Opinion
Good-bye Helal bhai
I didn’t even know that Ihsanul Karim Helal bhjai was seriously unwell and was hospitalized. I learnt that from the obituary published in the media. They refer to his month long hospitalization but not the cause of his ill health. It doesn’t even mention how old he was. It’ as if I was reading an anonymous death notice and a stranger had died. Except that I knew him and loved him like my own older brother.
Nothing else mattered to me when I read the notice. I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and loss. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t met or talked to him in the last decade.
BBC days
I was the reporter for the BBC Bengali service during the heady days of Awami League’s final years out of power for long that is 1994-95. I did my daily dispatch for six days and Helal bhai held the weekend. He was then working for the BSS and was absolutely the nicest person to be with in the tumultuous days of street protests, violence and the rest.
We however came from two different media positions. I held then and still do that a journalist will find it very difficult to report objectively if they have strong political beliefs. In fact I was a political “cynic “type who didn’t even subscribe to any political identity. I still don’t.
Helal bhai was very different because he was not just a loyalist of the Awami League but close to the current PM. In fact the entire family was in some ways. Helal bhai never hid his views and saw that as his duty. Yet Helal bhai’s reporting held no bias and it was both a surprise and a pleasure to see that. After all, I cared more about him than media reports.
He was more of a desk person in the sense that he knew his way around and people who were involved in politics. He could get information simply by asking, which I couldn't do that easily. I was more of the street variety reporter and perhaps closer to Ataus Samad bhai that way. We liked the gunfire and smoke, billowing smoke rising from burning tires and interviews done on the run. But Helal bhai’s credibility was unshakeable and the audience reports clearly showed that.
His brief background
BDNews 24 has published this brief bio.
“ Ihsanul, karim a distinguished journalist with a career spanning over 40 years, was born on Jan 5, 1951, in Kushtia. He graduated from Dhaka University and did his post-graduation at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).
He joined the Liberation War in 1971 and fought in the western frontier as a member of the Bangladesh Liberation Force (BLF).
He started his career as a staff correspondent of the government-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha or BSS in 1972. He worked as the bureau chief of BSS in New Delhi for five years from 1997.He also worked as the Bangladesh correspondent of several international media, including the BBC, and the Press Trust of India. Nicknamed Helal, he was known to his colleagues as “Helal Bhai”.
He was appointed the prime minister’s press secretary in 2015 for a year. His contract was extended by three years in 2016 and a further three years in 2019.Before joining the Prime Minister’s Office, Ihsanul worked as the president’s press secretary, and managing director and chief editor of BSS.
He is survived by his wife Shireen Karim, a son and a daughter. “
The details of his life are there but what no bio or obituary can capture is his grace, dignity and friendship. Good bye Helal bhai. Till we meet again.
International Women’s Day: “Invest in women—accelerate progress”
Each year, on March 08, the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) to renew our collective commitment to achieving gender equality. While much progress has been made in this regard, there is still a lot of work left for us to do.
This year, IWD’s theme enjoins us to “Invest in women - accelerate process,” and to mark this occasion WHO is calling for intensified investments in the health of women and girls in our South-East Asia Region and across the world. This must be done to ensure that all women and girls, everywhere, realize their right to health and to accelerate progress towards gender equality.
Our Region has made significant progress towards gender equality. Admittedly starting from a low base, countries in South Asia have registered the fastest gains in closing the gender gap in the last decade – especially in health and survival.
Despite this progress, the highest any country in our Region is ranked in the 2022 UNDP Gender Inequality Index is 66 (out of 191 countries). The lowest ranked is 149. Clearly there is much work left to do.
Investing in the health and wellbeing of women and girls requires adequate investment in health overall. In this regard, current government health expenditure in our Region is unacceptably low - our Region is ranked the lowest among all WHO Regions in terms of government spending on health.
As a result of this, out-of-pocket expenditure for health remains unacceptably high for everyone in our Region. We know that oftentimes, when families have to pay out of pocket, they delay or forgo the needed care. This has a gender impact, because societally the burden for caring for the sick and elderly falls disproportionately on women and girls.
In fact, women and girls already perform most of the unpaid work in households - spending two to fives times more time than men on such work. This is a significant constraint on women from playing their full roles in economic and political life. I am heartened that there is now a public discussion on officially recognising and including the value of a woman’s unpaid work in a nation’s GDP calculations.
When it comes to health, the advances we have made in the region have not been equally felt by all women. Geographical location, educational levels and household income levels continue to correlate to persistent inequalities in women’s health.
The proportion of women receiving antenatal care from skilled providers has improved, but uneducated women have a lower antenatal care coverage rate, with a gap of more than 40 percentage points in some countries in our Region.
There has been a significant increase in skilled attendance at delivery in the Region, and the proportion of women satisfied with modern methods of family planning have improved. However, in both cases, women from rural areas, those with lower education and those from poor households are not experiencing these as much as others.
Comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS among adolescent girls has improved slightly, but still ranges from fewer than one to five in every ten adolescent girls across countries in our Region.
Policies do not fully recognize women’s autonomy in sexual and reproductive health decisions. Most countries in the Region allow abortion only when the mother’s life is at risk due to pregnancy. Investing in comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including contraception and maternal health services, is crucial for empowering women and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Biological factors interact with gender norms, roles and activities to result in differences between men and women in their exposure to risks of noncommunicable diseases in our Region. For example, the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among women than men, and the lower prevalence of physical activity among women than men, likely reflect gender differences in mobility, physical access to recreational facilities, and perceptions of safety from crime and traffic.
