Bangladesh
Trade talks with USTR delegation 'comprehensive': Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen had a meeting with the Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch in Dhaka on Monday.
During the meeting at the state guesthouse Padma, the two sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on various aspects of Bangladesh-US trade relations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
USTR delegation discusses bilateral trade, labour rights in meeting with BGMEA
The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two countries and exploring avenues for enhanced collaboration in trade and investment.
Both sides expressed their commitment towards fostering a conducive environment for bilateral trade, addressing the trade barriers, and promoting mutual economic growth.
USTR lauds progress; shares where further improvements are required
Asst USTR Lynch is visiting Bangladesh as the head of the five-member delegation and attended the inter-sessional Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) meeting that took place on Sunday.
Bangladesh seeks Kyrgyzstan’s support for signing FTA with Eurasian Economic Commission
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has requested Kyrgyzstan to support Bangladesh for signing the free trade agreement (FTA) with Eurasian Economic Commission and also to support Bangladesh’s candidatures in different international fora.
He made the request when Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Avazbek Atakhanov paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Minister Hasan mentioned that there are a lot of scopes for increasing the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries and requested Kyrgyzstan to import garments, pharmaceuticals, jute products, tropical fruits, ceramics, IT products, etc. from Bangladesh.
Indian FS’s visit postponed due to their internal reasons: Hasan Mahmud
The Foreign Minister sought Kyrgyzstan’s assistance for repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support to the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people for independent statehood, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister expressed happiness at the successful completion of the first Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries.
He thanked the President of Kyrgyz Republic for his congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for her re-election on 7th January 2024.
Hasan Mahmud raises 1971 genocide issue with Pak envoy
The Foreign Minister recalled the valuable support of Kyrgyz people as part of the former USSR extended to our Liberation war in 1971.Meanwhile, the First Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan was held at State guesthouse Padma on Monday.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Avazbek Atakhanov led their respective sides in the FOC.
All possible areas of bilateral engagements were discussed in the meeting including political cooperation, candidatures in different multilateral fora, increasing the volume of bilateral trade, educational cooperation, agricultural cooperation etc.
Both Foreign Secretary and the Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister agreed that trade between Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan is still very negligible and there are ample scopes to further enhance bilateral trade.
Both sides expressed hope that the pending MoUs between the two countries would be signed soon.
The Foreign Secretary mentioned that Bangladesh’s tourist spots like Cox’s Bazar and Sundarban can be attractive destinations for Kyrgyz tourists.
Both sides also exchanged their views on issues of regional and global security including the situation in Myanmar, Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Foreign Office Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries was also signed during the FOC.
18th Meena Media Awards: 15 Bangladeshi journalists, including 3 child journalists honoured
UNICEF on Monday honoured 15 Bangladeshi journalists, including three child journalists, for their outstanding reporting on children’s issues during the 18th edition of Meena Media Awards in Bangladesh.
Since its launch in 2005, the Meena Media Awards have promoted child rights through recognizing excellence in journalistic reporting in print, broadcast, and online media, including reports of child journalists.
For the most recent round of awards, UNICEF received more than 1,000 submissions from print, photo, and video journalists, working in both national and local media outlets, more than three times last year’s total of 300 entries.
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Congratulating the award winners, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said media has an important role in voicing the needs of children. “Their insightful analysis of children’s issues provides crucial guidance for both society and policymakers, urging them to take meaningful action in ensuring children’s rights.”
The stories shared by winners and nominees center around critical issues such as children impacted by climate shocks, girls facing challenges in managing menstrual hygiene, children living in street situations, and children hailing from the marginalized communities.
“The news reports, photographs, and videos showcased at the Meena Media Award today not only highlight the needs of children but also what can be done to make their lives better. As we gather here to honour the journalists, let us reaffirm our commitments to ensure that the children’s voices are heard, their dreams nurtured, and their rights protected,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Japanese Ambassador visits UNICEF project sites in Rohingya camp at Bhasan Char
A nine-member expert panel of judges comprising of leading creative writers, media professionals both from print and broadcast media, photographers and academics selected the awardees among 65 nominees in 12 categories.
