Foreign-Affairs
US donates 18 freezer trucks for vaccine delivery in Bangladesh
The United States has purchased 18 trucks to help Bangladesh establish a dedicated fleet of specialized cold-chain vehicles to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the country.
US acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) William Dowers and US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Kathryn Stevens handed over the brand new freezer trucks to Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque as part of the ongoing US support to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh plans to import huge petroleum fuel amid global market volatility
USAID purchased four trucks on the local market with an additional 14 vehicles to arrive in the coming months, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.
The total US government COVID-19 assistance to Bangladesh exceeds $121 million.
USAID partnered with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, the agencies that will oversee the procurement of these vehicles and support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations across the country.
“We hope to sustain the impressive momentum Bangladesh has made in turning the tide against the pandemic. Through our work, we are helping to get more people vaccinated so they can protect themselves and their loved ones, and return to more normal lives,” said acting DCM Dowers.
Bangladesh, Tanzania keen to work on blue economy, agriculture
Bangladesh and Tanzania have agreed to work with Bangladesh in agriculture, blue economy and other economic sectors through establishing official contacts.
Tanzania has expressed interest to know about the aquaculture, fisheries sectors, shipbuilding industry and horticultural sector of Bangladesh.
They also highlighted the importance of exchange of business delegations to develop their trade and economy.
Tanzanian Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Mashimba Mashauri Ndaki and Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries Abdullah Hussein Kombo met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the State Guest House Padma on Monday evening and discussed the ways of broader cooperation.
Read: France to donate 2mn doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh: FM
Both the ministers are visiting Dhaka for participating in the 21st Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers and related meetings.
Dhaka, Colombo look for quick conclusion of PTA
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Monday emphasized the importance of expeditious conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries. The two countries also underscored the need for further strengthening air and maritime connectivity for the greater benefits of the two nations. The issues were discussed when Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof Gamini Lakshman Peiris met his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen at State Guest House Padma. The two sides stressed further cooperation in the sectors like trade and commerce, investment, tourism, connectivity, agriculture, fisheries, education, and people-to-people contact.
Read: Border killings unfortunate for Bangladesh; shameful for India: FM Dr Momen congratulated the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and thanked him for attending the 21st meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) physically despite the global Covid-19 related health concerns. He also stated that Bangladesh attaches high importance to its relations with Sri Lanka which, he termed excellent, based on the historical linkages, friendship, and commonalities of views and shared vision of prosperity. Recalling the state visit of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to Dhaka on 19–20 March 2021 on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, he noted that it contributed towards strengthening the ties of the two countries. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister expressed his happiness for meeting the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. He recalled the recent meeting of Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the World Leaders’ Summit of CoP-26 and said the leadership of Sri Lanka highly appreciated the recent economic development of Bangladesh. He reiterated the importance of close relations between the two neighbours. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister sought collaboration on the area of e-commerce, involvement in the digital sector through sharing of Bangladesh’s expertise. Dr Momen particularly mentioned Bangladesh’s success in the pharmaceutical sector and urged his Sri Lankan counterpart to import pharmaceuticals products from Bangladesh. Both the ministers noted the ongoing cooperation under IORA, maritime cooperation, maritime security, blue economy, climate change and prevention of over exploitation of marine resources.
Read: France firmly with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue: FM Momen They also pledged to explore the possible collaboration between Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University of Bangladesh and National Institute of Oceanographic Marine Sciences of Sri Lanka. The meeting ended with a positive note in a cordial atmosphere. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh and will attend the 21st meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Inclusive politics essential for every country’s prosperity: British Minister
UK’s Minister for South Asia Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon on Monday expressed optimism that the citizens of Bangladesh will have an open and vigorous debate about the country’s direction as Bangladesh approaches its next election period.
“Inclusive politics are essential for every country’s prosperity, something that the Father of the Nation (Bangabandhu) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman knew very well,” he said, adding that the constitution (Bangladesh) emphasizes both transparency and due process which is a real guiding right to everyone.
The British Minister said Bangladesh, on Bangabandhu’s legacy, has built something quite remarkable and there is an opportunity for this great nation to go even further.
He made the remarks while delivering keynote speech at a programme titled “Bangladesh-UK: Partners in Progress' with Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen as the chair. The event was held at the Foreign Service Academy.
Lord Ahmad, also the Minister for the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), said as a steadfast friend and partner of Bangladesh they value this unique relationship and friendship.
“Our message is simple - to all of you from all of us. I assure we’re partners for today and for the future. As close and honest friends, we look forward to further strengthening this unique partnership,” he said.
Read:'Bangladesh a compelling case for UK investors'
Technology upgradation crucial for RMG industry to stay competitive: BGMEA
Technology upgradation in the apparel industry is crucial to remain competitive in the global market, said the apex trade body of Bangladesh's garments manufacturers.
"Use of modern technologies, tools and software are predominant when it comes to enhancing productivity and quality," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said while speaking at the webinar "AI & Robotics: Global Implication of Artificial Intelligence" Sunday.
Read: BGMEA wins 'WITSA Global ICT Excellence Award' for workers' biometric database
The webinar was organised as a part of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) – held during November 11-14 in Dhaka with the participation of experts from more than 75 countries.
Faruque said technological innovations are imperative not only to enhance competitiveness but also to make a business sustainable. "There is no alternative to technologies to ensure sustainable use of water, energy and other resources. Sustainability and digitalisation are interlinked and greatly complement each other."
Automation and technology upgradation will not impact employment adversely because all the processes required to make a garment cannot be replaced by machines, the BGMEA chief said.