Gender inequality also affects equitable access to diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable health conditions. For example, compared to men, a higher proportion of women with raised blood glucose go untreated. This diagnosis and treatment gap is also seen for hypertension.
Access to quality healthcare services is key to advancing the right to health. Women in our Region speak of facing various gender-related barriers to access to services (such as lack of availability of a woman health provider), lack of access to household resources (such as money), longer distances to health facilities, issues of transport, and more.
The scourge of violence against women and girls persists, and is a violation of their human rights. The significant negative health consequences of this make it a priority public health issue too. More than one in three women in our Region have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Sadly, this is significantly higher for rural and uneducated women, and those from the poorest households. Increased investment is needed in comprehensive policies and programmes to prevent and respond to violence against women, and to equip the health sector with the capacity to play its due role.
Gender-responsive health policies and programs, informed by gender analysis of sex-disaggregated data, can help reduce gender gaps in health and improve women’s overall health and well-being. All countries in the Region have adopted the concept of gender mainstreaming in their national plans, with many having specific policies for gender equality. However, the institutional capacity to implement these strategies needs strengthening.
Gender-responsive budgeting is a promising approach--it involves allocating resources to address the specific needs and priorities of women and girls, towards more equitable access and reduced gender gaps in health. Only seven countries in the Region have national plans for gender-responsive budgeting, most of them pre-dating Covid-19.
My own office is currently tasked with designing one of my priority programmes targeting the health of women and children, including pregnant women.
This programme is being created with education, empowerment and prevention in mind. Structured with a life-course approach, this will include comprehensive health and well-being screenings, vaccination and nutrition programs, promotion of both physical and mental well-being, and resilience.
Focusing on women’s health has multigenerational impacts on public health, on early childhood development, and even on societal & economic development. This is something the SDG framework also recognises.
The health outcomes of the next generation are impacted even before they are born - and so we must pay a particular focus to the health of pregnant women.
Better informed mothers lead to lifelong benefits for subsequent generations. They provide better nutrition for children, encourage active lifestyles, instil cleanliness and hygiene, and other healthy habits.
Their knowledge, understanding and practices regarding their own health are taught to not only their own families, but to their broader communities as well. When we improve a woman’s knowledge of health, she will teach other women around her.
On International Women’s Day, we reiterate our commitment to invest in women, and to accelerate progress.
Saima Wazed is the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Women’s Work: time to recognize their critical role in agriculture – and invest in it!
Despite women's significant contributions to our agrifood systems in the Asia-Pacific region, women continue to face persistent obstacles, including limited access to resources, services, and discriminatory practices all along the food value chain. As we gather to celebrate this year’s International Women's Day (IWD), it is time for action, to fully recognize women's indispensable role in the fields, in the factories, and those running small and medium-sized companies, associations and cooperatives – all of which produce the nutritious food we eat each day.
But recognizing and acknowledging this is not enough. In Asia and the Pacific, there is a critical need for financial investments to achieve gender equality in agrifood systems. This would play a huge role in the region’s agrifood systems transformation – now underway across the region – a transformation endorsed by 40 FAO Member Nations at the recently convened FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This year's IWD theme, "Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress," underscores the urgency not only to increase investments but also to ensure better investments for creating an enabling environment and sustainable results toward gender equality.
While the importance of investing in women's economic empowerment is well-established, financial investments, specifically those geared towards gender equality within the economic and productive sectors, have remained inadequate. This underinvestment has contributed to insufficient progress in advancing women's economic empowerment and hindering women’s opportunities in agrifood systems. According to FAO data from 2023, by narrowing the gender gap in farm productivity, and the wage gap in agrifood system employment, the world’s gross domestic product would rise by 1 percent (nearly USD 1 trillion). This would also reduce global food insecurity by about 2 percentage points, decreasing the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.
So, what can we, collectively, do to bridge this financial investment gap? In addressing this question, it is imperative to thoroughly review both traditional and innovative financial and policy instruments. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) is a key approach, but it is essential to recognize the wide array of strategies available for investing in women. We need to hear more from women, we need to learn from their past successes and focus on impact by accelerating investment. This should create space for development partners, including rural women and their communities, to share experiences and join forces to create a realistic chance of achieving the 2030 agenda, where gender equality is essential.
While addressing visible gender gaps is crucial, efforts to promote the voice and leadership of women, and tackle the root causes of gender-based inequalities, are equally important for ensuring long-term results.
FAO takes action to ‘walk the talk’
To ‘walk the talk’, at FAO headquarters in Rome, the Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu recently announced establishment of an Office for Youth and Women. Building on the work of the Women’s Committee, the Office will continue, among other things, to provide a “safe space” to discuss topics affecting women in the Organization, such as gender parity, sexual harassment, and parental leave provisions. The Office will also promote advocacy, communication, innovation and outreach through regular dialogue forums to better connect female colleagues around the globe, exchange experiences on specific themes of common interest, and learn from successes from FAO and other organizations in empowering women in the workplace and beyond. And it will further strengthen visible leadership and accountability of managers for gender mainstreaming through its “She Matters” initiative geared at fostering transformational leadership for women’s empowerment and the welfare of female staff at all levels of the Organization.
Worldwide, we see that discriminatory norms often expect women to take on most of the unpaid care work, exacerbating gender disparities in labour markets – both rural and urban. Globally, women dedicate 3.2 times as many hours to unpaid care work as men do. But in the Asia and Pacific region, the ratio is four-to-one. There is a need for acknowledgement, alleviation, and equitable distribution of unpaid care labour, as well as better and more accessible care systems. This will help to foster transformative changes to support families, urban as well as rural, in enhancing their livelihoods and wellbeing.
