United News of Bangladesh

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday approved 10 projects involving a total cost of Tk 9,333.58 crore. These included six new and four revised projects. Of the total project cost, Tk 8,488.71 crore will come from the government’s own funds, while Tk 936.36 crore will be financed through project loans. The approval came at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room at the Planning Commission with Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman in the chair. The approved projects include two under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These are the replacement and reconstruction of unusable structures at Dhaka Medical College and construction of 19 modern hostel buildings for students of 10 medical colleges. The Roads and Highways Department’s project titled “Capacity Development for Smart Maintenance Technology of Bridges under Roads and Highways Department in Bangladesh” was also approved. Two projects under the Ministry of Water Resources involve protecting Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila from erosion along the right bank of the Dharla River and strengthening the coastal embankment at Bashbaria ferry ghat in Sitakunda, Chattogram, and the stretch from the ferry ghat to Kumira ghat. The ECNEC also approved a project for rehabilitation and strengthening of rural roads under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. A project for strengthening the capacity of the Department of Livestock Services was approved under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Two power sector projects were also approved- construction of a 100 MW solar power plant at Madarganj in Jamalpur and expansion and strengthening of electrical infrastructure in the DESCO area of Dhaka. The ECNEC further approved an infrastructure development project for Ramu Cantonment under the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile, the meeting was informed nine projects costing less than Tk 50 crore that have already been approved by the Planning Minister. The projects include a feasibility study for establishing a BSL-3 laboratory and enhancing vaccine and biologics research capacity, the Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project, the Sundarbans Protection Project. Besides, expansion of the south-western transmission grid, construction of a 132/33/11 kV underground grid substation in Gulshan, improvement of the electricity distribution system under DPDC, expansion and strengthening of mosque libraries, optimal use of new media for public service delivery, and improvement of pre-primary and primary education in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh district and Bhahashan Char of Noakhali district.

Four newly appointed members of the BNP National Standing Committee on Tuesday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The four leaders – Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amanullah Aman, Dr Farhad Halim Donar and Ismail Zabihullah – called on the Prime Minister in the evening, said his Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. BNP Standing Committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was also present during the meeting. Earlier in the morning, the four newly appointed Standing Committee members paid tribute to BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths at their graves in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman appointed the four leaders as members of the party’s highest policymaking body on August 15. In a press release, the BNP said the four leaders had been appointed to the National Standing Committee in line with a party decision aimed at further enhancing its organisational dynamism. The party expressed hope that, through their wisdom, experience and well-considered advice, the new members will contribute to taking important decisions in the interest of both the party and the people at its highest policymaking forum. The BNP last held its national council on March 19, 2016, following which the National Standing Committee was reconstituted. Several positions subsequently fell vacant due to the deaths and resignations of members, while the party appointed new members to some of the vacancies at different times. This is the first time in recent years that the party has appointed four members to the Standing Committee at once. The BNP’s 19-member National Standing Committee previously had 13 members. With the addition of the four new members, its current strength now stands at 16. The existing members include Tarique Rahman, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and AZM Zahid Hossain. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been nominated by the BNP as its candidate for the presidency. He is expected to resign from his party position following the presidential election scheduled for August 20.  

