Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh seeks diversified investment from US
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday encouraged US businesses to diversify their investments in Bangladesh beyond the energy sector.
Talking to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, Momen noted the current US investment in Bangladesh is concentrated in the energy sector.
He said there are many potential areas where Bangladesh seeks foreign investment.
A delegation from the US, members of the US-Bangladesh Business Council, is visiting Bangladesh until May 11 to explore economic opportunities between the two countries.
Over 27 executives from across sectors like digital, energy, financial services, insurance, and agriculture are part of the business delegation.
Also read: No chance of Chinese debt trap: FM
The delegation met Momen at Foreign Service Academy on Monday afternoon.
The Foreign Minister noted that the US has a strong investment presence in Bangladesh in the traditional sectors such as energy, oil, gas, and mineral resources.
He stressed that there is a huge scope for the US investors to diversify their investment portfolio and funds, to invest in the emerging areas such as but not limited to, agro-processing, automobiles, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, information and communication technology and the blue economy.
The US business leaders appreciated the economic stride made by Bangladesh.
Bangladesh delegation begins 4-day visit to Meghalaya to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Liberation War
The government of India is hosting a visit of 25-member Bangladesh delegation to the Indian State of Meghalaya - from May 9-12.
The visit is part of the Golden Jubilee of 1971 Liberation War and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
This delegation comprises of 18 valiant freedom fighters who had trained in Meghalaya and fought the Liberation War in Sector 11.
Besides the freedom fighters, the delegation consists of Bangladeshis from other professions including journalism.
Author Amitav Ghosh lauds Bangladesh's climate innovations
Celebrated author and climate change activist Amitav Ghosh has appreciated Bangladesh's action to fight climate change challenges though he worries for his native West Bengal.
“In fact, Bangladesh has become a global leader in disseminating information in creating climate change resilience programmes. There are so many innovations,” Ghosh told The Times of India during a brief trip to his home in south Kolkata on Sunday.
Bangladesh has successfully addressed climate change issues by disseminating information, sending out regular alerts and bulletins, he said.
“In collaboration with a Dutch team, they created oyster beds around their islands to absorb the impact of sea-level rise. Bangladesh managed to ban single-use plastic successfully many years ago. Even the USA could not come close to banning single-use plastic,” the author said.
Read: Bangladesh considers continuation of learning of Rohingyas under Myanmar curriculum
Ghosh visits the Sundarbans regularly and has researched the area for his highly acclaimed novel "The Hungry Tide".
He won India's top literary award Jnanpith and has been nominated for Booker and Arthur Clarke awards for his novels "Sea Of Poppies" and "Glass Palace".
Ghosh, who has been travelling to the Sunderbans for the last 20 years, found a lot of facilities have reached the remotest parts.
“A lot of embankments were rebuilt and a lot of reinforcements happened.” But, he believes, embankment is not a solution to the problem of accelerated pace of climate change there. “Embankments cannot hold out against sea-level rise, nor can they hold out against storm surge,” he said.
The people of Sunderbans have ways to cope with the climate crisis, he pointed out. “Many families have kept a small plot in the interior, some sort of safe haven. Many others have migrated to the west coast. Many people of Sunderbans now work in Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. It is an enormous demographic shift,” he said.
Climate change is a global problem and the global system of governance has to address it. Ghosh felt the geopolitics of climate change is the biggest obstacle to a definite, collective global response to climate change issues.
Read: USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman in Bangladesh
“In Paris, agreement-rich countries pledged $100 billion for the climate resilience fund, not even a 10th of this was delivered, and rich countries boosted their defence expenditure by $1.2 trillion. So, behind the scenes, they are preparing for war. It became clearer with the Ukraine situation,” Ghosh said.
But Ghosh said he was seriously worried for his native Kolkata where his mother and sister continue to live.
"Kolkata is threatened for multiple reasons. A large part of the city is below sea level and embankments have protected the city for a very long time," he said, adding he was seriously worried over UN reports predicting 'catastrophic flooding' in southern Kolkata close to the Sundarbans.
He said West Bengal has built a lot of embankments and reinforced old ones in its part of the Sundarbans.
But Ghosh says embankments are not the solution because they cannot hold out against sea-level rise or against storm surges.
Myanmar Crisis: US, ASEAN urged to increase pressure on Myanmar military junta
Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia have urged the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use their upcoming summit in Washington to increase pressure on the Myanmar military junta that has thrown the country into a state of chaos ever since its take-over in February last year.
The leaders of ASEAN and the United States have declared that they intend to enhance their strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of the peoples of ASEAN and the United States, according to a message received here from Jakarta.
In that spirit, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) advises that they should take concrete steps to address the inherent threat to peace, economic development and human security in Southeast Asia posed by the crisis in Myanmar.
