Bangladesh
BGMEA calls for investment in high value-added, non-cotton textile
The high value-added and non-cotton textile items hold great potential for investment in Bangladesh as the apparel industry is increasingly focusing on a shift towards synthetic fibres, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said Monday.
The growing consciousness among the consumers about the environment and sustainability are driving them towards non-cotton, especially manmade fibres, and Bangladesh has ample opportunity in this area, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said.
He was delivering the keynote speech at a session "Readymade garments and textiles – weaving the way" during an investment summit at a city hotel.
Md Atiqul Islam, mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, chaired the session, and Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, moderated it.
Faruque said, "Along with focusing on fibre diversification, we also need to make a considerable investment in skill development to make sophisticated products."
READ: BGMEA for improving nutritional status of workers to boost efficiency, productivity
He also emphasised making more progress in innovation, pattern making, design input services, developing own collections, trend analysis, product research and development.
International investment summit: Bangladesh gets $2.7 billion pledge
Bangladesh receives $2.7 billion investment commitments from potential foreign businesses as a two-day international investment conference concluded in Dhaka on Monday. Talking to the UNB at the summit venue Md. Sirajul Islam, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) said the pledged investment may even increase to $ 5 billion as some global partners are expected to declare their commitments later. Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone have signed an investment deal of $150 million on the closing day of the summit. The conference focused on the opportunity of investment in the country as its domestic markets have been expanding with enhancing buying capacity of consumers. Speaking in different sessions on November 28 and 29, the private and public sector experts, investors, business organizations’ leaders emphasized Bangladesh’ domestic markets’ consumption demand along with the country’s ability in the productions as well as manufacturing sector.
READ: International Investment Summit begins Sunday with focus on attracting FDI
They said per capita income of Bangladesh crossed (USD) $2500, which means purchase capacity of the people have increased significantly. Bangladesh not only exporting goods in the global markets, but also importing a big volume of household appliance and consumers items, they said. Banks and financial institutions have been fully digitalized, electronic transaction system also modernized, mobile financial sector brought a revolution in online purchasing and e-commerce selling, the summit documents claimed. Readymade garments sector leaders said Bangladesh’ contribution in the garments manufacturing has been increasing gradually and new investment is required for development. Leather and leather goods entrepreneurs have showcased investment potentials in the sectors. Finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal was the chief gest in the closing ceremony while Salman F Rahman, prime minister’s adviser on industry and investment was the special guest and Saleh Nasser Al- Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics was present as guest.
READ: 10-member Saudi delegation joins Investment Summit
Dhaka North City Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, State Minister Nasrul Hamid , Hector Gomez Ang, regional director of international finance corporation (IFC), Rupali Huque Chowdhury, president of foreign investors’ chamber of commerce and industry (FICCI), among others, were spoke in the closing functions. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the summit on Sunday as the chief guest. Ministers, local and foreign delegates and experts joined physically. The slogan for the summit was "Bangladesh Discover Limitless Opportunities". The summit was organised the occasion of Mujib Borsho, the birth centennial of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. BIDA organized the summit in association with Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Foreign Investors' Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Representatives of government and investors from 54 countries, including the USA, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, India, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Netherlands took part in the conference.
Wall collapses at DU hall canteen; 2 injured
Two people were injured after a wall in front of the canteen counter at Kabi Jasimuddin Hall of Dhaka University suddenly collapsed on Monday.
The incident occurred around 1:30 pm when the students were having lunch, said Mobarak Hossain the canteen manager.
Both the injured were outsiders, confirmed the hall authority.
Also read: 5 freshmen beaten up at DU hall for hailing end to guest room culture
A canteen boy told UNB: “It was the peak time and we were serving meals to students when the tiny wall in front of the canteen counter collapsed.”
Some resident students of the hall said, “As the wall was small in size and it fell back no major casualties occurred but the scene could’ve been different if it collapsed on opposite side.”
We visited the canteen along with an engineer immediately after the accident said Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rashid, provost of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall.
Also read: DU halls reopen for all students, but no more ‘gano rooms.’
A five-member probe committee led by Professor Mohammad Jahirul Islam was formed to investigate the incident, he said.
The committee was asked to submit a report within three working days, said Dr. Rashid.
Rohingyas the 'most vulnerable community' in region: Caritas
The new President of Caritas Bangladesh (CB) Bishop James Romen Boiragi on Monday said the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs), or Rohingyas, now taking shelter in the refugee camps of Ukhiya upazila, are the most vulnerable community in the region.
He made the remarks while visiting the Kutupalong camp together with the organisation's Executive Director (ED) Sebastian Rozario.
