreign Secretaries discussed regional issues of mutual interest and hoped that both countries would continue to work to reinvigorate the SAARC and BIMSTEC processes. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also called on Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel, Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Royal Government of Bhutan at the latter's office. During the meeting, they discussed the issues of mutual interests including trade and investment, special economic zone in Kurigram, power sector cooperation, cooperation in health and education and regional cooperation. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also attended the National Day Reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Bhutan as the Special Guest. He also inspected the progress of the ongoing construction work of the Chancery and Residence Construction project of Bangladesh Embassy in Thimphu Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started work on building a future Bangladesh to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The finance minister made this comments while exchanging views with the officials and employees of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, according to a press release received here today. Mahmood Ali is now in Washington to lead a Bangladesh delegation to the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran also spoke on the occasion and briefly described the chequered diplomatic and political career of Mahmood Ali. The finance minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to establish a developed and prosperous Bangladesh and the country is marching forward under her dynamic leadership. Mahmood Ali said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the responsibility of completing th e unfinished work of Bangabandhu and she is taking the nation to its desired goal. But, he said, the anti-liberation forces, who still exist in the country, are carrying out destructive acts to hinder ongoing development. Mahmood Ali, the first Pakistani diplomat in the USA to defect for Bangladesh during the Liberation War, reminisced his diplomatic life in New York in 1971. Earlier, the finance minister paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Corner of the Embassy. Upon his arrival at the Embassy, Finance Minister Mahmood Ali was received by Ambassador Muhammad Imran and other officers. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The country's largest private carrier US-Bangla Airlines today started direct flight to Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates (UAE) fulfilling the demand of large number of expatriate Bangladeshis residing in the oil-rich Middle East nation. "As a friendly country, the decision to operate US-Bangla flights to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, will further strengthen the ties between the two countries," said a press release of the airlines here. Boeing 737-800 with 174 passengers took off from Chattogram to Abu Dhabi at 5:50 pm today as the inaugural US-Bangla flight. It will reach Abu Dhabi today at 9:10 PM local time as per the scheduled time. And will fly to Dhaka at 10:10 PM local time from Abu Dhabi tonight and land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:50 AM. As part of the plans, the US-Bangla flight will leave Abu Dhabi from Dhaka on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from Chattogram on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 5.50 pm for Abu Dhabi as its third d estination in UAE. Apart from Abu Dhabi, the US-Bangla airlines is operating flights to Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Male, Bangkok and Guangzhou, Kolkata and Chennai in India. The airlines is also operating flights from Dhaka to the country's all seven domestic destinations - Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Sylhet, Saidpur, Jashore and Rajshahi. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over another two divisions and another more seven districts, according to a weather forecast for next 24 hours begins from 9am today. "Severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and the districts of Dinajpur, Rangamati,Chandpur, Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal and Patuakhali and it may continue", the forecast detailed in a met office release. Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hail at isolated places. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to the increase of moisture incursion , the discomfort may increase. Trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas. Seasonal low lies over South Bay. Country's maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded at 40.4 degree Celsius at Jashore and Chuadanga and minimum temperature today was recorded at 21.2 degree Celsius at Nikli. The sun sets at 06.22pm today and rises in the capital Dhaka at 05.33am tomorrow. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has started the process of selecting films with transparency and utmost professionalism for disbursement of government grants. In this regard, PowerPoint presentation of the proposed films before the script selection committee of the full-length feature films for grant has begun for the first time. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat inaugurated the selection process at his ministry's conference room at the Secretariat here on Thursday. PowerPoint presentation of initially selected 45 films out of 195 full-length feature films applied for grant in FY 2023-24 has begun. On this day, the script selection committee members secretly assigned marks to the films separately after watching the PowerPoint presentation. At this time, the members of the film grant committee were also present as observers. The state minister said government grant films will be selected with transparency and utmost professionalism. The government wa nts to ensure more professionalism in the production of government-funded films, he added. Arafat further said the government is sincere to ensure that the grants for film production are provided through a transparent and accountable process. The government also wants to ensure that efficient and experienced people in the field of film can be involved in the selection process for grants, he mentioned. On the basis of various international standards, the members of the selection committee are giving marks separately on the proposals of the applied films, he said. Later, by averaging the marks of all the members, the applications with the highest marks will be considered for grant, the state minister said, adding: "Such steps have been taken to ensure maximum impartiality and transparency." Information and Broadcasting Ministry's Senior Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker, its Joint Secretary Md. Kawser Ahammed, Deputy Secretary Md Saiful Islam, Film Director Md Mushfikur Rahman Guljar, Actress es Falguni Hamid and Afsana Mimi, full-length film grant committee member and DU Television, Film and Photography Department Professor Dr. Abu Jafar Md. Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, member of script selection committee of full-length films grant and Dhaka University (DU) Television, Film and Photography Department Assistant Prof Reffat Ferdous, DU Theatre and Performance Department Prof and Actress Wahida Mollick Jolly, Stamford University Film and Media Department Associate Prof and Film Director Matin Rahman, Bangladesh Film Directors Association President and Film Director Kazi Hayat, Film Director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury were present during the presentation of the films. To encourage talent and creativity in the film industry and to uphold the longstanding culture of Bangladesh, the government disburses grants in producing films on the country's independence and Liberation War and on humanitarian values on the basis of government grant disbursement policy in film production, 2020 (amended) with a vi ew to providing government's assistance in film production. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat has held a meeting with Land Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda for quick resumption of the works of Bhashantek Rehabilitation Project (BRP) in the capital. They held the meeting at the Land Minister's Office at the Secretariat on Thursday, said a press release here today. The land minister assured the state minister for information of resuming the works of the BRP and gave necessary directives to the officials concerned. On April 6 last, Mohammad Ali Arafat visited the Bhashantek area under his constituency and assured that none will be evicted without rehabilitation of the slum dwellers. During the election he made a pledge to the slum dwellers that all of them would be brought under rehabilitation, the state minister said in the bilateral meeting. "In continuation of that, I talked with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the rehabilitation of Bhashantek slum dwellers. The premier gave directives to quickly implement the BRP," he said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha