Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated  that BNP and Jamaat are trying to foil the parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7. “The consequences will not be good if anyone tries to foil the election,” she warned adding that the people are the strength of her party. Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, was delivering her introductory speech at Awami League’s Parliamentary Nomination Board meeting held at its Dhaka district office at Tejgaon to finalise the party’s candidates for the 12th parliamentary elections. She said that BNP- Jamaat alliance did not participate in the 2014 elections as they had no confidence about their win. She also said that although BNP-Jamaat tried to malign the 2018 elections, they failed to show any specific evidence of irregularities to support their claim. She said that Awami League wants  democracy to prevail in the country and the political parties will continue their activities freely. “But while BNP was in power Awami League did not get that scope. Some 21000 leaders and activists of Awami League were killed across the country during their regime,” she said. Read: PM Hasina urges G20 leaders to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ensure humanitarian relief  The AL chief ruled out any confusion regarding free and fair vote. “There is no doubt about free and fair elections” She urged the people to exercise their voting rights with great confidence. She said that Awami League government has made a law to make the Election Commission independent which was once under the office of the Prime Minister. “By bringing 82 amendments, the government has made the law suitable for free, neutral and fair elections,” she said. She mentioned that the Election Commission is now formed in the country under the law which was enacted by the government. She said that after the assassination of the Father of the Nation, the people of the country were deprived of their democratic rights and right to vote. Read: Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina  “Illegal power grabbers took off their uniforms and suddenly became politicians. Ziaur Rahman hijacked the democratic process and suspended the constitution and issued martial law,” she said. She mentioned that the people have been cheated in the name of democracy during the regime of Ziaur Rahman. Criticising the countries which are now talking about Bangladesh, she said, when the military dictators violated people's rights, where was their consciousness. The ruling party president said that BNP leader Khaleda Zia had to resign on March 30 in 1996 for her crime of rigging votes. She said that according to the manifesto announced by Awami League, the budget formulation and vision plans have been adopted every year. “After Digital Bangladesh, Awami League now aims to create smart government and smart society by creating skilled smart population,” she said. Pointing to BNP-Jamaat she said that no one can go to power by killing people and destroying people's lives. Read: PM Hasina to inaugurate AL's selling of nomination forms Saturday  Hasina admitted that BNP's acceptance was increasing when it was holding peaceful rallies and doing healthy politics. “But when they reverted to their old forms of violence, they again got isolated from the mass people,” she said. Sheikh Hasina urged BNP to come to the polls although they had earlier resorted to ‘nomination business.' “Awami League also wants to see whose strength is greater,” she said.  

Scotland is keen on hiring construction workers from Bangladesh, a visiting parliamentary delegation from the country told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (November 20, 2023). This was conveyed when a six member Cross-Party Parliamentary Group (CPG) led by first- ever Bangladeshi origin MP of the Scotland Parliament Foysol Choudhury met the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban. The other members of the delegation were Miles Briggs, Evelyn Tweed, Juned Hussain Chowdhury, Farhan Masud Khan and Md Lutfur Rahman. Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Canada file joint declaration of intervention in case against Myanmar at International Court of Justice PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on. Foysol Choudhury, however, said the workers' lack of skill in English  language is seen as a barrier in hiring them. He said Scotland also wants to invest in Bangladesh's agro sector. Russian House in Dhaka hosts Geographical Dictation 2023 PM Hasina told the delegation  that through  various institutions her government is providing training in language, vocational work and computer language to enhance efficiency of the outgoing manpower of the country. The Scottish MPs highly appreciated the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years, said the press secretary. They mentioned that Bangladeshi diaspora is involved in mainstream politics of Scotland and currently there are some 200 elected councillors there. Release promised climate funds for developing nations: Momen Bangladesh Ambassador at Lagre