Category: Government Policy

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC Sunday observed the 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The embassy organised a programme at the Bangabandhu Auditorium today to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of Bangamata for her family, country, and nation.

Messages from the president and the prime minister were read out by Economic Minister Mahdee Hasan and Defense Attache Brigadier General M Moinul Hasan.

Bangladesh Ambassador M Shahidul Islam delivered a speech highlighting the commitment of Bangamata to her family, her influence in the life of Bangabandhu, and her behind-the-scene but pivotal role in determining the course of Bangladesh’s history.

A documentary on the life and works of Bangamata was screened at the event.

A special prayer was offered, seeking eternal peace for the souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, their family members, and others who were martyred on August 15, 1975.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Monday said the United Nations should step up efforts at this critical juncture in Afghanistan as Bangladesh does not want to see people in Afghanistan suffer anymore.

“While we welcome peace talks involving important players, I think, the United Nations as a neutral broker should step up (efforts) at this critical juncture,” he said adding that Bangladesh wants to see a fellow South Asian State, a fellow member of SAARC and its people remain free from any sufferings.

Bangladesh thinks the strengthening of democratic institutions, including endogenous ones and unimpeded socio-economic development in Afghanistan – with the active participation of the international community – remain important.

“The daunting task ahead is to build an efficient public service delivery system suitable for the Afghan people given the geography and ethnic divide and millennium old, decentralized structure,” said the Foreign Secretary.

Masud Momen was addressing a webinar titled “Current Afghan Situation and Bangladesh” organised by North-South University.

Dr. M. Mustafa Mastoor, Special Representative and Senior Advisor, High Council for National Reconciliation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Shahidul Haque, former Foreign Secretary and Professorial Fellow, SIPG,Prof Taufique, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance, NSU Vice Chancellor Prof Atiqul Islam, Brig Gen Shakhwat Hossain, Faruque Ahmed, former Executive Director, BRAC International and Prof Lailufar Yasmin, Department of International Relations, Dhaka University, spoke at the event.

On the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Secretary said they are currently observing a radical transformation taking shape in Afghanistan, which is sure to have a profound effect on the geo-political balance of power in the region and beyond

Right now, he said, there can be nothing more important than the elimination of the scourge of terrorism and ethnic strife, which can only be possible through dialogue and cooperation amongst stakeholders both within Afghanistan and outside.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s South Asia policy, the Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister’s visionary policy is that the region must rise and prosper together, leaving no space for inequality; otherwise, there will be instability in the region allowing foreigners to interfere in their affairs.

“In short, our South Asia policy rests on the guiding principle that the countries of the region must work together and cooperate to reach our common goals of socio-economic development and prosperity,” he said.

Masud Momen said it is in this spirit that Bangladesh engages with the international community on matters of reconstruction and development in Afghanistan.

He said Bangladesh has remained consistently and actively engaged with Afghanistan through participation in various international meetings and conferences on the reconstruction of the country.

Bangladesh was an eager proponent for Afghanistan’s membership to the SAARC in 2007.

Bangladesh closed down its Embassy in Kabul following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and though it has been decided to reopen the Embassy, it has not been possible to do so because of security concerns.

The Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan is presently concurrently accredited to Afghanistan.

“As soon as the situation becomes conducive, we would like to reopen the Embassy,” said the Foreign Secretary.

Despite being a landlocked country that should not hold back its economy as the country is situated in a vital juncture on the Silk Route, he said.

The Foreign Secretary said China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Russian initiated TAPI, all have the potential to significantly reshape the Afghan economy.

“Connectivity potentials in broader South Asia hinge on a stable Afghanistan. As a country believing in realizing the full potential of connectivity, we will be following the developments very closely,” he said.

Masud Momen said Bangladesh firmly believes in the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan. “A democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people can only guarantee stability in the country and continue its path of socio-economic development.”

In this regard, he said, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan.

