COVID-19 pandemic
Global Covid cases near 587 million
The overall number of Covid cases is fast approaching 587 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 586,962,311 and the death toll reached 6,431,061 on Friday morning.
The US has recorded 93,739,666 cases so far and 1,057,881 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India reported over 20,000 new cases of Covid-19 and 53 deaths in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,087,037 in the country, according to federal health ministry data.
Read: Covid in Bangladesh: 2 more die, new cases 278
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded two more Covid-linked deaths with 278 fresh cases in 24 hours till Thursday.
With the latest numbers, the total fatalities reached 29,300 and the caseload 2,006,646, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 5.14 per cent from Wednesday’s 6.53 per cent as 5,404 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 per cent. The recovery rate rose to 96.97 per cent from Wednesday’s 96.95 per cent.
Global Covid cases near 583 million
The overall number of Covid cases is gradually nearing 583 million amid a rise in new infections in some parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 582,905,496 and the death toll reached 6,421,737 on Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 93,225,110 cases so far and 1,055,576 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
Also read: Covid forces suspension of production at Barapukuria Coal Mine for 15 more days
According to India’s federal health ministry data released on Monday morning, 10,640 new cases of Covid were reported in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,046,915 in the country.
The country also logged 39 related deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall toll to 526,396 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
New Zealand recorded 7,382 new community cases of Covid and 34 more deaths, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, South Korea reported 111,700 new cases and 16 new deaths.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 582 million
Health authorities in Australia reported 27,955 new cases and 53 new deaths during the period.
Covid in Bangladesh
One more person died from Covid and 349 tested positive for the virus in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Monday.
The country's total fatalities and caseload reached 29,292 and 2,005,606, respectively, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 5.86% from Sunday's 6.38% as 5,953 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46%. The recovery rate rose to 96.90% from Sunday's 96.87%.
Bangladesh reports 3 more Covid deaths, 365 new cases
Bangladesh recorded three more Covid-linked deaths with 365 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday.
With the latest numbers, the total fatalities reached 29,291while the caseload 2,005,257, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate declined to 6.38 per cent from Saturday's 6.64 percent as 5,720 samples were tested.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccine consignment for kids arrive in Dhaka
Of the deceased, two were men and one woman.They were from Dhaka, Sylhet and Rangpur division.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.87 per cent from Saturday's 96.84 per cent.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Also read: Uptick in migrants heading home as world rebounds from Covid: IOM
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
PM Hasina urges global solidarity to face looming humanitarian crisis caused by war
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for greater multilateral cooperation and global solidarity to bravely deal with the “looming humanitarian crisis caused by Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions and counter-sanctions.”
“As the world is passing through a difficult time due to Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts, food and energy crisis, climate change and natural disasters, the need for strengthened multilateral cooperation and global solidarity deserves more attention than ever,” she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the 20th session of D-8 Council of Ministers at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye. It was officially launched in Istanbul in1997.
PM Hasina said that a humanitarian crisis is looming due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and, the subsequent sanctions and counter-sanctions that have disrupted the production and supply of food, fertiliser, energy and power and other commodities.
“We should all come forward to bravely address this looming humanitarian crisis,” she said.
She said that while the world was reeling from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has pushed the world to a fresh danger.
Also read: Promote right persons in Army: PM Hasina
She mentioned that countries like Bangladesh have been bearing the brunt of the impacts of the war most.
“Prices of the essentials have gone beyond the purchasing capacities of the most of people,” she said.
The premier said that the government in Bangladesh has taken comprehensive measures to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus pandemic on the economy and revive it to desired growth trajectory.
So far, she said, the government has announced 28 stimulus packages equivalent to USD 23 billion which is 6.3 per cent of the country’s GDP.
She mentioned that a total of 67.4 million people and 118,000 business entities have been benefited from these packages.
“Bangladesh is one of the very few countries which have successfully vaccinated its targeted population against COVID-19,” she told the conference.
She said that Bangladesh has been ranked fifth out of 121 countries and the first among the South Asian counties in COVID-19 recovery index.
Talking about the advancement of the country, Hasina said that Bangladesh has made impressive progress in all social-economic sectors over the last one decade.
