Bangladesh
Tobacco Control Act: BSOA wants quick approval of proposed amendment
The Bangladesh Supermarket Owners' Association (BSOA) have demanded quick approval of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act.
Recently the health ministry has prepared a draft for further revision of the Tobacco Control Act 2005.
The BSOA leaders were speaking at a joint discussion with Dhaka Ahsania Mission Sunday in Dhaka, according to a media statement.
BSOA Chief Advisor and Founder President Niaz Rahim said the government has set a target to make the country tobacco-free by 2040.
Read: HC reconstitutes Destiny board of directors
"We hope the amended law will be passed soon and the government's vision will be implemented."
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor Md Mostafizur Rahman said the current Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act 2005 completely prohibits the advertising and promotion of tobacco products.
However, the existing law does not specifically prohibit the display of tobacco products at the point of sales, he added. "Tobacco companies are mainly advertising and promoting tobacco products through the exhibition of their products at the sales centres."
So, the health ministry recently formulated a draft for further revision of the Tobacco Control Act, Mostafizur said.
Let’s see what she achieves this time, Fakhrul about PM’s India tour
Stating that the outcomes of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s previous India tours were disappointing for the nation, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they want to see what she achieves this time during her four-day visit.
Speaking at a discussion, he said, "My journalist brothers sent me a note to talk about the Prime Minister's visit to India. I don't want to talk about this as our previous experience was very bitter and disappointing,” he said.
During the PM’s every trip to India, Fakhrul said, people always hoped that the prime minister would achieve something for the country. “Every time we saw with great disappointment that she only gave (India many things) but did not bring anything (for the country from there).”
He said BNP will give reaction to the PM’s visit by seeing the outcomes. “Let her (Prime Minister) visit first and return home. Let's see what she achieves and then I will comment on it.”
M Saifur Rahman Smriti Parshad organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the 13th death anniversary of former finance minister and BNP standing committee member M Saifur Rahman.
Earlier in the morning, Hasina went to New Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
During her visit, the PM is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday.
Read: BNP demands probe into illegal use of Chinese Rifle by N’ganj police
Fakhrul recalled Saifur Rahman’s outstanding contributions to the country’s economy and development and said Bangladesh has lost a very competent and successful finance minister through his demise.
Mentioning that the nation is going to through a very difficult time, he said had Saifur been alive at this time, he would have undoubtedly helped the country overcome the crisis with his political wisdom. ”He also would have been able to reveal the true face of this regime which has created a hype of false development revolution.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman had not hesitated to do what was necessary for ensuring the sustainable development of the country and strengthening the economy.
He said Saifur had taken various effective steps like the introduction of VAT to build a stable economy of the country.
The BNP leader said the Awami League government has been getting benefits from the economic reforms carried out by Saifur and thus it is indulging in widespread plundering. “The way this regime is looting public money using the steps taken by him, he (Saifur) would have fought against it if he were alive.”
On September 5, 2009, Saifur died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
PM Hasina greets new UK Tory leader Lizz Truss
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday congratulated the newly elected Conservative Party leader, Elizabeth Truss, who is set to be the prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Hasina, now on a four-day visit in India, said: ‘Your appointment is a testimony to the trust and confidence of the British people in your leadership to take your country to newer heights of progress and prosperity.’
She reiterated that Bangladesh and the UK enjoy historic relations deeply rooted in “our shared values of democracy, secularism, and tolerance.”
She expressed great satisfaction that the robust cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development between Dhaka and London will further grow over time.
Also read: Liz Truss new leader of Conservative Party, set to be UK PM
"On top of everything, the more vibrant Bangladesh-British Diaspora in the UK serves as the common treasure for developing the two countries,” Hasina said in her message.
She said that 2022 is the most significant year as Bangladesh and the UK, two Commonwealth nations celebrate 50 years of their friendship.
Hasina said she looks forward to working closely with Elizabeth Truss to further strengthen long-standing political, economic and strategic partnerships.
Also read: Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss to be named as UK's new prime minister
Educational institutions are free to decide on student politics: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Monday said the educational institutions will decide whether to allow or not student politics on the campus.
“The outcome of banning student politics in educational institutions is not usually good. This should also be considered,” she said.
The minister was talking to reporters after attending a meeting on law and order situation during SSC and equivalent exams in the capital.
Being involved in politics is a matter of an individual’s fundamental rights, said Dipu.
Also read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped”
“It is between a political party and an educational institute, what rule they made and what understanding they have regarding student politics. The education ministry does not decide nor intervene in these matters,” said the minister.
“People have different opinions regarding allowing student politics in educational institutions but there is no alternative to political consciousness if we hope for a democratic society” Dipu added.
Politics is a healthy and positive thing and this positivity has to be maintained during party politics in educational institutions, she said.
On August 13, former students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) arranged a rally in its premises ahead of National Mourning Day under the banner of Bangladesh Chhatra league (BCL).
Also read: SSC exams this year will start from 11am, duration 2 hours: Dipu Moni
This raised a storm of debate as political activities in BUET campus has officially remained banned since the murder of student Abrar Fahad in 2019, by some then-leaders of BCl at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university.