Bangladesh’s interest in expanding relations with Afghanistan stems from a genuine desire to assist the people of Afghanistan.

“We firmly believe that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves. Bangladesh welcomes Afghan people’s commitment to carry forward the ongoing peace process in quest for an inclusive society,” said the Foreign Secretary.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has set new dates for the public hearing on fixing the price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

As per a new schedule, the hearing will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on August 17-18 at AKM Shamsul Haque Khan Auditorial of Bangladesh Institute of Public Administration (BIAM) in the city.

The regulator will try to complete the hearing on August 17. If not possible, it will continue on August 18, said a BERC notice.

Interested individuals or organisations have been asked by the BERC to send their proposals by August 16 to place it in the hearing.

The BERC earlier had suspended its public hearing on the issue scheduled for July 7-8 following the government’s directives against the backdrop of the countrywide strict lockdown that began on July 1.

The energy regulator has announced the scheduled public hearing responding to the appeal of the LPG operators who oppose the present pricing formula for LPG.

The BERC, held its last public hearing on LPG price fixing in January this year, and first fixed the price on April 12 in compliance with a court order.

The LPG operators in the private sector allege that many of their cost components were not considered by the energy regulator while announcing the price.

As a result, their businesses have seen a huge financial loss, said Azam Chowdhury, president of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), a representative body of the operators.

The operators, which include LPG cylinder manufacturers, bottling plant owners, importers, and traders, demanded addition of Tk 224 for a 12-kg LPG cylinder as costs of the operators while fixing the new retail price of LPG by the BERC.

The LPG businesses, having a size worth around Tk 300 billion, are at stake as a consequence, they said.

As part of the regular, the BERC fixes the LPG price at the beginning of a month.

For the month of August, the price of 12-kg LPG of private companies was fixed at Tk 993, up by Tk 102 from the current price of Tk 891 in July.

The price was Tk 842 per for June trading, Tk 906 for May trading and Tk 975 for April trading, as fixed by the BERC.

However, most of the consumers in Dhaka were buying a 12kg LPG cylinder at a price ranging between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,100 over the past three months, traders said.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Renowned photographer Chanchal Mahmood, widely considered as one of the most accomplished fashion photographers in the country, has been taken to life support on Sunday at the Labaid Hospital in the capital due to a heart attack.

The ace photographer suffered a heart attack on Sunday morning and was immediately taken to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), according to his wife Raina Mahmood, also a renowned photographer.

However, his conditions then slightly improved but got worsened in the afternoon, and then he was put on life support. According to his wife, Mahmood has other health complications including diabetes and a history of 4 previous heart failures.

Several renowned personalities and photographers have since shared the news about the award winning photographer on social media including singer Fahmida Nabi and more.

Chanchal Mahmood is often considered a trendsetter of model and fashion photography in Bangladesh, who has a successful career spanning over more than four decades.

Through his institution ‘Chanchal Mahmood Photography’, he accelerated professionalism in the industry for the fashion photographers and cine-journalists in Bangladesh.

Several popular film and television actors and models, including Shabnur, Moushumi, Salman Shah, Nobel, Afsana Mimi, Shomi Kaiser, and more, were featured in renowned magazines, newspapers, tabloids, and fashion houses through his charismatic photography.

Currently associated with the Bangladesh Photographic Society, Chanchal Mahmood’s photographs have also been exhibited in several photo exhibitions.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

TIB has said that the NGOs are even less transparent than the GOB. Many GOB officials and those who are not fond of NGOs are happy. It is being implied that if the Government is bad, the NGOs who are always criticizing the GOB are worse.

We had done a small survey for the TIB on the “experience of corruption” and 89% of the respondents said that they encountered corruption when transacting with the GOB. So we went back to those 11% and asked about their experiences. They said that they considered paying money to get things done as “normal” and not “corruption”. So it’s normalized and assumed that anyone who deals and transacts with the public is corrupt. Institutions in general got the same negative answers which mean the public has less or no confidence in institutions, official or private.