She mentioned that poverty rate has gone down to 20 per cent with per capita income increased to USD 2,824.
She pointed out that robust agricultural growth has made the county self-sufficient in food production. There is gender equality in all sectors. Enrolment at primary level has gone up to 97.81 per cent, child mortality rate significantly decreased to 28 per 1000 live-births and life expectancy increased to 72.8 years.
She said that more than 98 per cent population have been brought under safe water and sanitation network. Access to government services has been made digital and easy, and 5.8 per cent of the national budget has been earmarked for social security and welfare programmes.
“Our sustained efforts in all areas of socio-economic advancement have paved the way to graduating from the LDCs,” she said.
The prime minister said that last month, she opened the longest bridge in Bangladesh, the Padma Bridge, which is an engineering marvel built entirely with the country’s own funds.
She said that the bridge is expected to contribute 1.23 per cent to the annual GDP.
She mentioned that mega projects, including Metro rail, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Payra Seaport, Karnafuli tunnel, Elevated Expressway, 100 Special Economic Zones and High-Tech IT parks, are being implemented.
“These will be crucial to realize our vision to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041,” the PM said.
However, she said, there are many challenges for Bangladesh in its endeavours to be a developed country.
In this regard she said that global warming and climate change has posed tremendous threat to the country’s existence.
“Having located in a unique hydro-morphological system in the largest delta of the world and with a densely populated coastline, the impact of climate change is extreme for Bangladesh,” she said.
The prime minister said that the D-8 countries with more than one billion population have enormous potentials for economic cooperation.
She mentioned that Bangladesh has been attracting investment through its liberal, friendly investment policies and arrangement of linkages between foreign and local businesses.
She said that the export earning has increased from USD 18 billion in 2010 to over 52 billion in the last fiscal year.
In this regard, she said Bangladesh, currently the 41st largest economy in the world, is set to become the 25th by 2035.
“We look forward towards new partnerships to attain our shared vision of prosperity for the people keeping in mind the guiding focus in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.”
She called upon the D-9 countries to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the grouping with new focus on some specific areas for the next decade.
The areas are: Preferential Trade Agreement or PTA, D-8 Economic Zone, ICT, diversified agriculture to ensure food security and alternative energy sources.
Regarding the finalisation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement, she said, it will help harmonise the intra-country trade, liberalize the barriers, and stimulate trade and economic cooperation among the member states.
The premier said that the 25-year-old D-8 is now poised to deliver its goal of economic development through creating synergies.
“This is possible through political commitment and meaningful cooperation of our public and private sectors. The immense possibility that we have, if realized properly, will heighten our power as an economic bloc,” she told the meeting.
She urged the member countries to “work together to provide the impetus for harnessing our potentials towards a prosperous future.”
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, D-8 secretary general Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ministry Md Shahriar Alam, President of D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industries (D8CCI) Sheikh Fazle Fahim and Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke at the programme.
A documentary on the D-8 and its 25 years journey was screened at the programme.
Global Covid cases near 576 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 576 million amid a rise in new infections in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 576,192,266 and the death toll reached 6,405,163 on Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 92,339,925 cases so far and 1,052,467people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
Also read: Covid numbers rising in Bangladesh: 5 more deaths, 548 cases reported
After reporting over 20,000 daily cases for four straight days, India's daily Covid-19 caseload came down to 12,000, Monday, officials said.
According to federal health ministry data released on Monday morning, the 12,781 new cases reported during the past 24 hours took the total tally to 43,920,451 in the country.
The country also logged 36 Covid-related deaths during this period, which has pushed the overall death toll to 526,110 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Five more people died from Covid and 548 tested positive for the virus in 24 hours till Monday morning, as cases creep up again in Bangladesh.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,271, the new numbers took its caseload to 2,002,323, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: 70% of Covid deaths among unvaccinated: DGHS DG
As Covid is spreading fast, the daily case positivity rate rose to 7.84 percent from Sunday's 7.04 percent as 6,987 samples were tested.
Of the deceased, two were men and three women; two were from Rajshahi, and one each was from Chattogram, Khulna and Rangpur divisions.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.75 percent from Sunday's 96.71 percent.
