Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh, Bhutan sign three new MoUs
Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday (March 25, 2024) signed three new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The MoUs are: Establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, and technical cooperation on consumer rights.
Another MoU on cultural exchange was renewed.
Japan extends Tk 33.5 million to 2 grassroots human security projects
Health Minister Smanta Lal Sen, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Shaikh Yusuf Harun, Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection Director General (Additional Secretary) A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman and Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed signed the MoUs from Bangladesh side.
Bhutanese Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Bhutanese Commerce Secretary Tashi Wangmk and Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden signed the MoUs on behalf of their country.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the MoU signing agreement held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Besides, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual medical seats for Bhutanese students from 22 to 30 while the foreign service academy of Bangladesh offered two seats for the Bhutanese foreign service officers every year for capacity building. Bangladesh will also extend necessary assistance in setting up a Diplomatic Training Institute in Bhutan.
Apart from this, Bangladesh offered special training to Bhutanese officials in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) annually for three years.
Sweden will remain a steadfast partner to Bangladesh: Minister Johan Forssell
As a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, Bangladesh handed over computers and laptops for the capacity building and skills development of the government officials of Bhutan.
Earlier, on his arrival, the Bhutanese King was received by the Prime Minister at her office.
The Bhutanese King held a delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prior to the MoU signing ceremony.
They will also had a one-to-one meeting.
S Korea highlights importance of Economic Partnership Agreement with Bangladesh
Dhaka, Thimphu agree to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, electricity
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday met Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at his place of residence in Dhaka.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the current excellent level of cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people to people contact etc.
Japan extends Tk 33.5 million to 2 grassroots human security projects
The Bhutanese King arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning.
This is the first state visit by any foreign dignitary since the formation of the new government after the January 7 national election.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady received the King and his delegation members who arrived at 10 am by a special flight.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
Dhaka rolls out red carpet to welcome Bhutanese king
Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.
Japan extends Tk 33.5 million to 2 grassroots human security projects
The government of Japan has extended a grant of USD 306,692, approximately Tk 33.5 million, to two Bangladeshi NGOs, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute and JAAGO Foundation Trust.
Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori signed the ‘grant contracts’ for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) at the Embassy of Japan with the respective organizations on March 24.
Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute has been awarded USD 83,424 as a grant for the project - Strengthening Medical System of Haematological Diseases for Children in Dhaka district.
Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, a government-funded hospital, provides medical, surgical treatment, and diagnostic services.
Sweden will remain a steadfast partner to Bangladesh: Minister Johan Forssell
With the assistance of the GGHSP funding, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute will procure and install three medical equipment (1 Refrigerated Centrifuge Machine, 1 Plasma Storage Freezer, and 1 Automated Aphaeresis Machine) to provide the treatment of haematological diseases including blood cancer and thalassemia for children.
JAAGO Foundation Trust has been awarded USD 223,268 as a grant for the project - Construction of a School Building for a Digital School in Bandarban District.
JAAGO Foundation Trust is working to provide free quality education to underprivileged children, and empowering youth leaders.
With the assistance of the GGHSP funding, JAAGO Foundation Trust will construct a 2-storied reinforced concrete building of primary and secondary school instead of the current temporary wooden school in Bandarban district to improve access to quality education for the grass-roots community, where the students will be able to complete up to secondary school certificate exam (equivalent to 12 years of education).
Visiting official of Fatah, internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, grateful for Dhaka's support; urges to do more to stop Israel
Japan has supported 217 NGO projects through its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) since 1989 with the view to enhancing economic and social human security in the grass-roots levels.
The total sum of these GGHSP grants extended to NGOs in Bangladesh to date amounts approximately to $17.2 million, said the Embassy.
Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei observes ‘Genocide Day’
Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei Darussalam observed ‘Genocide Day’ with due solemnity on Monday.
The programme was attended mainly by members of Bangladesh community.
At the beginning of the programme, recitation from the Holy Quran was performed and prayers were also offered for the salvation of the departed souls of all martyrs who were killed on the fateful night of 25 March 1971.
A one minute’s silence was also observed in their memories.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman Shumona read out messages from the President and the Prime Minister.
Paying rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladeshi High Commissioner condemned the brutality of the Pakistan military in severe terms.
A video documentary was screened, depicting the history and background of the Genocide Day.
Sweden will remain a steadfast partner to Bangladesh: Minister Johan Forssell
Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell has said Sweden will remain a steadfast partner to Bangladesh.
