MoU
Bangladesh signs MoU with Malaysia on LNG supply
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and Malaysia on cooperation in the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) was inked virtually on Tuesday.
Under this MoU, Petronas LNG Ltd and Global LNG Sdn Bhd of Malaysia and Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) of Bangladesh are the designated entities in the LNG supply.
Also read: Cabinet body okays 10 proposals including import of petroleum fuel, LNG
MoU signed to set up “Bangabandhu Chair” at Delhi University
Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Delhi University on Monday signed an MoU to set up ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ at the university to honour Father of the Nation and the greatest Bengali of all times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The decision for establishing the chair was taken during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in March 2021.
The development, however, coincides with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.
Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik and Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University Prof PC Joshi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at a ceremony at ICCR in Azad Bhavan in New Delhi in the evening.
READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established at Delhi University
President of ICCR Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran witnessed the signing ceremony when senior officials of the mission and Indian Ministry of External Affairs were present.
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla sent a message on the occasion. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami joined the programme virtually from Dhaka.
As per the MoU, a foreign visiting professor or a subject expert on Bangladesh is likely to be a person of Bangladeshi origin who will be occupying the “chair”.
The key focus of establishment of the chair will be on the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh with subjects like Anthropology, Buddhist Studies, Geography, History, Music, Fine Arts and Political Science.
Speaking on the occasion, the ICCR President said: “We’re proud to establish ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ at Delhi University in memory of an undisputed leader like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Muhammad Imran said there is no doubt that the establishment of ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ is a timely initiative.
“I hope that it will immensely contribute to broaden our scope for intellectual and academic exchanges and intensify people to people contact. It would hopefully bridge the gap of information about today’s Bangladesh and her people – the unique history, determination and struggle for emancipation and independence, the recent economic achievements, the emerging soft power, the secular ideology, and overall future of the country,” he said.
He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is one of the most iconic 20th century politicians of the world. “We believe the coming generations would continue to find Bangabandhu, a towering personality, with rock solid determination like Himalayas, as compared by Fidel Castro to describe him.
READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year
Bangladesh and India are enjoying excellent bilateral relations which have reached an unprecedented height under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
“We will be doing a lot but we wanted to start with an important country and what more could be important than Bangladesh particularly this year when we are celebrating 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh, 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” said Mr. Dinesh K. Patnaik, Director General, ICCR.
“I am sure that this very important innovation catalyzes further sharing of knowledge and understanding, future growth of ties among institutions and more common face of work, I hope that we find the distinguished occupant for the chair at the earliest.” stated Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, MEA in his speech.
"It is a historical moment to host this first-ever Bangabandhu chair, who was an ideal hero for all of us and was a symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom," said, Prof PC Joshi, Acting VC, University of Delhi
“We will work closely with ICCR and Delhi University to ensure that all sides are satisfied with the selection of candidates that we hope to find.” said Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commission of India Dhaka.
READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year
“This chair is the celebration of commonality in our world view, we stand for peace, fraternity, and equal respect to all belief systems," said Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President ICCR.
Bangladesh, Hungary sign MoU over scholarships
Bangladesh and Hungary have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 130 annual scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The MoU secured Hungarian governments’ full scholarships under the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme for a yearly intake of 130 Bangladeshi students at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels for the next three years.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovenia Muhammad Abdul Muhith signed the MoU on behalf of the government of Bangladesh recently.
Also read: Hungary, Bolivia want COVID-19 vaccine from Bangladesh: Shahriar Alam
For the Hungarian side, the MoU was signed by State Secretary Dr Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich, State Secretary for the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy and Scholarship Hungaricum Programme, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Bangladesh Ambassador was accompanied by Rahat Bin Zaman, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission as well as the Bangladesh Honorary Consul in Budapest Dr. Greg. Pataki.
There are 30 dedicated scholarships for the students and professionals of nuclear energetics in the new MoU, which is a new initiative compared to the previous 100-scholarship per year programme for Bangladeshi students ran for three years.
The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary in Budapest.
Also read: Bangladesh, Hungary to discuss trade, investment issues Thursday
During the meeting before the Ceremony, the two sides had a fruitful discussion on the future roadmap for the growing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Hungary.
Important elements, such as an agreement on economic cooperation, establishment of a joint economic commission, a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the health sector, operation follow-up on the existing bilateral instruments, including water management and agriculture, the Foreign Minister-level Joint Communiqué of September 2020, joint celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Budapest this year, cooperation and reciprocal support mechanism at the multilateral level, and a possible memorandum of understanding to train Bangladeshi young diplomats at the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy came up for discussion.
Robi, DNCC sign deal 'to build a smart Dhaka'
Robi Axiata and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Thursday (June 03, 2021) "to build a smart Dhaka."
DNCC Chief Town Planner Maqsud Hashem and Robi Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed signed the MoU at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan.
Also read: Robi deploys 4.5G technology in all its network sites
Under the agreement, initially, there are plans to set up active network infrastructure in 100 lampposts of DNCC as per the policy of the regulatory body and build smart city surveillance or digital surveillance systems for the safety of the citizens.