MFS sector led financial transactions during Covid-19 pandemic: Nagad MD
The MFS sector led the country in share of financial transactions during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Nagad, an MFS provider, has taken the lead in disbursing a variety of government allowances, including Covid-19 financial assistance, stipends, and social safety net programme.
The transparent distribution of these allowances has saved time and reduced system losses, the company’s Founder and Managing Director Tanvir A Mishuk told the UNB’s Masudul Hoque in an interview.
Mishuk shared his thoughts after the post-budget period on the country's economy and Mobile Financial Service (MFS).
UNB: Tell the current situation of the country's MFS industry
Mishuk: Undoubtedly, the MFS industry plays a significant role in Bangladesh's sustainable growth.
The MFS sector led the country's financial transactions during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Nagad has taken the lead in disbursing a variety of government allowances, including Covid-19 financial assistance, stipends, and social safety net program. The transparent distribution of these allowances has saved time and reduced system losses.
Collectively, all operators currently transact an average of Tk 3,500crore on a daily basis.
When Nagad entered the market in March 2019, the daily transaction of all operators was roughly Tk 1,000. Needless to say, Nagad has been instrumental in market expansion. All of Nagad's unique innovations, in particular, have pushed users to embrace MFS or mobile financial services.
Read: Nagad, Swisscontact team up to enhance financial inclusion of RMG workers
UNB: What stage is Bangladesh's economy now in?
Mishuk: We are at present, in my opinion, in the best position in Bangladesh's history. The way we have handled the Covid-19 crisis is simply exemplary. Even many developed countries have struggled to deal with this predicament.
We constructed Padma Bridge. This bridge will have a significant economic influence not just on Bangladesh but also on a number of neighbouring countries. The forecast indicates that just one bridge will raise our revenue by 1.23 per cent. Followed by the Karnafuli River tunnel, metro rail, and the elevated expressway. Now, the entire world will witness the progress of the Asian Tigers.
UNB: Is financial inclusion satisfactory enough?
Mishuk: Obviously, this is where we lagged behind. However, our initiatives have gotten quite advanced. The Global Findex, the latest study led by the World Bank, indicates that 53 per cent of individuals in Bangladesh are included in the financial inclusion umbrella. However, based on the number of bank accounts and credit cards, it is around 20 per cent. The remainder comes solely from MFS. Without a doubt, Nagad plays a crucial role here.
To ensure the long-term viability of development, we must enhance financial inclusion and swiftly surpass Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. Mobile financial services will be the primary vehicle for the government to achieve this objective, rather than the traditional banking system.
In this case, Nagad is a model of optimism. In the previous three years alone, our consumer base has grown to almost 6.5 crores. No other business in Bangladesh has gained so many customers so quickly, not even in the banking sector. In the meantime, the daily transaction volume of Nagad has nearly hit one thousand crores.
UNB: What are the scopes of work here?
Mishuk: According to The Global Findex, the majority of individuals without a banking account own a mobile phone.
Therefore, we have the potential to bring these unbanked individuals into the fold.
We have not been able to bring 30 million individuals into financial inclusion yet, according to the study. Hence, this is also an opportunity for us to expand the market.
In terms of financial inclusion, Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal are ahead of us, but in the majority of instances, we are in the lead. For example - paying the utility bill through MFS makes Bangladesh the most advanced in South Asia, in this area.
UNB: How innovative has this industry been in its expansion of services?
Mishuk: In recent years, the digitalisation of the financial sector has been ensured. And this has been largely accomplished by Nagad. Previously, it was the local Hundi that had been transformed into a formal transaction.
We've introduced an innovation that streamlined the complex procedure of account opening, which is known as D-KYC *167#.
Through this innovation, they can simply dial *167# and open a financial account.
UNB: How much can MFS operators contribute to GDP?
Mishuk: So far, no research has been conducted on the MFS sector's contribution to GDP. However, it is a self-evident fact that if transactions can be accelerated while keeping transparency, the economy can move far more quickly.Additionally, the MFS sector has generated over one million direct and indirect employment. Mobile phone operators contribute 7.5 per cent to GDP. The contribution of the MFS industry to GDP is, in my opinion, more than that of mobile operators.
