Bangladesh
SME Foundation to hold fair in 6 divisions to promote local products
The SME Foundation is organizing SME products fair in divisional headquarters to promote the product of small and medium enterprises in the country.
Dr. Md. Mafijur Rahman, Managing Director of SME Foundation told UNB that the foundation organizes ‘Regional SME Products Fair’ every year.
Apart from that, a decision was taken to organize 'Divisional SME Products Fair' in six divisions under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioners, he said.
The first SME products fair will be inaugurated on Thursday at Rangpur Town Hall Premises and it will continue till March 30.
READ: SME Foundation disburses Tk300 crore stimulus loans to 3,106 entrepreneurs
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan will present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the fair.
Dr. Md. Mafijur Rahman, MD of SME foundation, Mirza Nurul Gani Shovon, Director of SME Foundation Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur will be present on the occasion.
Besides, the fair will be held at Khulna Circuit House from March 27 to April 2, Sylhet Alia Madrasa Field from March 28 to April 3 and Mymensingh Town Hall from April 7 to April 13.
Divisional SME product fair in Barisal and Rajshahi may be held in May or June, said the SME Foundation.
In each fair, 50/55 small and medium entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to display and sell products.
Apologise to people for ‘misdeeds’: BNP to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday warned that the government will not get any escape route if it does not quit power immediately apologising to people for misdeeds.
"The general secretary of Awami League has said we’ve to join the polls with regret. I want to tell him to offer apology to people for your misdeeds like killing and torturing people, unfairly arresting Khaleda Zia, filing false cases against 35 lakh political activists and making more than 600 people disappeared," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also called upon the government to apologise for the sin they have committed by snatching people's voting and other rights. "Quit power and hand over power to a neutral government for holding credible elections under a neutral Election Commission...or else, you won't find a way to escape.”
Peshajibi Shomonnoy Committee arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club on the role of professionals in the country's Liberation War.
READ: BNP's two-day book fair, exhibition on Liberation War begins
Fakhrul urged all political parties, all political forces and individuals who believe in democracy to get united to end misrule and restore democracy and people's voting and other rights by establishing a pro-people government.
The BNP secretary general alleged that people are going through serious ordeals as the ruling party business syndicate unusually hiked the prices of all commodities. "When people are lining up behind the trucks selling daily essentials like rice, pulses and oil at subsidised prices, the government is conspiring to push up the prices of all commodities further by increasing the gas tariff."
He said there is no alternative to wage a mass movement against the government to get rid of the current situation of the country.
Myanmar continues to turn a blind eye to Rohingya’s rights: OIC
A resolution titled “Situation of the Rohingya Muslim Community in Myanmar” has been adopted unanimously to keep the momentum in exerting continuous pressure on Myanmar authorities to create an environment for willful, safe, sustainable and dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland.
The resolution was adopted during the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Islamabad, Pakistan from March 22-23.
The situation of the Rohingya has not improved despite the efforts and calls of the OIC and the international community, Secretary-General of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha noted, pointing out that Myanmar continues to turn a blind eye to the horrific violations against the Rohingya’s rights and did not fulfilled its international obligations.
He pointed out that this case sends a strong message to the international community about the Organization’s collective and coordinated work to support the Rohingya people, as well as its firm commitment to global ideals and principles of justice and accountability for human rights violations, according to the OIC statement.
READ: Sustainable solution of Rohingya issues lies on repatriation: FS
The OIC chief also stressed that the Rohingya case is one of the top priorities on the OIC’s agenda, one that the Organization has been following for over two decades.
Illegal gas connections still in system despite repeated moves: Titas MD
Titas Gas officials have admitted on Wednesday that despite their repeated efforts illegal connections of gas are still in the system as it is not physically possible to keep surveillance on its huge network in and outside Dhaka city.