Lack of transparency and corruption

TIB has become the most vocal opponent of official corruption in Bangladesh and their words really sting the Government. Every time their report comes out the GOB responds through abuse and allegations of “foreign funded” criticism. By now the TIB is used to it but the accused of corruption is not. However, corruption and lack of transparency now bear the same meaning and so most think that NGOs are corrupt also.

Public service is not considered a matter of rights. People assume that even to get the basic services, one has to make payments. Almost everyone has to interact with the GOB for one reason or another and that is when the corruption happens.

NGOs hardly deal with the public and nor with the scale of money the GOB deals with. The only sector would be micro-finance but while that has been criticized for rough loan return methods, they make very little corruption sense. The report also doesn’t make any reference to that.

But in no ways are NGOs transparent

The problem is with the management of the NGOs. It’s largely a closed semi-secret organization which runs on the basis of cronies. NGO jobs are hardly looked forward to in most cases except for international ones where the salary is high but most NGOs are local and they are run like families with a bossy dad at the top. As it happens when there is no regulatory supervision, such outfits are run arbitrarily. There is no one to answer to as the top bodies are all filled by “cronies” and it’s significant that most NGOs are known by the name of their founders and not any organizational identity.

NGOs need to do immensely better if they are going to survive in the coming future. As it is, Corona has shrunk the global kitty for donations and NGOs are either shutting down or laying off.

The survival of the sector itself is at stake. Amidst this situation, unless management and transparency and performance improves, NGOs face a whimpering end in not just Bangladesh but the world.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) Dhaka East Zone organised the webinar “Compliance of Shari’ah in Banking Operations” Saturday.

Dr Tanveer Ahmad, director of the bank, addressed the webinar as chief guest and Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO, as special guest.

Dr Hasan Mohammad Moinuddin, a member of the IBBL Shari’ah Supervisory Committee, addressed the webinar as chief discussant.

Mohammad Ullah, head of Dhaka East Zone, presided over the programme, according to a press release.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The 17th General Meeting of Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (BNACWC) was held on Monday via an online platform.

Chairman, BNACWC and Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman chaired the meeting, said a press release of ISPR.

A total of 42 members from different ministries and organizations participated in the meeting.

Members of BNACWC reviewed the present activities of BNACWC and discussed about the future road map to implement Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in Bangladesh.

Ever-increasing manufacturing sector led to a significant rise in the chemical demand in Bangladesh, thereby posing increasing risk of chemical incidents and accidents. As such, the Chairman underscored the importance of capacity building of related responders.

Moreover, the house discussed for the requirement of an effective integrated national policy and framework for ensuring chemical safety and security management in Bangladesh. The forum discussed about amending the existing legislations of the country related to management of schedule chemicals for effective implementation of CWC.

House also discussed about the inclusion of ‘Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act, 2006’ under ‘Mobile Court Act, 2009’ for effective implementation of national legislations related to CWC.

To ensure better management of chemicals in the ports, the house opined for designating a few specific ports for import and export of scheduled chemicals. Chairman expressed his mind to continue the capacity building and other programmes via online platform during Covid situation.

The meeting ended with a positive understanding for working together to ensure chemical safety in Bangladesh.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday formally announced Zakiganj as the country 28th gas field having 68 billion cubic feet of gas reserve.

The state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex) made the discovery in June last, but refrained from making any formal announcement as it was assessing the prospects of viable recovery in recovering gas from the drilled well at Ananadapur village in Zakiganj upazila, Sylhet.

The formal announcement on the new gas discovery came at a webinar, organized by Energy and Mineral Resources Division to observe August 9 as National Energy Security Day marking the historic decision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to take over 5 gas fields in Sylhet region from multinational Shell Oil Company in 1975.

The state minister said the new gas field has a possible reserve of 68 billion cubic feet of gas to be extractable in next 12-13 years at 10 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD).

