Bangladesh
Sitakunda blast: Director of Sheema Oxygen put on one-day remand
A Chattogram court on Wednesday placed one of the directors of Seema Oxygen Limited on a one-day remand in a case over the death of seven people in a massive explosion in the oxygen plant in Sitakunda on March 4.
Chattogram Chief Judicial Magistrate Kamrun Nahar Rumi passed the order after hearing a petition in this regard, Jakir Hossain Mahmud, inspector of Chattogram district court, said.
He said accused Parvez Uddin Santu was produced before the court with a seven-day remand prayer but the court granted one day.
On March 4, a massive cylinder explosion and fire at Seema Oxygen Plant inKadam Rasul area of the Bhatiari union of Sitakunda left seven people dead and 30 others wounded.
Rokeya Begum, the wife of Abdul Quader who died in the explosion, filed the case against 16 people, including three brothers, who own the oxygen plant.
A seven-member committee was formed by the district administration with Chattogram Additional District Magistrate Rakib Hasan as the head to investigate the blast.
The committee submitted its report to the deputy commissioner on Tuesday.
Read more: Sitakunda explosion: MD of oxygen plant arrested
Although the details of the investigation report have not been disclosed yet, the report has given nine recommendations to prevent such incidents.
The investigation found evidence of negligence on the part of the owner in operating the factory.
LabAid Cancer Hospital launches new online video commercial
LabAid Cancer Hospital and Super Specialty Center on Wednesday launched a new online video commercial (OVC) on social media.
The OVC was directed by actor and director Ziaul Hoque Polash.
Officials present at the inauguration program said the OVC will be circulated on other platforms gradually.
At the launching ceremony Sakif Shamim, managing director of LabAid Cancer Hospital and Super Specialty Center, said: "The 180-bed multi-disciplinary LabAid Cancer Hospital and Super Specialty Center has been set up with the latest treatment services for all types of cancer diseases and renowned doctors to eliminate the fear in people about cancer treatment in Bangladesh."
Actors FS Nayeem, Polash, and LabAid Cancer Hospital and Super Specialty Center Head of Business Amitavo Bhattacharyya were present.
Project to dredge 19 rivers in Haor regions to be taken soon: State Minister
The government will soon take a project to dredge 19 rivers in the Haor (Water body) regions, said State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque on Friday.
He said this while talking to reporters after visiting the Tufankhali Crops protection dam at Boram Haor in Derai Upazila under Sunamganj district, said a PID a handout.
The state minister said the project for building permanent dams or river excavation in the Haor areas is expensive. It takes a lot of time to implement these projects as well.
He said though there has been a global downturn for the last three years, the Prime Minister is approving the projects even amid the global recession. “The (development) works in Haor don’t remain halted. It continues,” he added.
“The project of dredging 19 rivers in Haor area will be taken up soon. Besides, another project involving Tk 600 crore is awaiting approval. If these are implemented, the problem regarding the dams (in the Haor regions) will be solved,” said Zaheed Farooque.
He, however, said it is not possible to take a sustainable project in a hasty manner to protect the Haor crops without feasibility survey as it needs to consider the biodiversity and ecology of this region.
Awami League MP Shamima Akter Khanam, Additional Secretary to the Water Resources Ministry Mallick Syed Mahbub and Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Didar-e Alam, among others, were present.
This year, the Water Development Board has constructed 745-km crop protection dams in 43 Haors (water bodies) at a cost of Tk 203 crore. More than 4 lakh farmers of the district have planted Boro seedlings on 2.23 lakh hectares of land this season.
HSBC recognised as 'Market Leader' in Bangladesh
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has been voted "Market Leader' in Bangladesh in the Euromoney Trade Finance Survey 2023.
The survey also announced HSBC's global leadership in trade finance and top regional positions across Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America and the Middle East.
Euromoney Trade Finance Survey findings are based on a poll conducted among the businesses engaged in international trade, asking them to rank the top providers of trade finance.
Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, said: "This Euromoney award is a testament to our customers' confidence in us and our ability to provide them with appropriate solutions. We aspire to continue to be the leading trade bank and meet the expectations of our customers for their evolving needs and connect them to a world of opportunities."
Gerard Haughey, country head of HSBC wholesale banking, said: "We are proud to be named market leader in trade finance. This achievement reflects our team's commitment to delivering exceptional services to our clients."