M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would be the 9th largest consumer market by 2030 with the government working with the goal of overtaking many established markets in the world. “We’ve been working with a goal so Bangladesh could surpass established markets like the UK and Germany, and the current high-growth countries Vietnam and Thailand at that time. We’ve this effort,” she said. The premier said this while inaugurating the 60 years’ celebration and Investment Expo, 2023 of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city. “There are some 17 crore people in our Bangladesh. Besides, we’ve strengthened connectivity with our neighbouring countries. We think Bangladesh would become the world’s 9th largest consumer market by 2030,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh has a large population, she said the government is developing them as skilled manpower for its better utilization. Read: Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina  The PM said the number of growing middle class and rich people will be 3.40 crore by 2025 in Bangladesh and the estimated GDP per capita will be 5,880 US$ by 2040. “Due to its strategic geographical location, Bangladesh can be the hub of the regional market of 3 billion people,” she said adding that her government has taken steps to strengthen the connectivity with this region. Hasina said her government has successfully been able to bring a significant change in Bangladesh after assuming office in 2009. “Bangladesh has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the last 15 years,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh is now considered as the 35th largest economy in the world, she said they have raised the GDP growth rate to 7.25 percent now due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and trade consolidation. The PM, however, said the growth rate was even higher during the pre-Covid period as the government raised it to 8:10pc before the pandemic. Read: Only votes can change govt: PM Hasina The government has successfully increased per capita income to US$2,793 from only US$ 543 and raised the GDP size to Tk 50.31 lakh crore now from Tk 4 lakh crore in 2006, she said. During this period, they brought down the poverty rate to 18.7 percent from 41.1 percent, while extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent from over 25pc, she said adding that her government has given the most importance to the development of the rural economy. In the last 15 years, the Awami League government took multifaceted measures for the development of the business sector of the country. So, the private sector has become stronger and more developed. Bangladesh is currently the second largest garment exporter in the world, she said. “Bangladesh is expected to be the 20th largest economy in the world by 2037,” said Sheikh Hasina, adding that the country will be transformed into a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Mentioning that the government is setting up some 100 economic zones and established 39 hi-tech parks throughout the country, she said those economic zones and parks are kept open for foreign investment. If any country can want land singly, seek land under joint venture or public private partnership (PPP), the government would allow them and provide them with lands, she said. Read: PM Hasina collects nomination form for national election  The premier said one stop service has been introduced in investment development agencies to facilitate investment. “We have undertaken plans to make all offices providing investment services fully online and digitized,” she said. In Bangladesh, there is a scope to develop USD 350-billion infrastructures in the energy, water, logistics and transport sectors. “By 2025, the logistics sector alone is expected to become a US$90 billion market,” she said. The prime minister said they want to raise private investment to 31.43 percent of GDP by 2031.She said Bangladesh has become an attractive destination to many countries around the world for investment, industrialisation and export due to various reasons including its economic growth, structural development programmes, investment-friendly policy, large domestic market, strategic location, high profitability and large workforce. Talking about the FICCI’s celebration, she said the chamber has stepped into 60 years this year since the inception of its journey in 1936. As a leading chamber, FICCI represents investors from 35 countries in more than 21 sectors of Bangladesh. “FICCI represents 90 percent of the country's inward FDI, which carries special importance to the overall development of our country,” she said. The premier extended sincere thanks to all former and current members of FICCI on the occasion of the celebration of its 60 years. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, among others, spoke at the function, while FICCI President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Naser Ezaz Bijoy delivered the welcome speech. The premier also unveiled a research book titled ‘Catalyzing Greater FDI for Vision 2041’, which was published by FICCI.

Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the selling of party nomination forms for the 12th parliamentary elections of Bangladesh on Saturday (November 18, 2023) after collecting her nomination form. According to the party sources, the AL chief opened the nomination paper selling from party’s central office at 23, Bangabandhu Avenue at 10:30am. AL advisory council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed collected PM’s nomination form for Gopalganj-3 constituency. PM Hasina to inaugurate AL's selling of nomination forms Saturday Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the national election will be held on January 7. Those seeking party nominations will be able to collect and submit nomination papers from Saturday (November 18) to Tuesday (November 21) between 10am and 4pm daily. Candidates seeking nominations will have to collect and submit the application forms from the specific booth according to the administrative division from the central office of Bangladesh Awami League at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue. Nomination papers of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions will be distributed on the second floor of the central office. Meanwhile, candidates from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions will be able to collect nomination forms from the third floor of the central office . Nomination papers of all departments will be submitted on the ground floor of the central office, according to the press release. Nomination seekers will have to collect and submit the application forms by themselves or through qualified representatives of the candidates without any additional public gathering, read the press release. Seek public apology for killing people and arson violence: PM Hasina asks BNP, Jamaat The candidate will have to bring a photocopy of their national ID card with them to collect nomination papers. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is November 30, while December 1-4 was fixed for scrutinising nomination papers and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17. The CEC announced the national election schedule of Bangladesh during a televised address to the nation.

Bangladesh has expressed its displeasure to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk over a recent letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a press note on the country “without waiting for fuller information and facts.” “We expect that human rights mechanisms would give themselves adequate time before jumping to conclusions without the benefit of full facts to avoid the risks of being influenced by rumors and unverified information,” according to Bangladesh’s response to Türk on November 10. The letter seen by UNB notes that the UN rights chief’s letter, dated November 1, 2023, addressed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been written “hastily without waiting for fuller information and facts” to emerge and without allowing sufficient time for reflection. The letter mentioned that a press note was also “hurriedly released” from Türk’s office on the same issue without consulting Bangladesh, and without taking into consideration the facts and figures the country provided along with “horrific images and video footage taken from neutral sources.” Guided by the obligations emanated from the constitution, Bangladesh side said that the government has been allowing and extending necessary cooperation to all political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to arrange assemblies, protests, processions etc. Read: Bangladesh can be an ideal location for BRI, IPS cooperation: Prof Imtiaz In this spirit the government allowed mass assemblies convened by different political parties on October 28, 2023 on the streets of Dhaka despite the declared objective of a major opposition party – BNP – to create anarchy and disconnect Dhaka from other parts of Bangladesh as a pressure tactic, reads the letter. During its rally and strike on October 28-29, the unruly activists of BNP – “misguided” by the propaganda of its leaders – took recourse to indiscriminate street violence, arson, other forms of violent activities on the apolitical law enforcement agency members, police stations, CCTV cameras, the judiciary, media personnel, innocent civilians, state institutions, hospitals, ambulances, fire service vehicles and public properties, according to Bangladesh’s reply to Türk. A member of the police was beaten to death while more than 100 police officers were injured, a bus worker was burnt alive, residences of the chief justice of Bangladesh and other judges of the Supreme Court were attacked, it said. Read: Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts On the following days, as BNP spread the “campaign of arson and terror” all over Bangladesh, a few more people were killed, reads the letter. “It is unfortunate that BNP unleashed its attacks on the on-duty media personnel. TV cameras were snatched away and at least 25 journalists were attacked, several of whom were admitted to hospitals. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) condemned these attacks by the BNP activists,” according to Bangladesh’s response.  