“The value of the entire reserve at the new gas field would be Tk 1,276 crore,” he added, saying that a 3D survey will be conducted to find the accurate position of the fossil fuel in the virgin field.

So far, 27 gas fields have been discovered in the country. The proven reserves in these gas fields are 21.4 TCF, with six more TCF potential reserves. Of this, about 18 TCF has been taken. There are only three TCFs left as proven stocks, and potential reserves are likely to be seven more TSFs.

The webinar, presided over by senior secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Anisur Rahman, was also addressed by chairman of the parliamentary standing committee of the ministry concerned Waseqa Ayesha Khan, members of the same committee Khaleda Khanon and Nargis Rahman, eminent energy expert and Buet professor Dr M Tamim, Petrobangla chairman ABM Abdul Faatah, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) ABM Azad, Hydrocarbon Unit director general Monjurul Qader, Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) chairman Arun Karmaker and Energy and Power magazine editor Mollah Amzad Hossain.

Nasrul Hamid said the government has taken an initiative to replace the old gas pipelines in Dhaka city with new ones to check the gas leakages as part of its move to bring the entire gas distribution system under an automation through digitasation.

Anusur Rahman said the government has been importing gas from two companies under long-term contracts and also from other companies on the international spot market to meet the domestic demand.

“This import needs Tk 6312 crore as subsidy to keep the price low in line with the local gas price as the import cost is $8-9 per unit against the price of local gas at $2.5-3 per unit,” he said.

M Tamim said the government should emphasize setting up land-based LNG terminals and also import of electricity from regional sources to meet the growing demand.

He said gas will be used as transitional fuel in the next 20 years prior to using renewable energy as the next future energy.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The Cabinet on Monday approved the drafts of three bills, including Bangladesh National Museum Bill, 2021 and Bangladesh Zoo Bill, 2021 to make the country’s museums dynamic and vibrant.

The approval came from the virtual Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who joined it from Ganobhaban. Others concerned attended the meeting from the Cabinet Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The meeting gave the final approval to the draft of the Bangladesh National Museum Bill, 2021 to replace an ordinance of the 1980s, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam at a press briefing.

He said the highest punishment of museum-related crimes is 10 years’ jail, Tk 10 lakh fine or both in the proposed law which would be effective for other museums alongside the national museum.

The Cabinet approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Zoo Bill, 2021 to modernise the animal collection, rearing and conservation processes as well as the management of zoos.

If any visitor does not pay enter any zoo not paying entry fee, the punishment would highest two months’ jail, maximum Tk 1000 fine or both, said Khandker Anwarul Islam.

The Cabinet also directed the authorities concerned to incorporate a fresh provision in the proposed law keeping punishment for harming zoo animals.

The meeting also approved in principle the draft of the Government Primary School Teacher Welfare Trust Bill, 2021 to replace an ordinance of 1985.

If any teacher gets registered under the law and pays its fees, his or her family will get benefits from the trust fund, said the Cabinet Secretary.

In the case of the death of any teacher (member of the trust), his or her minor children will get their educational expenses from the welfare trust until they become adults, according to a new provision included in the proposed law, he said.

Besides, the Cabinet cleared a proposal for observing every 6th October as the National Birth and Death Registration Day in order to promote the death registration as well.

In the past, the 6th October was observed as only the Birth Registration Day. “This proposal has been brought as we need death registration in many cases like birth registration,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

According to the Clause-8 of the Birth and Death Registration Act, 2004, it is mandatory to register birth or death within the subsequent 45 days. “So, they (the authorities concerned) want to observe the day to make it (the birth and death registration) more effective, promote common people and workers (engaged in registration services) and make them more conscious over it,” he said.

He said there is also a target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for enhancing both birth and death registration rates at 80 percent by 2030. But Bangladesh would be able to attain the target before 2030, said Anwarul Islam.

