Bangladesh
Bangladeshi-owned shipping and airline companies can open foreign currency accounts: Bangladesh Bank
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has approved the opening of accounts in foreign currency in the name of Bangladeshi-owned shipping companies and airlines.
These shipping and airline companies are expanding their services abroad, earning foreign currency. The central bank said that the companies can meet necessary expenses from these accounts.
The BB announcement said that the overseas activities of Bangladeshi shipping companies and airlines are expanding. Considering this, 75 percent of the money that will come from abroad as income can be deposited as foreign currency.
Read more: Bangladesh Bank has revolutionised digitalisation of financial sector: Dr Atiur
The remaining amount to be encashed in taka. Operating expenses of ships and aircraft can be carried out with foreign currency account status.
The central bank notification also said that Bangladeshi shipping companies and airlines that rent ships, containers or aircraft to foreign companies can also open accounts in foreign currency. In this case, 50 percent of the foreign exchange received can be deposited as such, which can be used to meet the necessary expenses of the ship, container or aircraft.
Read more: Bangladesh Bank starts releasing new taka notes for exchange from today
The BB officials say that now shipping and aircraft companies are doing business abroad depending on agents. The new guidance will reduce that reliance. Business of local shipping and airline companies will be expanded due to relaxing the foreign currency accounts.
Pranay Verma highlights “deep bonds of friendship, cooperation” with Bangladesh
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday underlined the “deep bonds of friendship and cooperation” between Bangladesh and India; and reaffirmed commitment to further enrich the “special and multifaceted” ties, which are rooted in shared sacrifices of 1971.
High Commissioner Verma highlighted the significance of Iftar in promoting the spirit of humanity and brotherhood.
He noted that the Iftar gathering also symbolized the deep bonds of people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of India-Bangladesh relations.
The High Commissioner was speaking at an iftar event hosted by the High Commission at a city hotel.
The event was attended by guests from all walks of life in Bangladesh including the government, legislature, political parties, armed forces, civil society, business, academia, media and culture.
Speakers press for compliance in labour rights to develop tannery industry
Speakers at a workshop on Tuesday urged the government to implement labour compliance in the Savar tannery industrial hub.
They said the tannery industry was shifted to Savar in 2017, but housing, schools and healthcare or hospitals for labour are yet to be established, which is a negligence to the leather sector.
The speakers said this in a coalition-building and advocacy meeting, organized by Tannery Workers Union (TWU) and Global Solidarity Center, Bangladesh Office, held in a hotel at Palton in the capital.
Abul Kalam Azad and Abdul Malek, president and general secretary respectively of TWU, Monika Hartsel, Deputy Country Director of Solidarity Centre, Shamim Ara, president, Jatiya Sramik Federation, and Advocate KM Nasim, among others, spoke in the function.
The speakers also said the women workers are leaving their job in the tannery industry due to lack of labour compliance.
They blamed tannery owners for forcing experienced workers to leave the leather sector jobs, with the intention to appoint low paid new workers.
The workers leaders also urged the government not to pass any law in the parliament against labour benefits. While labour will remain healthy, the production of industry will grow smoothly.
A keynote presentation in the workshop said that ensuring social compliance in the leather industry will create scope of product diversification and attract buyers from developed countries like the US and EU.
Labour compliance would open the door to achieve the certificates of the Leather Working Group (LWG), a global multi-stakeholder community, the presentation said.
Without getting its certificates from the LWG, no country can export leather to Europe, the US and some other countries, they said.
"Once we get the certificates, the leather from our country could be exported to Europe and other countries that would improve the tannery sector and boost the economy," the keynote paper stated.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment approved the two-year work plan on April 21, 2022 and directed the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments to execute it.
The tannery leaders also gave a 10-point demand for workers' well being, including a new wage board for fixing minimum wage in the factories.
3,845 traders affected by Bangabazar fire: DSCC
The investigation committee formed by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) submitted a final report on the devastating fire that broke out in the capital's Bangabazar market on April 4.
According to the report, 3,845 traders were affected by this fire.
However, the names of the traders of Anexco Tower, one of several separate markets making up the complex, have not been mentioned in the list. As they have insurance, the shopkeepers of that market did not want to be enlisted in the DSCC's list.
