Bangladesh
China regards education as one of key areas for bilateral cooperation: Chinese ambassador
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said that as a good friend and good neighbor of Bangladesh, the Chinese government and people have regarded education as one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation.
He said this while addressing at a function organized to handover the first smart classroom with the latest smart education solution from Huawei to Chandpur Government Technical School and College recently.
According to Huawei, the classroom was handed over as part of the Chinese embassy’s friendship project for talent development.
As the very first initiative, Chandpur has been equipped with an advanced learning solution that will allow the teachers and students to have advanced onsite and online teaching and study platforms.
Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, who was chief guest at the function, said that the use of technology within these smart classrooms will enable enhanced learning experiences for students, equipping them with crucial ICT skills.
“I believe this project will facilitate the learners to eventually take Bangladesh to great heights."
She also thanked the Embassy and Huawei South Asia for taking the initiative.
Pan Junfeng, CEO of Huawei South Asia; Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Principle in Charge, Chandpur Government Technical School & College, and other high officials also addressed at the function.
Chinese embassy has initiated the Higher Vocational Education Program with Ministry of Education in Bangladesh since the year of 2018,
The Chinese ambassador said his country will provide more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to study in China and further deepen the friendship between the two countries.
China is also one of the top destinations for Bangladeshi students to study. Cumulatively, over 14,000 are studying in China.
On the other hand, he said Chinese enterprises like Huawei have diligently undertaken corporate social responsibilities (CSR) in this country to improve people’s well-being and promote social development in Bangladesh.
This smart classroom is another example of cooperation between two countries and a contribution of Huawei to Bangladesh under the testimony to expand the relation, said the ambassador.
Pan Junfeng, CEO of Huawei South Asia, said, "China-Bangladesh Friendship Donation Project holds the potential to revolutionize education in Bangladesh.
He said the smart classroom is a concept that uses technologies to enable enhanced learning experiences for students.
Introducing smart school systems will help in making education more interesting as well as support the development of crucial ICT skills among students at a very early age.
This project will facilitate the learners to become skilled and steadfast adults who will take Bangladesh forward to great heights. Huawei is delighted to be a partner of this project.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh donated whole smart classroom solutions including two Idea Hubs (Huawei's Interactive Whiteboard) whole classroom WIFI coverage, online learning platforms with abundant ICT course-related materials like videos, online courses and educational contents to Chandpur Government Technical School and College.
Bangladesh an ideal investment hub, says Malaysian High Commissioner
Malaysian High Commissioner H. E. Haznah Md. Hashim said Bangladesh is one of the ideal investment hubs in the world.
He made the remarks while addressing as Chief Guest at BMCCI Powerlunch in collaboration with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) concerning Private investment issues at the Bangabandhu Conference Hall, World Trade Center Chittagong today.
In her speech, she shed light on trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia, and the current economic and social performances of Bangladesh, reads a press release.
Referring to various convenient facilities offered by the Bangladesh Government for foreign investors, she said that it is very encouraging for business persons from all over the world to explore the business opportunities in traditional and emerging sectors of Bangladesh.
She also assured of all possible cooperation and support from the High Commission towards promoting healthy business ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh M. Mashrur Reaz presented the keynote speech on the topic titled “Catalyzing Private Investment for Vision 2041: Opportunities for Private Sector in A Smart Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh has decided on its development target, which is to take itself to the ranks of developed countries by 2041. Bangladesh has shown success in every criterion that needs to be fulfilled to run towards the target”.
He discussed the high-potential sectors identified as investment areas in Bangladesh and highlighted Bangladesh's ability as a consumer. He also added that Bangladesh's huge working youth population has contributed to becoming one of the focal points for attracting foreign investment, it said.
BMCCI President Syed Almas Kabir said, BMCCI Powerlunch started with the objective of economic analysis which provides an overall positive directional discussion on the current financial situation of the country and gives an idea within a framework about the overall health of the economy.
Man killed in RAB gunfire for 'protesting neighbour's arrest,' family says
A 65-year-old man was killed and another was injured allegedly as they tried to protest the arrest of their neighbour by members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in plainclothes, in Narayanganj's Sonargaon upazila's Bargao Chairman Para area early Friday.
The relatives of the deceased Abul Kashem, son of late Kadam Ali, said that he was shot dead by the elite force on Friday night. The other person to get shot but survive was Humayun Kabir, 43.