Replying to a question over the rationale behind the decision to allow 50 percent public transport on the streets from August 11, the Cabinet Secretary said the decision was taken to prevent a larger number of transport vehicles at a time from entering Dhaka and Chattogram cities.

He said the decision came as per a suggestion from a law enforcement agency. The local administration, including DC and SP at district level, will sit with transport owners and worker leaders to take the decision for allowing 50 percent vehicles alternately, he said.

The permission for opening the recreation centres or mass gatherings has not been given yet, said the Cabinet Secretary.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Seeking justice for the children with special needs who were insensitively portrayed in the recently aired Eid-ul-Adha tele-fiction “Ghotona Shotto”, private humanitarian organization CHILD (Countrywide Health Initiative for Learning & Development) Foundation says that it will take legal action against the producer, director and associates of the production.

The legal initiative will be assisted by the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust (NDDT) and the Dhaka University Department of Communication Disorders, the organization said at a virtual press conference on Monday.

NDDT Trust Chairperson Dr Golam Rabbani, Managing Director Dr Anwar Ullah and Director Salma Begum, Dhaka University Communication Disorder Chairman Tawhida Jahan, Child Foundation Chairman Tahrin Aman, Co-Founder and Secretary General Anowara Aana Aman Aman and Barrister Shahedul Azam spoke at the webinar.

It was announced that the legal action against the fiction makers will be implemented on the basis of the Bangladesh government’s ‘Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013’.

Speakers at the press conference said that the tele-fiction ‘Ghotona Shotto’, aired on a private television channel as a special programme of Eid-ul-Adha and later released on its producer Central Music and Video (CMV)’s YouTube channel on July 25, has spread severe negative propaganda about the sensitive matter, which elevated the already existing superstitions, stigma and negative mindset regarding the children with special needs – especially in the rural area.

The speakers said that the name of the fiction itself is also deceptive and the underlying message conveyed in the fiction belittled and insulted the families, who have been constantly fighting the obstacles and roadblocks regarding the protection of their specially-abled children.

It was mentioned that the message given through the fiction has also insulted the responsible activities of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her worthy daughter Saima Wazed in building a friendly and cooperative, inclusive society for the people with special needs.

Directed by Rubel Hasan, the fiction sparked massive criticism after showcasing the story of a couple, acted by Afran Nisho as a driver and Mehazabien Chowdhury as a housemaid, who mischievously deceive their service-takers. Later it showcases that the couple was bestowed with a child with special needs, wondering if their child’s condition is a result of their misdeeds.

Amid the controversy, the fiction was then immediately taken down from CMV’s YouTube channel and the cast and crew have publicly apologised on their respective social media and other mainstream media platforms.

Rejecting the apology of the makers, casts and crews of ‘Ghotona Shotto’, the speakers at the webinar said that they will announce legal actions against the fiction-makers in the upcoming days.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Monday asked the authorities concerned to explain the steps they have taken in connection with the leaked phone conversation between Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Principal Kamrun Nahar and the leader of Guardian Forum Mir Shahabuddin Tipu.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after hearing a writ petition seeking its directives to refrain Kamrun Nahar from discharging duties.

The HC also fixed Tuesday for delivering order on the petition.

Advocate Abdullah Al Harun Bhuiya Russel stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Bipul Bagmar represented the state.

Earlier on Sunday a writ was filed with the HC seeking its directives to bar Kamrun Nahar from discharging duties and departmental action against her over the conversation with Mir Shahabuddin.

Mohammad Morshed Alam, a guardian filed the petition.

Education Secretary, Director General of Department of Education and chairman of the governing body has been made respondent to the writ.

Advocate Abdullah Al Harun Bhuiya Russel, said the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Principal Kamrun Nahar has lost her moral position to hold the post of principal as she used offensive words during the conversation which will affect the students.

Recently an audio clip of the conversation between the principal and the leader of Guardian Forum over phone was leaked.

The 4.39 minutes conversation between them went viral on social media raising question about the principal’s use of abusive words.

