Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh emerging as top influential regional state: David Brewster
Dr David Brewster, a senior research fellow at the National Security College in Australia, has depicted Bangladesh’s economic growth and described how the country is becoming an increasingly influential regional state.
He mentioned that Dhaka is increasingly confident in an emerging role and the rest of the world would benefit from paying close attention.
In his recent article titled “A rising Bangladesh starts to exert its regional power” Brewster said the recent announcement that Bangladesh would provide US$200 million in aid to Sri Lanka is an important turning point as that country moves from being an impoverished supplicant towards an increasingly influential regional state.
He thinks it is an outcome of years of high economic growth and points to Dhaka’s potential to become an important Indo-Pacific middle player.
When it gained independence from Pakistan in 1971, Brewster said, Bangladesh was one of the poorest countries in the world with few apparent prospects – former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger apocryphally called it a “basket case”.
Also read: Bangladesh 3rd most peaceful country in South Asia, ahead of India, Pakistan
Today, he said, it is a confident country of 160 million people with a booming, export-oriented economy, which has grown at an annual average of about 6% for two decades.
The economic growth slowed to 5.2% in 2020 due to Covid, and is forecast by the ADB to bounce back to 6.8% in 2021 and 7.2% in 2022. GDP per capita now stands at $2,227, higher than India’s ($1,947) and much higher than its former masters, Pakistan ($1,543).
Dhaka’s recent aid to neighbouring Sri Lanka was a first in Bangladesh extending financial assistance to any other country.
“Just as importantly, Bangladesh scores well against India and other South Asian countries in many social indicators, including health, life expectancy, birth rates and employment of women,” Brewster wrote in his article that appeared on The Interpreter that features daily commentary and analysis on international issues.
He said the sustainability of Bangladesh’s growth story is not without its sceptics who question official growth figures or point to its heavy reliance on garment exports, which could make it financially vulnerable.
Also read: 'Bangabandhu one of the most influential leaders'
Since 2008, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has presided over a relatively stable civilian administration, Brewster wrote, mentioning that she is publicly popular.
He said Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne is now known to be keen on building ties, and there are signs that the two sides want to move the relationship beyond aid.
An agreement to facilitate trade and investment has been finalised and is close to signing, which could help open opportunities for Australian agriculture, resource and energy exports to a booming Bangladesh, the article reads.
“Australia could do well in moving beyond traditional regional partners. Greater focus needs to be given to building ties with emerging middle powers such as Bangladesh to complement relationships with the big powers,” Brewster wrote.
The article is part of a two-year project being undertaken by the ANU National Security College on the Indian Ocean, with the support of the Australian Department of Defence.
PM condoles industrialist Musa Miah’s death
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent industrialist and Kuliarchar Group chairman Mohammad Musa Miah.
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She prayed for the eternal salvation of departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
READ: PM to distribute over 53,000 new homes to the homeless Sunday
PM to distribute over 53,000 new homes to the homeless Sunday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s pledge to provide housing to the country’s homeless people rolls on in full swing defying odds of pandemic and inclement weather.
The long-time dream of over 53,340 homeless and land landless families to have their own homes is going to be fulfilled on Sunday.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the second-phase distribution of semi-pucca houses marking the Mujib Year through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban.The government has promised to provide a permanent address for every homeless person of the country on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence and Birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
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These families will be provided with modern homes and land ownership documents across the country under Ashrayan-2 project on the day.
Bangladesh to host V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit in July
The government of Bangladesh has announced it will host the first-ever virtual V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit on July 8.
The Summit will feature Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, heads of state from Climate Vulnerable Forum member countries, and V20, or the twenty most vulnerable countries' finance ministers, to mobilize significantly more robust economic and finance responses to the spiraling dual crisis that increasingly affects the world’s most vulnerable economies.
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In close cooperation with the United Nations, the IMF, and key development partners, the high-level dialogue will shape globally cooperative responses to ensure fast-tracked resilience-building efforts to overcome the new realities of tandem climate and COVID pressures through bold new actions and partnerships. The Summit will be chaired by A H M Mustafa Kamal, Finance Minister of Bangladesh, and co-hosted with the Global Center on Adaptation, said an announcement made on Monday.