“It’s really tough to guard the gas lines. On one side we disconnect the illegal lines, on the other side the thieves restore illegal connections and steal the gas. It’s like a cat and mouse game,” Titas Gas MD Harunur Rashid Mollah told the public hearing on gas price hike proposals on Wednesday in the city.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is holding the hearing at the city’s BIAM Auditorium to listen to the stakeholders’ arguments on the proposals.
At the hearing, Harunur sought the consumers’ cooperation to stop illegal connections and stealing of gas through such lines.
BERC Chairman Abdul Jalil, members Maqbul-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bazlur Rahman, Mohammad Abu Farooq were present on the occasion.
Most of the Titas employees and officials are honest while 10 percent might be dishonest, claims Harunur.
READ: Titas Gas asked to act against officials who failed to increase customer services
The Titas Gas top boss said 23,000 illegal connections were disconnected in December last, 18,000 in January, 33,000 in February and 25,000 in March.
At the public hearing, Titas Gas proposed a 117 percent increase in household prices while the technical evaluation committee of the watchdog body recommended a 10.76 percent rise in the gas price.
The evaluation committee has also recommended increasing the price of gas for two burner ovens to Tk 1,080 from Tk 975 while Tk 990 for single burner oven from the existing price of Tk 925.
It also made identical recommendations for Titas Gas like other companies that gas price for per cubic meter might be raised to Tk5.34 from the existing Tk 4.44 for power sector, Tk 15.50 from Tk 13.85 for captive power, Tk 5.34 from Tk4.44 for fertiliser factories, Tk12.65 from 10.70 for tea industries, Tk27.60 from Tk23 for commercial consumers, Tk 49.50 from Tk43 while Tk 18 from 12.60 for metered gas oven at household consumers.
IGP urges police members to stay away from crime
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Wednesday warned that if any police member is found involved in crime, that person would be expelled from the police force.
The IGP was addressing a special welfare meeting with officers and forces of different ranks of all police units of Khulna Range at Jeshore Police Lines on Wednesday.
Chaired by Khulna Range DIG Khandker Mohit Uddin, Jeshore District Superintendent of Police (SP) Pralay Kumar Joardar gave a welcome address in the program.
Benazir said, "We will not commit crimes ourselves, we will not allow any senior or junior colleague to commit crimes either.".
The IGP urged the police personnel not to treat people inhumanely and unprofessionally.
Bangladesh will become a developed country through the implementation of Prime Minister's 'Vision-2041'. Bangladesh Police is also being developed as a modern police suitable for developed countries, he said.
READ: Police aviation wing will boost the agency’s capability: IGP
Referring to various steps taken to modernize the police, the IGP said that the state-of-the-art tactical belts, body worn cameras, etc. have already been added to the police. Everything that needs to be done in the future for the modernization of the police will be done for the welfare of the country and the people and to provide better services to the people.
He said that the police had gained the trust, love and trust of the people through firing the first bullet in the war of liberation. Once again, the police have been able to gain the trust of the people during Covid-19 epidemic. It is a very difficult challenge to keep the trust and confidence of the people up, he said.
The police chief formally inaugurated Jeshore Police Hospital, Inspectors' Quarters, Chougachha, Jeshore and Police Officers Mess.
He also laid the foundation stone of Jeshore District Police Multipurpose Building.
All parties need to join political process to make democracy work: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said all political parties need to come to a political process to make democracy participatory.
“Other than this (elections), no alternative is known to me,” he said while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was arranged ahead of the 5th BIMSTEC Summit.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams and Additional Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC) Md. Shamsul Haque were present.
Momen said Bangladesh is big promoter of democracy and anybody can cast his or her vote freely in polls and claimed that vote rigging has come down significantly with the introduction of voters’ ID with photographs.
Momen, an MP from Sylhet, said democracy has been functioning smoothly in Bangladesh for the last 13 years.
"Now, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we have democratic environment. We have voter ID with photos. Our people are mentally very democratic. They want to participate and around 70-80 percent of people vote in our elections,” Momen said.