In the letter, Bangladesh said Türk’s office should conduct an unbiased assessment of BNP’s targeted attacks on the press impeding freedom of expression. “Let me reassure you that our law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are well-trained to apply minimal and optimal force as they seek to prevent destruction of property or lives. Our LEAs deserve appreciation for being reasonable and restrained despite a member of the Police being mercilessly beaten to death by BNP hoodlums,” reads the letter. The current government, as a democratically elected one, is committed to uphold the rule of law and ensure peace and security, it said. Every single arrest made following the incident of October 28, was based on specific allegations against the persons concerned, Bangladesh said. “There has been no arbitrary arrest and detention, and we assure them access to full legal recourse as allowed under domestic laws,” the letter said. Read: Uncertainty, tension grip students, parents amid raging political crisis In its reply, Bangladesh also mentioned that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted on corruption charges in two cases while a few other cases are ongoing – all of which were filed during the 2007-08 caretaker administration. Considering her health condition, based on the application of her family members, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suspended her sentence under legal provision. “Begum Khaleda Zia was offered a release for a period of six months on conditions of (a) taking treatment in Bangladesh and (b) not leaving the country. She accepted the conditions under which she was released on 25 March 2020 and her release tenure was extended several times,” said the government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh in its reply mentioned that she has been receiving treatment of the highest standard at the Evercare Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Bangladesh, as per her choice. Recently, her family members and the leadership of BNP sought permission from the government to bring specialist doctors from the USA for her treatment. The government accorded its permission. Bangladesh appreciated engagement of Türk’s office with the government of Bangladesh on the recent developments. “As Bangladesh is constructively and consistently engaged with the UN mechanisms in promoting and protecting human rights, we expect our steadfast commitment would be reciprocated with the spirit of cooperation and proportionality,” reads the letter to the UN rights chief. Read EC to announce polls schedule in a couple of days: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the next national election is drawing nearer and the Election Commission is likely to announce the polls schedule in a day or two.   “Since we’ve been able to establish the voting rights of the people, they will cast their votes freely,” she said in a confident voice.     The premier was speaking at a function marking the inauguration of 10,041 infrastructures (Involving the total cost of nearly Tk 100,000 crore) throughout the country under 157 projects of 24 ministries and divisions through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban. The beneficiaries were connected to the event virtually from a total of 101 places, including 64 DC offices throughout the country. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk 97,471 crore.  Noting that Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country, she said the continuation of the government is essential to sustain this momentum. Without mentioning BNP she took a swipe at the opposition party saying it doesn't want to join the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections, fearing its performance could be as bad as in the 2008 polls. In the 2008 election, Awami League gained a landslide victory with 233 seats out of 300 constituencies, while BNP won only 30 seats. “Those who secured only 30 seats will have no desire to run the election.  They are attempting to invite sufferings for the people of Bangladesh creating an abnormal situation by foiling the election,” she said, not mentioning the name of BNP. In 2008 vote BNP secured 29 seats and later added another in a bye-election. Read: Bangladesh will surely overcome arson violence: PM Hasina She said AL also won the 2014 election overcoming arson violence and attempts to foil the vote. We’ve come (to power) being elected by the people time and again. Awami League never formed the government by any other means but the democratic way. All the electoral reforms – from enactment of a law over constitution of election commission to introduction of transparent ballot boxes— were done following Awami League’s proposals only to ensure the people’s voting rights. PM Hasina said her government started the development of Bangladesh from the grassroots level so that the people can enjoy urban facilities even staying in villages.    Read: PM Hasina opens Southeast Asia’s largest urea fertiliser factory in Narsingdi The PM said the blockade programme and arson violence has been launched when the people are living in peace and the country witnessing its rapid progress.  The normal life of the people and the academic activities of the students particularly those who are sitting for the annual examinations are hampered due to the arson violence, she said. Hasina said her government has increased the literacy rate to 76.6 percent now from only 45 percent during the BNP government of 2001-6. She wished that good sense would prevail upon them and they would stop this destruction and arson violence. The prime minister, however, asked the countrymen to resist this arson violence for the sake of protecting their own lives and assets. Read: Produce leprosy drugs locally: PM Hasina to pharmaceutical companies Among the infrastructures, the prime minister unveiled foundation stones of or opened 4,644 infrastructures under different projects as well as distributed 5,397 houses, constructed under Ashrayan-2 project at 132 upazilas in 46 districts, among landless and homeless families across the country. At the event, the PM declared more 11 districts and 60 upazilas as landless