foreign-affairs
Election should be Bangladesh-led process: Dickson
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Wednesday said anything related to election should be a Bangladesh-driven and Bangladesh-led process, noting that it is not foreigners to say how the election should be held here.
“It’s not for the foreigners to say how the election should be carried out,” he said, adding that it is a matter for the Bangladeshi people to decide.
The High Commissioner said there is plenty of expertise and talent in Bangladesh to make the election a Bangladesh-driven process reflecting the values of the country’s constitution.
The British envoy made the remarks while responding to a question at “DCAB Talk” held at Jatiya Press Club.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.
High Commissioner Dickson said it would be good to have an election that is transparent and openly contested.
Read: Dickson lauds Bangladesh's efforts on climate front
He thinks it is important that all the voices and all political parties are able to participate in the elections and are able to have confidence in the electoral process.
The High Commissioner referred to the Bangladesh constitution and laid emphasis on fulfilling the constitutional ambition.
Japan to work for development and stability in Bangladesh: Ambassador
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said Japan will keep working towards improving regional connectivity through infrastructure projects in the country.
At the same time Tokyo will support Dhaka’s efforts at development and the stability, the ambassador said in a message marking two years as his country’s envoy in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
"Japan will promote practical cooperation with Bangladesh to realize the vision of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region," he said.
Terming Japan the largest development partner of Bangladesh, the envoy said large-scale infrastructure projects that symbolize the country’s rapid economic growth are steadily underway.
The flagship projects are Dhaka Metro, expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Jamuna Railway Bridge, and Matarbari Deep Sea Port.
A trial run of Dhaka Metro Line 6 began in August, which is expected to open by the end of 2022.
"At the same time, we will redouble our efforts to improve the investment climate for Japanese companies as they expand their investment and their business. We will continue to address customs clearance, overseas remittance, import transaction settlement, and taxation challenges," said the ambassador.
Read: Japan-Bangladesh focusing on infrastructure, business ties: Ito Naoki
Resolving the issue of the Rohingya refugees is also crucial from the perspective of realizing FOIP, he said.
"The recent situation in Myanmar since the coup last February has made the repatriation of refugees more difficult," said the envoy.
As the crisis is protracted, he said, it is urgent to improve the condition of refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, including education, skill training, and livelihood.
The envoy said they welcome the MoU recently signed between the government of Bangladesh and UN refugee agency to cooperate in the relocation plan of the refugees to Bashan Char Island.
"Japan will work with the international community for humanitarian assistance and the repatriation of the displaced people," Naoki said.
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations next year Japan’s new Prime Minister Kishida Fumio wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stating that he would strive to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Japan will work "vigorously" to deepen understanding of Japan further, expand people-to-people exchange and promote Japanese culture in Bangladesh, by holding the anniversary events in 2022, said the envoy.
For the sake of the safety and security of Japanese people living in Bangladesh and visitors to Bangladesh, he said, the embassy will make every effort to build a better relationship between Japan and Bangladesh in all fields, while asking for your opinions and cooperation.
Read: Ambassador Ito sees 5 challenges ahead to elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted economic activities and cultural and people’s exchanges between Japan and Bangladesh during the one and half years.
"Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a year of deepening friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries," said the ambassador.
From July to August, Japan provided more than 3 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine with Bangladesh.
"The gift from the Japanese people was to meet the needs of the people of Bangladesh facing the threat of COVID-19 infection," said the ambassador adding that they will also continue their efforts to make the vaccination available further to Japanese citizens in Bangladesh.
Communal violence: Citizens demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators
Prominent civil society members staged a protest in the capital on Monday, demanding speedy and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of communal attacks in Bangladesh.
The protest came in the wake of a series of attacks on the minority Hindus during Durga Puja celebrations.
Under the aegis of Sampriti Bangladesh, a citizens’ platform promoting secularism, a large crowd gathered at Central Shaheed Minar on Monday afternoon and placed a seven-point demand for maintaining religious harmony in the country.
Read:Communal violence: Protesters stage demo at Shahbagh
Holding placards and banners, the civil society activists demanded the necessary steps for the "complete eradication of fundamentalism" from the country.
In fact, a total of 89 non-communal and pro-liberation organisations expressed solidarity with the protesters, Sampriti said.
Vaccinated Bangladeshis can visit Thailand without quarantine from Nov 1
Thailand will allow fully vaccinated travellers from Bangladesh from November 1 without quarantine under the ‘Sandbox Scheme’ in the designated tourism areas of Thailand.
On spending a week in those designated areas, travellers will be allowed to move in any areas of the country.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand is expected to share the information detailing the new arrangement.
READ: Bangladesh can sign FTA with Thailand to boost trade: Thai envoy
Newly appointed Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor gave the updates when she met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Japan to provide US$ 5 million to promote Bangladesh primary education
Bangladesh and Japan on Monday signed an exchange of notes and grant agreement on the “Japanese Grant Aid for the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP4).”
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance Fatima Yasmin and Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh office Hayakawa Yuho signed the documents for over JPY 500 million or US$ 5 million.
Ambassador Naoki said Japan has consistently made efforts to promote quality education in Bangladesh since the country’s independence in 1971.
Also read: Dhaka-Beijing political trust continues to deepen: Envoy
“Higher education is important, but for the development of the country, it is essential to extend cooperation at every level of education. Above all, education is the only way for children born into poor families to overcome poverty and empower themselves. Japan will continue its strong involvement in primary education,” he said.