He said they believe in fairness and justice and don’t believe in any kind of discrimination “We are free of discrimination.”
Terming Bangladesh’s relations with the US very cordial, Momen said there is potential to deepen relations with the US much more in the coming days. “The relations will deepen because we have shared values of democracy.”
He said during the visit of US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland on March 20, Bangladesh demanded withdrawal of the sanctions on elite force Rab and individuals and shared the remedial measures that Bangladesh has taken to improve their performance.
READ: FM not going to Pakistan; FS to represent Bangladesh in OIC CFM
"There were no deaths in the last three months. They (the US) are very happy. We said we are taking remedial measures. In fact, we have inbuilt measures. We have a judicial process. Sometimes it did not work right,” Momen said.
Momen is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on April 4 marking the 50 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Advanced computing lab to be set up at Buet: Palak
An advanced computing laboratory will be set up at Buet o grow interest among students about robotics, cyber security, microprocessor designing and artificial intelligence, said State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Wednesday.
Through this it will be possible to create more technology experts in the country, create human resources in the IT sector, meet the demand and tackle the Fourth Industrial Revolution, said Palak at the inaugural function of ICT Academy in collaboration with Huawei and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
Besides, specialized VLSI Labs and Unibators will also be established, he said.
READ: B’desh gets $750 mln foreign investment in startup in a decade: Palak
The state minister said ICT academy will be set up in five universities including Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet), Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (Ruet) after Buet.
Palak said 13,000 Sheikh Russell Digital Labs have already been set up in various educational institutions to make present and future generations skilled in technology and give them ideas about disruptive technology.
“Additional 10,000 Sheikh Russell Digital Labs will be set up across the country through Digital Connection Project, ” said Palak.
Work is underway to set up 39 high-tech parks, Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centers in 64 districts and Joy Digital Service Centers in 494 upazilas across the country, said the state minister.
Startup Bangladesh Company Ltd has been established to build a startup ecosystem in the country. Broadband internet connectivity has been extended to 3800 unions through ‘Info Sarker’ project.
He also said 300 Schools of the Future, Sheikh Hasina Institute of Frontier Technology are being established in the country.
“We are working with the aim of ensuring 100% internet and 100% online government services by 2025,” said Palak.
Nine envoys present credentials to President
Eight non-resident ambassadors and a high-commissioner presented their credentials to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Wednesday.
Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Ambassador of Romania to Bangladesh, India and Nepal Daniela Sezonov Tane, Estonian ambassador Katrin Kivi, Irish ambassador Brendan Ward, Rwanda ambassador MUKANGIRA Jacqueline, ambassador of Mauritania Mohammed Ahmed Salem Mohamed Rara, Argentine ambassador Hugo Kavier GOBBI, Kazak ambassador Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, ambassador of Dominican Republic David Emmanuel Puig Buchel and high commissioner of Nigeria Ahmed Sule presented their credentials.
Welcoming the new ambassadors, President Hamid hoped that they would work for the development of their respective countries' relations with Bangladesh during their tenure.
READ: Japan's emperor greets president on 50th anniversary of independence
Mentioning the main motto of Bangladesh's foreign policy, 'Friendship to all, malice to none', the president said Bangladesh attaches importance to developing relations with all countries of the world.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin were present on the occasion.
Earlier, a smartly turned out contingent of the Presidential Guard Regiment presented the Guard of Honor to the new envoys.
5 rental power plants with 457 MW get 2-year extension
Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase (CCPP) on Wednesday approved 5 proposals for extension of 5 rental power plants, having a capacity of 457 MW, for next two years.
As per the proposals, the government will pay a total of Tk 5,205.9 crore to purchase electricity from the plants during the contract period.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, however, said these plants were given approval on a “No electricity, No payment” basis.
The proposal was approved while the country has a huge surplus capacity in the electricity generation.
As per the BPDB statistics, the current total installation capacity now stands at 25,514 MW while the supply is about 13,000 MW.