Under the Robi Smart City Internet of Things (IoT) technology, there are plans for setting up smart street lamps, smart waste management, smart parking facilities, shuttle services for students, digital displays; and reducing noise pollution.
Also read: Robi gets strong growth momentum with Tk 155 cr profit
DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, who was the chief guest at the event, said, "DNCC and Robi have signed an MoU to construct a smart city. Other telecom companies should also come forward for the welfare of the city dwellers."
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said, "To improve public services, we have no choice but to turn our cities into smart cities. In that sense, we applaud DNCC's initiative and are proud to be involved in it to build a smart city."
Read DNCC teams up with Young Bangla to make masses embrace masks
Indian Cabinet approves MoU with Bangladesh
The Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures.
The MoU seeks to foster better cooperation between the relevant authorities of both the countries so as to discourage unfair trade practices and promote rule based bilateral trading between the two countries, said the Press Information Bureau of India on Tuesday.
Also Read: Bangladesh, India partners in development: Riva
Director General of Trade Remedies, Republic of India and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission signed the MoU on March 27.
The primary objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the area of Trade Remedies, covering the broad activities related to exchange of information, undertaking capacity building activities and activities in accordance with various provisions of World Trade Organization in the area of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh.
Also Read: Bangladesh, India need to work together: Jeffrey Sachs
BSCIC to introduce one-stop services
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) on Monday (April 12, 2021) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Business Automation Ltd to introduce one-stop services.Addressing the agreement signing event, BSCIC Chairman Mostaque Hassan hoped that the one-stop services can be introduced within this month.Describing the one-stop service as a milestone for BSCIC, he said if it can be introduced, it will help BSCIC to render quality services to entrepreneurs.
Also read: BSCIC urged to take leading role towards realising Vision 2041
BSCIC Secretary Mofidul Islam and Director of Business Automation Soyeb Ahmed Masud inked the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at BSCIC Board Room.Once the one-stop services are introduced, micro, small, cottage and medium entrepreneurs will be able to avail all sorts of services including trade license, registration of land, environmental clearance, approval for construction and utility connections from a single place.Currently, there are 79 BSCIC industrial estates in the country. Besides, BSCIC has a master plan to construct 50 more industrial estates in a total of 20 acres of land in the country by 2030.
Also read: BSCIC Fair underway in NetrakonaSo, the one-stop services will play a significant role in attracting local and foreign investment in the industrial estates, said a press release.
Earlier, BSCIC, an organisation under the Industries Ministry, was incorporated in the One-Stop Service Act, 2018 for attracting investors from home and abroad.Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority are also there in the One-Stop Service Act.
Also read: BSCIC, Oikko Foundation to jointly work for online marketing of products
BD Finance signs MoU with US-based SIG for infrastructure projects
Bangladesh Finance and Investment Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Sovereign Infrastructure Group (SIG) to mobilise up to US$2 billion for infrastructure projects in Bangladesh in the next two years.
SIG is a global financing company that works with project sponsors and multilateral development Banks, and national and local governments.
Among others, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam and Chairman of BD Finance Manwar Hossain witnessed the signing of the MoU at the Embassy auditorium on Thursday.
Also read: UIU students can pay academic fees through bKash
Ambassador Shahidul termed it an encouraging development following the launching of US-Bangla Business Council by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Kyeser Hamid, Managing Director and CEO of BD Finance, and Lerry J. Knox, Co-Founder and CEO of SIG, signed the memorandum on behalf of their respective parties.
According to the MoU, SIG will invest, in both debt and equity, in government and PPP projects, SEZs, and EPZs in Bangladesh, while BD Finance will work as representative of the SIG in Bangladesh.
Also read: Paperfly to deliver authentic beauty products of Shajgoj all over Bangladesh
At the signing ceremony, SIG CEO Lerry Knox said, “Bangladesh is currently on track to invest an impressive $417 billion in infrastructure by 2040. Through our engagement with BD Finance, SIG hopes to play a leading role with our partners to support the country’s tremendous growth.”
In his remarks, BD Finance Chairman Manwar Hossain said, “This is the largest foreign investment effort by a financial institution in Bangladesh. This is our way of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence.”
Ambassador Shahidul Islam expressed hope that the MoU, by setting a purposeful collaboration framework, would benefit Bangladeshi clients as well as both SIG and BD Finance.
Read KOICA takes project on road safety in Bangladesh through ITS
DMD of Anwar Group of Industries, Waeez Hossain, Vice President of SIG Benjamin Levine and Professor Michael McDermott of Georgetown University also spoke on the occasion.
Dhaka, Kathmandu sign 4 MoUs on sidelines of celebrations
Bangladesh and Nepal on Monday signed four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to enhance cooperation between the two countries in tourism, sanitation, cultural exchange and railways link.
Terrorism: Dhaka, Colombo to work together to address challenges in region, beyond
Recognising the threats to pluralistic societies arising from terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have pledged to work together to counteract such challenges in both the countries, the region and beyond.
Bangladesh awaits signing a series of deals with different countries: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said many agreements and MoUs will be signed with a number of countries during the visits of their heads of state and government, including that of India.