Bangladesh
50 Years of Ties: Bangladesh, Japanese PMs pledge to strengthen ties
Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Japan have committed to "strengthen bonds of amity and cooperation" as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries falls on February 10.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have issued separate goodwill video messages on the occasion of the 50the anniversary of bilateral relations.
Both the Prime Ministers congratulated the people of the two friendly countries on this momentous occasion.
READ: Japanese economic zone to go into production in 2023: Envoy
Japan officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent state on February 10, 1972.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, expressed the gratitude of the people of Bangladesh for the precious support and contributions of Japan and its people during Bangladesh’s War of Liberation.
She highlighted the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973, which laid the foundation of a steadfast and lasting friendship between the two countries.
She also expressed her contentment to carry forward Bangabandhu’s legacy and visit Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and in 2019 to further strengthen the two countries’ relations.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned the solid foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries, poised to be raised from “Comprehensive Partnership” to “Strategic Partnership” in the near future.
She acknowledged the sustained economic cooperation and support of Japan and expressed the hope that last fifty years’ enviable cooperation would remain an inspiration for the coming fifty years for mutually beneficial gains.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in his message, reiterated Japan’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh.
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He referred the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 as the solid base in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Highly appreciating the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to stand beside Bangladesh for the mutual benefits of the two peoples.
He assured Japan’s continued support to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
At a ceremony jointly organized on this occasion by the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh this afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen; Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki spoke at the celebration event.
Video messages of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Japanse Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were played.
Message of President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League Taro Aso was also read out.
As the chief guest of the ceremony, Dr Momen recalled with gratitude moral and material support provided to us by the Government and people of Japan to our War of Liberation.
He also paid deep respect to the “Friends of Bangladesh” from Japan, whom Bangladesh has awarded for their invaluable contributions to the independence of Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Momen highlighted the historical kinship between the two countries.
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to Japan in 1973 sealed the relationship between the two friendly countries for eternity.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is progressing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to achieve the dream of Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla, he stressed on the instrumental role of Japan as a key development partner in this endeavour.
Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki highlighted the robust multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
He assured Japan’s continued cooperation for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh as well as repatriation of Rohingya people.
Colorful dance performances at the courtesy of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy were also presented at the ceremony.
Chairmen of BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA and high-level representatives from Japanese business community in Bangladesh, among others, attended the event.
US donates 6mn more Pfizer vaccine doses to Bangladesh
The United States has donated additional six million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh via COVAX.
These are the latest donations of Pfizer vaccines from the American people and bring the total U.S. government vaccine contribution to more than 45 million (4.5 crore) free doses, with millions more scheduled to arrive over the coming months.
“With this latest wave of donations, the United States continues to work closely with Bangladesh to vaccinate as many people as possible and accelerate efforts to provide people in hard-to-reach areas of the country with life-saving vaccines,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Helen LaFave on Tuesday.
In addition to vaccine donations, the United States continues to work closely with Bangladesh to support the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign and strengthen the response to the pandemic.
The United States has provided training to over 7,000 healthcare providers on the proper management and administration of vaccines, along with support for cold-chain storage and transportation.
READ: US donates another 10mn doses of Pfizer to Bangladesh
To date, the United States has contributed over $121 million in COVID-related development and humanitarian assistance through USAID, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The United States has donated $4 billion to support the worldwide COVAX effort, which includes support for ultra-cold chain storage, transportation, and safe handling of COVID-19 vaccines, making the United States the world’s largest donor for equitable global COVID-19 vaccine access.
Even government entities press NBR for tax exemption: NBR Chairman
Chairman of National Revenue Board (NBR) Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem on Tuesday said lack of self-motivation to pay tax exists in the country and even government entities are seeking tax exemption.
He urged the government entities to start a culture of paying tax from self-responsibility to the state instead of creating pressure for tax exemption.
The NBR chairman was addressing a pre-budget discussion with the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) members.
Placing a budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year 2022-23, the ERF has urged the NBR for a comprehensive survey and research to determine the actual number of taxable citizens in the country.
Such a study will be justified to increase revenue income along with identifying the actual number of taxable people and encourage them to pay income tax, said ERF in their budget proposal for the upcoming FY 2022-23.
ERF president Sharmeen Rinvi and General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam presented the proposal to NBR Chairman.
Sharmin said experts believe that a large number of people have crossed the taxable income in the last ten years due to the growth of the country's economy, but they did not pay tax yet.
Though around 2.5 million have been paying tax regularly among the 7 million TIN holders, the actual taxable people crossed 20 million, which can be determined by a comprehensive survey, she said.