Besides, the leaked audio clips also tarnished the image and tradition of the school, said members of the governing body of the school.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Lionel Messi has officially confirmed his departure from Barcelona after 21 years of service. Messi flooded the emotions of football fans by arriving at the news conference with tears in his eyes on Sunday (August 8). The little magician wanted to continue his career with Barcelona when Joan Laporta took over as president earlier this year. However, the Argentine superstar will not be able to sign a new deal with FC Barcelona due to La Liga’s financial and structural obstacles. Lionel Messi confirmed his exit from Barcelona during the press conference, despite the fact that he expressed his desire to stay.

Highlights of Lionel Messi’s Press Conference

Lionel Messi addressed his farewell to everyone at the start of the press conference. Later, he responded to a variety of media questions. Here are a few highlights of Messi’s press conference.

On leaving FC Barcelona

Messi feels that this is the right time to leave Barcelona, but he has promised that he would return in a few years. He is really pleased with what he has accomplished with this club.

On signing a new contract

Messi has indicated that adjusting to life after Barcelona will be difficult. He had made up his mind to stay with the club for a few more years.He also revealed that everything was finalized, but that the deal could not be completed due to the pay structure in La Liga.

Message to his teammates

In a message to his teammates, Lionel Messi expressed gratitude to everyone who had assisted him in his development as a player. He also claimed that he did his best to treat everyone with respect.

On Barcelona Supporters

Lionel Messi was also lamented for not being able to say his final goodbyes in front of tens of thousands of Barcelona supporters. He wanted to share his final thoughts in front of Barcelona’s most ardent supporters.

In the context of reminiscing for Barcelona

Lionel Messi feels that Barcelona is still the finest club in the world and that he had really enjoyed his time with the club. Messi promised that he will return one day and help Barcelona in their progress.

On his best moment with FC Barcelona

Messi had so many wonderful moments with FC Barcelona. However, he picked his debut match as his favorite.

The most difficult moment in his football career

Lionel Messi believes that leaving FC Barcelona is the most difficult decision he has ever made in his professional career. He has his rough moments, but leaving Barcelona is really difficult for him.

Regarding Barcelona without Messi

Messi is confident that FC Barcelona will continue to be one of the most successful clubs in the world, and therefore that supporters will become used to seeing Barcelona without Lionel Messi. Because Messi feels that no one is more important than the club as well as its fans. Messi assures that his professional career should be ok soon since he will be accompanied by his family. He will always be up for a challenge.

Notable Record of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi has a long list of accomplishments with FC Barcelona. Here are some of the notable ones.

Most Goals for a single club: 672

Most Trophies (Barcelona): 34

Most Appearances (Barcelona): 778

Most Goals (Barcelona): 709

Most La Liga Goals: 474

Most Goals for Barcelona (International competitions): 128

Most Goals for Barcelona (UEFA Champions League): 120

Most Goals in a Single Season (La Liga): 50

Most Braces in La Liga: 126

Most La Liga Hat-Tricks: 36

Most Assists in La Liga: 233

Most Goals in a Single Season: 73

Most Goals in a Calendar Year (Guinness World Records): 91

Most Ballon d’Or Awards: 6

Most La Liga Trophy (Barcelona Player): 10

Most Champions League (Barcelona Player): 4

Bottom Line

Barcelona held this event to officially bid Lionel Messi farewell. The football great responded to a variety of questions from journalists during the half-hour program. He confirmed that he wanted to leave the club last year, but President Josep Maria Bartomeu was adamant about not selling Messi to any European rivals.

Therefore, Messi had to stay at the club for another year. Lionel Messi appeared to be overcome with emotion several times during the press meeting and stated that he had no plans to leave Barcelona this season. He also agreed to lower his salary by 50% to show his dedication to Barcelona. Accordingly, the two parties reached a verbal agreement but it was not possible to put it into action at the last minute.

Source: United News of Bangladesh