While talking to Rohingya people and their leaders, the CB President said, “We want peaceful repatriation of the Rohingya community to their motherland as it’s your demand as well.”
CB President visited Camp-4 and Camp-4 Extension in Ukhiya where CB has been providing various facilities to FDMNs since the massive influx in 2017.
READ: 379 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char
During the visit to Rohingya Camp-4 and Camp 4-Extension, CB high officials spoke to Camp-in-Charge (CIC) Md Mahfujar Rahman (Deputy Secretary).
CB President thanked the government of Bangladesh through the CIC for giving them the opportunity to work for the FDMNs.
“Caritas Bangladesh is the pioneer organization in protecting the environment here and started tree plantation activities and distributed LPG Cylinders to stop deforestation,” said CB President.
Talking to CB President, Md Obaidul Haque, a Majhi (camp-wise leader of Rohingya people) of Camp-4, said they are happy in the camp but they want to go to their motherland ultimately.
CB’s Emergency Response Program (ERP) Project Director Marcel Ratan Guda; Head of Operation of ERP, Mr Inmanuel Chayan Biswas; Camp Coordinator Paritosh Chakrabortty, among others, were present.
Dengue: 75 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Seventy-five new dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours until Monday morning, health authorities said.
The number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 98 in the current year as no fresh death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the deceased, 90 people have died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions.
Dhaka reported 60 new patients undergoing treatment in hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 15 cases have been reported from outside the division.
Also read: Dengue: 74 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Some 392 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Monday.
Of them, 285 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 107 were listed outside Dhaka.
Since January, some 27,153 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue in the country. So far, 26, 663 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
Also read: Dengue: 87 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
HC denies bail to producer Raj in money laundering case
The High Court on Monday rejected a bail plea by Nazrul Islam Raj, owner of Raj Multimedia, in a case of money laundering filed against him.
The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and AKM Zahirul Haque dismissed the bail petition as not presented at the court, said Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik.
Lawyer AK Rashedul Haque presented the petitioner’s side at the court while DAG AKM Amin Uddin Manik appeared for the state.
Raj, an associated of actress Pori Moni, was arrested by Rab on August 4 along with two others.
Also read: Pori, Raj ringleaders of organised gang: Rab
His arrest came hours after a raid on Pori Moni’s Banani residence and her subsequent arrest on charge of keeping illegal drugs.
Pori Moni, who was sent to jail, is now out on bail. She faces trial under Narcotics Control Act.
Also read: 2 ‘associates’ of Pori Moni-Raj placed on remand
Public health policy formulation: 'Right people not in the right place'
The right people are not being placed in the right place at the right time while formulating public health policies and the grassroots voices are also missing in the process, a study revealed Monday.
The Bangladesh Health Watch (BHW), a multi-stakeholder civil society platform, conducted the research in association with the James P Grant School of Public Health of Brac University.
Dr Md Atiqul Haque of the public health and informatics department of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and his team carried out the study on the inventory of health policy and policy forums.
READ: Ophthalmologists’ national workshop: ROP emerges as a growing public health concern
This study aimed to explore the participation of citizens and policy forums in health policy processes.
The findings were disclosed at a roundtable in the capital.The session was chaired by Dr Zakir Hossain, former director of primary health care and disease control at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and working group member of the BHW.
READ: Hasina cancels PMO’s vehicle procurement plan, diverts fund to public healthcare
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest. Dr Yasmin H Ahmed, an advisor to the BHW, moderated it.
Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP’s rallies Tuesday
BNP will stage rallies in all divisional cities, including the capital, of the country on Tuesday demanding medical care of its ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad.
In Dhaka, the rally will begin in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at 1pm, said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a press briefing, he said they have received verbal permission from police to arrange the rally at Nayapaltan.
“Khaleda Zia is now at the crossroads of life and death. What her medical board said yesterday (Sunday) about her physical illness is worrying. Her life is now in great danger,” the BNP leader said.
Rizvi said it is now urgent to send the BNP chief abroad for advanced treatment in a bid to save her life.
READ: Journalists want apex court to pave way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad
He said there is nothing left to treat the BNP chairperson in the country for lack of necessary equipment and technology.
He said the government is not allowing Khaleda to go outside the country for treatment out of its political vengeance. “The government is dragging Khaleda Zia towards death. Her human rights have been snatched instead of showing sympathy to her.”
