MoU
Bangladesh, Gulf Cooperation Council sign MoU for cooperation on priority areas
Bangladesh and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Bahrain on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue.
Under this MoU, both sides will hold regular consultations for political, economic, cultural, people-to-people contact, climate change, agriculture, food security and environment protection cooperation.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and GCC Secretary General Nayem Falah M Al-Hajraf signed the MoU Friday.
Before that, the foreign minister and the GCC secretary general had a meeting.
At the meeting, Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, secretary (east) of the foreign ministry, Bangladesh Ambassador to Bahrain Md Nazrul Islam and concerned officials of Bangladesh and GCC were present.
The secretary-general thanked the foreign minister for his invitation to visit Bangladesh. He expressed his willingness to visit Bangladesh at his convenient time.
Read more: Special move is under way for return of Bangladeshi workers to Bahrain: Envoy
He said the MoU would work as the legal framework for cooperation between Bangladesh and GCC through a joint action plan, joint working group and technical team, joint business council and forums of GCC with Bangladesh.
The foreign minister emphasised that Bangladesh and GCC have a lot of scope to work together for skill development, food security, energy security, climate change, crisis management, peace management, afforestation and IT cooperation, and preferential trade agreement or free trade agreement.
Reada more: Bangladesh requests Bahrain to recruit more skilled workers, IT professionals
Route to Mecca: MoU signed to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' Saudi visits easier
Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral document on ‘Route to Mecca’ which will ease visit of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to the kingdom.
Under Route to Mecca service agreement, Hajis (Pilgrims) would be able to complete their immigration in Dhaka prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh is the first country with whom Saudi Arabia has signed Route to Mecca service agreement considering "excellent relations" between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, said the government.
Another MoU on secirtuy cooperation was also singed between the two countries.
Read more: Joint working group to resolve passport renewal issues of Bangladeshis living in Saudi
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan briefed reporters after a meeting with visiting Deputy Minister of Interior of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood at the Home Ministry on Sunday.
Security cooperation includes capacity building, skills development and exchange of visits between members of the security forces.
The Home Minister said earlier Bangladeshis had to wait in long queues for the immigration process to go to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj. But from now, the immigration process for going to KSA for Hajj will be completed in Dhaka due to signing ‘Route to Mecca’ MOU .
About Rohingya issue, the Home Minister said that about three lakh Rohingyas are staying in Saudi Arabia and many of them have Bangladeshi passports.
“The Saudi government wanted the renewal of their passports. We have given them assurance to consider the issue. Besides, we also sought the cooperation of the Saudi government to send the Rohingyas back to Myanmar,” he said.
Read more: Saudi Arabia assures assistance in commercial supply of LNG to Bangladesh
MoU on ‘e-visa’ inked between Bangladesh-UAE
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to implement ‘e-Visa/e/-TA’ in the capital on Tuesday (October 18, 2022).
Security Services Division under Home Ministry Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury and UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdullah Khaseif Al Hamoudi singed the MoU on behalf of the respective countries with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the chair at a programme at the conference room of the ministry.
Minister Asaduzzaman said the initiative to implement ‘e-Visa/e/-TA’ system on the basis of ‘G2G’ was taken through the MoU sign.
Read: Bangladesh, UAE sign four MoUs on big projects
Terming the MoU as a big achievement in the bilateral relations of the countries, he said the day (MoU signing day) will be marked as a milestone for Bangladesh and the UAE in digitalisation of the country’s ‘e-visa’ system.
Describing UAE as a tested-friend, he said Bangladeshi workers have been playing an important role in the development of the both countries over the time.
The minister said the UAE is one of the main investment partners of Bangladesh and mutual respect and significant cooperation between the countries is the historic base of the bilateral relations.
Read UAE Golden Visa, Green Visa, Job Visa 2022: How to apply
He said the implementation of the ‘e-visa’ is one the significant pledges of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to digitalise the country as the current government has underscored on the use of digital technology.
Asaduzzaman said the security services division will be able to provide online visa service once the ‘e-visa’ system is implemented.
He hoped that number of foreign tourists and investment will be boosted to a great extent after the ‘e-visa’ is launched in the country.
Read Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Who's eligible for Malaysian Golden Visa or Investor Visa
The minister thanked the UAE government for their support to implement the ‘e-visa’ system.
BGMEA, Wagely sign MoU to facilitate financial health for RMG workers
Bangladesh Garment Manchesters and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Wagely Bangladesh Ltd have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at BGMEA Complex to raise awareness and increase the adoption of Earned Wage Access (EWA) for garment workers in Bangladesh.
On behalf of BGMEA, President Faruque Hassan inked the MoU with Wagely on Monday that aims to collaborate on making wagely’s EWA accessible to the garment industry.
