Bangladesh
Oman lauds Bangladesh's development
Newly appointed Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) of Oman Abdul Ghaffar Bin Abdul Karim Al-Bulushi has appreciated Bangladesh’s development and uplifting of the lifestyle of its people.
While submitting his letter of credence to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at his office on Sunday, Karima was highly appreciative about the role of the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in steering the country towards development.
The Foreign Minister congratulated him as the new envoy of Oman to Bangladesh with the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary.
Also read: Keep up pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation: FM to UK
He thanked the Omani government for quickly sending a highly qualified diplomat as the CDA.
The CDA expressed his gratitude for the kind support and assistance extended to him from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka.
The CDA recalled with appreciation the role of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in giving an identity to the people of Bangladesh.
Dr Momen commended the judicious role and leadership of late Sultan Qaboos to the development of modern Oman.
He expressed his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting over half a million of expatriate workers who have been diligently contributing to both the countries’ economic development.
The minister also urged the CDA to undertake new and emerging areas of cooperation like environment and climate change, agriculture and food security, blue economy and enhanced trade between the two countries.
The CDA listened to him carefully and apprised the minister about the great contributions made by Bangladeshi workforce in Oman.
He expressed his commitment that he would dedicate his office to the exploration and expansion of the cooperative areas that the minister suggested.
Also read: Govt wants greater coordination to brand Bangladesh abroad
The Foreign Minister assured him of all possible cooperation during the discharge of his duties.
He also presented a token gift to the CDA and wished him a productive tenure.
4 killed in Rangpur road crash
Four people were killed and another injured when a speeding bus hit an auto-rickshaw on Kurigram road at Nabdiganj in Rangpur city on Sunday.
Two of the deceased were- Pabitra Nandi of Khulna’s Paikgacha and Anil Chadra, 55, a resident of Rangpur city. However, identities of two others were not immediately known.
Also read: 2 killed in Kushtia road accidents
Witnesses said the accident occurred around 7:30pm when a Rangpur-bound ‘Manik Express bus hit an auto-rickshaw on Kurigram road, leaving two passengers of the auto-rickshaw and its driver dead on spot and two others injured.
On information, fire service took them to Rangpur Medical College Hospital where one of them succumbed to his injuries, said Farid Ahmed Chowdhury, assistant director of Rangpur Fire Service.
Also read: 2 killed in Feni road accident
Genex Infosys to operate BTRC helpline, provide AI chatbot services
To address the subscribers' complaints about telecommunication services, the telecom regulator recently signed an agreement with Genex Infosys to modernise and operate its helpline 100 and provide AI-powered chatbot services for the next three years.
Sajeda Parveen, director (systems and services) at the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and Prince Mojumder, co-founder and chief executive officer of Genex Infosys, recently signed the deal.
BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder said the commission's complaint management system will be a timely addition, through the newly appointed organisation Genex Infosys. "The introduction of modern services like smart interactive voice response (IVR), chatbot, and WhatsApp will make it easier to submit complaints and suggestions."
Prince said, "The BTRC complaints helpline is a great initiative to create a bridge between citizens and the regulator to ensure its services. We are proud and delighted to work with the BTRC."
Govt, private offices to run with half manpower from Monday
Public and private organizations have been instructed to run with half the employees from Monday till February 6 in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Sunday.
The other half of the staff will function virtually, according to the notification.
Bangladesh Supreme Court will issue necessary directions regarding the activities of the court during this period.
Also read: Tough Covid curbs back in Bangladesh amid Omicron scare
Besides, Bangladesh Bank and Financial Institutions Division will provide necessary instructions regarding banks, insurance and financial institutions.
Earlier on Friday, the government announced the closure of all the schools, colleges and universities till February 6.