The BNP leader renewed their party’s demand for letting Khaleda go abroad for treatment considering her critical physical condition.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
READ: Khaleda can fly in any foreign doctor for treatment: FM
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Power sector needs $65 billion investment to meet growing demand: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh needs $65 billion in investment in the power sector to meet growing demand.
He said there will be huge demand in power and energy sector as more than 40 economic zones are being developed across the country.
“These economic zones will create huge opportunity for industrial sector to set up manufacturing units,” he said while making a keynote presentation on “Power and Energy Sector: Change Ahead” at a seminar at the Bangladesh International Investment Summit 2021 at a city hotel on Monday.
READ: Nasrul Hamid visits Redbridge; highlights impacts of climate change on Bangladesh
The investment summit, organized by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), was also addressed by Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Asian Development Bank’s Bangladesh country director Edimon Ginting, International Finance Corporation’s regional head of industry, infrastructure and natural resources Isabel Chatterton, executive director-Gas to Power Business Development, Acwa Power of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ayad Al Amri, local Summit Group’s chairman Mohammed Aziz Khan, Chevron Bangladesh’s country director Eric M Walker and president of Bangladesh Independent Power Producers’ Association (BIPPA).
Nasrul said Bangladesh has been offering best policies in the region for the foreign investors to come in the power and energy sector.
“Specially, power transmission and distribution segment and renewable energy could be very potential sector for private investors”, he added.
Nasrul noted that steps have been taken to reduce carbon emission by 49 per cent in power and energy sector by 2030.
“We have already abandoned a number of coal-fired power projects that would generate 8500 MW electricity”, he said adding that the country’s power system master plan is being updated to promote green technologies in the sector.
He said plans are being undertaken to increase the use of electric vehicle to reduce the carbon emission.
READ: Bangladesh won't bow down to fundamentalist forces: Nasrul Hamid
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said Bangladesh is emphasizing more on clean energy development rather than renewable energy.
He said technologies are changing fast and Bangladesh is always looking for newer technologies in power and energy sector.
He said Bangladesh will invite foreign companies to invest in its offshore area for hydrocarbon exploration.
ADB country director Edimon Ginting appreciated the government’s current polities for promotion private sector investment.
He said ADB will always remain supportive to Bangladesh to help develop its infrastructures.
Ayad Al Amri said Saudi Arabia has been very experience in power and energy sector and his companies are keen to invest more in the sector in Bangladesh.
ADB to provide $150 million targeted at CMSE's, job creation
Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday signed agreements for $150 million in loan financing for cottage, micro, and small-sized enterprises (CMSEs) and creating jobs for promoting socio-economic recovery after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The assistance under the Supporting Post-COVID-19 Small-Scale Employment Creation Project will rejuvenate CMSEs operated by youth, rural entrepreneurs, returning migrant workers, particularly women, who have been hit hard by the pandemic, according to an ADB release.
Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Fatima Yasmin and ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively at a ceremony at ERD.
The loan to Bangladesh Bank, the nation’s central bank, will be on-lent to participating financial institutions (PFIs), which in turn will help 30,000 CMSEs operated by the beneficiaries.
The project will create at least 45,000 employment opportunities by December 2025. It has targeted to disburse 20 percent of the funds to microbusiness led by women to support their recovery as they have limited access to finance and have severely been affected by the pandemic due to their high concentration in retail, travel, and hospitality sectors.
ADB will provide an additional $900,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund for Bangladesh Bank and participating financial institutions to help them strengthen their risk management capacities, business process, and information systems.
The assistance will also boost their support of CMSEs by incorporating mobile finance, value chain financing, and sustainable financing tackling climate change.
READ: ADB approves $150 million loan to Bangladesh to help recovery of Covid-hit enterprises
This project builds on the $250 million policy-based Strengthening Social Resilience Program, approved by ADB in June 2021, to strengthen Bangladesh’s social protection programs and resilience of vulnerable groups.
It also complements the $50 million additional financing to the ongoing Microenterprise Development Project, approved in December 2020, to help restore economic activities of microenterprises affected by COVID-19 in the country.
“The assistance will support Government’s efforts to accelerate socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” ERD secretary Fatima Yasmin said.
ADB country director Edimon Ginting said that the project will reinforce ADB’s long-standing support to Bangladesh in financial inclusion and address key barriers for financing CMSEs by developing a comprehensive action plan that will tackle sector-wide challenges, promote best practices at the banks, and expand training and business development support to the borrowers said Country Director.
READ: Remotest region to connect with broadband internet by 2025: Palak
“The project will also balance the affordability and availability of loans in addition to adopting innovative approaches so that lower loan interest rates do not disincentivise banks’ lending to CMSEs,” he added.