Read more: Bangabazar traders can resume business from Wednesday: DSCC mayor
Marina Nazneen, president of the probe committee and zonal executive officer (zone-1) of DSCC, handed over the report to its Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh at 5 pm on Tuesday.
The probe committee did not find any case of short circuit and sabotage behind the fire.
"A burning cigarette or a mosquito repellent coil might have caused the devastating fire," as per the report.
Meanwhile, the total amount of goods is estimated at Tk 288.350 crore (approx) burnt to ashes by this devastating blaze.
Read more: Bangabazar fire: Cumilla MP Bahauddin, others donate Tk 26 lakh to traders
Besides, Tk 14.70 crore (approx) was lost considering the structural aspects, according to the DSCC report.
The probe committee also placed ten recommendations to face any fire incidents in the future in the DSCC area.
ULAB DEH organizes workshop on Critical Medical Humanities in 21st Century Bangladesh
Focusing on the emerging importance of studying critical medical humanities, the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) recently organized an exclusive seminar and workshop at its Mohammadpur main campus in the capital.
Titled "Physical Wounds in Literature: A Talk and Workshop on Critical Medical Humanities in 21st Century Bangladesh," the workshop was conducted by Farah Binte Bashir Dolon, a researcher in Medical Humanities and MA student in Comparative Literature at the University of Hyderabad in India.
Physical disabilities and sickness result in mental trauma and disturbance in everyday physical, social, and financial aspects that are reflected in contemporary literature across the globe. The 21st century is witnessing an increasing number of people suffering from psychological illness that has crossed the limits of medical sciences and entered the humanities arena, according to the researcher.
The relationship between psychological illness and physical illness, which has existed since prehistoric times, is prominently portrayed in postmodern literature and Franz Kafka’s works are noteworthy in this regard.
Suspected ARSA commander killed in ‘gunfight’ at Rohingya camp: APBN
A suspected Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) commander was killed during a reported gunfight between members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) and the group at the Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar.
The deceased was Abdul Majid alias Lalaiya, an alleged ARSA commander, confirmed Mohammad Faruk Ahmed, assistant superintendent of Police of APBN-8.
Read more: US urges other donors to join them to help Rohingyas with additional funding
The incident happened at 10:30 am on Tuesday at Block-8 of Camp-19.
On Tuesday morning, the APBN surrounded some houses of ARSA terrorists near the house of Amin Majhi of Block-8 of Camp-19. At that time, ARSA men opened fire at the police. At that time, APBN men fired back.
After the “gunfight” Lalaiya’s was found lying on the ground after searching several houses. A firearm and two rounds of bullets were found next to his body. At the time, three people named Mohammad Taher, Jamal Hossain and Liaquat Ali were arrested, said the ASP Faruk.
Read more: Rohingya youth abducted and killed
The deceased was an accused in four murder cases that took place in the Rohingya camp. Two policemen were injured in the shooting. At present, additional police have been deployed at the spot and surrounding areas to control the situation, he added.
Under-5 mortality rate marks sharp fall in Bangladesh: Report
Under-5 mortality rate in Bangladesh saw a sharp decline in the past 5 years, according to a new survey conducted by the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT).
The number came down from 43 per thousand in 2017 to 31 per thousand in 2022, the report shows.
The preliminary result of the report titled “Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey- 2022” was published during a seminar in the capital on Tuesday.
Health Education Division Secretary Azizur Rahman was present as the chief guest.
According to the survey results, Bangladesh has made significant progress in maternal health and child health compared to previous years.
The rate of stunted growth among children under the age of 5 decreased from 31% to 24%.
The remarkable success in bringing down the mortality rate among children under the age of 5 can be attributed to the multiple government initiatives to address the gaps in newborn care.
In November 2017, the government launched the National Newborn Campaign to promote affordable interventions at community and household level for essential care for all newborns.
In early September 2018, the government launched the National Newborn Health Programme that brings focus on the critical interventions to be scaled up in all 64 districts of the country.
The BDHS survey also sheds light on the state of maternity healthcare in Bangladesh. According to the preliminary results, a minimum of 88% of women have at least once received pregnancy or Antenatal care (ANC) from a trained health professional, which accounted for 82% in 2017.
Access to healthcare for women from impoverished families has expanded more than ever before.
The level of childbirth in adolescence has decreased compared to previous years.
According to the survey, the number decreased from 28 percent in 2017 to 23 percent last year.