"I see a lot of potential for more Swedish companies to establish themselves here in Bangladesh,” Minister Johan Forssell quoted as saying in a media release issued by the Swedish Embassy on Monday.
UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, together with the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell, and UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ulrika Modéer, have concluded their four-day visit to Bangladesh recently.
During the visit, the delegation had constructive meetings with representatives of the Government of Bangladesh, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.
The Crown Princess and the delegation also had the opportunity to meet with civil society, youth, national and international development partners, private companies and many other stakeholders to get their views on sustainable development in Bangladesh and opportunities and challenges of the future.
Several visits were undertaken in the southern parts of Bangladesh.
Accompanied by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Crown Princess Victoria witnessed the consequences of climate change and adaptation efforts in Koyra, Khulna.
The delegation met women and youth who are part of the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project being implemented by UNDP and UNCDF (UN Capital Development Fund) with support from the Swedish government.
They learned about how empowering women and youth through capacity building, leadership training and entrepreneurship are important means to turn climate change vulnerabilities into opportunities, to ensure that no one is left behind.
Crown Princess Victoria and State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated a Smart Service Point of Post Office in Koyra, Khulna, a key milestone by UNDP’s a2i - Aspire to Innovate towards SMART Bangladesh.
These efforts are strengthening digital inclusion by providing essential services to rural areas, demonstrating technology's role in sustainable development.
In Chattogram, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria engaged with a climate-displaced community and witnessed UNDP’s urban resilience programme, that empowers women leaders while fostering sustainable urban resilience.
Crown Princess Victoria and the delegation also visited Asian University for Women in Chattogram to engage with female students, many of them with refugee background.
In addition, the delegation visited the climate- vulnerable coastal island of Hatiya to observe UNDP's work on climate resilience in hard to reach areas.
Crown Princess Victoria, Minister Johan Forssell and UNDP Assistant Secretary General Ulrika Modéer also made a stop in Bhasan Char and a visit to the Rohingya Refugee Camp at Cox’s Bazar and witnessed the collaborative efforts of multiple UN Agencies including the UNHCR, WFP, UNFPA, UN Women, UNDP, IOM and others, many of them funded by Sweden. HRH Crown Princess Victoria interacted with Rohingya Refugees and gained insights into the challenges faced by the Rohingya community.
In connection to the visit to the Rohingya refugee camps, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell referred to Sweden’s plans to provide SEK 77 million in humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh via Sida in 2024, an increase compared with last year.
“We’re seeing worrying developments in Bangladesh, with one million Rohingya refugees who don’t have sufficient food for the day. Sweden is a major core support donor to many aid organisations, and now we’re also increasing our humanitarian support to Bangladesh, with a focus on meeting urgent needs, saving lives and ensuring food security,” said the Minister.
The visit also had a focus on the green transition and the role of the private sector.
Minister Johan Forssell and ASG Ulrika Modéer participated in a panel with a focus on the role of the private sector in enhancing the green transition in Bangladesh and the delegation interacted with major Swedish companies such as H&M, Volvo, Ericsson, Scania and Atlas Copco, as well as international companies, pivotal in Bangladesh green transition.
Dhaka rolls out red carpet to welcome Bhutanese king
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Monday was accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on a four-day state visit to Bangladesh to attend a series of programmes including Independence Day celebrations.
This is first state visit paid by any foreign dignitary since the formation of the new government after January 7 national election.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady received the king and his delegation members who arrived at 10am by a special flight.
The king was given state salute and guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He inspected the guard of honour, while the national anthems of the two countries were played.
After the ceremony at the airport, he was headed for Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On Monday afternoon, the king will have a delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. They will have a one-to-one meeting too.
Three new MoUs will be signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan while another MoU on cultural exchange will be renewed.
The king and the prime minister will witness the signing of the MoUs.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will meet the king at his place of residence the same day before the meeting with the prime minister.
On Tuesday, the king will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar.
He will also visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The royal guest will visit Bangabhaban where he will be received by the president and his wife.
The king will have a meeting with the president at 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
The president will host iftar and a dinner reception in honour of the visiting royal.
On Wednesday morning, Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and selected Bhutanese delegation members will leave Bangladesh for Bhutan by a special flight.
Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will see them off at the airport.
The Bhutanese king will visit Padma Bridge and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
On Thursday, the king will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone.
He will leave Bangladesh territory for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port on Thursday afternoon.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, will see him off there.