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to Tarique Rahman during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Monday, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. In the letter, the Saudi Crown Prince expressed his country’s keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh in areas of mutual interest, with a view to fulfilling the aspirations of the two countries and their brotherly peoples. He said Saudi Arabia is pleased to invite the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit the Kingdom to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and consult on regional and international issues.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for greater public awareness and coordinated efforts to save rivers, canals, haors, beels and other water bodies from pollution, saying safeguarding the environment is essential to protecting the country’s fisheries resources. “If we are truly conscious and want to protect our environment, and if we want to save our fish, then we must also pay attention to protecting the environment. We must safeguard our natural environment,” he said, pointing to the growing pollution of water bodies by plastic bottles, tissue paper and other waste. The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 at the George Institute Mini Stadium in Achmita union of Katiadi upazila. The fortnight is being observed across the country from August 16 to 30 under the theme “A self-sufficient country through silver fish, Bangladesh first.” Tarique Rahman said fisheries play a vital role in meeting the country’s nutritional needs while creating employment through fish farming, catching, transportation, processing and marketing. “There is a very important issue closely linked to fisheries that is the environment. For whatever reason, we are seeing that the environment of our canals, rivers, haors, beels and other water bodies is gradually being degraded by various forms of waste generated by our daily activities, including tissue paper, plastics and discarded water bottles,” he said. The Prime Minister said protecting the environment will enable people to live in a healthy environment, allow children to grow up in healthy surroundings, and help the country develop its fisheries and livestock sectors sustainably. He urged everyone to work together to conserve aquatic resources, promote environment-friendly and sustainable fish farming and distribution, and increase fish production, harvesting and productivity so that Bangladesh can become a nutritious, self-reliant and prosperous country. “To build such a Bangladesh, all of us must work with awareness, sincerity and dedication,” Tarique Rahman said. He also called for the restoration and productive use of the country’s ponds, haors, beels and other water bodies to expand fish production, create employment and raise incomes, particularly among young people and marginalised communities. “Bangladesh is a riverine country. There are opportunities to become self-reliant by using ponds, beels, haors, baors and other water bodies, or even small areas of land, for fish farming,” the Prime Minister said. At the inaugural programme, Tarique Rahman handed over the National Fisheries Medal (Gold Medal) to 14 individuals and organisations in 13 categories in recognition of their contributions to fisheries production, innovation, research, technology, conservation, exports and employment generation. Highlighting the importance of the fisheries sector, he said it plays a vital role in increasing the incomes of marginalised people. The Prime Minister said the government has decided to renovate unused water bodies across the country, release fish fry there and allocate those to local young people so that they can engage in fish farming and create employment. He said he has already instructed State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku to take necessary steps in this regard. Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh earned more than Tk 6,000 crore in foreign currency by exporting fish and fish products to around 52 countries in the 2025-26 fiscal year. He credited entrepreneurs, traders, fish farmers and everyone involved in the sector with the achievement. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has significant potential to emerge as a major global producer of freshwater fish. Citing a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in June, he said Bangladesh ranked fifth globally in the production of aquatic animals, including fish, while it ranked second in the world in inland fish capture. Tarique Rahman said planned efforts could create more employment in the fisheries sector while increasing foreign exchange earnings. Referring to ongoing initiatives, he said the Department of Fisheries has formed 300 clusters in the Khulna region to promote cluster-based shrimp farming, resulting in more than doubling average production in around 7,500 farms. The Prime Minister also said a master plan has been prepared to develop shrimp farming on around 7,000 acres of land in Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar, including infrastructure development. He also highlighted government measures for the conservation and development of hilsa, describing it as not only Bangladesh's national fish and an economic asset but also a globally recognised Geographical Indication (GI) product. Tarique Rahman said hilsa accounts for around 10 percent of the country's total fish production and more than 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government is also giving priority to the fisheries, livestock and aquatic-resource sectors because millions of Bangladeshis depend directly or indirectly on these activities, he said. The Prime Minister said around 2 crore people, including 14 lakh women, are directly or indirectly dependent on the fisheries sector. For this reason, he said the government considers ensuring the safety and uninterrupted development of the sector a major responsibility. Tarique Rahman said fisheries, livestock and the blue economy have been placed among the government's priority sectors because millions of Bangladeshis remain connected to these activities as part of the country's traditional economic structure. He said the government is committed to improving the livelihoods of fish farmers and fishermen. The Prime Minister said fish farmers will be brought under the Farmers’ Card programme, while registration and issuance of identity cards for fishermen are ongoing. For the first time in the 2026-27 fiscal year, fishermen in the Sundarbans and haor regions have also been brought under the VGF programme during fishing bans, he said. Tarique Rahman also called on entrepreneurs and businesses to explore new overseas markets for Bangladeshi products. He said Bangladesh has exported hatching eggs to Nigeria for the first time in June and urged entrepreneurs to seek new export opportunities, assuring them of government support. The Prime Minister also announced that the government has established a Tk 500 crore startup fund to encourage technology-driven employment, research, innovation and the development of a knowledge-based economy. He said promising startups will receive grants ranging from Tk 5 lakh to Tk 5 crore, stressing that the assistance will be provided as grants, not loans. Tarique Rahman urged young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunity. National Fisheries Fortnight will feature rallies, discussions, seminars, fish fairs, fish-fry releases, technology exhibitions, awareness campaigns and programmes to honour successful fish farmers across the country. The programmes aim to promote safe fish production, sustainable management of fisheries resources, modern farming technologies and awareness of the nutritional value of fish. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid chaired the inaugural programme. State Minister Tuku, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam, Kishoreganj-2 MP Md Jalal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain and Department of Fisheries Director General Md Khaled Kanak, among others, attended the event. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister released fish fry into the old Brahmaputra River in Pakundia, visited the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex and exchanged greetings with local people. Following the fisheries programme, he is scheduled to inaugurate a tree-planting programme at Sholakia Eidgah and attend a Family Card distribution programme at Kishoreganj Stadium.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 here on Sunday, stressing the need to strengthen the fisheries sector to advance the government’s vision of a self-reliant and welfare-oriented Bangladesh. He formally opened the fisheries fortnight, which is being observed across the country from August 16 to 30 under the theme “A self-sufficient country through silver fish, Bangladesh first,” at the George Institution Mini Stadium in Achmita Union of Katiadi upazila. On his arrival at the stadium amid rains, Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam welcomed him. At the inaugural ceremony, Tarique handed over the National Fisheries Medal (Gold) to 14 individuals and organisations in 13 categories in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country's fisheries sector. The awardees were recognised for their contributions to areas including fisheries production, research, technological innovation, extension services, administrative efficiency and entrepreneurship development. Earlier in the day, the prime minister began his Kishoreganj programme by releasing fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat area of Pakundia at around 11:30am. He also distributed fish fry among local people and exchanged greetings with residents. The programme was organised as part of the activities marking National Fisheries Fortnight, with the government seeking to increase fish production while protecting the country's natural fisheries resources. Speaking at a public gathering there, Tarique said his government wanted to establish Bangladesh as a welfare state, while stressing the importance of developing the country’s productive sectors. Later, the prime minister visited the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex before joining the inauguration and award ceremony at the Achmita George Institute field. The National Fisheries Fortnight has been organised with programmes across districts and upazilas, including rallies, discussions, seminars, fish fairs, fish-fry release, technology exhibitions, awareness campaigns and recognition of successful fish farmers. The programmes aim to promote safe fish production, sustainable management of fisheries resources, modern technology-based aquaculture and awareness of the nutritional value of fish. Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid presided over the inaugural ceremony. State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, State Minister for Local Government Shahe Alam, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Kishoreganj-2 MP Jalal Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Delwar Hossain and Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak, among others, attended the event. After the fisheries programme, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate a tree-planting programme at Sholakia Eidgah and attend a Family Card distribution programme at the old Kishoreganj Stadium. At the programme, honorariums will also be provided to religious figures including imams, muezzins, priests, monks and pastors as part of the government's broader social-support initiatives. The prime minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka by road in the evening.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged the people of the country to keep faith in the BNP government and its development initiatives, saying his government would continue working in the interests of the country and its people. “Keep your faith in us. BNP was with you, BNP is with the people of Bangladesh and BNP will remain with the people of Bangladesh,” he said while addressing a public gathering in Pakundia after releasing fish fry into the Brahmaputra River at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat area. Tarique Rahman said the government was formed with the support of people and would not take any step against the interests of the country and its people. “You supported us in the February 12 election and placed your trust in BNP. I clearly want to say keep that trust,” he said. Tarique Rahman said BNP will work for the people of Bangladesh. “As long as BNP remains, Inshallah, it will not do anything against the interests of the country and its people,” he added.  

Bangladesh on Sunday urged India to act expeditiously on its request and help create a “propitious environment” for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to make a bilateral visit to India. "We are of the view that a propitious environment needs to be created for the visit," said A.K.M. Shahidul Karim, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said officials of Bangladesh and India have been in touch with each other for several weeks on the possibility of a bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. However, spokesperson Karim said, this process was “vitiated” by the open press interaction in New Delhi on 5th August by Sheikh Hasina who has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for committing crimes against humanity. "We have made our position clear on this matter," he said while reading out a written statement. The spokesperson, however, did not take any question.   