A RAB team conducted a drive in that area to arrest the main accused, Selim, of a murder case, said Lt colonel Tanvir Mahmud Pasha of RAB - 11.
"Some men attacked us with local arms and tried to snatch away the arrestee, which prompted a ‘fight'," he said.
“We are not sure how he died,” Pasha said. He added that four RAB members were injured in the fight, but didn't name them.
Wife of the deceased, Ramija Begum, said her husband saw their neighbour Selim being taken away by men in plainclothes and asked them (RAB) why, at which they hit him. As more people in the neighbourhood came out at the commotion, RAB resorted to gunfire.
At one point, her husband was shot dead. Another person was shot in the incident, she said.
Md. Ahsanullah of Sonargaon police station said the body is kept in the morgue for autopsy.
Spread various elements of culture: President
President Abdul Hamid on Saturday urged poets, writers, dramatists, makers, collectors, researchers and other individuals and institutions to spread the various elements of culture.
"We should not allow all culture. Through the proper use of information technology, cultural elements should be collected and spread across the country and abroad. And only then will our cultural heritage emerge in the outside world," he said.
He made this call as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Greater Mymensingh Cultural Festival held at National Museum auditorium.
He said information technology has now affected everyone's life, regardless of village or city. The world has become a village due to the free flow of information. As a result sky culture is now a reality.
He also that its influence on the culture of different countries and nations is also spreading rapidly. Cultural thoughts and mindsets are also changing at the same pace.
Mentioning that 'It is our responsibility to make the new generation aware of history and tradition', Hamid said that besides socio-economic development, creative and talented manpower is essential for balanced development including art, literature and culture. Enlightened people can bring positive changes in society.
"If we don't introduce our children to history, heritage, pains and prides, they won't grow up to be conscious citizens with self respect," he added.
He also urged them to trace their roots along with conventional education and also tell about the glorious past.
Introduce specific taxes, raise prices of tobacco products: Speakers
In the upcoming national budget of the fiscal year 2023-24, the government must introduce a tier-based specific supplementary duty to raise the prices of cigarettes, said research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA). The demands were made during a pre-budget press conference on tobacco taxation and prices, held today at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Auditorium of the National Press Club in Dhaka, said a press release.
Nadira Kiron, co-convener of ATMA, hosted the event and Md Hasan Shahriar, head of Tobacco Control, PROGGA, presented the budget proposals. During the conference, speakers particularly urged the policymakers to hike the retail price of the low-tier cigarettes to BDT 55 from BDT 40 for 10 sticks, followed by BDT 35.75 as specific supplementary duty (65 percent of the final retail price). It was also informed that, compared to other cigarette tiers, hiking prices at the low tier encourages the low-income demographic (users of such brands) to quit smoking. Supporting the budget proposals raised during the event, economist and convener of the National Anti-Tobacco Platform, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “As per the conditions set by the IMF for its loan package, Bangladesh needs to raise the revenue by at least an additional 0.5 percent of its GDP in the next FY.” “This means an additional BDT 65,000 crore in revenue needs to be earned in FY 2023-24. By hiking the prices of tobacco products, a considerable portion of the additional amount can be managed. The additional revenue earned from tobacco products can also help the government tackle the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war,” he said. Dr Mahfuz Kabir, research director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), said, “Seventy-five percent of all cigarette users are the consumers of low-tier brands. Unfortunately, the supplementary duty (SD) imposed on this tier stands at a mere 57 percent. Raising the number to at least 65 percent would help reduce cigarette use and increase government revenue.” The implementation of the tax and pricing proposals of anti-tobacco activists would raise BDT 9,600 crores in additional revenues and prevent the premature deaths of 4.88 lakh adults and 4.92 lakh youth, said speakers at the conference. Mortuza Haider Liton, convener of ATMA and ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA were present at the time, among others.
Actress Mahiya Mahi has been arrested on specific allegations: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday said actress Mahiya Mahi was arrested on the basis of specific allegations.
He also said that the allegation (of bribery) made by the actress against police will also be investigated, and it would come out whether it is right or not after the investigation.
The Home Minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters in a food distribution programme at a orphanage at Tejgaon in the capital. The food distribution programme was organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Home Minister said that a case was filed against her as she made some statements on Facebook live against Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam.
“I don't know everything, I heard. I have to know the matter well before I say something,” he said.
He also said that Mahi's complaint of vandalism and grabbing her husband's showroom against the police will also be investigated. 'When a complaint comes, an investigation has to be done. Everything will come out in the investigation."