4th industrial revolution have profound impact on job opportunities: PM’s advisor
Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Advisor Dr Mashiur Rahman on Wednesday said the fourth industrial revolution is having a profound impact on traditional employment opportunities.
"This impact is extensive, as it can create opportunities while also presenting new challenges," he said while speaking at a seminar as the chief guest.
Dr Mashiur expected that the gig economy will create several positive outputs including creatinga significant number of new jobs.
The gig economy—also called sharing economy or access economy—is activity where people earn income providing on-demand work, services or goods. Often, it's through a digital platform like an app or website.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the seminar on “Gig Economy and Bangladesh: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward” at the BIISS auditorium.
BIISD Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin delivered the welcome remarks and Dr Zaidi Sattar, Chairman, Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) chaired the session.
Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin noted that the evolution of the gig economy is gaining popularity due to the nature of flexibility at work. In the gig economy, the concept of employment has become flexible withthe use of technology and the rise of remote work.
As the economy of the country struggles under the weight of an expanding population and high unemployment rates, the gig economy can play a crucial part in keeping the economy moving, he said.
With the appropriate mix of policies, digital infrastructure, and supporting services, the gig economy has the potential to become a growth engine for the country by producing jobs for many people.
Three presentations were made in the seminar.
Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director, BIISS, delivered a presentation on “Market Characteristics, Growth and Contributions of the Gig Economy”.
A presentation titled “Services Outsourcing, Challenges and Opportunities” was made by Mr Wahid Sharif, President, the Bangladesh Association of Contact Center and Outsourcing (BACCO).
Mike Kazi, founder and CEO, Apex DMIT Ltd presented on “Export of IT-Enabled Services, Skills, and Way Forward”.
There was an open discussion session during the seminar.
Senior officials from different ministries, ambassadors and high commissioners, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, think tanks, business personalities, students and teachers from different universities participated in the session.
4 Bangladeshis among those missing in Mediterranean Sea shipwreck, say families
Four Bangladeshi nationals, all hailing from Faridpur, have been missing since the deadly shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday, causing extreme anxiety and worry to their families.
The missing Bangladeshi nationals are -Al Amin Matubbar, 20, son of Mostafa Matubbar, Mahfuz Molla, 22, son of Sobahan Molla, Nazmul Molla 23, son of Esken Molla and Akramul Bepari, 27, son of Seken Bepari- all are resident of Nagarkanda upazila of the district, said their families.
All the youths left the country to go to Italy illegally spending Tk 8 to 10 lakh through brokers, they said.
Thirty people feared drowned after a boat from Libya capsized in bad weather on Sunday. A total 17 others were rescued in the shipwreck incident and brought ashore by the Italian authorities on Monday, reports Reuters.
Those rescued, who were originally from Bangladesh were taken to the Sicilian town of Pozzallo, Italian newswire ANSA reported.
Chameli Begum, 38, mother of missing Al-Amin Matubbar, said that her son left the country two months ago to go to Italy. He boarded a trawler from Libya on Thursday after travelling many countries.
Locals alleged Murad Fakir and four others- Farhad Fakir of Mashaujan village, Liton Sardar and Abul Hossain of Bilgobindapur village and Quader Matubbar of Basagari area, are involved in human trafficking .
Kazi Abul Kalam, Dangi Union Parishad chairman, said that Murad is a human trafficker who has sent at least 200 youths abroad illegally.
Miraj Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Nagarkanda Police Station, said that no complaint has been lodged yet regarding this matter.
Banks’ transaction time from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for Ramadan
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has set bank transaction hours from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and banking office time from 9:30 am to 4:0 pm during the holy month of Ramadan.
The central bank’s Off-site Supervision Department issued a circular in this regard on Wednesday.
The circular stated that all scheduled banks operating in the country will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm during the holy month of Ramadan. In between, there will be a break for Zohar prayer from 1:15 PM to 1:30 PM.
However, bank transactions can be continued during this break through internal coordination.
Banking transactions are normally conducted from 10 am to 4 pm. Bank office hours are from 10 am to 6 pm. The central bank changes the office and transaction schedule for the month of Ramadan.
The circular said that the schedule will revert to its original status after the holy month of Ramadan.