and homeless-free units following the distribution of the Ashrayan houses on Tuesday. A total of 32 districts and 394 upazilas have so far become landless and homeless family-free ones. The 4,644 infrastructures include 2023 Government Primary School Bhabans, 1800 Madrasha Bhaban, 299 Academic Bhaban and 40 Administrative Bhaban under Technical and Madrasha Education Division, 952 Academic cum Research Bhaban under Secondary and Higher Education Division, 12 student dormitory Bhaban, 222 disaster management centres, 128 chief judicial magistrate Bhaban, sub-register office Bhaban in 46 districts, 110 flood shelter centres, 25 Mujib Killa, 20 bridges, 22 complexes under the Social  Welfare Ministry, 34 Bhaban under the Health Services Division, 7 student mess, 16 dormitories, 23 ICU, 79 community clinic, 46 Medical College Bhaban, 24 Nursing College Bhaban, tennis infrastructural development in 25 districts, 13 Kriya (Sports) School Bhaban, 26 BKSP Training Centre, 20 child daycare centres, 38 SPM with double pipelines, constructions of 10 gas pipelines, installment of 26 refining units , 24 mine digging, 140 gas plant purchase and installment, construction of 33 pipelines, 18 infrastructures of Sheikh Hasina Textile Engineering College, 11 Textile Institute infrastructures, 40 technical training centre and 14 Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre Bhaban. PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the event.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the local pharmaceutical companies to start manufacturing drugs for leprosy patients. “I would like to request them (our pharmaceutical companies) to produce drugs for leprosy patients so that we can provide them medicines at low or free of cost,” she said. Read: PM mourns death of Patuakhali-1 MP Md Shahjahan Mia The premier was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd National Leprosy Conference 2023 at Hotel InterContinental in the city. She said the local pharmaceutical companies export drugs to the whole world. “We produce very high standard drugs,” she said. The prime minister called upon all to stand by the leprosy patients, shunning the old misconception and superstition that they can’t be touched.  “We’ll have to shun the old beliefs and superstitions,” she added. She said her government has built digital Bangladesh and now has taken steps to build a smart Bangladesh. “How will we be smart, cherishing such superstitions in the Smart Bangladesh?” she wondered. She said leprosy patients used to be deprived and alienated from society and the family due to a British period law, the Lepers Act 1898, which her government has annulled. The premier asked all to stand by the leprosy patients, boost their morale, show sympathy and ensure proper care of them. Read: PM leaves for Belgium Tuesday on a significant EU visit Citing that Bangladesh achieved the WHO goal in leprosy elimination in 1998, she said the leprosy patients are availing free services and medicines from the upazila hospitals. She said the government has taken steps to strengthen its leprosy programme so that the system for detection of new patients and leprosy preventive measures get expanded.   The prime minister put emphasis on prevention of leprosy.  “The prevention we need most. We should give special attention to its causes and prevention,” she said.  She asked the experts to carry out medical research in a larger way in a bid to find out the causes and details about diseases particularly the climate-related diseases. “We need much more research on medical science. If we do it, we’ll get a good knowledge of our climate related diseases and will be able to take proper treatment measures and develop medicines in this regard,” she said. In the function, the prime minister unveiled the National Strategic Guideline for Leprosy 2023-2030. Read: Make a mini Switzerland in Bangladesh, PM Hasina urges Swiss investors  Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque presided over the event, while WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation in Japan Yohei Sasakawa spoke as the guest of honour. Secretary of Health Services Division Md Jahangir Alam delivered the welcome speech. The first version of the national leprosy conference was held in 2019.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (November 02, 2023) urged the country’s journalists to expose the real face of the BNP before the international community as the opposition party’s activists swooped on the media persons who were covering their October 28 rally. “You, journalists, should expose internationally the real character of those who attacked you while performing duty,” she said. The premier was addressing the Delegates Conference-2023 of BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists at the National Press Club in the city. Noting that the anti-liberation forces have no right here in Bangladesh, she said, “Those who believe in terrorism and militancy have no right here. They don’t want the welfare of the people of this country and they are foes of the people.” The PM said the attackers of journalists and police must pay as some 30 journalists were injured in the attacks carried out by BNP men on October 28 last. Read more: Day 3 of blockade: 4 vehicles burnt in Dhaka, Narayanganj so far She said the BNP men carried out attacks even in disguise on that day, believing that they could remain unidentified and escape punishment. But they’ve finally been caught, she said. “They carried such misdeeds. Those who kill and attack journalists and police must face punishment,” she said. Hasina strongly condemned the way BNP attacked journalists and police. “Committing terrorist