Dengue death toll rises to 26 as three more die
Three more Dengue patients died in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 26.
During this period, 208 more people were hospitalised with the viral fever as cases have continued to increase in Bangladesh, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Dengue death toll rises to 23 as another dies; 245 new patients hospitalised
The latest deaths were reported from Dhaka, Cox's Bazar and Barishal divisions. With the new numbers, the dengue death toll from Cox’s Bazar stood at 14 while it raised to 11 in Dhaka.
Of the new patients, 157 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 51 outside it, DGHS said.
A total of 806 dengue patients, including 674 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease.
This year, the directorate has recorded 7,113 dengue cases and 6,281 recoveries so far.
Fear of fresh flooding grips Sylhet as rivers swell again
Rivers in the northeastern district of Sylhet swelled following three days of heavy rains in the region and upstream in India, raising fear of another round of flooding this year.
Incessant rains since early Saturday sent many parts Sylhet city to go under knee-deep water. Vast areas of the city have been hit by acute waterlogging. Water has also entered households and shops, causing immense sufferings to people living in low-lying areas.
Locals complained that waterlogging happened due to poor drainage system in the city.
“A downpour for a couple of hours inundates most of the city areas due to incomplete drainage works. Besides, rainwater can’t pass as local influential people have filled up almost all the water bodies,” said Kawsar Mia, a city resident.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC), water level is rising fast in rivers flowing through Sylhet and Sunamganj. A temporary flooding is likely to affect these two districts within this week. However, the losses will be minimal as no crop is currently being cultivated in the division’s Haor areas.
Read: Sylhet flood situation improves as rivers recede
“The current bout of rain will continue till September 6, while another round may drench Sylhet division next week,” said Saeed Ahmad Chowdhury, a senior meteorologist at Sylhet Meteorological Center.
Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, an executive engineer of FFWC, said that another round of flooding is on the horizon.
“Heavy rain is ongoing upstream. As a result, floodwater will continue inundating the Teesta basin and Sylhet division for most of this week. But the increased level of water won’t last long,” Arif said.
According to forecast by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), seasonal air will cause rain in Sylhet division for the next few days. Besides, a forecast from Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) has said that water level in almost all the rivers of the country will rise due to excessive rain in the upstream.
In June, a record-level flooding inundated almost 80 percent area of Sylhet division. The deluge that ravaged the region from June to August claimed more than 80 lives and forced many to flee their flooded homes and take shelter on highways and buildings in whatever little dry places were left.
Three more marine academies to be established: Khalid
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has said that three more marine academies will be established alongside the existing five to create skilled marine cadets.
Khalid said this at a meeting of the marine academies held at the meeting room of the Shipping Ministry in the capital on Monday.
“There are currently a total of five marine academies in the country in Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Pabna and Chattogram. Among them, the marine academy in Chattogram is an old one while the rest are newly built. We’ll establish three more marine academies as per the instruction of the Prime Minister,” said Khalid.
The State Minister added that there are some challenges with the new marine academies that need to be overcome.
“Mariners earn a large amount of foreign currencies working in foreign ships. That’s why we’ve decided to set up new marine academies which will create skilled marine cadets who will in turn help the development process of Bangladesh by supplying much-needed foreign currencies,” added Khalid.
Read: Each division to get one marine academy: Hasina
A total of 359 marine cadets from the 54th batch of Bangladesh Marine Academy have got jobs in various local and foreign ships after graduating in February. Among them, many female cadets have secured jobs in American, Australian and Singaporean ships.
The State Minister also said the four newly established marine academies have received affiliations from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University.
At the meeting, discussions were held on recruiting manpower, formulating a budget, buying simulators and acquiring land for the newly established marine academies.
Md Mostafa Kamal, Secretary of the Shipping Ministry, and other senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh sees 333 more Covid cases, zero death
Bangladesh reported zero Covid-linked death and 333 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,328 while the caseload rose to 2,013,094, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 6. 68 per cent from Sunday's 4.93 per cent as 4,999 samples were tested.
Also read: Bangladesh sees one more Covid death, 230 cases
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent and the recovery stood at 97.24 percent.
In August, the country reported 32 Covid-linked deaths and 6,689 cases.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 610 million
Purchasing surplus fuel from India will be discussed tomorrow: Foreign Secretary
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said that purchasing surplus fuel from India will be discussed tomorrow (September 6, 2022).
He also hoped that pre-signing procedures of seven MoUs will be completed by tonight and will be handed over during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi tomorrow.
He was speaking to reporters after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The foreign secretary said water sharing issues, including of Teesta and Ganges rivers, may come up during tomorrow’s meeting.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said Bangladesh and India are likely to sign seven bilateral documents on water management, railway, science and technology, and information and broadcasting during Hasina's India visit.
Jaishankar, earlier today, met PM Hasina at her place of residence (ITC Maurya).
“The warmth and frequency of our leadership level contacts is a testimony to our close neighborly partnership,” he tweeted after the meeting.