But we need to take that critical step beyond fostering and supporting. We need to invest in the technical and leadership skills of women to support their entrepreneurship and income generation, including the creation of, and strengthening of, existing networking and learning platforms.
FAO's Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific has identified the need to mobilize the participation of both men and women to transform our agrifood systems through an equitable distribution of responsibilities. Creating inclusive spaces for dialogue and reflection is vital for empowering women and reshaping power dynamics across different levels. Farmer Field Schools and relevant actions targeted at women are supported by FAO in field projects as an inclusive approach to engage both men and women.
FAO is committed to closely collaborating with its Member Nations and development partners in Asia and the Pacific to achieve gender equality in a sustainable agrifood systems transformation. Gender equality is indeed a collective endeavor, and we all have a part to play in advancing towards achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls – one of the SDGs (SDG5). As we reflect on this International Women's Day, let us not only recognize the challenges but also reaffirm our commitment to action. Let us unite our efforts, amplify our voices, champion change, and “Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress” towards a more equitable and sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
Jong-Jin Kim is the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!
Each year, on March 03, we observe World Hearing Day to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss, and to promote ear and hearing care across the world. This year, we observe the occasion with a call to focus on "Changing Mindsets: Let's make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”
We know that challenges remain due to societal misperceptions and mindsets marked by stigma, and on this day we renew our focus to overcome these by raising awareness and through information-sharing, targeted at the public and healthcare providers.
It is estimated that over 1.5 billion people globally are affected by hearing loss, nearly 80% of whom live in low- and middle-income countries of the world. In our region itself, an estimated 400 million people currently have ear and hearing problems.
Unfortunately, these numbers are rising. At the current rate, it is likely that by 2050 there could be over 660 million people with ear and hearing problems in our region alone.
Despite its prevalence, and the fact that effective interventions are available and cost-effective, globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet. It is evident that this must be addressed with urgency.
Hearing loss has severe implications for language development, psychological well-being, quality of life, educational attainment, and economic independence.
The fact is that many of the common causes of hearing loss, such as birth-related problems or ear diseases can be prevented; and nearly everyone with an ear or hearing problem can benefit through available effective and cost-effective medical, surgical and rehabilitative interventions.
The economic impact of unaddressed hearing loss is staggering. The global annual cost is nearly US$1 trillion, and the cost for our Region alone is $110 billion.
However, investing just US$1.33 per capita annually for ear and hearing care in health systems can yield a remarkable return of nearly US$16 for every dollar invested over a 10-year period. This investment, if sustained, promises substantial returns and a significant reduction in unaddressed hearing loss costs.
I am pleased that many Member States in our region have prioritized ear and hearing care.
Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal have already conducted situational assessment using WHO tools, and are progressing towards strategic development for strengthening ear and hearing care services.
Myanmar aims to provide integrated services in combination with Eye Care, Elderly, Mental Health Care service in a people-centered approach at community level. Free hearing aids were provided in Myanmar when the situational assessment was conducted last year.
Bhutan has started screening all children for ear and hearing and provided services including hearing aids at free of cost for children.
Currently, our teams are collaborating with and providing technical support to the Government of India to redesign the National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness.
Indonesia's Ministry of Health intends to develop a roadmap for ear and hearing disorder prevention and control, and this will also be supported by our teams as a part of the current biennium workplan.
Moving forward, our Regional priorities include accelerating the implementation of people-centered ear and hearing care services, promoting safe listening practices, advocating for research and data generation, and strengthening human resources.
Let us unite in our commitment to change mindsets related to ear and hearing care, recognizing the impact it has on lives and livelihoods. By addressing misperceptions, promoting awareness, and advocating for increased investment and integration in primary healthcare, we can and will pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive future.
Saima Wazed is the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Agents of Change – Making all countries in Asia and the Pacific more dynamic, healthier, wealthier, and better
We all know that we live in a changing world. In the vast area of Asia and the Pacific that change is most evident. Over the past 20 years, the economies of many nations in the region have been moving out of the category of ‘least developed’ and graduating into a ‘middle income’ status.
However, the positive changes that help to make our lives better, healthier, and more prosperous, are not happening at the same time equally across all countries, or even equitably within them.
On the one hand, Asia and the Pacific is now home to three of the world’s five largest economies. These and other countries in the region help to feed much of the rest of the world – the majority of aquaculture, rice production and the rapidly growing protein sector is found here.
On the other hand, hunger is still widespread in some parts of the region – indeed more than 371 million are undernourished in Asia and the Pacific – or half the world’s total. Nearly two billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Despite considerable progress, poverty remains a problem for many families. Meantime, inequalities persist among and within countries, between men and women and for youth, and indigenous peoples, and between cities and rural areas.
To address these challenges, FAO is increasingly striving to leverage science and innovation, including new technologies – especially digital solutions – developed in both the public and private sectors, particularly through four regional priorities designed to deliver the Four Betters (Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind).FAO’s Regional Priorities for Asia and the Pacific.
The first FAO Asia-Pacific regional priority is to transform the region’s agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable, with more affordable healthy diets. Increasing agricultural production is paramount for food and nutrient security, but it needs to happen in a climate-friendly process. To that end, we are supporting countries to bolster climate-adaptation and resilience, low-carbon agriculture, modernize seed systems, implement integrated farming management, control trans-boundary pests and diseases, disseminate good agriculture practices (GAP) and transfer technologies to smallholders and family farmers.