ERF said foreign nationals should be brought under the tax net adding that over 85,000 foreign nationals work in Bangladesh. But only 14/15 thousand of them submitted income tax to NBR.
According to a study by TIB, foreigners working in the country take away Tk 26,000 crore a year. The NBR needs to step up its efforts to bring foreign nationals under the tax net, ERF budget proposal said.
Rashidul urged NBR to install a user-friendly online system for encouraging people to pay income tax in a hassle free environment.
He emphasized completion of the warehouse automation project to bring order in the bonded warehouse management.
To prevent irregularities in the sector and create more export-friendly bond management, the entire process needs to be brought under automation by expeditious completion of the Bonded Warehouse Automation project, said ERF.
NBR members, senior tax officials and ERF members were also present at the event.
Some areas in Dhaka to see disruption in gas supply Wednesday
Gas supply will remain suspended for 16 hours from 8 am to 12 pm on Wednesday at different areas in the south-eastern part of the capital.
The areas are Manik Nagar, Dhalpur, Gopibagh, RK Mission Road, Abhaynagar Lane, KM Das Lane, Swamibagh, Hatkhola Road, Dayaganj, Tikatuli, Wari, Nawabpur, Balda Garden, Banagram, North Kamalapur, South Kamalapur, and Jasim Uddin Road, said Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company.
Read: Gas supply suspended in B’Baria as pipeline gets damaged
The distribution company said that the consumers in the adjoining areas may experience low pressure in their gas supply as well.
Titas Gas mentioned that the gas supply in these areas will remain suspended to carry out a tie-in works in the gas pipelines of areas to facilitate the rail tracks construction under the Padma Bridge project.
A teenaged boy’s head is shaved allegedly for stylist haircut in Jhalakathi
A man has allegedly shaved the head of a 12-year-old boy for what he said keeping stylist hair at Amirabad in Nalchiti upazila of Jhalakathi district.
The incident took place on Monday at Amirabad Bazar in the upazila.
Faruk Hawladar, father of the boy lodged a complaint with Nalchiti Police in this connection, said officer-in-charge of Nalchiti Police Station, Ataur Rahman.
According to the complaint, the boy went to a barbershop to cut hair. After seeing his haircut Haidar Hawladar, uncle of the local chairman forcefully shaved boy’s head as punishment.
READ: 5 students pay price for protest against stalking; get heads shaved
Enraged by the boy’s protest Haidar beat the boy before allowing him to go home.
Faruk demanded that the tormentor of his boy be punished.
He said Haider could have raised the matter with him instead of humiliating the boy.
Contacted, Haidar admitted that he had the boy’s head shaved as his haircut was objectionable and this could spoil other teenagers.
Chairman of Magra Union, Enamul Haque, said if the incident is found to be true the offender will be punished.
The officer-in-charge of the local police station said they got a complaint in this regard. Legal action will be taken if any evidence is found.
Indian Foreign Secretary calls on visiting Lankan FM
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called on the visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss ways on bolstering bilateral ties in several areas.
"Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla called on the visiting Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G. L. Peiris. Discussed strengthening of the relationship in multiple spheres including a people-centric development partnership," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted after the one-to-one meeting.
READ: 7 Indian soldiers found dead near China border
On Monday, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Peiris in the national capital. Officials said that the two Ministers discussed investment initiatives and tourism opportunities to boost Sri Lanka's economy, as well as steps needed to enhance the island nation's energy security.
Peiris's three-day visit to India comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's US dollars 500 million financial assistance to the island nation.
READ: Indian scientists claim to have designed vaccine against all variants of coronavirus
Separated by the Palk Strait, India and Sri Lanka occupy a strategic position in South Asia and have always sought to build a common security umbrella in the Indian Ocean. The two countries are also close on economic terms, with India being the island's largest trading partner though Sri Lanka is said to have moved closer to China in recent years.
4 hurt in Agargaon coffee machine blast
Four people sustained burn injuries when a coffee machine exploded at a restaurant in the city’s Agargaon area on Tuesday.
The injured were -Riaz Hossain, 25, Rubel, Hero and Alamgir.
Read: Worker dies in Ctg gas cylinder blast
Of them, Riaz was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital while the three others were given first aid at Suhrawardy Hospital.
The explosion occurred at the restaurant near IDB Bhaban around 1 pm, leaving four people injured.
All of them are workers of the restaurant.
People to vote AL to power again, hopes Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Bangladesh Awami League always believes in democracy and her party has the trust in the people of the country.
She expressed her firm optimism that people would again give their mandate in favour of Awami League in the next general election allowing it to continue to govern the country.