Of the approved plants, three belong to Summit Group, one belongs to Dutch-Bangla Group and one to Orion Group.
READ: Cabinet body okays extension of deals with 4 rental power plants
As per the approval the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will pay Tk 459.98 crore to Summit Group for purchase of electricity from its 40 MW furnace oil–based plant of the Khulna Power Plant, Tk 1295.42 crore to its Khulna Power Company Unit-II Ltd’s 115 MW Goalpara plant, Tk 1157.52 crore to Summit Group’s Summit Narayanganj Power Limited’s 102 MW Madanganj plant.
The BPDB will pay Tk 1146.51 crore to Dutch Bangla Power & Associates Ltd’s 100 MW furnace oil-based Shiddhirgaj plant, Tk 1146.51 crore to Orion Power Meghnaghat Ltd’s Meghnaghat 100 MW plant as per the approval.
Additional secretary of the Cabinet Division, Zillur Rahman Chowdhury while briefing reporters on the issue, said the government is purchasing electricity from the plants at Tk 16.40 per unit (each kilowatt hour) while under the new contract, it will purchase each unit of electricity at a reduced rate of Tk 17.529.
The committee approved two more proposals of the Power Division under which the BPDB will purchase service at Tk 92.42 crore from General Electric Global Services GmbH, Switzerland for installation of Gas turbine, gas turbine generator at 4th repowered combined cycle unit at Ghorasal Power Station.
Similarly, the BPDB will purchase service and scheduled maintenance at Tk 419.99 crore from Marubeni Power & Infrastructure Systems Corporation, Japan for installation of turbine, gas turbine generators at the 400 MW Bibiyana-III power plant.
The Cabinet Committee approved a proposal of the Petrobangla to import 33.60 lakh units (MMBtu) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Vitol Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore at a total cost of Tk 1241.48 crore while each unit will cost US$36.70.
A proposal of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation received the approval of the committee to import 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company (Kafco), while the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry’s proposal received the nod for purchasing of civil works of Community Workfare and Services Support under the emerging multi-sector Rohingya Crisis Response project.
BIMSTEC Summit: Six documents including its Charter to be adopted, signed
Six documents including BIMSTEC Charter are likely to be adopted and signed at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 30, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday.
Five other documents are BIMSTEC convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; memorandum of association on the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) in Colombo; memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual cooperation between diplomatic academies/training institutions of BIMSTEC Member States; rationalization and reorganization of sectors and sub-sectors of BIMSTEC and BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other heads of government will join the Summit virtually while ministers-level and foreign secretaries-level delegations will join in person, Momen said while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams and Additional Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC) Md. Shamsul Haque were present.
READ: PM to attend BIMSTEC Summit virtually: FM
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will formally inaugurate the Summit. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) consists of seven member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The theme of the 5th BIMSTEC Summit is “BIMSTEC-Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies and Healthy Peoples.”
Asked whether Rohingya issue will be discussed in the BIMSTEC Summit, the foreign minister said Bangladesh raises the issue in all the forums.
Responding to a question, he said Bangladesh is now a hub of connectivity as it believes that connectivity is productivity. “That’s why we’ve given lot of emphasis on connectivity.”
Momen highlighted the importance of connectivity with the countries like India, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
State Minister Shahriar said the rail connectivity through Cox's Bazar-Ghumdhum is also part of BIMSTEC connectivity initiative.
He also mentioned about maritime connectivity between Chattogram port of Bangladesh and Ranong port of Thailand.
Foreign Minister Momen said a “Summit Declaration” will be issued after the BIMSTEC Summit and Sri Lanka will hand over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC to Thailand.
Before the key Summit, FM-level meeting will be held on March 29 while FS-level meeting on March 28. Bangladesh will join the meetings in person.
The 5th BIMSTEC Summit will be an opportunity to review and reflect what had worked and what did not, said the state minister.
“It will be an opportunity to refresh and renew their commitment to strengthen the BIMSTEC Process in all respects,” he said.