To this end, Bangladesh requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on its request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with their bilateral extradition treaty. "We are awaiting their response," said the spokesperson. Bangladesh reiterated that they will continue to pursue their "Bangladesh First" policy to promote friendly bilateral relations with other countries, including their neighbours, on the basis of sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and mutual benefit. On Hasina’s extradition request, the Indian government has recently said that the matter is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi on Friday evening that they have extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. “We've also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a visit to India for the outreach session of the BRICS Summit. So, these invitations have been extended, and I shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard,” he added. On Thursday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Tarique Rahman’s visits to India and Japan had not yet been finalised, stressing that the timing would depend on the prime minister’s schedule and the progress of discussions between the two countries. “The government is busy, the Prime Minister is busy,” she told reporters, referring to the government’s ongoing domestic programmes and upcoming constitutional activities. Asked whether the prime minister would attend the BRICS Summit’s outreach session or undertake a bilateral visit to India, the state minister said there was still sufficient time to make a decision. “A lot can happen in a month,” she said. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Saturday highlighted the importance of working together to advance the partnership in key sectors and nurture the exceptional bond of friendship between Bangladesh and India. “We recognise that it is the people-to-people connection, rooted in shared aspiration and mutual goodwill, that remains the true beating heart of this enduring friendship,” he said while celebrating India’s 80th Independence Day at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Trivedi urged the two countries to work together towards shared prosperity, noting that Bangladesh and India are advancing their partnership across vital sectors, ranging from trade and connectivity to security and healthcare. “Let us also continue to nurture the exceptional bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh, working hand in hand toward shared prosperity,” he said. The High Commissioner reflected on the foundations of the relationship and said the two countries are bound by a shared history of the freedom struggle and had built their ties on mutual respect and partnership. “With the history of the freedom struggle, our bond is deeply entwined. On this solid bedrock of shared history, mutual respect, and partnership, our relationship continues to flourish,” Trivedi said.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday released fish fry into the Brahmaputra River in Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj as part of the National Fisheries Fortnight-2026. The Prime Minister reached Pakundia around 11:30am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. After arriving in Pakundia, he released fish fry into the Brahmaputra River near the Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat. Earlier, Tarique Rahman left his Gulshan residence in Dhaka at 9:15am for Kishoreganj. On his way from Dhaka, hundreds of party leaders and activists, children and women gathered on both sides of the road to greet him, Rumon said. The Prime Minister waved back at them with a smile. After completing his Pakundia programme, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex. Later in the afternoon, he will formally inaugurate National Fisheries Fortnight-2026 and distribute the National Fisheries Awards at the George Institute Mini Stadium in Achmita. His other scheduled programmes include a tree-planting event at Sholakia Ground and distribution of Family Cards at Kishoreganj Stadium.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka by road on Sunday morning for Kishoreganj where he will attend several programmes including the formal inauguration of the National Fisheries Week-2026. The prime minister left his Gulshan residence at around 9:15am, said his Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon. During his daylong visit, Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the National Fisheries Week at the George Institution Mini Stadium in Achmita Union of Katiadi and attend several other programmes. This is the prime minister’s first visit to Kishoreganj since assuming office following the 13th parliamentary election in which the BNP secured a massive victory. According to his schedule, the prime minister will first visit Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat area in Pakundia at 11:30am, where he will release fish fry into the Brahmaputra River, distribute fish fry and exchange greetings with local people. He will visit the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex around 12:30pm. The Prime Minister will attend the inauguration of National Fisheries Week and the National Fisheries Award ceremony at the George Institution Mini Stadium around 1pm. He will inaugurate a tree plantation  programme at Sholakia Eidgah Maidan at 2pm. The prime minister is scheduled to have lunch at the Circuit House at around 3:15pm. At 4pm, he will attend a programme at the Old Kishoreganj Stadium, where Family Cards will be distributed and honorariums will be provided to religious figures including imams, muezzins, priests, monks and others. Tarique Rahman will leave Kishoreganj for Dhaka in the evening after completing the scheduled programmes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to go to Kishoreganj on Sunday to inaugurate the National Fisheries Week-2026, marking his first visit to the district since assuming office as prime minister. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the Prime Minister will leave for Kishoreganj on Sunday morning and attend several programmes during his daylong visit. The National Fisheries Week-2026 will be inaugurated at 1pm at the George Institute Mini Stadium in Achmita union under Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj. This year's theme is “A self-reliant country through silver fish, Bangladesh first.” According to the Prime Minister's programme, he will begin the visit at around 11:30am by releasing and distributing fish fry and exchanging greetings with local people at the Brahmaputra River in the Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat area of Pakundia. At 12:30pm, he will visit the Katiadi Card Hatchery Complex. The Prime Minister will then attend the fisheries week inauguration and National Fisheries Award ceremony at the George Institute field in Achmita at 1pm. At 2:30pm, he will inaugurate a tree-planting programme at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan. After lunch at the Circuit House at around 3:15pm, Tarique Rahman will attend a programme at the Old Kishoreganj Stadium at 4pm, where Family Cards will be distributed and honorariums will be provided to religious figures, including imams, muezzins, priests, monks and others. The Prime Minister will return to Dhaka by road after completing the day's programmes, the additional press secretary said. State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the National Fisheries Week will formally begin from Kishoreganj with the Prime Minister's inauguration.