We are also promoting increasing digitalization and mechanization among local communities.The second regional priority is to accelerate sustainable natural resources management for biodiversity conservation and climate action. FAO is leading the development of a new generation of analysis and tools to support the design and improved targeting of investments in agrifood systems. In Asia and the Pacific, we are supporting countries to strategize and develop proposals to access climate finance and to achieve their climate ambitions in agrifood systems and rural development.
The third priority is to support inclusive rural transformation for equitable rural societies through economic growth, job creation and assistance for the vulnerable populations to reduce inequality, leaving no country and no person behind. FAO’s The 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the One Country One Priority Product Initiative promote sustainable livelihoods and decent incomes in the Asia-Pacific region, while encouraging the wide participation of women and youth in agrifood systems transformation.
The fourth priority aims to achieve the above in the unique context of the region’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS). At FAO, we are working with the SIDS to implement anticipatory actions against multiple hazards and risks, while initiating a process leading to the formulation of the Pacific Action Plan on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors (2024–2030). This Plan is critical for bringing sustainability and resilience to agriculture and natural resources such as soil and water.
In working on these priorities, we are speeding up and scaling up tangible and accountable results on the ground through the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and relevant strategies.
Tailored investment plans and partnerships
In Asia and the Pacific, we are also assisting countries to promote tailored investment plans for poverty reduction including social protection; fighting food loss and waste and conserving water; and building adaptive capacities in response to country and regional needs.
Meantime, we continue to scale up South-South and Triangular Cooperation and expand partnerships and strategic alliances with a wide range of players, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the private sector, regional institutions bodies, civil society, and others. Through these partnerships, we aim to bridge investment and financing gaps to ensure that financing reaches those who need it most, especially smallholder and family farmers.
These advances and more will form the basis of much of the discussion at the upcoming 37th Session of the FAO Regional Ministerial Conference for Asia and the Pacific (19-22 February), which is gathering Government Ministers from FAO’s Members from the region in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The changes we still need are many. But, together, with strong political will and commitment, and with enabling policies, sufficient investment and innovative business models, this region can be an agent of the changes needed - and continue to inspire the world.
Dr QU Dongyu is the Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey’s rejoinder to a UNB report
“I am compelled to address and correct the inaccuracies and misleading assertions made by UNB in their recent report concerning my professional conduct and history. As a former political reporter for UNB, it is disappointing to see my professional integrity questioned based on erroneous information and omissions that compromise the journalistic values UNB professes to uphold.
Contrary to the report's opening claim that labels me merely as "a former press officer of Begum Khaleda Zia," I wish to clarify my role was that of an assistant press secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia, during her tenure from 2001 to 2006. Post my contract with the government, I joined the UNB as a Political Reporter, a fact conspicuously absents from your narrative.
The allegation suggesting I misrepresented a quote from the foreign minister during a US State Department briefing is categorically false. On January 15, 2024, the BSS, the government’s own news agency; published the report titled ‘Hasan Mahmud appreciates India’s stance beside Bangladesh’.
The report reads, “Mahmud said there were conspiracies to tamper with the 2014 elections and efforts were made to make the 2018 elections controversial and questionable and during both the events “India was on our side". Not required yet I would respectfully point out that on December 2nd, 2023; India Today published a piece titled ‘Why India and China are in same camp in Bangladesh’s 'Battle of Begums’’ that reads “The January election in Bangladesh is crucial not just for the country but for several others. While India and China are in one camp, backing PM Sheikh Hasina”. Putting the question in context is practiced by journalists universally. Therefore, the question was posed in a professional manner, aimed at eliciting responses to contribute to an informed dialogue. And I am forced to believe that the baseless allegations of ‘misquoting and misrepresenting officials’ not only attempt to tarnish my reputation but also threaten to erode public trust in media institutions, a cornerstone of any democracy.
Additionally, the report's unfounded criticism of Just News BD as a disseminator of misinformation neglects the existence of a news outlet that is not loyal to the regime’s parroting, essential for a healthy democratic discourse.
In light of the diminishing press freedom in Bangladesh, as highlighted in the World Press Freedom Index, it is imperative for UNB to introspect its role in fostering an environment where journalism can thrive without fear or favor.
I stand by my commitment to uphold the principles of ethical journalism and urge UNB to reassess its report in light of the facts and in the spirit of fairness and accuracy.”
Editor's note: We are publishing the rejoinder as part of our policy of upholding fairness and a person's right to respond. However, we stand by our report as it was factual and based on interviews of academics.
The rejoinder did not contradict or contest any of the facts that we wrote in our report. Besides, Mr Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, an assistant press secretary to the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, never worked as a political reporter at UNB, though he was appointed temporarily as a staff correspondent for a short period of time.
The IMEC as a Catalyst for Global Prosperity
Economic corridors have the potential to bring about various benefits, including increased trade, foreign investment, and improved living conditions for citizens in the participating countries. Additionally, they can contribute to the development of rural areas, address regional imbalances, and enhance the overall socio-economic progress of the regions they traverse. The establishment of such corridors can also lead to the creation of new routes for the flow of goods, thereby increasing economic and geopolitical interdependence between regions.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is poised to revolutionize economic interactions among India, the Middle East, and Europe. Primarily, it aims to establish a multi-modal transport network integrating sea and rail routes, along with innovative infrastructural elements like hydrogen pipelines and high-tech IT connections. A significant aspect of IMEC is its potential to dramatically enhance trade opportunities. By offering a more efficient transit route compared to the Suez Canal, IMEC is projected to reduce transit times for goods by about 40%. This would not only expedite trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe but also render it more cost-effective, fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and trade expansion.