“BGMEA attaches utmost importance to ensuring the wellbeing of garment workers who are at the heart of the RMG industry. Since the financial wellness of the garment workers is important for us, I believe this will help garment factories,” Faruque Hassan said.
He expressed hope that the initiative of wagely will a play an important role in improving the financial health of more than 4 million garment workers in the RMG sector.
wagely is building a holistic financial wellness platform with EWA at its core that lets workers of partner employers access their earned salary in real-time and financial education.
Read: Bangladesh to stay safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA
This is proven to reduce worker migration, improve productivity, and increase business savings, BGMEA said on Tuesday.
“We are very grateful to receive this immense support from BGMEA and are strongly committed to increasing financial wellbeing for Bangladeshi workers” said Tobias Fischer, CEO and Co-Founder of wagely.
BGMEA and wagely will jointly move forward to raise awareness and increase the adoption of EWA for the workers and support each other in educating and uplifting financial health as it expands into becoming a holistic financial platform for all users.
BGMEA Vice President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Press, Publication and Publicity Shovon Islam, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Trade Fair Mohammed Kamal Uddin, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Trade Arbitration-1 M. Kafil Uddin Ahmed and Director of Giant Group Ashaab Adeeb Hassan were also present at the MoU signing ceremony.
Sewerage: Dhaka, Tokyo launch partnership for improved services
To promote improved sewerage services in Bangladesh, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has helped launch a new partnership between Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) and the Bureau of Sewerage of Tokyo Metropolitan of Japan.
The ADB facilitated a high-level dialogue between Bangladesh and Japan. The dialogue, led by Bangladesh's LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam, took place during October 3-6 in Tokyo. It included meetings with the governor of Tokyo and the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism of Japan to discuss broader cooperation in the sewerage sector.
Read: ADB plans to provide $14 billion to ease worsening food crisis in Asia
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by DWASA and the Bureau of Sewerage of the Tokyo Metropolitan government to start a one-year cooperation programme under Water Organizations Partnership for Resilience, said a media statement.
According to the agreement, cooperation activities will be implemented in the areas of smart and resilient sewerage services with a focus on the efficient energy plan, climate change adaptation and mitigation, efficient operation and maintenance, sludge management, and compact sewerage treatment plants.
The activities will also aim to transfer best practices, expertise, and technology through peer-to-peer exchanges between D
Walton signs MoU with South Korea's HAAN to develop new, innovative appliances
Walton has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea-based HAAN Easy Life to develop new and innovative appliances and expand its global market presence.
Also, Walton and HAAN will collaborate on the second-generation vacuum cleaner model. The model already got the "RED DOT Award 2022."
HAAN Chairman Nam Sukh Koh and Walton Global Business Division President Edward Kim signed the MoU in Dhaka Tuesday, according to a media statement.
Nam Sukh Koh said: "I am very much excited and amazed to see the facilities and manufacturing plant like this (Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC). This is the best time for Walton and Bangladesh to grow in the consumer electronics market as everybody is looking for alternative options to come out from China."
Read: Walton launches 1st smartphone of its new series 'Orbit'
Walton Managing Director and CEO Golam Murshed said: "Walton has already established a design and innovation centre in Korea for its global expansion. We are now focusing on creating new and innovative products. Walton will participate in the CES fair in the US in January 2023 to showcase its new products."
Bangladesh, Mexican Cultural Ministries sign MoU on cultural cooperation
State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid and the Secretary of Culture, government of Mexico, Alejandra Frausto Guerrero have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation between the two friendly nations at Los Pinos in Mexico City.
The bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Mexico entered a new phase by signing this bilateral instrument, Bangladesh said on Saturday.
From the Mexican side, the Director General of the Secretary of Culture Dr. Pablo Raphael de la Madrid, Legal Adviser Erendira Cruzvillegas, and other officials from the Ministry of Culture were present at the signing ceremony held on Friday.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Mexican States Abida Islam and Counsellor Shahanaj Akhter Ranu from the Bangladesh side were also present to witness the event.
This MoU intends to facilitate the establishment of direct communications between the libraries, museums, archives, and departments of both countries dedicated to the conservation and restoration of historical and cultural monuments.
It will promote the exchanges of exhibitions, experts and delegations of traditional painters and artisans, art critics, specialists in traditional folk arts, folklore, audiovisual producers, and other areas of the arts, such as music, visual arts, cinematography, conservation and restoration of material and archaeological heritage, and museology.
It will also foster translation of literature, cultural cooperation in the fields of performing, visual and literary arts, as well as participation in festivals, book fairs and other cultural events held in each other’s countries.
Kushiyara River: Indian Cabinet approves MoU on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water
Indian Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and India on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water each by Bangladesh and India from common river Kushiyara.
