Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena" to begin Sunday
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena - 2021" (Front Runner of Peace) will begin here on Sunday to commemorate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark glorious 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence.
Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel including Officers, JCOs and Jawans of a Battalion from The DOGRA Regiment will participate in the exercise along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army.
Also read: Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena" to begin Apr 4
The theme of the exercise (April 4-12) is - Robust Peace Keeping Operations, according to Indian Ministry of Defence.
Military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
Also read: Bangladesh-India joint military exercise ends in Tangail
An Indian Air Force AN-32 airlifted a 30-member Contingent of the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army to Dhaka on Saturday.
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena" to begin Apr 4
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena - 2021 (Front Runner of the Peace) will be held in Bangladesh from April 4-12 marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence.
Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel including officers, JCOs and Jawans of a Battalion from The DOGRA Regiment will participate in the exercise along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army.
Also read: Bangladesh-India joint military exercise ends in Tangail
The theme of the exercise is - Robust Peace Keeping Operations, according to Indian Ministry of Defence.
Military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
Startup Bangladesh Ltd to invest Tk 100 crore for 50 startups marking birth centennial of Bangabandhu and Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh
Startup Bangladesh Ltd. signified the birth centennial of Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh by investing Tk. 100 crore for 50 startups for the current (2021) year.
Marking the occasions, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. at a programme at ICT Division at Agargaon in the capital on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) launched "ShotoBorshe Shoto Asha" to invest Tk. 15 crore for seven startups as part of its first series of investments.
Startup Bangladesh Limited is the flagship venture capital fund of the ICT Ministry.
Read Bangladeshi startup Dataful joins Startup Istanbul’s portfolio.
Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Startup Bangladesh - the first and only venture capital fund sponsored by the Bangladesh government, started its journey in March, 2020 with an allocated capital of Tk. 500 crores.
The seven startups that today received Tk. 15 crore ( 1.75 million) as part of first series of the investments are Pathao (ride-sharing/logistics), Dhaka Cast (health-tech), Moner Bondhu (mental health and Wellbeing), Chaldal ( e-commerce), Eduhive (education-tech), Sheba.xyz (domestic services and SME) and Intelligent Machines (software services).
The event was told that the startups received this fund to scale up their production, improve the quality of goods and services and develop the supply chain & marketing strategies.
Also read: There's a woman behind many successful startups in Bangladesh
Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, State Minister of the ICT Division, was present as chief guest at the event.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury MP, Deputy Minister of Education, and Principal Coordinator, SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office Zuena Aziz were special guests.
N M Zeaul Alam PAA, Senior Secretary, ICT Division and Chairman, board of directors of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., was the guest of honour.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak officially launched the "ShotoBorshe Shoto Asha” and declared the investment of this venture capital fund.
Also read: The stress of starting a startup: 'Funding remains the biggest challenge'
Through this initiative, he said, the government created a national entrepreneurship platform to support the startup ecosystem.
“Startups could play a crucial role in addressing the market needs, which will serve as the foundation for far-reaching consequences in the GDP’s overall growth. The tech-solutions provided by startups could support the nation’s achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” said Palak.
Senior Secretary, ICT Division and Chairman, board of directors of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., N M Zeaul Alam PAA, commented that the organization would develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem and connect entrepreneurs and startups to foster collaboration with all the stakeholders.
Also read: Survey underway to identify challenges for startups
Speaking as a guest speaker, Ki-Hak Sung, Chairman, and CEO at Youngone Corp, said, “I have been associated with Bangladesh for the past 36 years and am excited to be in this growth journey ahead”. The company is eyeing to invest USD 1 Billion over the next few years in Bangladesh.
In his address, Chris Burry, the Co CEO of US Market Access Inc., wished for Startup Bangladesh Limited all the success in the coming days.
Mustafa Usman Turan, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said his country is keen to develop partnerships in the information technology (IT) and e-commerce sectors of Bangladesh.
Tina F. Jabeen, Managing Director & CEO, Startup Bangladesh Ltd, said, “Among all frontier markets, Bangladesh holds the most promising opportunity for venture capital and private equity investments.
Read Japan to make more investment in Bangladesh after end of pandemic: Naoki
Bangabandhu laid foundation of strong Bangladesh-UK partnership, friendship: UK Minister
British Foreign and Development Office (FCDO) Minister for South Asia and Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmed has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of a strong partnership and deep friendship that Bangladesh-UK has been enjoying in the past five decades.
He lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for upholding the spirit and values of Bangabandhu in building a self-reliant, secular and inclusive Bangladesh with maximal climate prosperity and resilient green future; and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to remain a critical partner of Bangladesh seeking to support peace and prosperity for its entire people.
Addressing a virtual programme in London recently, the British Minister congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the people of Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshis as Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of its Independence, according to Bangladesh High Commission in London.
Bangladesh High Commission in London commenced a nine-month celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence and hosted a high-profile discussion and diplomatic reception held recently where ministers, leader of the opposition, members of House of Lords, Mayor of London and eminent parliamentarians from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales paid their profound homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of 1971 War of Liberation.
They highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the unprecedented growth and prosperity the country achieved under her visionary leadership.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem chaired the event.
Also read: Bangabandhu is an inspiration to many who fight for liberty, democracy: UK Minister
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Labour Party Deputy Leader and Chair Angela Rayner, MP, Foreign Affairs Select Committee Chair at the House of Commons Tom Tugendhat, MP, Conservative Party Vice-Chair Ms Nickie Aiken, MP, International Ambassador of the Conservative Party Lord Hannan, Chair of All-party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh and the UK’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Rushanara Ali, MP, Apsana Begum, MP, Sarah Boyack, MSP and IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim spoke as panelists.
Independence Day: PM Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday morning on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day.
On her return from the National Memorial at Savar, the Prime Minister paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in the city.
After placing the wreaths, she stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of deep respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh Independence.
Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Bangabandhu, was present on the occasion.
'With rapid rise in Asia’s heart, Bangladesh echoing miracle on S Korea's Han River'
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has said Bangladesh is echoing the miracle on the Han River, a major river in South Korea, with its remarkable economic development and rapid emergence in the heart of Asia.
"The international community has been deeply impressed to see that Bangladesh, even in the midst of the covid pandemic when the world economy has slowed down, succeeded in achieving the greatest level of economic growth," he said.
The South Korean Prime Minister made the remarks in a congratulatory video message marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence.
"We’ll be the most trusted friends to Bangladesh, together ushering in a shining future," he said.
His video message was screened on Thursday at the National Parade Ground celebration.
Also read: Korean companies in Bangladesh hold meeting with Embassy officials
Sye-kyun said he has every confidence that Bangladesh, with the benefit of the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as it takes this remarkable path of astounding development, will shape an even more shining future of greater prosperity.
"As it has been over the last half a century, Korea will continue to be by the side of Bangladesh in the next half a century, for the welcoming in of a future of even fuller promise," he said.
The areas of cooperation, which had been more focused on the textiles and garment industry, have expanded to encompass a diverse range of fields such as ICT, construction, energy and culture, thereby creating more windows of opportunity.
Recently, the Korean Export Processing Zone, which is a symbol of bilateral economic cooperation, has embarked on a project to build a Hi-Tech Park with the Bangladesh government.
"I’m confident that this Park will emerge as a hub for ICT-centric innovative growth in tune with the digital transformation in the post-Covid era," said the Korean Prime Minister.
Also read: Bangladesh, Korea to explore untapped potential
There are already more than 200 Korean companies operating in Bangladesh contributing to the economic development of the two countries.
The South Korean Prime Minister said there are great expectations that Bangladesh will take further tremendous strides forward, as it is anticipated to graduate from the LDC status in 2026.
The Republic of Korea will be a trusted friend to Bangladesh in moving forward to embrace the future together, he said.
Sye-kyun, on behalf of the South Korea and its people, extended his sincere congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He said Korea and Bangladesh have continued to nurture the ties of friendship over the last nearly half a century since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1973.
Also read: Korean envoy discusses investment issues with BEPZA Executive Chairman
In 2017, he visited Bangladesh as the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
"Such a visit was an excellent opportunity to bolster the bonds of friendship between our two countries and deepen the ties of cooperation," he said, adding, "I am delighted to connect with you again through this video message in this very meaningful year of 2021."
He said Korea and Bangladesh share common ground - both have the proud legacy of triumphing over colonial rule.
Sye-kyun said the noble sacrifice of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who had devoted his life to the struggle for the independence of Bengali nation and to secure the Bengali language as the national language, reminds them of the sweat and blood of our ancestors who were martyrs for the protection and building of nation.
German President lauds Bangladesh’s impressive growth
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday said Bangladesh has undergone an “impressive development and is today a vibrant democracy” with high economic growth rates.
“At the same time, Bangladesh has succeeded in clearly reducing poverty in the country using innovative development policy strategies,” he said in a message sent to President Abdul Hamid.
Also read: French senator lauds Bangladesh’s progress; recalls Bangabandhu
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen read out the message at a programme held at the National Parade Ground on Tuesday, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence.
The German President said the world very much values Bangladesh’s peaceful foreign policy and its generous humanitarian engagement, particularly when it comes to taking in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled their homes.
Also read: India praises Hasina's statesmanship, Bangladesh’s "miraculous” progress
“The global challenges of our time, particularly the current pandemic situation and climate change, can only be tackled if we work together. Our many years of friendly relations provide a very firm basis for such cooperation,” the message reads.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence, he conveyed to his Bangladesh counterpart and the people of Bangladesh his sincere congratulations. “I wish you strength and every success for the tasks that lie ahead.”
Also read: Bangladesh’s importance in S Asia growing: US
Bhutanese PM Dr Tshering due Tuesday as King’s special envoy
Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering arrives here on Tuesday on a state visit as a special representative of the Bhutanese King to participate in the celebrations of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence.
Bangabandhu's vision lights Dhaka-Delhi friendship: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to be the star attraction even among the strong field of regional leaders attending 10 days of celebration in Dhaka has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision ‘continues to light’ the Bangladesh-India friendship.