ASEAN and the United States are set to convene a special summit to celebrate four and a half decades of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations, on May 12-13 in Washington D.C.
This is the second special summit since 2016 and the first in person engagement for our leaders since 2017.
“Let this 45th anniversary of US-ASEAN relations be the occasion for the US and ASEAN governments to begin a new phase in their relations that truly benefits the people and puts human rights and the prevention of atrocities, in Myanmar and elsewhere, at the top of the agenda,” said Charles Santiago, a Malaysian lawmaker, who is also APHR chairperson.
They can no longer ignore the threat that the junta in Myanmar poses to the security of millions of people at the heart of Southeast Asia, Santiago added.
The current crisis is wholly and solely caused by the junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, which overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, according to APHR.
The Myanmar population has valiantly resisted the coup and, in order to impose its rule on the country, the military has committed widespread atrocities.
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, these may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Over the last year, Myanmar’s military has completely ignored the ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus on Myanmar, which was agreed on in April 2021 and was also supported by the US, APHR said.
Violence continues unabated, there is no dialogue between the junta and forces resisting military rule, and humanitarian aid is not reaching the Myanmar people.
The Special Summit provides the perfect opportunity for the allies to work on coordinated measures to make Min Aung Hlaing and his junta pay the price for their failure to abide by an agreement they claimed to accept, said the APHR.
“Humanity is our common thread across the Pacific and across the world. We must stand together in the face of these atrocities, Asians and Americans, as we share the same concern for the people of Myanmar. Now is the time for ASEAN and the US to make their historic alliance truly meaningful to people in desperate need,” said Mercy Barends, an MP in Indonesia and an APHR Board Member.
They also urged the US and ASEAN governments to publicly meet with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), which represents the democratically elected government and receives support from the majority of the Myanmar people.
“We call on the United States and ASEAN to work together to urgently deliver the life-saving humanitarian aid that the Myanmar people need.”
APHR said they stand ready to assist the US and ASEAN as they formulate and carry out their policies to address this crisis, and will remain vigilant to ensure that the steps taken by the US and ASEAN truly serve to support the Myanmar people’s aspirations for human rights, peace and democracy.
EU’s new Global Gateway strategy offers new opportunities for Bangladesh-EU relations: Envoys
The European Union’s new “Global Gateway” strategy - which is designed to deliver investment in sustainable, high quality projects in infrastructure and other linkages - affords new opportunities for Bangladesh-EU relations, said the EU envoys stationed in Dhaka.
There is much potential for increased investment by European businesses, particularly if the business climate can be further improved, according to a joint article written by the envoys to mark Europe Day and commemorate the vision of the then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, who presented in 1950 a far-sighted blueprint to prevent war from happening again.
Read: US business delegation in Bangladesh to explore opportunities
At present, the European Union (EU) counts 27 Member States and 450 million citizens within its borders.
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Danish Ambassador Winnie Estrup Petersen, Chargé d'Affaires at the French Embassy Guillaume Audren de Kerdrel, German Ambassador Achim Troster, Italian Ambassador Enrico Nunziata, Dutch Ambassador Anne van Leeuwen, Spanish Ambassador Francisco de Asís Benítez Salas and Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde jointly wrote the article.
US business delegation in Bangladesh to explore opportunities
A delegation from the United States, members of the US-Bangladesh Business Council, is visiting Bangladesh till May 11 to explore economic opportunities between the two countries.
Over 25 executives from across sectors like digital, energy, financial services, insurance, and agriculture are part of the executive business delegation.
The delegation of global business leaders is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at Foreign Service Academy Monday afternoon.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had a brief interaction with it Sunday.
Senior officers of the US Embassy in Dhaka and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bangladesh shared their briefing on high-level opportunities for stronger Bangladesh-US economic and commercial ties.
The purpose of the Council's first trade mission to Bangladesh is to renew old friendships and explore opportunities for new partnerships, said Jay R Pryor, vice-president (business development), Chevron.
Pryor, also inaugural board chair of the US-Bangladesh Business Council, said the US companies want to contribute to Bangladesh's impressive economic development.
Also read: USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman in Bangladesh
USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman in Bangladesh
USAID’s Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman is now visiting Bangladesh as part of her tri-nation tour.
After wrapping up her Bangladesh tour (May 7-11), she will travel to Thailand and Laos, according to USAID.
Also read:USAID launches $5 mn project to empower women in RMG factories
During her Asian tour, she will assess the needs of regional humanitarian crises, including the Rohingya refugee problem.
The United States appreciates Bangladesh’s compassion and humanitarian response to support over one million Rohingya refugees currently living in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char Island.
On April 4, USAID’s Administrator Samantha Power met with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and discussed Rohingya refugee policies, joint climate action to promote clean energy solutions, and methods for improving Bangladesh’s business environment and galvanizing investment.