acts is their character,” she said. She also blasted different international organisations of journalists, including Reporters Without Borders for keeping silent over this attack. “Where are they now? We don’t see them and don’t hear any words from them. Where have they disappeared suddenly?” she said. The PM said some 30 journalists were injured and some have been receiving treatment in hospitals. “But we don’t hear anything from any of them,” she said. She compared the BNP’s attack on the police hospital here to the bombing on a Palestine hospital by Israel. They (BNP) carried out the attack on a hospital here the same way the Israel bombed a Palestine hospital and killed women and children. “I don’t know if they are taking lessons from the Jews,” said the prime minister. Talking about the 9th wage board for journalists, PM Hasina said it is the responsibility of the owners to implement it. It is very unfortunate that they filed a case instead of implementing it. She said the preparation continues to form the 10th wage board and the government has a plan to bring electronic media journalists under the wage board. She put emphasis on bringing the journalists who are working outside Dhaka under the coverage of the wage board. The premier announced to provide another amount of Tk 10 crore as donation to the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust. The fund was formed with the seed money provided by the prime minister. She assured the journalists working outside Dhaka of giving plots to them under district-based housing projects. Noting that there is a huge number of newspapers in Bangladesh, she said the number of newspapers is not so high even in many developed and rich countries. There are 3,241 newspapers in the country, she said. Turning to the development of Bangladesh, she said today’s Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country thanks to the continuation of the democracy and the government from 2009-2023. Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud spoke as the special guest at the function chaired by BFUJ President Omar Faruque. BFUJ Secretary General Dip Azad conducted the event, while President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Sohel Haider Chowdhury and leaders of different units of BFUJ spoke on the occasion. In the function, former BFUJ leaders were honoured with crests. Read more: EC letter inviting BNP’s jailed leader for talks on polls returns undelivered: Sources

Dhaka Metro Rail's Agargaon to Motijheel part will be opened to public on November 5, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate it on November 4, metro rail authorities said today (November 01, 2023). Initially, metro rail on Agargaon-Motijheel section will operate for four hours with three stations: Farmegate, Bangladesh Secretariat and Motijheel. Rest of the stations will be opened in phases, said M.A.N. Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), while talking to reporters today at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed again; next date Nov 4 The prime minister is likely to inaugurate the movement of the train and will travel to Motijheel by metro rail on the inauguration day. She is expected to inaugurate the construction work of the MRT Northern route too, he said. Dhaka Metro Rail service to remain shut on Oct 14, 15 Dhaka commuters can travel from Agargaon to Motijheel between 7:30 am and 11:30 am from November 5. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed to Oct 29

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly opened the newly constructed Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link Project, setting a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity. The important rail connection would contribute to boosting trade, business and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.The 12.24-km rail connection has linked Gangasagar Railway Station at Akhaura in Brahmanbaria to Nischintapur Railway Station at Agartala in India, connecting the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh. Israel must stop killing of Palestinian women and children: PM Hasina The railway link, with 6.78 km in Bangladesh’s part, was constructed under a joint venture of Bangladesh and India. The Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) railway line construction started in July 2018. The two prime ministers unveiled the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, joining an event from Ganabhaban in Dhaka and New Delhi through a virtual platform. We are determined to hold free and fair vote: PM Hasina tells South Asian ECs The two PMs also inaugurated two other Indian-aided projects --Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Construction Project and Unit-2 of Rampal Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat. The 65-km railway from Khulna to Mongla port in Bagerhat would streamline goods transportation to the port. This railway will help transport Mongla port goods affordably within the country and support trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, contributing to regional economic growth. The Khulna-Mongla railway project began in September 2016. The second unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Rampal would add 660 megawatt electricity to the national grid. The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link with Indian grants. PM Hasina denounces Israeli attacks on Palestine, calls for ending the war The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, known as Rampal thermal power plant, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW in two units was implemented under a joint venture of the two neighbouring countries.