Govt focuses on food security in new action plan amid global crisis
The government has worked out an action plan for 2022-23 fiscal for the agricultural sector to ensure food security as the world faces pressure in food production due to COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.The plan has been worked out in line with the National Agriculture Policy 2018, Agricultural Extension Policy 2020 and 8th Five Year Plan, according to an official document.The main aspects of this action plan are to ensure country’s food security through increased production of all types of crops including paddy and maize; innovate adverse environment-tolerant crop variety and technology and to roll it out quickly, and develop and enhance the quality of their seeds using biotechnology, said the document obtained by UNB this week.
Also read: Flood waters receding again in Sylhet but food, water crises persistThe document highlighted optimum use of surface water and solar- powered irrigation, promotion of the production and application of organic fertilizers to safeguard soil health and issueing smart cards to all farmers in the action plan.
IFAD Member States to appoint next President July 7
The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will appoint its next President on July 7.
The new leadership will be chosen at a dire time when millions more rural people are being pushed into hunger and poverty due to the compounding effects of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and record-level commodity prices triggered by the conflict in Ukraine.
Read: IFAD: Integration of nutrition in all dev interventions sought
The President will lead IFAD, a specialized United Nations agency and international finance institution with 177 Member States, for the next four years, said the UN agency on Monday.
IFAD plays a crucial role in the fight against hunger and poverty and the transformation of food systems through its investments in rural populations and small-scale farmers.
Those small-scale farmers produce one-third of the world’s food and are essential to global food security.
Yet, their capacity to produce food for their communities and countries is threatened by climate change and a lack of access to seeds, fertilizers, technology, knowledge and markets.
Read: IFAD issues 1st bond connecting capital markets to rural poor around world
The current price hikes for food, energy and fertilizer are now threatening their ability to feed their families. This crisis comes at a time when vulnerable rural populations are reeling from the value chain disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2019 and 2021, IFAD helped 77 million people improve their income, 67 million people improved their access to markets, and 62 million people increased their production.
Momen hopeful of achieving 7.5 pc GDP
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh will overcome challenges to attain the proposed budget's gross domestic product or GDP target of 7.5 per cent.
“Bangladesh is in our heart. We believe we will be able to achieve the GDP target,” he told reporters after attending a programme in the city.
Also read: Budget offers no good news for lower, middle income groups: CPD
Momen said despite challenges due to Covid-19 pandemic Bangladesh economy is doing fine.
The extreme poverty rate has already come down to 10.5 per cent due to the steps taken by the government to alleviate poverty and the target has been set to bring it down to three per cent by 2030, said foreign minister.
The government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the welfare of the distressed people of the society, said the minister at the annual sports and cultural meet arranged by Sylhet Division of the Department of Social Services at Bagbari in Sylhet.
Referring to various government assistance provided through the Department of Social Services, Momen said assistance has been provided to the people through old age allowance, allowances for the widow, deserted and destitute women, allowance for indigent persons with disabilities, education stipend for students with disabilities, natural disaster and risk management programs.
Also read: Budget to make economy stronger: Finance Minister
He said the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to build a developed and non-communal country where food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care will be ensured for all.
On the occasion, the foreign minister visited the parade with the participation of residents of various institutions of Sylhet Division of the Department of Social Services and received greetings.
Budget FY23: Parliament back to business as usual
With ebbing Covid-19 pandemic under control the Parliament on Thursday got back its old atmosphere when the finance minister presented his budget proposals for FY2022-23.
Though the Covid health protocols were still in force the members looked relaxed as they listened and watched the audio-visual presentation of the national budget.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presented the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in Parliament in the afternoon. This is the 51st budget of Bangladesh and the fourth budget of him.
Kamal placed a proposed budget of Tk 678,064 crore for the new financial year with the challenge of reversing the lost pace of development due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed expenditure for the new fiscal year is 14.24 per cent higher than the revised budget of the outgoing fiscal year (Tk 5,93,500 crore). That amount of money is equal to 15.23 per cent of the total GDP of Bangladesh.