Administrator Power and Minister Momen commemorated 50 years of Bangladesh-US bilateral relations and reaffirmed their longstanding partnership on development.
The Administrator celebrated the strides Bangladesh has made in health and economic development with the United States at their side, and noted Bangladesh’s promising path to achieve upper middle-income country status over the next ten years.
Also read: USAID hosts workshop for DCAB members
During her trip, Coleman will also advance the United States’ partnership with ASEAN member countries, including Thailand and Laos, on the shared priorities of COVID-19, climate action, economic recovery efforts, and inclusive development.
Throughout the trip, she will also meet with women leaders and entrepreneurs, and local climate and health experts on the frontline of the global COVID-19 response.
Thai envoy for promoting deeper people-to-people ties with Bangladesh
Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor has said Bangladesh and Thailand should promote deeper mutual understanding at the people-to-people level to cultivate closer contact in all dimensions.
“People-to-people exchange is the foundation of bilateral relations. After a 50-year-long journey our peoples still have some unclear picture about each other,” she told UNB in an interview.
Also read: Thai envoy visits Aarong, takes a liking to Nakshikantha
Ambassador Sumitmor said cultural interactivity could enable Thais and Bangladeshis to feel more acquainted with each other.
This kind of interaction takes time to develop but it will be a long-lasting foundation of our friendship, she said.
The Ambassador said Bangladesh and Thailand share ancient linkages. For example, she said, it is a surprising knowledge for her to learn that Thai and Bangla languages have many similarities through Sanskrit and Pali.
Some Bengali words have the same meaning in Thai, such as ‘sikkha’ which means ‘education’ and ‘banijya’ which means ‘commerce.’
In this respect, Ambassador Sumitmor said, it could be said that Thailand and Bangladesh are not just ‘friends’ but are ‘relatives’ with shared cultural root and diverse common interests.
Another cultural link is the traditional New Year celebration, said Ambassador Sumitmor. While 14 April marks the date for Bengali traditional New Year or ‘Pahela Boishakh’ Thai people also celebrate Songkran festival, their traditional new year in the same period.
A series of events will be organized throughout the year with focus on enhancing understanding between the peoples marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries that falls on October 5.
The commemorative logo for this occasion was launched on 1 March 2022 at the 2nd Bangladesh-Thailand bilateral consultations in Bangkok.
It features number 50 in Thai and Bengali with gold borderline, signifying the golden jubilee of relations.
Also read:50 Years of Diplomatic Ties: Thai Embassy to host photography, video contests
Number five in Thai and Bengali script has some similar line and curve so it is designed in a way that it could be looked either way.
“Our national flags are also part of the logo. It is jointly designed by the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh,” said the Thai Ambassador.
Bangladesh-born British politician Lutfur Rahman elected Tower Hamlets mayor
Bangladesh-born British politician Lutfur Rahman has secured a comeback by winning the vote to become mayor of Tower Hamlets in East London.
"I am honoured to have been elected as your next mayor of Tower Hamlets. Thank you for your support. Let’s get to work rebuilding our borough and our children’s future," he tweeted.
Rahman thanked all those who came out to participate in their democracy.
After the five-year ban placed on him for standing for public office lapsed, Rahman managed to unseat the incumbent mayor, Labour’s John Biggs, under the banner of his Aspire party, reports The Guardian.
Also read: Bangladesh-born migrant activist wins first Minu Memorial Award
Rahman was kicked out of office in 2015 after a specialist court concluded that he was guilty of vote-rigging, buying votes and religious intimidation.
But the police and Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to launch a criminal prosecution.
Rahman won 40,804 votes on the second round, with Biggs on 33,487.
Also read: US Congress introduces resolution on 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US ties
The result is a blow to Labour in what was otherwise a very successful set of results in London, where it took Wandsworth, Barnet and Westminster from the Tories, according to The Guardian.
India remains open to travels by all nationalities
Indian High Commission in Dhaka has made it clear that India remains open to travels by all nationalities including for Bangladeshis.
The clarification came on Saturday as some "miscreants" are trying to make an old report of January this year viral on social media to confuse public to prevent normalcy in movements.
A spokesperson for the High Commission said an old story is being circulated on social media, claiming that the High Commissioner has advised Bangladeshi nationals not to visit India at this time due to rising Omicron cases.
READ: India’s Muslims mark Eid ul-Fitr amid community violence
"There is no such advisory of the Government of India and that India remains open to travel by all nationalities," said the High Commission.
The news story image is actually from an agency story of January 2022, carried by a newspaper at that time. "It is not a recent story, although it may have been downloaded again on May 6, 2022."
"It was emphasized that it was only for the reason of facilitating travel to India that all 16 India Visa Application Centres in Bangladesh were open for extra hours through the first week of May, and were even open on holidays to meet extra demand for visas," said the spokesperson for the High Commission.