The government of Bangladesh is currently chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the V20 Group of Finance Ministers.
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After the Summit, the V20 will issue a Communique highlighting expectations on the upcoming UNFCCC COP26 and global climate finance. Formed in 2015, the V20 Group of Finance Ministers is a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systematically vulnerable to climate change. It is currently chaired by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The V20 membership stands at 48 economies including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, and Yemen.
READ: Climate Change to get priority in Bangladesh alongside Covid support:ADB
Pori Moni's plea for justice from PM causes sensation
Dhallywood star Pori Moni has addressed a plea seeking justice to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through a status on her verified Facebook page on Sunday evening, claiming she was assaulted and alleging attempted rape and murder.
The popular actress addressed the post to Prime Minister, stating that she is asking for justice as a loyal citizen of the country.
"I have been physically assaulted and even resulted to attempted rape and murder. I want justice. I have asked for help from so many people, however, they just listened and commented that they'll 'look into it' while the truth is that no one has helped me yet," Pori Moni stated through that post.
Also read: Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars features Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni
In her post, she has mentioned that she tried to contact Police Station and even IGP Benazir Ahmed, yet to receive any formal help regarding her complaints.
"I haven't found justice in the last three or four days. Where I can find justice? I am a woman and actress but firstly, I am a human being. I cannot remain quiet regarding what happened with me today," she added.
In her post, she then addressed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her "mother", writing, "I was about 2 and a half years old when my mother died. Today I need a mother more than anytime else. I have never seen you quietly accepting any injustice. I need you, I need your help to stay alive. Please save me, mother."
Also read: Pori Moni: A Dazzling Star in Bangladeshi Cinema
Although she did not clarify the identity of her assaulters in the post only stating that she has been seeking help from law enforcement authorities for the last four days, she has informed media since that she lodged her complaint at Banani Police Station.
However, when contacted from UNB, officer-in-charge of Banani Police Station Noor- e-Alam Miah said that they still did not receive any complaint from actress Pori Moni or Shamsunnahar Smriti (her real name), however, trying to contact the actress for details.
President, PM greet British Queen on her birthday
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have greeted British Queen Elizabeth II on her 95th birthday which falls on the second Saturday in June.
In separate messages sent on June 12, both the President and the Prime Minister wished her good health, happiness, and long life, and the continued peace, progress and prosperity to the friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London.
President Hamid, in his message, said: “I take this opportunity to renew my pledge to work closely with Your Majesty to further strengthen and broaden the existing bonds of friendship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom particularly as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations through 2021-22.”
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Prime Minister Hasina, in her message, said: “On this momentous occasion, I pay a special tribute to Your Majesty for the exemplary grace, duty, and service with which you have served your nation and the Commonwealth for the past seven decades.
As the longest-serving Monarch of the world, you continue to inspire us and remain a symbol of unity and solidarity, especially as the Head of our Commonwealth family. Like always, the people of Bangladesh continue to hold Your Majesty in their hearts with the highest of affection and admiration.”
READ: PM Hasina greets Assam’s new CM Dr Sarma
PM to inaugurate 50 model mosques on Thursday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate 50 model mosques across the country on the occasion of 'Mujib Year' on Thursday.
These are part of a project which would ultimately set up 560 mosques all over Bangladesh in the coming days.
This was stated at a press briefing of the Ministry of Religious Affairs at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Also read: Model mosques: A unique Mujib Borsho gift
Md Faridul Haque Khan, state minister for religious affairs was present at the briefing.
Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate the mosques at 10:30am through videoconferencing from her official residence, according to the briefing.
6-points anniversary: Bangladesh to keep advancing with dignity, says PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh will continue advancing as a nation with dignity and will be established as a developed and prosperous country in the global arena.
“We had lost the ideology of the Liberation War after 1975 but it has come back today. Bangladesh will continue to march forward with dignity raising its head in the world and Bangladesh will be established as a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla (golden Bangla),” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a special discussion marking the historic Six-Point Demand Day on June 7.