Secretary Fatima Yasmin said Japan's cooperation covers a wide range of fields, from infrastructure to education.
“Education, in particular, is an investment for the future, and Japan has always been willing to cooperate and provide assistance for the future of Bangladesh. We are very grateful to Japan. I would like to ask for Japan's continued cooperation in primary education.”
Also read: Korea to provide $700m in soft loans between 2021-25
PEDP is a national development strategic programme for primary education in Bangladesh. Japan has been supporting PEDP in cooperation with other development partners since 2011 under the Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs).
Rohingya Crisis: European Commissioner due Tuesday
European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic arrives here on Tuesday on a three-day visit to see the situation at Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and discuss ways of further cooperation on humanitarian issues.
His visit will focus on DG ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)-supported activities.
Read: Rohingya camp attack: 275 people sued
It includes visits to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and disaster preparedness initiatives in Dhaka and surrounding areas.
He will meet senior government figures, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Embassy of the European Union in Bangladesh.
ECHO has delivered almost 30 million euro in support to Bangladesh so far this year.
Read:Gun attack on madrasa in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp; 6 dead
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Canadian Int'l School Bangladesh gets new campus
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi and Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine have jointly inaugurated the new campus of Canadian International School Bangladesh (CISB).
CEO of CISB Begum Shirin Jahan, Principal Janice Smales, Chairman of ATN Television Dr Mahfuzur Rahman and Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Ruwanthi Delpitiya were present at the event held on Sunday, said a media release on Monday.
Read: Monash University Foundation Year Orientation programme held
The new campus is located at Plot NE (B)-3B, Road 74, Gulshan 2 in the city.
Australia keen to assist Bangladesh with energy resources, renewable to expedite growth: Envoy
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said his country will drive a clean-energy supply-chain initiative for the Indo-Pacific region and can assist countries like Bangladesh with energy resources, including renewable, to help fuel Bangladesh’s growth.
He said Australia released the first “Low Emissions Technology Statement” under the technology investment roadmap and they are keen to cooperate with Bangladesh in this area.
“The prosperity of our region depends on Australia remaining a reliable and responsible energy partner of choice in the clean-energy global economy,” said the High Commissioner, adding that they will consider a sizable financial contribution to ensure it delivers.
The Australian envoy made the remarks while delivering his keynote speech at a virtual dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Australia Relations: Prognosis for the Future.”
Read:Australian envoy sees potentials for future bilateral cooperation “golden”
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue as part of its ongoing Ambassadors’ Lecture Series.
The opening remarks were delivered by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan. The session was chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Former Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Distinguished Fellow at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Professor at International Relations Department of Dhaka University Imtiaz Ahmed, Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (retd) Tariq A Karim comprised the panel of discussants.
Korea to provide $700m in soft loans between 2021-25
South Korea will provide $700 million of concessional loans between 2021-25 to Bangladesh.
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun and Secretary Fatima Yasmin of the Economic Relations Division signed the new framework arrangement between Korea and Bangladesh on loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for the years 2021 through 2025.
The EDCF Framework Arrangement will serve as a legal foundation for the Korean government's provision of up to $700 million.
According to the arrangement, candidate projects will be identified to be financed in close consultation between the two governments.
The repayment period of the EDCF loans will be 40 years, including a 15 year grace period, with the annual interest rate between 0.01 per cent and 0.05 per cent.
The arrangement also stipulates that all taxes, customs duties and other fiscal charges imposed in Bangladesh on goods and services related to the EDCF projects shall either be exempted or borne by the Bangladesh government.
Bangladesh is the second-largest recipient of EDCF loans worldwide in aggregate amount.
So far, the Republic of Korea has funded 24 development projects of Bangladesh with $1.2 billion through the EDCF.
The amount of concessional loans to Bangladesh from Korea has been steadily increasing in recent years.
The amount authorised in a renewed framework arrangement is up from the amount authorised in the previous EDCF Framework Arrangement 2017-2020, which stipulated provision of $500 million in four years.
Ambassador Lee said as a trusted development partner of Bangladesh, Korea will continue to support Bangladesh in its journey toward the socio-economic development.
"The new EDCF Framework Arrangement signed today will provide additional momentum to further boost our economic and development cooperation," he said.
The ambassador hoped that this new framework arrangement will provides meaningful resources in achieving SDGs of the Bangladesh government and for smooth graduation from the LDCs by 2026.
A renewed framework arrangement will primarily concentrate on supporting several sectors such as enhancing health services and improving transportation in Bangladesh.
UN shouldn’t be mouthpiece for a few: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the United Nations should be a voice of all the countries, not just the mouthpiece of a few countries.
“There’s a need for a change in this situation,” he said while addressing a discussion at Jatiya Press Club marking the UN Day.
He said Bangladesh will be the candidate for UNGA President in 2026 and insisted that the next UN General Secretary, if it is from Asia, should be from Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said it is regrettable that there is no significant number of Bangladeshis in the UN leadership positions. “Now, time has come for increasing our representation in the UN.”
The Foreign Minister appreciated the UN role in many areas saying there was no third World War because of the UN though it has failed to resolve problems in many countries.
Read: Bangladesh’s UNGA participation shows its stronger presence in multilateral forum: Officials
“We want peace in the world and the UN was established in search of peace. We recognize UN contributions,” he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh will host a world peace conference in December as peace is imperative for development.