The IMEC initiative elevates the existing partnership to a new echelon, firmly establishing economic connections that promise to redefine the landscape of global commerce. U.S. President Joe Biden's characterization of the IMEC as a "game-changing investment" and a "real big deal" highlights its potential to significantly influence not just the regions it directly touches, but also the international community at large. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) delineates that the railroad and transportation networks envisioned under the IMEC aim to establish a "reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network." This development is anticipated to have far-reaching implications on global supply chains and the dynamics of international trade. The European Union President Ursula von der Leyen has underscored the corridor's ability to decrease travel time by 40%, branding it the "quickest link between India, the Middle East, and Europe," and consequently, a major catalyst in reducing logistical costs.
The corridor's influence extends beyond mere trade facilitation. It is expected to be a catalyst for industrial growth and employment in the participating regions. By providing a more efficient mechanism for transporting raw materials and finished goods, IMEC stands to boost industrial activity. This increased industrial productivity is anticipated to generate a plethora of job opportunities, addressing the employment challenges prevalent in these regions. The correlation between enhanced transportation infrastructure and economic growth is well-established in empirical literature, suggesting that IMEC's impact on job creation and industrial development could be substantial.
IMEC also holds strategic importance in terms of energy security and environmental sustainability. The Middle East's rich energy resources will be more accessible, thereby enhancing the energy security of the involved nations. Concurrently, the focus on clean energy transportation, like hydrogen pipelines, aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The strategic development of ports and other infrastructures under IMEC is expected to attract foreign investment and strengthen political and diplomatic relations among the participating countries. Additionally, by offering an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), IMEC holds potential to reshape global trade dynamics and reduce dependency on traditional maritime routes. Moreover, the cultural integration aspect of IMEC, fostering connections among diverse cultures and civilizations, coupled with its potential to enhance regional connectivity and peace, positions it as a transformative initiative with far-reaching implications.
IMEC is also an evidence of India's strategic realignment towards the Middle East, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCs), which has gained momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. This relationship transcends a simplistic framework of oil trade and market access, encompassing a complex tapestry of security cooperation, cultural ties, and technological exchanges.
IMEC illustrates the transition from a unipolar or bipolar world to a more multipolar global landscape, where multiple centers of power coexist and cooperate. In this context, IMEC acts as a vital link in knitting together these poles, each representing diverse economic, cultural, and political strengths. By facilitating deeper economic ties and fostering mutual reliance among India, the Middle East, and Europe, the corridor is contributing to a more balanced and resilient global system.
However, the success of IMEC is closely tied to the geopolitical stability of the Middle East. This region, despite its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance, has long been afflicted by political unrest and conflict. Establishing peace in the Middle East is not merely a regional concern but a global necessity. A stable Middle East is crucial for ensuring secure trade routes, reliable energy resources, and the unhindered exchange of knowledge and people. It would create an environment conducive to the economic and technological collaborations envisioned by IMEC. Furthermore, peace in this region would have far-reaching effects, contributing to global economic stability and opening avenues for collaborative solutions to global issues like climate change, poverty, and health crises.
[Bibek Debroy is Chairman and Aditya Sinha is Officer on Special Duty, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.]
Call to boycott polls, intimidation, violence: A repeat of 2013-15 style undemocratic exercise by BNP-Jamaat
In the build-up to Bangladesh’s January 7 national election, the political landscape was fraught with tension. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by its acting chairman Tarique Rahman, mounted a campaign urging voters to boycott the election, in an attempt to disrupt the democratic process. Despite these efforts, the steadfast citizens of Bangladesh, committed to upholding democratic values, boldly participated in the polls, defying the orchestrated climate of fear and intimidation.
The Election Commission’s report paints a clear picture of the nation’s unwavering commitment to democracy. Even in the face of BNP’s attempts to instill fear through blockades, hartals, and even arson attacks, over 40 percent of the electorate bravely stepped forward to cast their votes. This significant voter turnout stands in stark opposition to the planned disruptions, showcasing the resilience and fortitude of Bangladesh’s democratic framework.
Read: Good bye Rezwan old friend
Despite BNP and its ally Jamaat’s concerted efforts to derail the electoral process through tactics designed to foster fear and chaos, the Bangladeshi people’s determination to exercise their democratic rights prevailed. The voter turnout, despite BNP’s call for a boycott, underscores a collective commitment to democracy, and highlights the need for visionary leadership within political parties. BNP’s decline, exacerbated by its prolonged absence from power and lack of effective leadership, serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of a leadership vacuum on a party’s fortunes.
The rejection of the BNP’s anti-election stance by the Bangladeshi populace signifies not only a rejection of disruptive tactics but also a marked advancement in democratic maturity among the electorate. Their resistance to such tactics reflects a deep understanding of the importance of participating in the democratic process to shape the nation’s future.
Awami League’s fourth consecutive election victory is a testament to the people’s rejection of the BNP’s boycott appeal. By actively participating in the electoral process, the citizens have made their voices heard, reinforcing the notion that active democratic engagement is crucial for shaping a nation’s direction.
As Bangladesh transitions into the post-election phase, it is essential to reflect on the significance of this electoral process. This election transcends mere numbers and political affiliations; it stands as a testament to the deeply embedded democratic values in the Bangladeshi ethos. The electorate’s resilience in the face of adversity underscores their unwavering commitment to these principles.