Among women aged 20 to 24, the level of early marriage before the age of 18 was 65 percent in 2011.
The number dropped to 59 percent in 2017 and dropped to 50 percent in 2022, the survey shows.
The BDHS 2022 also indicates improvement in the socio-economic condition of the people in Bangladesh.
According to its preliminary result, 99% of households now have access to electricity. Meanwhile, 98 percent of the households have at least one mobile phone while 60 percent of the houses have improved sanitation compared to 43% in 2017.
Director General of Family Planning Sahan Ara Banu, USAID/Bangladesh Director Carrie Rasmussen was present as the special guests at the seminar. Director General of National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) Md Shafiqul Islam presided over the seminar.
6 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Six more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
Of the new patients, three were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Twenty-two dengue patients, including 14 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 894 dengue cases, 863 recoveries, and nine deaths this year.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Covid-19: Bangladesh records 5 more cases
Bangladesh reported five more Covid cases in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,038,091, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,446 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity dropped to 0.45 percent from Monday's 0.58 percent as 1,114 samples were tested.
The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.40 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
PM orders strengthening efforts to unlock potentials of blue economy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian has directed the authorities concerned to take strong efforts to unlock the potentials of blue economy in the vast sea area of the country.
She made the directive while chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) at the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar area on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said the premier asked the authorities concerned to take cogent efforts to unlock the potential sof blue economy.
She also directed the authorities concerned to reduce the number of sluice gates gradually and not to construct permanent roads in Haors rather construct culverts in important places to pass flood water, said the minister.
The PM stressed the need for recognizing the contribution of women in the GDP for their household chores.
The Ecnec cleared 11 projects involving the overall estimated cost of Tk 13,655.98 crore.
Among these, seven are new projects, while the remaining four are revised ones.
Among the projects, Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST)’ project got its nod with Tk 2,995.88 crore mainly to enhance the government’s capacity to check pollution and promote green investment.
Of the total estimated cost, Tk 10,526.11 crore – 77 percent -- will come from the external sources as foreign loans, while the rest Tk 3,129.87 crore will be drawn from the fund of Government of Bangladesh.
In terms of cost, the largest three fresh projects are ‘Sylhet-Charkhai-Shewla Highway Development’ project with the cost of Tk 4,257.07 crore; ‘Accelerating Transport and Trading Connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS)-Bangladesh Phase-1 (BLPA Component)’ project with Tk 3,457.15 crore; and ‘Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST)’ project with Tk 2,995.88 crore.
As per project factsheet, ‘Sylhet-Charkhai-Shewla Highway Development’ project will be implemented in four upazilas – Sylhet Sadar, Dakkhin Surma, Golapganj and Beanibazar-- by December 2027.
The ACCESS-Bangladesh Phase-1 (BLPA Component) project will be implemented by June 2027. The Land Port Authority under the Shipping Ministry will execute the project.
The BEST project will be executed by June 2028 in 37 upazilas of 36 districts under eight divisions mainly to enhance the government’s capacity to check pollution and promote green investment through green credit guarantee scheme (GCGS).
The four other new projects are ‘Rehabilitation of the 2022 Flood-affected Rural Infrastructures with ADB Emergency Assistance’ project with Tk 1,123 crore; ‘Flood Management Reconstruction Emergency Assistance’ project with Tk 699.81 crore; ‘Emergency Assistance for Reconstruction of Flood-affected Water Supply and Sanitation System’ project with Tk 343.91 crore; and ‘Reinstallation of the 2022 flood-affected Sylhet Chhatakbazar Section (Meter gauge) of Bangladesh Railway’ project with Tk 241.59 crore.
The four old projects are ‘Construction of 34 Buffer Warehouse in the Country’s Different Places to Preserve and Distribute Fertilizers (1st Revised)’ project with additional cost of Tk 365.43 crore (now the total cost has risen to Tk 2,348.47 crore; ‘Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) (2nd revised)’ project with additional cost of Tk 93.15 crore (now cost is Tk 1,105.27 crore); ‘Development of Bangladesh Land Survey Education (1st revised)’ project with additional cost of Tk 61.43 crore (now cost is Tk 340.28 crore); and ‘Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Complex in Islamabad of Pakistan ( 4th revised)’ project with additional cost of Tk 17.56 crore (now cost is Tk 97.42 crore).