The judges assessed each entry through a strict marking process where the names of the participants were replaced by a specific code number to ensure non-biased judgement.
“The Meena Media Awards annually remind us of our utmost responsibility to safeguard the rights of children. I am confident that our journalist community, including the aspiring child journalists, will continue to write about the pressing issues that impact the lives of children in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Gitiara Nasreen, Professor in the Department of Mass Communication & Journalism in University of Dhaka, and one of the 2023 awards judges.
Mahfuz Anam, Editor, of The Daily Star, Dr Md Jahangir Alam, Director General, Bangladesh Television, Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, educationist, novelist and story writer specially for children, Reaz Ahmed, Executive Editor, Dhaka Tribune and Shameem Akhtar, filmmaker and lecturer at the Pathshala Institute, UNICEF National Ambassador, Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, UNICEF Child’s advocates, representatives from media, and donor agencies were present at the ceremony. Winners of the UNICEF Meena Media Awards 2023 (18 or Above) are: Ahmadul Hassan (Prothom Alo), Md Sazid Hossain (Prothom Alo), Md Boni Amin (Jamuna Television), Md Shabuj Mahmud (Independent Television), Md Rakibul Hasan Tamim (Dhaka Post), Md Jasim Uddin, (Dhaka Post), Musa Mollick (Dhaka Post), Nazrul Islam (Dhaka Post), Rabiul Alam (Dhaka Note), Sadhan Kumar Sarker, Daily Protidiner Bangladesh, Sharmin Rima, Cvoice24.com and Udisa islam, Bangla Tribune.Winners of the UNICEF Children’s Meena Media Awards 2023 (Below 18) are: Md. Safayet Hossain Shanto, Daily Ajker Sundarban, MD Mojahid Islam, ATN Bangla and Md. Naime Islam, economicnews24.com.
Central bank seeks info on upazila election candidates, ostensibly to identify defaulters
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked all the returning officers to provide the information of the candidates in the second phase of the Upazila Parishad election, ostensibly to shield against loan defaulters becoming candidates.
The second phase of the sixth ‘Upazila Parishad’ election will be held on May 21, 2024.
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Md Anisur Rahman, additional director of the credit information bureau, issued a letter to the returning officers, to provide information related to the debt of the candidates who filed nomination papers for the second phase of Upazila Parishad elections as per the prescribed form.
Shapla Chattor sought full name, father's name, mother's name, husband's name (if applicable) in Bengali and English, national identity card number, taxpayer identification number, and date of birth of all candidates.
Bangladesh Bank auctions gold for the first time in 16 years
The information also asked to include permanent and present address should be duly filled as per the attached table and sent through e-mail after giving the name of the returning officer/assistant returning officer along with seal, signature, and phone (mobile) number.
Around 2055 candidates have submitted their nomination papers in the second phase of upazila polls.
Election Commission Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said that 730 people have filed nomination papers for the post of chairman, 763 for the post of vice chairman, and 562 for the post of female vice chairman.
Banks’ CSR spending down by 18 percent in 2023: Bangladesh Bank
EU in phase of "future-proofing” relations with Bangladesh: Ambassador Whiteley
European Union (EU) Ambassador Charles Whiteley on Monday said the EU is now in a phase of "future-proofing” their relations with Bangladesh, signaling a premium on conserving or preserving the relationship, by engaging widely.
“This is a very important partnership. It's an indispensable relationship. And we are working on all fronts with this government (of Bangladesh) for our mutual benefit. Bangladesh is a very valued partner across many different policy areas, not just development,” he said, highlighting engagement in the areas of economy, climate change, migration and political issues.
The ambassador, during an interaction with journalists at the office of daily Amader Shomoy and The Business Post, said they no longer call themselves just a development partner.
Daily Amader Shomoy Editor Abul Momen, advisory editor Dr Khondaker Showkat Hossain also spoke at the interactive session moderated by Amader Shomoy and The Business Post Executive Editor Mainul Alam.
The ambassador visited different sections of the two dailies and exchanged views with the journalists there.