"However, we should train our people with the right skills to operate new generation technologies. We need to turn the challenge into an opportunity through re-skilling and up-skilling."
Read:Post-LDC era: BGMEA seeks British lawmakers' support to retain market access
Ariyan M Kabir, co-founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics Inc, Professor Genci Capi of the Hosei University of Japan, and Dr Patrick Meier, co-founder and CEO of WeRobotics, also joined the discussion.
Lafifa Jamal, professor of robotics and mechatronics engineering at the University of Dhaka, moderated it.
Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Monday said they will be following the next general election “very closely” because the international community is “very interested” in what happens in Bangladesh amid its growing engagement globally as a developing economic power house.
“I think we’ll be following it very closely. Why we’ll be following it very closely is not because we want to interfere but the international community is very interested in what happens in Bangladesh,” he said.
The Ambassador said everybody has a stake in what happens in that election in Bangladesh which is a strategic part of this region and a developing economic power house where ties are developing.
The EU envoy made the remarks while responding to a question at “DCAB Talk” held in a city hotel. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.
Read: GSP-plus vulnerability criteria: BGMEA thanks EU for removing 7.4% import-share threshold
Ambassador Whiteley said the key word around elections is exactly the “process” and elections are not events.
Italy to invest in waste management in Bangladesh: Ambassador Enrico
Italy is keen to invest in solid waste management and development of green technology in leather sector in Bangladesh.
Italian ambassador to Dhaka Enrico Nunziata on Sunday expressed this intention during a courtesy call on BSCIC Chairman Mustaque Hassan at his office in Tejgaon.
The ambassador wanted gurantee of uninterrupted supply to the waste management plant from which electricity and organic fertilizer would be produced.
Italian company is assessing waste quantity and possibility of setting up a full-fledged waste management plant in Savar leather industrial hub.
Read: Invest in technology to improve waste management: UN chief
The chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) urged Italian investment in different economic zones in the country.
The government is working to establish ecofriendly 100 economic zones on 40000 acres of land by 2041.
Additional secretary (BSCIC) Kazi Shakhawat Hosain, senior BSCIC officials were present,
Post-LDC era: BGMEA seeks British lawmakers' support to retain market access
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has sought the British lawmakers' support for the continuation of duty-benefit for the country after it graduates from the least developed countries (LDCs) category.
He met with UK lawmakers Rushanara Ali and Rupa Huq in London Saturday.
They discussed various issues, including cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh on LDC graduation, possible changes in the tariff regime and how Bangladesh can retain its access to the UK market in the post-LDC era.
Read: BGMEA chief urges UK buyers to raise prices
During the meeting, Faruque stressed the need for engagement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in the development of the country.
He said NRBs have the immense potential to contribute more to Bangladesh's development with their skills, technical expertise, knowledge and investment.
Many UK-based NRBs are well-established businessmen, academicians, researchers, and several of them also hold influential positions in governments as politicians and members of parliaments.
They can play a significant role in shaping the financial, social and economic conditions of the country, the BGMEA chief said.
Read: BGMEA stresses ethical sourcing for sustainable supply chain
He sought the cooperation of the two British MPs in encouraging Bangladeshis living in the UK to invest in different potential sectors of Bangladesh, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles.
Faruque also informed the British MPs about the strides made by Bangladesh's apparel industry over the years in safety, sustainability and social compliance.
Border killings unfortunate for Bangladesh; shameful for India: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday reiterated that the border killing is a matter of shame for India and unfortunate for Bangladesh as Bangladeshis are losing their lives.
“I always say, it’s unfortunate for us and it’s a matter of shame for India… I’ve no other answer to that,” he said while responding to a question at a media briefing at his ministry.
Dr Momen said the decision was taken at the level of heads of government and also at various levels that the two countries do not want to see any killing along the Bangladesh-India border and there was a verbal decision that no lethal weapon will be used. “But it happens from time to time.”
Also read: India assured Bangladesh of stopping border killing, says Quader
Dhaka wants inclusive Indian Ocean, not unilateral dominance
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said they want to see an open, free, peaceful and inclusive Indian Ocean instead of any single country’s dominance noting that many have different types of interests towards the Indian Ocean.
“Indian Ocean is a huge issue. We’ve a policy that the Indian Ocean will be open, free, peaceful and inclusive. We don’t want to see any unilateral dominance in the Indian Ocean,” he told reporters at a media briefing at his ministry.
Bangladesh will host the 21st Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers’ (COM) meeting on November 17 as it takes up the IORA chairmanship for the first time in 24 years. "Indo-Pacific Vision" will also come up for discussion.
IORA has six priority and two focus areas identified on the basis to promote sustained growth and balanced development in the Indian Ocean Region.
These are maritime safety and security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, tourism and cultural exchanges, academic, science and technology cooperation, blue economy, women's economic empowerment. “We’ll try to focus on those issues,” Dr Momen said.
Read: France to donate 2mn doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh: FM
The 23rd Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and its related meetings will be held on November 15-16 in a hybrid format (in-person & virtual).
The Foreign Minister said this is a great moment for Bangladesh and 12 ministers from 11 countries (two ministers from Tanzania) will be joining the IORA COM in person.
“Indian Ocean is very important for trading. It’s also dangerous with some associated risks like cyclones, typhoons, tidal surge. So, it’s an essential meeting,” he said.”
Dr Momen said they are looking at the future through the ocean as there are many things to achieve together through partnership and dialogue.