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged 14 more Covid-linked deaths with 10,906 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
Also read: Covid surge in Bangladesh: All educational institutions to remain shut till Feb 6
The daily positivity rate increased to 31.29 per cent from Saturday’s 28.02 per cent after testing 35,051 samples, according to the Directorate general of health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,223 while the caseload mounted to 1,685,136 on Sunday
Keep up pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation: FM to UK
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the British government and parliament to keep up pressure on Myanmar for the “safe, dignified and voluntary” repatriation of the forcibly displaced Roihingyas to their homeland soon.
He reiterated the call at a meeting with the British Parliamentary delegation on the eve of the latter’s visit to the Rohingya camps in Kutupalong and Bhasan Char on Sunday.
Read: British parliamentary delegation visits Rohingya camps
UK’s Conservative Party MPs Thomas Patrick Hunt and Paul Bristow interacted with Rohingya leaders in Kutupalong and visited various facilities in the two camps.
They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Rohingya and assured them of remaining seized with their legitimate demands for citizenship, security and freedom of movement in Myanmar.
The UK MPs noted that the British people, especially the British Muslims, felt strongly about the Rohingya situation, and that the international community had a responsibility to stand by this large group of people generously supported by the government and the people of Bangladesh.
Bristow recalled the UK’s humanitarian assistance to the tune of 320 million GBP since 2017 and said they would continue to raise the issue of further improving the living conditions of the Rohingya while they awaited their repatriation.
Earlier, during their meeting with Foreign Minister Momen on Saturday evening, the British parliamentary delegation exchanged views on further enhancing trade and investment between the two countries in the post-BREXIT context.
They reiterated their appreciation for the multi-dimensional contributions being made by the British-Bangladesh diaspora in their respective constituencies as well as in the land of their origin or ancestors.
Minister Momen hoped that there would be exchange of high level political visits between the two countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s various engagements during her visit to Glasgow and London in November 2021 and thanked the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for undertaking the ‘Brit-Bangla Bandhan’ initiative.
The UK delegation thanked the Bangladesh Foreign Minister for accompanying them during their visits to the greater Sylhet region over the last weekend.
Read:Cambodian chairmanship of ASEAN to expedite Rohingya repatriation: FM
The delegation included, among others, Vijay Shamdas Daryanani, MP, Gibraltar Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port, Samantha Helen Cohen CVO, CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and Zillur Hussain, MBE, Founder of Zi Foundation.
Faruk Khan, MP, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Shamima Begum, MP were present.
SUST unrest deepens as students disconnect power supply to VC’s residence
The unrest at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) deepened on Sunday evening as its protesting students disconnected electricity supply to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence as he refused to step down as per their demand.
The students said they disconnected the power supply at 7:20 pm leaving the SUST guesthouse, teacher’s dormitory nearby the VC’s residence in the darkness.
On day five of the hunger strike, 15 of the 24 students on hunger strike since Wednesday 3 pm remained admitted to different hospitals in the city.
On Sunday afternoon, four more students joined their fellows in the hunger strike taking their total number to 27. Earlier, one of the 24 students had to leave the strike due to his relative’s sickness.
Also read: SUST stalemate: Students’ virtual meeting with minister brings no solution yet
Govt wants greater coordination to brand Bangladesh abroad
The government wants to expedite its efforts to brand Bangladesh abroad highlighting its areas of strength and make the country a more attractive destination for trade and investment through stronger team work within the government keeping in mind the challenges ahead.
An inter-ministerial meeting of the committee on "Branding Bangladesh Abroad" was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighting the preparation, planning, implementation and monitoring of possible challenges of Bangladesh in the context of graduation from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, were, among others, present.
Dr Momen emphasised identification of the areas of strength that Bangladesh has both as a nation and as a sovereign state and asked for stronger coordination amongst the stakeholders for projecting them abroad.
Also read: It’s US that trained RAB: FM Momen
He also highlighted the need for an “open, inclusive and fact based programmes” for projecting a correct and aspirational image of the country.
Unilever's Sakshi named among top global HR leaders in Bangladesh
The human resources (HR) director of Unilever Bangladesh has been recognised as one of "The Top Most Global HR Leaders" in Bangladesh by the World HRD Congress.