Gazipur Metropolitan Police arrested Mahi from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after her arrival from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, but her husband Rakib Sarker, also an accused in the case, did not return home with her.
Rokon Mia, sub-inspector of Bason Police Station, filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Mahi and her husband Rakib on Friday night on charge of “defaming police” after going live on Facebook.
Meanwhile, in response to another question, the Home Minister said that efforts were underway to bring Arav Khan alias Rabiul Islam, the fugitive accused in the police officer murder case, to the country through the international police agency Interpol.
The minister said, "All efforts are being made to bring him back with the help of Interpol."
“Interpol's cooperation has already been sought to arrest him. We have heard many things. Action will be taken after scrutinising the information that we have already received,” he said.
DSA case: Actress Mahiya Mahi gets bail
A Gazipur court on Saturday granted bail to actress Mahiya Mahi, hours after she was arrested from Dhaka airport and sent to jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Anowar Hossain, superintendent of Gazipur district prison, said that Mahiya got bail in two cases.
Documents of the bail from Gazipur Metropolitan Court arrived at the prison, he said, adding that process is underway to release her.
Also Read: DSA case: Actress Mahiya Mahi sent to jail
Rokon Mia, sub-inspector of Bason Police Station, filed the case under the Digital Security Act against Mahi and her husband Rakib on Friday night on charge of “defaming police” after going live on Facebook.
Mahi was arrested from the airport after her arrival from Saudi Arabia but husband Rakib Sarker, also an accused in the case, did not return home with her. Later, a Gazipur court sent her to jail.
Briefing reporters, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam said, “A case was filed against Mahi and her husband under the DSA Act on Friday night for ‘tarnishing the image of Police Commissioner and Police Department’. Police arrested her from Dhaka airport soon after she arrived at the airport from Saudi Arabia this noon.”
Mohammad Ibrahim, deputy commissioner of DB of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said a team of Gazipur police arrested Mahi and took her to Bason Police Station.
Meanwhile, Ismail Hossain, a businessman, filed another case with Bason Police Station against 28 people including the couple on charges of assault, vandalism and land grabbing.
Abu Torab Mohammad Shamsuddin, deputy commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said police filed the case against the couple for “tarnishing the image of police, including Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Molla Nazrul Islam,” after going live on Facebook.
According to the case statement, Mahi, from her Facebook page, went live early Friday — making allegations against police.
During the live session, she said Ismail Hossain and Mamun Sarkar, through their people, carried out an attack on a car showroom, Sony Raj Car Palace, owned by Mahi, on Dhaka-Tangail highway near Bhawal Badre Alam Government College.
The actress and her husband also alleged that the Gazipur Metropolitan Police commissioner “supported the attackers” after taking bribe.
She also said she feared getting arrested after returning to the country from Mecca. During the Facebook live, Mahiya’s husband Rakib alleged that police arrested security guards of the car showroom.
Meanwhile, Ismail Hossain, owner of Rod Binding Factory in Itahata area of Gazipur city and plaintiff of a case, in his complaint said, he has been running a factory in the area for the past 10 years after purchasing land there.
On Friday, some people on behalf of Rakib and Mahiya attacked and vandalized the factory, he said. They also beat up 5 people at the factory, leaving them injured, while trying to occupy the land, according to the complaint.
Contacted, Molla Nazrul, Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said, “Actress Mahiya brought allegations against police on Facebook and tried to draw sympathy through lies.”
So far, police arrested nine people in connection with the case filed by businessperson Ismail. Mahi and her husband were the principal accused (hukumer ashami) in the case, said commissioner Nazrul.
Higher education emerged as centrepiece of India's partnership with Bangladesh: Pranay Verma
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma have jointly inaugurated the Indian Higher Education Meet 2023 conducted under the aegis of the Study in India programme in Dhaka.
Higher educational institutions from different parts of India participated in the event held on Saturday.
The High Commissioner said higher education has emerged as a centrepiece of their deep-rooted partnership with Bangladesh.
Also Read: Pranay Verma highlights importance of youth as "precious link" between Bangladesh, India
Bangladesh-India fuel pipeline will ensure energy security: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the ‘Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline’ will play a pivotal role in ensuring fuel security in Bangladesh while many countries across the globe are facing serious fuel crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
“When many countries across the country are at the verge of fuel crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war at that time this pipeline will play a vital role in ensuring fuel security of our people,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the 131.57-km cross-border 'Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline' as part of energy sector cooperation between the two neighbouring countries through which Bangladesh will import petroleum, especially diesel from India.