Bangladesh reports 9 more Covid-19 cases in 24 hrs
Bangladesh reported nine more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the new number, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,947, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,445 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity rate remained same to 0.55 percent as Monday against the tests of 1,650 samples.
The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.47 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.
University admission through single test from next year: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said on Wednesday that students will be enrolled in universities through creating a national merit list after holding one admission test from the next year.
She told this to reporters after inaugurating a ‘Science Fair’ of the National University at Daulatpur College in Kushtia on Wednesday.
Acknowledging some problems and limitations in the cluster system of the university admission test in 2022-2023 sessions, the minister said the problems will be addressed in future.
Cluster method admission test was introduced in 2021-22 academic year after bringing 32 public universities under it to enroll students on the basis of a merit list.
Replying to a question about ragging at the educational institutions, Dipu Moni said it as a social menace and coordinated effort is needed to prevent it.
She also sought cooperation from the media to address the social problem.
Local lawmaker Advocate AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah and NU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mashiur Rahman, among others, attended the event.
A total of 18 science colleges participated in the fair this year.
US keen to be number one investor in Bangladesh: Ambassador Haas
US Ambassador Peter Haas has said that his country wants to be the leading investor in Bangladesh.
"The United States intends to be number one investor in Bangladesh", he told reporters after visiting Meghnaghat 584 MW Combined cycle power project on Wednesday.
The Ambassador said that the US companies are excited by the market in Bangladesh.
Referring to his statement at the Bangladesh investment summit, he said the US companies are looking to invest in Bangladesh as the country has the eight largest population in the world.
"It's a fast growing economy and the government is trying to improve the governing environment. I'm optimistic the US will remain the number one investor in Bangladesh".
Mentioning the power plant as an efficient one in terms of environment, he urged the government to provide gas supply to the Meghnaghat power plant as it will generate electricity consuming half of the gas required for similar capacity of the power plant.
"This power plant will serve 700,000 homes using half of the gas compared to other power plants".
He said Bangladesh now navigates the global current crisis in terms of energy supply, energy cost and the difficulty of monetary supply
"There is no better metaphor that the US Companies and our people are with Bangladesh through rain or shine", he said while it was raining during his speech.
Joseph Giblin, Chief of the Economic Unit in U.S. Embassy, Dhaka, Chowdhury Nafeez Sararat, Managing Director, Mohd. Noor Ali, Chairman, Mohammad Jahir Uddin Mollah, Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Deepesh Nanda, CEO of GE Gas Power, South Asia among others, accompanied him during the visit.
Unique Meghnaghat Power Limited (UMPL), a consortium of Strategic Finance Limited, Unique Hotel & Resorts Limited and General Electric (GE) of USA, has been implementing the 584 MW Gas-based combined cycle power plant as independent power producer (IPP) at Meghnaghat in Narayanganj under a contract with the government.
State-owned Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase electricity from the plant over a period of 22 years.
Project officials said that about 92 percent of the total project construction works have been completed and the plant will come into commercial operation in October 2023.
Mohd. Noor Ali, Chairman of UMPL said that it is a symbol of the capabilities of the private sector of Bangladesh. This is a highly efficient power plant and it will surely take top position in the demand order or merit order from the off-taker (BPDB).
UMPL Managing Director Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat said that the contribution of US companies, including GE, in providing the latest technology gas turbines to Bangladesh's much-needed power infrastructure.
He also said that UMPL, a collaboration of international investors, including GE and Nebras, alongside lead investors from Bangladesh, has secured international debt financing from SERV, AIIB, DEG, and OPEC Fund. This financing will make it a world-class infrastructure project, providing cleaner, reliable, and affordable electricity to the people of Bangladesh.
Mentioning the project as a less carbon emitter he said the project will be a big contributor to the commitment of Bangladesh to achieve nationally determined contributions as per Paris Agreement.
In this plant, GE’s latest 9HA.01 Gas Turbine has been used which will operate at more than 62% efficiency whereas the traditional gas turbine efficiency is around 30-40 percent, he added.
Deepesh Nanda, CEO of GE Gas Power, South Asia said “GE Gas Power is committed to bring affordable, reliable and sustainable power generation technology to Bangladesh and has been contributing to transform the power sector in the country by offering advanced powering technology and power services solutions.