Endorsed by the CHRO Global and the World Federation of HR Professionals, Sakshi Handa has been honoured with the prestigious award for her contribution and professional achievements as a purpose-driven thought leader in human resources development, namely in Bangladesh.
She will be officially conferred the title at the 30th edition of the World HRD Congress and Awards Ceremony in March in India's Mumbai.
Also read: 'The Dependables' wins Unilever BizMaestros 2021
"The Top Most Global HR Leaders" selection is part of the World HRD Congress which marks its 30th year in 2022. It is an iconic listing of HR leaders and professionals who have created value with immense talent, ethical conduct and demonstrated standards of professionalism and performance.
"I believe in the power of compassionate leadership, empowering my team to lead with an employee-centric approach and making the HR function a strategic partner to the business," Sakshi, who describes herself as having a mind for business and a heart for people, said.
With 17 years of HR experience, Sakshi has been the HR director of Unilever Bangladesh since September 2019.
Also read: Serajul Islam Chy, Afsan Chy, 4 others get BRAC Bank-Samakal Lit Award
"On behalf of Unilever Bangladesh, it would be a privilege for me to humbly accept the award as a testimony of Unilever's commitment towards people development," she said.
Domestic help found dead at university teacher’s house in Lalmonirhat
Police on Sunday recovered the body of a domestic help from the house of a Scotland-expatriate university teacher at Kaliganj upazila in Lalmonirhat.
The deceased was identified as Sahinur Begum, of Madhupur of Tangail district.
Read: Tortured for 3 days over loan default, 30-yr-old dies in Lalmonirhat
Police said the woman had been working as a domestic help at Professor Mozammel Haque's house in Kakina.
He lives in Scotland, where he has been teaching at a university for 20 years.
On Sunday morning, the other housemaids broke the window after getting no response and found her body lying on the ground.
Read: Woman beaten to death for demanding debt money in Lalmonirhat
On information, Police recovered the body in the noon and sent it to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, said Golam Rasul, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station.
A case was filed at Kaliganj Police Station in this regard, the OC added.
Strengthen monitoring of energy sector project implementation: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has directed the officials of the state-owned entities in the energy sector to strengthen the monitoring of their projects’ implementation.
“You have to expedite procedures to ensure timely implementation of the projects”, he told the official while virtually speaking at the contract signing ceremony of the state-owned Padma Oil Company Limited to appoint a contractor for construction of a 12-storey building at Paribagh area in the city on Sunday.
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The foundation of “Construction of 12-storied Modern Residential-cum Commercial Office Building with 2 Basements” was laid at 6 Paribagh at the function.
Mahbub Hossain, Senior Secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division, ABM Azad, Chairman, of the BPC, and Masudur Rahman, Managing Director of the Padma Oil Company Ltd. also spoke on the occasion.
Nasrul asked the officials of the Padma Oil to follow all the guidelines to comply with the environmental rules and regulations so that the project would not harm the atmosphere and ensure all spaces are utilised in a due manner.
He also instructed them to pay attention so that construction works would not disturb the neighbours.
The state minister advised the officials to continue their efforts to go for automation and paperless offices.
“It will bring success if a proper business model is followed to reach the target,” he said.
He directed the officials of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, the mother organization of the Padma Oil Company, to appoint a financial consultant to assess its wealth.
Padma Oil Company Limited, headquartered in Chittagong, is implementing the 12-storey building construction project on a land of 1.88 acres as part of its business expansion activities.
As per the recommendation of the consulting firm Shahidullah & Associates, the high-rise building will be built as a state-of-the-art one.
Read:Bangladesh bets big on wind energy to curb climate change
The officials said the project will ensure optimum utilization of 1.6 acres of land of the company, create a modern and safe working environment for the officers and employees of the company and increase the revenue of the company by providing additional floor space rent.
The project cost is estimated at Tk 393.08 crore and it will be implemented in a 3 years and 6 months period from January, 2022 to June, 2025.