The foreign secretary said Dhaka wants more predictability on “strategic commodities” that Bangladesh needs.
He said the issue will be discussed tomorrow so that India informs Bangladesh before taking any decision (regarding export of essentials).
Also read: PM Hasina gets red carpet welcome in New Delhi
The foreign secretary said Jaishankar and PM Hasina discussed the Russia-Ukraine war that has created tremendous pressure on the world economy.
They discussed the enhancement of collaboration further to face the crisis jointly, he added.
Talking about purchasing Russian fuel, he said it is not true that Bangladesh cannot purchase oil from Russia but they are assessing the technical specifications to that end.
The foreign secretary said they are also looking into the medium for such transaction.
“We can get India’s surplus fuel, under favorable terms. We will, of course, consider that,” Masud Bin Momen said.
He said both Bangladesh and India placed their proposals to enhance the connectivity between the two countries.
Bangladesh said priority should be given to those projects that will ensure interests of Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Nepal.
Talking about the grid connectivity, the foreign secretary said that there are issues of bringing electricity from Nepal and Bhutan while there is also the issue of taking electricity from one part of India to another.
Both the Prime Minister and the Indian External Affairs Minister expressed their hopes on this issue, he said.
Myanmar and Rohingya issues also came up for discussion as the Prime Minister talked about it.
She said there are some incidents in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and there is apprehension that these incidents might impact the return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
Also read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped”
Jaishankar said that they are also witnessing some turmoil there and that is not good for anyone.PM Hasina’s visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries, said India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
A red carpet was rolled out as the Bangladesh premier arrived in Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
On arrival at Palam Airport at 11:40am local time (BD time 12:10pm) the PM was received by State Minister for Railways and Textiles of India Darshana Vikram Jardosh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran.
A group of women, clad in colourful saris, danced and played music to greet the Bangladesh leader at the airport.
From the airport, Sheikh Hasina’s motorcade reached ITC Maurya, where she will be staying during the visit. The streets along the route were decked with national flags of Bangladesh and India. Portraits of Hasina and Modi were also installed along the way.
The visit is seen as significant amid the Ukraine crisis, global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the two South Asian neighbours seek enhanced cooperation to overcome the challenges.
Foreign exchange rate stable after Bangladesh Bank tightens spending
Bangladesh Bank’s move to reduce its foreign currency spending has resulted in a measure of stability returning to the market, following a period of freefall in taka’s exchange rate over the last four months.
The central bank recently introduced a series of regulatory measures to rein in the indiscipline taking hold in the currency market, that long operated as a sort of ‘Wild Wild West’ in the state’s regulatory apparatus – largely unbound.
The volatile forex market has regained a sense of stability following implementation of the measures, that were both punitive and policy-based in nature.
The value of the US dollar, against which taka is pegged, stood at Tk 95 (the interbank rate) and between Tk 98-100 in the kerb market, where at one point it had reached a dizzying Tk 120 per US dollar over the summer.
The new regulatory measures have mostly been implemented under Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, who only took over after joining as Bangladesh Bank Governor on July 12, 2022, has taken measures to bring the activities of banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) under strict monitoring.
He formed several teams led by deputy governors for inspection and monitoring of banks and NBFI activities.
Read: Individuals can’t hold foreign currencies more than $10,000: BB
Despite the central bank guidelines and instructions, several banks have been defying the rules of foreign trade, be it during LC opening, dollar trading, and even spending of forex through credit cards.
Against this backdrop, Bangladesh Bank asked 27 banks to explain unusual instances of forex spending.
The central bank found such excessive spending under 71 credit cards issued by the banks. The size of the transactions each range from USD $12,500 to $20,000.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and Executive Director Sirajul Islam told UNB that the banks have been asked to explain the irregularities.
He said that there is a $12,500 spending limit on each card. But a review by Bangladesh Bank revealed that many banks have allowed far greater sums to be transacted above this limit.
According to the Foreign Exchange Control Act, a person can spend a maximum of $12,000 worth of foreign exchange per year. If anyone wants to spend more, in sectors including medical treatment and education, he/she must secure the central bank’s approval in advance.
Earlier, credit facility for the import of some products was taken away, the margin rate has been increased.
In one of the most talked-about moves that caused quite a stir in the country’s financial sector, the Treasury chiefs of six private sector banks - 5 domestic, and the multinational Standard Chartered Bank - have been removed from duties for making unusual profits from selling dollars. Show-cause notices were served to the managing directors of these banks.
Later, Bangladesh Bank fixed a ceiling of Taka 1 profit per dollar to bring stability in the foreign currency market.
In further such measures, on August 31, the central bank issued a notification that individuals cannot hold on to $10,000 for more than a month. Whoever happens to be in possession now of an amount exceeding the limit has been asked to sell the balance by September 30 – otherwise, they risk facing legal action.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the private think tank CPD, told UNB that the central bank has taken the right measures by curbing dollar spending.
He said that it is possible to save around one-third of forex reserves by tightening unusual spending on imports and other sectors.