He said they are now living through very dangerous times globally and lots of terrible events happening around the world.
“And when you have terrible times, you need to hold your friends closer. And Bangladesh is a very close friend of the European Union. And we have many things in common that we want to achieve globally,” said Whiteley.
He observed that they are all facing another downturn in the European economy. “But I'm confident that that will turn around and Bangladesh is extremely competitive - you see that not only competitive in terms of price, but also competitive in the garment sector in terms of beginning to make sure all environmental social criteria are met.”
He said Bangladesh has a very strong advantage, certainly in the European market. “As you'll also know, we're quite a demanding customer, I have to be frank, we're demanding not just in terms of the buyers, but in terms of the rules that were applying to the inputs that come to the EU.”
Ambassador Whiteley described the situation in Myanmar and in Europe, they are trying to keep the flame alive for the Rohingya crisis.
“And it is still a crisis that is far from being over. I was just in Brussels in March at the European Humanitarian Forum. And there was a whole session devoted to the crisis,” he said, adding that there was a panel to discuss how they take things forward to try to be more supportive to Bangladesh.
“I think the situation in Myanmar and the instability to the whole situation, because the threat of regional instability, of course, draws attention to big powers and is interested in the future of the region,” said ambassador Whiteley.
That means, he said, a renewed attention on the need to support Bangladesh. “And certainly we will keep our funding, as I say we expect to keep funding levels, and I hope we can, because now it's been seven years or so, we need to find other sources of funding, not just crisis funding.”
The EU envoy also shed light on the progress regarding the negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which aims to broaden and modernize the framework for the partnership; export diversification, cooperation in education sector, ways to promote regular migration, clean energy and labour rights issues.
Bangladesh has made good use of duty - and quota- free access to the EU market under the ‘Everything But Arms’ scheme.
Beyond trade, migration, human rights, Rohingya crisis and development cooperation, Bangladesh and the European Union, today, want to step up cooperation on climate action, digitalisation, connectivity and security, taking into account the EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo Pacific.
ACC appoints committee to probe allegations against ex-IGP Benazir, his family
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) formed a committee to investigate the alleged corruption of former inspector general of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family.
ACC secretary Khorsheda Yeasmin informed the update at a briefing held at the headquarter of the Commission on Monday.
She said a report of illegal acquisition of wealth against former IGP Benazir Ahmed was published in a national daily newspaper on March 31 while similar complaints were published in some other electronic media on April 1 and 2.
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Mentioning the reports, ACC secretary said proceedings were initiated under Rule No. 3 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007 regarding the complaints.
She also said "The decision to investigate the fomer IGP was taken on April 18 in the first meeting after the long Eid Holiday."
According to the relevant laws and regulations, legal action will be taken by completing the investigation within the prescribed time frame, she added.
Benazir to get police protection during post-retirement leave
Earlier, a writ was filed in the High Court seeking a corruption probe into former IGP of Police Benazir Ahmed.
On Monday (April 22), Supreme Court lawyer Salahuddin Regan filed the writ in the relevant branch of the High Court. In the writ four persons including ACC chairman and secretary were made defendants.
BSF shoots another Bangladeshi dead along border, this time in Kasba
A 23-year-old Bangladeshi youth was killed in firing by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members on Monday along the Putia border in Kasba Upazila of Brahmanbaria.
The deceased Md Hasan was the son of Jaru Mia of Kaimpur village of Kaimpur union of the upazila. He was a farmer by profession.
According to eyewitnesses and BGB, victim Hasan along with some of his friends went to the zero line area of the Indian border in Putia around 9am.
A member of BSF from Gate No. 3 of that area opened fire, leaving Hasan injured.
His friends Md Yasin and Emon Mia with the help of locals rescued him and brought him to Kasba Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead.
Raju Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Kasba police station, said that the body of the youth killed in BSF firing was kept in the upazila health complex. It would be sent to the district Sadar hospital morgue for post-mortem, he added.
Sultanpur 60BGB Captain (CO) Javed Bin Jabbar said that they are investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, a meeting was held between BGB and BSF in the afternoon.