The Prime Minister said this in her introductory speech at a meeting of the members of Awami League Presidium at her official residence Ganobhaban.
READ: No one can ignore Bangladesh now: Hasina
She said Awami League has remarkably changed the country with its more than one decade’s of rule.
She also said the government has been able to keep the wheel of the country’s economy moving during the Covid-19 pandemic by providing various stimulus packages.
Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the relations between Bangladesh and Japan have steadily grown from strength to strength with accelerated pace in recent years since Bangabandhu's visit to Japan.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paid the historic visit to Japan in October 1973.
"As we cross the milestone of 50 years of friendship, I’m confident that together we can build a peaceful and prosperous future for all," Dr Momen said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing a function on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan that falls on February 10.
Read: Bangladesh-Japan partnership poised to soar high: PM
Dr Momen said since the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, the two countries have consolidated close cooperation to new heights through trade, investment, development cooperation, education and cultural exchange, and a broad spectrum of people-to-people contacts.
The Embassy of Japan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs cohosted the event at the Foreign Service Academy.
4th HPNSP getting costlier by Tk 30,449cr; Ecnec clears
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday okayed the first revision of the 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (4th HPNSP) raising its cost by Tk 30,448.62 crore and extending the project deadline by one year till June 2023.
Ecnec approved a total of 11 development projects with the overall estimate cost of Tk 37,507 crore (counting only additional costs of four revised projects).
Read: Ecnec approves Tk 1803-cr project to fight flood, riverbank erosion
The approval came from the virtual Ecnec meeting, which was presided over by Encec chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her official residence Ganobhaban. The other ministers and officials concerned were connected with the meeting from the NEC conference room.
“Today’s meeting approved 11 projects -- seven fresh and four revised ones— and the total estimated cost of Tk 37,507.22 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the cost, Tk 36,023.91 crore will be drawn from government funds, while Tk 33.33 crore from Dhaka South City Corporation’s fund and the rest Tk 1,449.98 crore will come from foreign sources as project loans, he said.
According to the Planning Commission, the cost of the 4th HPNSP has now increased to Tk 145,934.99 crore from Tk 115,486.36 crore from the original layout.
Among the new seven projects, the largest one is ‘Construction of Primary Infrastructures for Sheikh Hasina Institute of Frontier Technology Project’ involving Tk 1503.32 crore, which will be implemented in Shibchar in Madaripur.
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under ICT Division will execute the project by December 2026 in order to develop the country’s first frontier technology-based specialised institute.
The major project operations include acquisition and development of 70.34 acres of land, providing higher trainings on different essential matters including IOT, big data or data science, forensic or cyber security, machine learning, block chain and chip design, construction of 7,742-sq metre administrative Bhaban, 43,287-sq metre research development Bhaban and also Business Centre, and 9,760-sq metre dormitory and 8,800-sq metre football ground with gallery.
The six other fresh projects include ‘Infrastructural Development of Mongla Commander Flotilla West (Comflot West)’ with estimated cost of Tk 699.94 crore; ‘Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene (Integrated Solid and Human Waste Management) in 10 Priority Cities of Bangladesh’ with Tk 559.68 crore; and ‘Waste Removal and Management in Dhaka South City Corporation Affiliated Area, Collection of Modern Vehicles used for Road Repairs and Easing traffic congestion through installation of Mechanized Parking’ with Tk 333.32 crore.
Read: Turning Bangladesh into digital economy: Ecnec clears Tk 2,542 cr project
The remaining new projects are ‘Modernisation of Chattogram, Cumilla and Mymensingh (Trishal) Military Farms’ with the cost of Tk 263.83 crore; ‘Smart Agriculture Card and Digital Agriculture (Pilot)’ with Tk 107.92 crore; and ‘Construction of Hostels/Dormitories for Doctors, Officers, Senior Staff Nurses and Trainees working at Azimpur Maternal and Child Health Training Institute, Dhaka’ with Tk 64.34 crore.
Three other revised projects approved in the meeting are Upgradation of Ashuganj River Port-Sarail-Dharkhar-Akhaura Land Port Highway to four lanes National Highway (1st revised) with Tk 5,791.60 crore (which was Tk 3,567.85 crore in the original project); Important Rural Infrastructure Development of Gopalganj District (2nd revised) with Tk 1,827.80 crore (Tk 1,123 crore in 1st revision and Tk 614.84 crore in original one); and Upgrading of Dhaka Water Supply Network (1st revised) with Tk 3,780 crore (Tk 3,182.30 crore in the original project).