Hasina and her Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the newly built pipeline.
Hasina was connected from her official residence Ganabhaban while Modi was connected from his office.
Hasina said that both Bangladesh and India have materialised many possibilities in the recent past regarding the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
“We have settled all our bilateral problems one by one,” she said.
She mentioned that both the neighbouring countries are working together for their development.
“We are getting cooperation for our development from India,” she said.
Hasina said that Bangladesh will be benefited variously due to the inauguration of the pipeline.
Read morte: Hasina, Modi inaugurate ‘Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline’ to boost energy cooperation
“The time and expenditure for importing diesel from India will be reduced significantly by this pipeline,” she added.
She also mentioned that the supply of diesel in 16 districts in the northern region of the country will remain stable.
Hasina said that India is the genuine friend of Bangladesh.
“I want that the friendship of our two countries will remain intact,” she said.
She said that Bangladesh has got the recognition as a developing country and the government wanted to implement that.
“By 2041 we want to make Bangladesh more developed,” she said.
She mentioned that for the overall development of the two countries the people will work unitedly.
“That is our aim. Because we want that our countries’ development will expedite,” she said.
She also said that the government has developed Mongla port, Chattogram port, Sylhet International Airport, Chattogram International Airport while Syedpur Airport has been upgraded as the regional airport.
“We are opening these ports for India completely, there will be no problem for India to use these ports. It will ease the trade and business activities, and the people of the both countries will be benefited,” she said.
She mentioned that this pipeline is a trademark achievement of cooperation between the two friendly countries.
“Apart from ensuring fuel security this pipeline will increase the economic growth,” she said.
She invited investors from India to come up with their investments in the economic zones across the country which will be beneficial for the two neighbouring countries. The government is establishing 100 economic zones across the country.
She hoped that like this pipeline, Bangladesh and India will jointly celebrate many more successes in the coming days.
“We will work jointly in national and international arena,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina recalled the contributions of the government and the people of India during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, and extended her personal gratitude for the cooperation they extended to her after the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation on 15th of August in 1975.
Modi also spoke at the programme joining from his office.
Hasina, Modi inaugurate ‘Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline’ to boost energy cooperation
A 131.57-kilometre cross-border 'Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline' was inaugurated on Saturday as part of cooperation in energy sector between the two neighbouring countries through which Bangladesh will import petroleum products, especially diesel from India.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the newly built pipeline.
Hasina was connected from her official residence Ganabhaban while Modi was connected from his office in New Delhi.
Of the pipeline, 126.57 kilometres are in Bangladesh while the remaining 5 kilometres have been installed in India.
The BPC, the state agency under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, has been implementing the project under a 15-year deal with India to annually import 250,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes of diesel from the neighbouring country through the cross-border pipeline.
The deal was signed in 2017 following the approval of the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee on August 23.
Bangladesh annually needs to import 6.6 million tonnes to 7.7 million tonnes of diesel to meet its demand.
According to official documents, the whole consignment of petroleum will come through the cross-border pipeline from India's Numaligarh refinery, located in Golaghat in north-eastern Indian state of Assam, while Bangladesh will receive it at Parbatipur petroleum fuel depot in the north-western district of Dinajpur.
Read more: Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline to vastly improve transport of diesel: New Delhi
Official sources said though most part of the proposed pipeline is to be laid in the Bangladesh part, the Indian government has provided about Rs 303 crore as a loan under Indian line of credit (LOC) to build the Bangladesh portion.
Bangladesh will operate the pipeline in its part while India will operate the pipeline in its portion.
The documents also reveal that Bangladesh will annually import 250,000 tonnes in the first three years, 300,000 tonnes annually in the 4th to 6th years, 350,000 tonnes annually in the 7th to 10th years and 400,000 tonnes annually from the 11th to 15th year.
Currently, Bangladesh has been importing 22,000 tonnes of diesel per month using railway wagons.
The deal could be extended for a further period of time.
Such petroleum imports from India through cross-border pipelines will help create a stock of petroleum in the northern region to meet the growing demands in that part of the country.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that the operation of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment-friendly mode of transporting fuels from India to Bangladesh.
It will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries.
This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of Rs 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approximately Rs 285 crore, has been borne by the government of India under grant assistance.
The Pipeline has a capacity to transport 1 million tonnes per annum of High-Speed Diesel (HSD).
It will supply HSD initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.