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On this day in 1966, Bangabandhu put forward a set of six demands widely acknowledged as the "charter of freedom" for Bengalis and a key milestone on the road to independence in 1971.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee arranged the discussion titled "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Charter of Freedom for Bengalese" on the virtual platform.
“Bangladesh will go ahead. It is proven true that blood (sacrificing lives) never goes in vain. Though the Father of the Nation is no more among us today, his ideology is there,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh gained independence on the basis of the Six Points Demand as it had been actually a one-point demand for independence.
“We won the (1970) election, the war and finally the independence on the basis of the Six Points Demand since this formula had been written with blood on June 07 to materialize the demand,” she said.
Hasina, also eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said there had been one-point demand inside the Six Points Demand. “We, the family members, at least knew it. He (Bangabandhu) used to always say that the Six Point Demand means the one point that means independence. Now we are an independent nation,” she said.
She said the date is very significant for the Bengali nation and the day was inscribed as a red letter one as 11 people including Monu Mia, Abul Hossain and Shamsul Haque sacrificed their lives going to enforce a nationwide hartal demanding the realisation of the six-point demand and release of the Father of the Nation from the jail.
She also recalled the role of her mother in enforcing the 7th June hartal successfully.
Referring to several speeches Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered in the rallies in different places to drum up support in favour of the Six Point Demand, she said that the Father of the Nation knew well before that Bangladesh would be an independent country.
READ: Bangladesh always with Palestinians, reaffirms PM
The Prime Minister said the announcement of Six Point Demand was a reflection of the thoughts Bangabandhu had cherished since the birth of Pakistan to change the fate of Bengali nation.
She said Bangabandhu had finally got a ground to place the Six Point Demand after the 1965 India-Pakistan war when the people of Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) remained totally unprotected.
Immediately after its announcement, Pakistani rulers considered the demand as a move to separate Bangladesh completely from Pakistan, she noted.
Seasoned politicians Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, and Professor of Dhaka University Dr Nazma Shaheen also spoke at the discussion moderated by Dr Nuzhat Chowdhury.
Bangladesh always with Palestinians, reaffirms PM
Denouncing the recent Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that Bangladesh is always with the Palestinian people and will continue to extend all sorts of assistance to them.
"We’re always with Palestinian people. We did extend all sorts of assistance to them in the past, and are doing so today and will surely do that in the future," Hasina said.
The Prime Minister said this when she took part in the discussion on a condolence motion in the House.
Also read: Hasina a household name in Palestine: Envoy
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the Budget Session of the 11th Parliament, aiming to express profound grief at the death of two sitting MPs Abdul Matin Khasru and Aslamul Haque, one former minister, 11 ex-MPs, some noted dignitaries and those who lost lives to Coronavirus both at home and abroad, and in two recent waterway accidents in the country, and the latest Israelis attacks on Palestine and the cyclone Yaas.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned the cruel attacks carried out by Israel. "What happened in Palestine is extremely inhumane. Children were crying and roaming around there, losing their parents. It can't be tolerated," she said.
It is truly sad that the young children were injured and subjected to torture while they lost their parents, Hasina said adding that Israel carried out the attacks on Palestine.
Also read: Bangladesh urges UN to take decisive action against Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights
Coming down heavily on international organisations, Hasina said those who always talk about humanity they are now silent.
The Prime Minister sought the salvation of departed souls of those who were killed in the Israeli attacks.
Ecnec rejects Tk 17,290-cr primary school meal project
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday turned down a Tk 17,290.23-crore project designed to provide ‘Khichuri’ or other food items as midday meals to primary school students.
“The project hasn’t been approved as the Prime Minister is concerned about its structure (modus operandi). She said cooking Khichuri in schools might hamper the study of students,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
The minister was briefing reporters after an Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city.
Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: All above 14 to get smart NIDs; Ecnec clears project
The meeting, however, cleared nine other projects involving an estimated total cost of Tk 5,239.62 crore, the minister added.
Of the cost, he said, some Tk 250 crore will come as loan from foreign sources.
Among the nine projects, six are fresh and three others revised ones.
About the midday meal project, Mannan said the project will not be placed for approval anymore, but new projects over the midday meal may come in different formats.