In the meeting, BGB formally protested the incident.
Expressing sorrow over the incident, BSF assured that such an untoward incident should not happen again.
Man to die for killing niece after rape in Natore five years ago
A tribunal on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing his niece after rape in 2019.
Natore Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim handed down the punishment.
The tribunal also fined Tk 20,000 to the condemned convict Shahadat, 35 of Deugacha village in Singra upazila of the district.
Double life sentence for man who abducted and raped teenager
According to the prosecution, Abdur Razzaque of Deugacha village in Singra upazila along with his wife Sonavan went to one of his relatives' houses, leaving behind his 16-year-old daughter alone on August 4, 2016.
Finding his niece alone at the house, the convict Shahadat violated the girl and strangled her to death.
However, local people caught Shahadat red-handed while he was trying to flee the scene.
A case was filed in this connection.
Madrasa girl raped in Bhola; one of two accused arrested
Dhaka pulling out all the stops to welcome Emir of Qatar after nearly two decades
President Mohammed Shahabuddin welcomed Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday afternoon as Bangladesh rolled out the red carpet complete with gun salute at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The Emir of Qatar arrived at 5pm for a two-day state visit at the invitation of the president of Bangladesh.
The president and the emir exchanged flowers at the airport on his arrival and exchanged greetings with the representatives of Bangladesh and Qatar in the presentation line after receiving the salute.
During the trip, President Shahabuddin will host an official lunch in honour of the emir at Darbar Hall followed by a cultural programme at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the visiting emir will sign the visitor's book after the courtesy meeting with the president.
Bangladesh and Qatar will sign 11 cooperation documents- six agreements and five MoUs, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud came up with the update while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Such a high-level 24-hour visit is taking place from friendly country Qatar nearly after 19 years.
The then Emir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani visited Bangladesh in April, 2005.
On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive the emir at her office.
They will have tête-à-tête (one-to-one) meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office which will be followed by a bilateral meeting, witness the signing of multiple cooperation documents between the two nations, including 6 MoUs, and join a joint press meet.
After signing the visitors' book there, the emir will head for Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon where the president will receive him.
Alongside, the emir will inaugurate the park in Kalshi area of Mirpur under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and a road running from Mirpur ECB Chattar to Kalshi Flyover at 3pm, which will be named after the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the visiting emir's father and predecessor.
He is scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a special flight at 6pm Tuesday while he foreign minister will see him off at the airport.
Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign state on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974.
Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982.
More than 400,000 Bangladeshis work in Qatar and they are appreciated as dedicated and hard working.
Recently the two nations have engaged in extensive economic cooperation in the vital energy sector, as the tiny Gulf state is home to the world's largest per capita reserves of hydrocarbons, while Bangladesh since 2022 has been a major buyer in the region of LNG (liquefied natural gas) in particular, of which Qatar has been the world's highest supplier.
Liberation war affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, chiefs of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, foreign secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), secretaries concerned to the president office and senior military and civil officials were present there.
Money Embezzlement Case: HC issues rule on bail of Major Mannan and 6 others
The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the bail of 7 people including Ex-MP and Bangladesh Industrial Financial Company Limited's former chairman Major (retd) Abdul Mannan in a case filed on charges of embezzling over Tk 9 crore, should not be cancelled.
The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ibadat Hossain issued the rule following the plea made by the ACC seeking the cancellation of their bail.
Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state.
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The others accused are Bangladesh Industrial Financial Company Limited (BIFC) former director ANM Jahangir, Rois Uddin, Rokeya Ferdous, DMD Inamur Rahman, director AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed and senior vice president Syed Fakhre Faisal.
On December 1, 2022, ACC Deputy Director Abdul Majed filed the case with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1, against 12 people, including Major Mannan over the embezzlement.
The accused in connivance with each other, in the name of Razia Sultana of M/s Telecom Service Enterprise, received Tk 9,77,94,892 loan from BIFC.
Later, they transferred the money to different bank accounts.
On March 7, the Senior Special Judge of Dhaka Metropolitan granted them bail.