The 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, sent a letter of congratulations to the prime minister recently saying under her dynamic and strong leadership, Bangladesh has enjoyed peace, stability and unprecedented economic development.
He also termed Bhutan as a "close friend" and rejoiced with the people of Bangladesh on this occasion.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.
Foreign Minister Hasan on Sunday said Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors.
He said Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India.
"We are in discussion to that end," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said Bhutan has a potential of producing 25,000 megawatts of hydropower.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh will also import hydropower from Nepal and things are settled regarding that initiative.
Hasan said Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country’s capacity.
"We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," Hasan said.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan asked to return home
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has asked Md. Ruhul Alam Siddique, currently serving as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, to return home.
“Decision has been taken to transfer you to the headquarters,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its administrative order issued on March 24.
The ministry asked the envoy to return to Dhaka, leaving his current charges.
Siddique served as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Portugal before his appointment as the High Commissioner to Pakistan.
He is a career diplomat belonging to the 11th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Foreign Affairs cadre.
In February, transfer orders had been issued to Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Khalilur Rahman, Ambassador to Germany Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Ambassador to Italy Md Monirul Islam, Ambassador to Poland Sultana Laila Hossain, Ambassador to Kuwait Major General Md Ashikuzzaman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices and other International Organizations in Geneva Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed, Ambassador to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye and Ambassador to Greece Ashud Ahmed.
The foreign ministry sources said the government has begun the process of appointing new envoys for these missions abroad.
Visiting official of Fatah, internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, grateful for Dhaka's support; urges to do more to stop Israel
Fatah Central Committee Secretary General Lt. General Jibril Rajoub has sought Bangladesh’s continued support through sustained communication with the International community to increase pressure on the Israeli government to stop the war and its renewed attempts of ethnic cleansing aimed at reducing the chances of achieving sustainable peace based on a two-state solution.
The Secretary General expressed his thanks and gratitude for the Bangladesh government’s stances in support of the Palestinian cause, including support at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Jibril Rajoub met Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The Foreign Minister and the Secretary General exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The Secretary General apprised him on the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza and West Bank leading to an unprecedented genocide, infrastructure destruction and containing the access of humanitarian assistance, resulting in famine in Gaza.
During the meeting, the Secretary General informed him about the Israeli Prime Minister's illegal new annexation plan for the post-war Gaza by establishing new settlement units in Gaza and imposition of Israeli Occupation Forces' control over Gaza, West Bank and beyond.
The Foreign Minister expressed his deepest sympathy for the civilian casualties including children and women and hardships in the difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
He called upon the international community for a concerted effort to stop this war and called for an immediate ceasefire with adequate humanitarian access to Gaza and West Bank, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He reassured the Secretary General that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's robust stance for the cause of Palestine at the international platform will continue.
He also urged the Secretary General to work for an alternate measure to end the war in Gaza achieving a consensus of the Arab countries.
They also discussed a number of current issues to further develop the traditionally friendly relations between Bangladesh and Palestine. Earlier in the morning, the Secretary General called on the Prime Minister where he apprised the latter of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine.
Chinese Ambassador meets Saima Wazed
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday met WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Saima Wazed.
The two sides had in-depth exchange on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of health.
Saima Wazed started her visits to WHO SEARO Member States, kicking-off with a trip to Bangladesh.
She met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently.
"We've got a busy few days of meetings planned, and I'm glad I got to start by meeting a leader I know well," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after her meeting with PM Hasina.
We envision Center for China Studies as a bridge connecting Bangladesh, China, S Asia and world: Ambassador Yao Wen
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday expressed his optimism that the newly launched Center for China Studies will anchor itself in Bangladesh, adopt a South Asia-centric approach and have a global outlook.
"We envision the Center for China Studies as a bridge connecting China and Bangladesh, South Asia and the world, making substantive contributions to mutual understanding, cooperation, and peaceful development," he said.
At the launching ceremony of the Center for China Studies of Dhaka University, Prof. Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal, Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka, Vice Chairman of the Academic Board of the Center for China Studies, Chen Dongxiao, President of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Chairman of the Academic Board of the Center for China Studies, and representatives from Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, East China Normal University, Yunnan University, Tongji University were present.
More than 400 people from the Bangladeshi government, political parties, universities, enterprises, media and international organizations, as well as Chinese representatives participated.
The Ambassador extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the Center for China Studies and said that the establishment of the Center for China Studies is the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during their bilateral meeting in Johannesburg last August.