The size of the budget given by Kamal in the outgoing fiscal year was 12 per cent more than the revised budget in the fiscal year 2020-21 and was equal to 16.4 per cent of GDP.
Earlier, after approval of the budget at a special Cabinet meeting at the parliament building, President Abdul Hamid signed it for authentication.
Also read:Budget FY23: Prices to go up and down
He arrived at the Parliament House from Bangabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal walked together from the Prime Minister's Office at the Parliament building to the House. The finance minister was carrying a maroon coloured briefcase.
The Russia-Ukraine war has destabilized world markets in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.
The rising US dollar is putting pressure on the economy as food and fuel prices continue to rise.
The World Bank warns that many countries could fall into recession as inflation rises.
The finance minister has prepared this year's budget plan to take the country back to the pre-pandemic development trend despite various pressures.
Usually the day of presentation of the budget wears a festive mood throughout the parliament building.
But the picture of the last two years was different.
The entrance to the parliament building area was restricted.
And in the main building a small number of officers and employees performed their duties.
Even in the session, the mood of that festival was not seen for two years. There were strict warnings everywhere. Public gatherings were controlled to avoid infection.
It has been a different picture this time. Nearly all the seats in the House were occupied by lawmakers unlike last year’s turnout of about 160 members in Parliament.
However, this time the number of MPs in the session room was much higher than the last two times.
For the last two years, the members of the Legislative Assembly were listed and placed in the Parliament.
This time all the MPs who got negative certificates in the Coronavirus test were in the House. There were 260 legislators in the parliament chamber.
The MPs, however, were all wearing masks. Sanitizers were kept at all the entrances including the MP lobby starting from the entrance to the parliament building.
Everyone entering the Parliament building has to take a temperature test for fever.
President Hamid sat in the gallery in his designated place and watched the budget presentation. At the beginning of the session, the speaker informed the Parliament about the presence of the president.
The 'Covid Negative' certificate is mandatory for entry into the budget session which started on June 5.
Also read: Budget FY23: Laundered money to be legalized by 7-15 pc tax
During the last two years of the budget session, journalists were not allowed to enter the session hall. Last year, permission was granted to enter the parliament building only. This time there is no such restriction.
The finance minister took 48 minutes to deliver his budget speech in 2020. Last year, the budget was presented for more than an hour, but he read it for 15 minutes only. The rest of the time his budget proposal was presented in PowerPoint and audio-visual presentations.
This time too he presented the budget in audio-visual presentation with the welcome speech with the permission of the speaker.
At the beginning, the finance minister spoke for about five minutes.
At the end he stood and talked for about two minutes. In all, he spoke for only seven minutes in a budget presentation of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The finance minister stood up and prepared to present the budget. Later the speaker said he can sit and read if he wants. Mustafa Kamal started by reciting verses from the Qur'an.
After the presentation of the budget, the finance minister raised the Finance Bill-2022 in the Parliament. The speaker then adjourned the House till 12 noon on June 12.
As in the last two years, no guests were invited to witness the budget presentation.
Earlier, diplomats and important people of the state would be present during the presentation of the budget.
Kamal arrived at the parliament building with a maroon briefcase at 11:30 am to complete all the formalities before presenting the budget.
According to the decision of the Working Advisory Committee of the Parliament, after the presentation of the budget, there will be a general discussion on the supplementary budget for the financial year 2021-22.
The supplementary budget will be passed on June 13. After that, the members of parliament will discuss the budget of the new financial year.
The finance bill for the new fiscal year will be passed on June 29. The budget will be passed on June 30 and it will be effective on the first day of July.
Although the budget session has been short for the last two years, this time Parliament will sit on all days except Friday and Saturday. Last year, the Parliament session lasted 12 working days. The previous year saw the shortest session in history with nine working days.
Every year, budget documents are distributed to the media personnel from the public relations branch on the seventh floor of the parliament building.
Last year, budget documents were distributed in the lower tunnel in the South Plaza of Parliament. This year, like in 2020, the documents were given from the media center outside the parliament building.
The finance minister will answer various questions at a customary post-budget press conference at Osmani Auditorium at 3 pm on Friday.