Read: Despite political friction, election festivities underway in Bangladesh
International observers have lauded the electoral process in Bangladesh for its transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic norms. Their positive assessment validates the Election Commission’s efforts in ensuring a fair and equitable electoral environment and strengthens confidence in the integrity of Bangladesh’s electoral system.
Moving forward, Bangladesh must capitalize on this democratic momentum. The pre-election disturbances should serve as impetus for reinforcing democratic institutions, enhancing election integrity, and fostering an inclusive political environment. The nation can draw valuable lessons from its citizens’ response to challenges, using it as an opportunity to fortify its democratic foundation.
In summary, the Bangladeshi population’s defiance of the election boycott call is a victory for their steadfast commitment to democracy. Despite attempts to sow fear and chaos, they have demonstrated an enduring allegiance to democratic values.
The writer is a professor of the Department of Public Administration at the University of Rajshahi. Views expressed are the writer’s own.
Good bye Rezwan old friend
When his daughter Audity called late at night in a broken voice, I knew what the news was. She just said, “ Baba has expired” and the line went off. I managed to say, OMG” only as I felt the weight of the death of a friend
Our friend and colleague of over 50 years Rezwan Hosssain Siddiky is dead at the age of 71. He had been ailing for a while but the death seemed so sudden. I suppose it always is when the person is close to you.
Rezwan was a year junior to us but in those days we were all part of the same crowd. He was a very proper Bengali, always in kurta pyjama and with impeccable manners. Rezwan was a simple guy who remained so till his death but always firm and confident. Few would know that he had been on the run in the late 60s as a political activist and was involved in a host of other activities. He never wavered from what he thought was the right thing to say or do and did so without making a splash. He was the quietest radical.
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I am not writing a resume of his career but remembering his friendship and the difficulties he faced and met with courage. I think I met him only once in his official office when he was the DG , Press Institute of Bangladesh. He treated me like an old friend and we chatted over nothing and drank coffee and talked about the yesterdays and tomorrows. Our paths crossed many times later as friends and fellow journalists.
Rezwan always remained politically sensitive and close to the BNP and over time his identity became mixed as the political scenario also became complex. He ran Daily Dinkal which only a loyalist could run as it was an extreme duty which only an activist can fulfill.
It may have been easier when the party was in power but when outside as it has been since 2007, only a political activist could dare to run it because it was not just a professional job but one of total dedication and commitment to his beliefs as well.
In the last decade or so , Rezwan’s health had declined as his kidneys suffered and later he was on dialysis. Twice a week he would go through the routine and his body took one beating after another. He had several complications and slowly hospitalizations became more and more frequent. But he did overcome them all. That Dinkal was kept alive by the power of his and others will till in the end it also crumbled.
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Two weeks back he was hospitalized but he made it back home. Today the call ended our hopes and his own.
He had once written on a FB post that he was expecting to live another 3-4 years but it was less than a year after that post as his words failed to match his allotted time on earth.
I called Prof. Abrar Chowdhury who was very close to him to share the news. He was already on his way to the hospital. “ Take care of yourself," I said. “ “It’s time for all of us to take care,” he replied.”
As we reach the winter of our lives, we remember old friends and friendships more and more. Rezwan walked on till his body no longer could. But the spirit walks on to a destination where we shall meet again and discuss the news, analyze the events and laugh over badly made cups of tea and coffee like we did for the last half century and more.
Good bye Rezwan, till we meet again.
Importance of Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) to boost Trade and Canadian Investment to Bangladesh as Part of Economic Diplomacy
Canada has been one of the most trusted development partners for Bangladesh since our independence. Even Canada extended its support to our war of independence in 1971. Ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations on 14 February 1972, the relations, both political and commercial just kept growing and now it’s transformed into a robust partnership. Thus, serving as High Commissioner in such a friendly and supportive country is an honour and privilege. After assuming the charge effectively from January 2021, one of my primary economic objectives was to strengthen and expand the existing commercial relations between Bangladesh and Canada, including increasing bilateral trade as well as attracting more Canadian investment in Bangladesh in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to actively promote economic diplomacy. Today, it is pleasing for me that Bangladesh’s trade with Canada has reached its all-time record high of USD 3.23 billion by the end of 2022 (data of 2023 is yet to be published), with a substantial increase in both exports and imports in the last three years. Bangladesh’s exports to Canada have also reached an all-time high (USD 2.21 billion). However, the diversification of exports remains unsatisfactory again for a number of reasons mostly rooted in Bangladesh. Also, pertinent to add that COVID-19 pandemic until the middle of 2022 was a major obstacle in many ways as Canada was the last country in the world to open following the pandemic. Our success in attracting Canadian investment also remains below par despite its immense potential, for several reasons, but primarily because of the absence of a Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Canada. Discussions on concluding a FIPA began in 2012, yet from the Bangladesh side, we have not been able to come up with a draft for FIPA for negotiations with the Canadian authorities. Despite my repeated requests to the Ministry of Industries (focal point for FIPA) and other relevant authorities in Dhaka, we have not even received any response to our several formal communications on this very important issue.
Urgency of concluding a FIPA with Canada now is more than ever following the appointment of Canada’s Trade Representative for Asia-Pacific based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The new Representative would assume office in the third week of January 2024. He has been known to me for last three years as he served as the Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia-Pacific Bureau in Global Affairs Canada; Bangladesh being part of this bureau. As per the wishes of our Commerce Ministry and other authorities, whenever we raised the issue of trade and investment as well as the ambitious efforts of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada, the need for concluding a FIPA prior to that loomed large on our discussions and their outcomes. Similarly, whenever we approached any potential Canadian investors, they raised the issue of the need and importance of existence of a FIPA.