The approval came on Wednesday. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A joint monitoring team will be set up by both the countries to monitor the withdrawal of water by each side during dry season, said the Press Information Bureau of India on Wednesday.
The MoU was signed on September 6, 2022 between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, India and Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh on withdrawal of water during dry season (1st November to 31st May) for their consumptive water requirement.
Read: MoU on Kushiyara river's water sharing to be signed in Sept: Dhaka
The MoU will enable government of Assam to withdraw upto 153 cusecs of water from the common stretch of Kushiyara river during dry season (1st November to 31st May) for their consumptive water requirement.
MoU signed between BCCCI, CEAB
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) for forging closer working cooperation for enhancing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The MoU was signed at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, Purbachal, Dhaka on Saturday, said a media release on Sunday.
The MoU stipulated to remain valid initially for one year, was initialed by Al Mamun Mridha, acting General of BCCCI and Han Jingchao, Vice President of CEAB on behalf of their respective organizations.
State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming and Mahbub Uz Zaman, former Bangladesh Ambassador to China, BCCCI President Gazi Golum Murtoza CEAB President Ke Changlian were present in the MoU signing ceremony.
The areas of cooperation would include enhancing communication and cooperation between the two organizations, devote themselves to build the much expected Sonar Bangla (Golden Bangladesh) at the earliest time, and promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China, development, to build a trade relationship that extends businesses and facilitating business in addition to promoting cultural exchange, friendship and commerce between each member enterprises, to form a Joint Task Force (JTF) and incorporate a joint forum to be able to exchange views and ideas, to address the existing and potential trade disputes occurred among enterprises, to carry out regular dialogue at committee member levels.
Read: BCCCI-ERF Award launched
Besides, exchanging views on Visa Processing, Bank Risk Management, Establishment of Chinese Bank in Bangladesh, Free Trade Zone, Legal Consulting, Dispute Settlement, Investor Promotion, Publicity, Member Management and other affairs etc.
The other key areas of cooperation include enhancing communication with the related Departments of Bangladesh Government, Chinese Embassy to Bangladesh, and other Government bodies, enhancing the interaction with other domestic and foreign Chambers of commerce/Associations/Organizations and Trade bodies, ensure the management and supervision of the members of the two organizations to understand, abide and be bound by the related laws and regulations, inviting each other to attend related forums, events and activities etc.
Dhaka, Delhi sign 7 MoUs; unveil projects
Bangladesh and India today (September 6, 2022) signed seven MoUs – demonstrating cooperation in a number of areas, including water sharing of the Kushiyara River.
One of the MoUs was signed between the Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, India on withdrawal of water from the common river Kushiyara.
The MoU between the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), India and the Ministry of Railways, Bangladesh was signed on training of Bangladesh Railway personnel in India.
Another MoU between the two railway ministries was signed on collaboration in IT systems such as FOIS and other applications for Bangladesh Railway.
The National Judicial Academy, India and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh signed an MoU on training and capacity building programe for Bangladeshi judicial officers in India.
Also read: India always helps Bangladesh in times of need, says PM Hasina
An MoU on scientific and technological cooperation was signed between Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.
The two sides signed the MoU on cooperation in the area of space technology.
India’s Prasar Bharti and Bangladesh Television (BTV) signed an MoU on cooperation in broadcasting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi witnessed signing of the bilateral instruments after holding bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in India's capital city as the two countries seek enhanced cooperation.
Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling and human trafficking will get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Modi, officials said.
INAUGURATED, ANNOUNCED PROJECTS
The two leaders unveiled unit-I of the Maitree power plant. The 1320 (660x2) MW super critical coal-fired thermal power plant in Rampal is being set up at an estimated cost of approximately USD 2 billion with USD 1.6 billion as Indian Development Assistance under Concessional Financing Scheme.
They jointly inaugurated the Rupsha Bridge. The 5.13 km Rupsha rail bridge is a key part of the 64.7 km Khulna-Mongla Port single track broad gauge rail project, connecting for the first time Mongla Port with Khulna by rail, and thereafter to central and north Bangladesh and also to the India border at Petrapole and Gede in West Bengal.
Supply of road construction equipment and machinery: the project consists of supply of road maintenance and construction equipment and machinery in 25 packages to Bangladesh Road and Highways Department.
Also read: PM Hasina pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
Khulna Darshana railway line link project: The project is an upgrade of existing (doubling of broad gauge) infrastructure linking the current cross border rail link at Gede-Darshana to Khulna thereby augmenting the rail connections between the two countries, especially to Dhaka, but also in future to Mongla Port. The project cost is estimated at USD 312.48 million.
Parbatipur -Kaunia railway line: The conversion of the existing metre gauge line to dual gauge line project is estimated at USD 120.41 million.
The project will connect to the existing cross border rail at Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (West Bengal) and will enhance bilateral rail connectivity.