The issue of FIPA and a Blue Ribbon Pannel (Joint Working Group on Commercial Relations) were first brought to my notice by the former Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka, His Excellency Mr. Benoit Prefontaine as soon as my name was announced as next High Commissioner in Canada on 16 August 2020. I must acknowledge the huge contribution of this great friend of Bangladesh to boost trade relations between Bangladesh and Canada and to attract Canadian investment to our country. It was under his leadership that a position of a Senior Trade Representative/Commissioner was established in the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka. Earlier, the issue of trade and investment with Bangladesh was concurrently managed from the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. That was one of the reasons that Canadian investment in Bangladesh has been low or minimum. As I gathered, the Canadian Trade Commissioner sitting in New Delhi hardly looked beyond India as India itself has been a huge market. Therefore, today’s increased trade with Canada owes greatly to the efforts of the former Canadian High Commissioner Mr. Benoit Prefontaine. Together, we were able to form a Blue Ribbon Pannel (08-Member Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising leading private sector leaders - 04 from Bangladesh and 04 from Canada). We are happy that the JWG completed its works and submitted their recommendations in December 2022 to their respective governments (Commerce Ministry in Bangladesh) to strengthen commercial relations between the two countries. Potential obstacles to and the areas of opportunities to boost trade and investment promotion between the two countries have been identified by JWG. I am happy that JWG’s recommendations were discussed at the last Foreign Office Consultation between the two countries held on 27 October 2023 in Ottawa.
I am writing this public piece for a number of reasons. First, despite repeated efforts and formal and informal communications concerned authorities in Bangladesh have not done anything about drafting a FIPA. Second, last month, Global Affairs Canada organized a briefing session for Heads of Mission on Canada’s IndiPacific Strategy and the Canada’s newly appointed Trade Representative for Asia-Pacific Mr. Paul Thoppil also took part in the briefing and outlined his vision on boosting Canadian trade and investment in and with the region. I had a separate discussion with him on these issues there and we agreed to have more detailed discussions thereon. Accordingly, I had a long follow-up meeting with him in the first week of this month just before he left Ottawa to take up his new assignment as Canada’s Trade Representative for Asia-Pacific. Among other things, he reiterated that he would be working to strengthen and expand Canada’s commercial relations with countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Bangladesh. Mr. Paul Thoppil categorically told me that concluding a FIPA is a prerequisite for attracting Canadian investment in Bangladesh. Moreover, he also reiterated that discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can only commence after the FIPA has been finalized. Adding impetus to our cause, Mr. Thoppil also agreed to lead a high-level trade and investment delegation comprising representatives from the Canadian government, private sector, and key financial institutions like the Canadian Pension Fund, Brookfield Corporation, Fairfax Financial, and Sun Life Assurance of Canada to Bangladesh in early April 2024. He would at least like to see a draft FIPA with Canadian authorities before this trade and investment mission to get some positive signals to assuage their investors about guarantee to their investment in Bangladesh. Immediately after the meeting, I wrote to concerned authorities in Dhaka to finalize a draft FIPA by convening inter-ministerial consultations so that we can start negotiations with the Canadian side to finalize the same. Now the big question is if concerned authorities in Dhaka are listening to our repeated pleas and are convinced about the need and importance of concluding a FIPA with Canada. Mr. Thoppil also took note of the initiative being taken by the High Commission to host a Business Summit (along with/without a trade fair) in Toronto in the first quarter of this year in collaboration with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and other concerned business bodies and business promotion agencies in Canada, including the Asia-Pacific Foundation, to strengthen and expand our trade relations as well as to attract Canadian investment. There too, the issue of existence of FIPA with Canada would come up when there would be direct business to business discussion with potential Canadian investors. The third reason is the new leadership in the Ministries of Commerce and Industries. While I am thrilled to see the new cabinet and like to sincerely thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister for presenting the nation such a seemingly “Smart” and to be effective and performing cabinet, I am also happy to see the new leader in the Ministry of Commerce. As I knew him from his Bangkok days, he is likely to be very dynamic and forward-looking young, energetic and explorative leader, while being so humble and down to earth. In response to my congratulatory message, he was kind enough to call me back within a few hours of his swearing-in. He was so keen to know our priorities with Canada and we had some brief discussion on such issues. I also briefed him about my meeting the day before with the new President of FBCCI and requested him to involve them in all trade and investment related issues with Canada. I was so happy that he appreciated all this and assured me of all the support from his ministry.
In view of the above and given my experience in Canada and that in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka as in charge of the Wing called “Trade, Investment and Technology”, I recommend the following not only for boosting trade and investment relation with Canada, but also to pursue “Economic Diplomacy” in effective and practical manners with all countries in the world:
1. The way Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) functions and its approach to attracting foreign investment, needs to be relooked and reconsidered given specific needs and expectations of major investors. BIDA should also consider developing country specific investment strategy in consultation with concerned authorities and private sector in Dhaka and respective Missions abroad. Same should apply for Security Exchange Commission for attracting investment in financial sector. Organizing unplanned “Road-Shows” abroad without any achievable targets and spending huge amount of resources in foreign countries would not yield any desired results. Similarly, unplanned visit of high officials without involving the host country and the concerned Mission abroad is mere wastage of precious foreign currencies as they do not produce any result at all. Two visits by a former minister in last three years to Canada without involving the host country and the Mission are stark examples of such costly yet useless and unproductive visits.
2. The pace in which Ministry of Industries has been dealing with FIPA with Canada, is utterly disappointing. There has not been any official response to our repeated communications requesting to speed up the process of drafting the FIPA with Canada. The question of which government 3 authority should be in charge of FIPA also deserves reconsideration. Given BIDA’s responsibility or trade related aspects of investment being under Ministry of Commerce, the issue of which ministry should be the focal int for FIPA deserves redetermination.
3. Ministry of Commerce/EPB needs to strategize their approach when it comes to working in collaboration with the Missions to boost and diverse trade. It is regrettable that often they unilaterally contact dubious so-called trade related organizations in Canada which are under the scanner of the government of Canada. This only happens due to their personal contact with such dubious organizations and people associated with it. Despite Mission’s advice and observation, they try to keep contacting with such organization. This puts huge question mark on the credibility of the government and the Mission vis-à-vis the host country as they have reservations on such Canada based organizations. This kind of issue should be investigated by Commerce Ministry and other authorities. Concerned authorities in Dhaka need to appreciate that without Mission’s involvement, no effective cooperation can be materialized with a country like Canada.
4. It is also equally important to assess the performance of the newly established Wing “Trade, Investment and Technology” in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was a newly established wing when I was given charge of this Wing in 2018; moreover, it was the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the outreach efforts of the wing to work with all the investment authorities and ministries were completed and Missions abroad were also engaged to a greater extent in trade and investment promotion activities. If MoFA wishes to lead the efforts for “Economic Diplomacy”, the wing needs to be redesigned and manned with skilled personnel. In last three years, I have not seen any directive and guidelines from this Wing at least for this Mission; nor were we asked to report on our performance on pursuing economic diplomacy. It is very important for MoFA, for the government and for the country to strengthen and expand significantly the scope of work of this very important wing, if it is serious to lead the efforts to pursue effective economic diplomacy. MoFA also needs to focus on the work of such an important wing, rather than benefit of any specific person. It is definitely not productive to have a secretary level position for dealing with only maritime issues rather than having a secretary level position for leading our efforts to pursue economic diplomacy. With the demarcation of our maritime boundary with India and Myanmar, our focus now should be reaping the economic benefits from our seas in the context of our Indo-Pacific Outlook. I am of the strong view that the Trade, Investment and Technology Wing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be headed by a secretary level officer and the wing should also be strengthened, expanded and well resourced. Even MoFA should consider bringing officers from concerned ministries/authorities to man and work this wing.
5. Lastly, I would like to bring perhaps the most important issue that affects our efforts in boosting trade and investment, to the fore. The implementation of the “One Mission One Country Policy” as agreed at a meeting of secretaries held in PATC, Savar end of 2020, where it was agreed that the commerce and economic officers working in the Missions should be working under the direct control of the Head of Mission, is of paramount importance for boosting trade and investment relation with any country. I am happy and proud that Ottawa Mission should be the best example for full implementation of the policy. I thank the commerce secretary for all the support to the Mission to lead our trade related works in unison in this regard. Despite all this, direct reporting by the commerce and economic officers in Missions to their parent ministries is still a problem and some of the practice to guide these officers by commerce ministry is often counterproductive and creates confusion and misunderstanding. In my view, the most productive way for implementation of the “One Mission One Country Policy” is to budget and fund all these posts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since resources from all the ministries come from one government. Officers with specialization in trade and investment from any ministry can be selected and deputed to foreign ministry for orientation, further training and to work for a few months to a year before they are posted our as commerce and economic officers by foreign ministry like their other officers. Once on posting they should report to the Secretary in charge of Trade, Investment and Technology Wing in the Foreign Ministry through their Heads of Mission while keeping all the concerned ministries and authorities in the government duly informed. This norm and discipline is warranted to ensure effective pursuing of economic diplomacy. 4 Given my experience in Canada and elsewhere in other Missions, under the current practice, these officers usually need an extended period of time to feel comfortable and get used to work with their counterparts in the host countries for several reasons, including due to their discomfort and hesitation do so freely. It affects not only personal performance of the officer concerned, but also that of the Mission and its overall efforts to boost trade and investment relations with the host country. This can only be allayed if a structured system is devised in which these officers would spend required amount of time in foreign ministry to receive additional training, orientation and work experience before they are posted out. It is pertinent to add that this is the practice in India (as I knew when I was posted in our High Commission in New Delhi in 1990s). It is also important to know that foreign trade is integral part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of many countries, including Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and others.
I feel that in the greater interest of the country, our government should seriously consider the above issues especially those relating to structural reforms and inter-ministry coordination to pursue economic diplomacy in an effective and coherent manner. Since these reforms and coordination involve several ministries and authorities, the Hon’ble Private Industry and Investment Adviser of the Hon’ble Prime Minister may lead these proposed structural and coordination reforms as her representative.
In conclusion, given the fact that foreign direct investment in our country last year was significantly low for several reasons, including recently held elections, it is of paramount importance for us to attract foreign direct investment as much as possible. It would be foolish on our part to not make any efforts to conclude a FIPA with Canada if we are serious on attracting Canadian investment which can be in billions, given the huge opportunities for the same exist in Bangladesh and also given Canada’s current relations with some important countries in the region. It is indeed important for Bangladesh to demonstrate its seriousness to attract Canadian investment in Bangladesh by drafting a FIPA, if not finalizing it before the proposed visit of the Canadian trade delegation in April led by Canada’s Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific.
The writer is the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada. He can be contacted at: [email protected]