Bangladesh
Netherlands can cooperate in ship-building and ship recycling in Bangladesh: Speakers at a seminar
The speakers at a seminar said there is huge potentiality in the ship building and ship recycling sectors in Bangladesh.
Netherlands can cooperate with Bangladesh in exploring this potentiality which requires knowledge and technology.
Also read: Three-day maritime event hosted by Netherlands Embassy begins in Dhaka
The seminar hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh was held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka, on Thursday.
Md Mostafa Kamal, senior secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, attended the program as the chief guest.
Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Irma van Dueren gave welcome speech at the seminar.
Thijs Woudstra, deputy ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands made the introductory remarks.
Director General of the Department of Shipping Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam presented a paper titled, ‘Future Maritime and Shipping Requirements in Bangladesh’.
Also read: Bangladesh Film Archive signs MoU with RedOrange of Netherlands to collect 1971 war footage
Another paper titled ‘The Maritiem Future is now: Sustainable Solutions from the Netherlands’ was presented by Evert den Broek.
Naser Ezaz Bijoy, president of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and CEO of the Standard Chartered Bank, discussed on the topics.
Md Mostafa Kamal said, “Netherlands is a tested friend of Bangladesh in the sectors of water management, prevention of river erosion and economic development. We need to build our channels strong to strengthen this co-operation.”
Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam in his paper said, “There is huge potentiality in the ship building and ship recycling sectors in Bangladesh. Exploring this potentiality requires knowledge and technology. In that case the Netherlands can co-operate Bangladesh.”
Also read: Outgoing Netherlands envoy calls on President Shahabuddin
Evert den Broek said the Dutch maritime sector is promoting a future in which their innovations can help create vibrant, green and connected port cities, and developing smart and zero- emission shipping.
The presence of fifteen Netherlands Maritime companies who are participating in the seminar and expo is a testimony to the strong ties between both countries and the mutual interest in further developing maritime and offshore industries.
They are representing diverse sectors including shipbuilding, port infrastructure, maritime, delta technology and more.
The seminar was organized alongside a three-day exhibition on ‘ship building’, ‘ship recycling’, ‘offshore oil and gas support’, ‘shipping, logistic and port’, ‘fishing vessels and fishery’, has been inaugurated on Thursday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka.
Savor International Limited organized exhibition titled ‘Bangladesh International Marine and Offshore Expo, 2023 or BIMOX-2023’ was inaugurated by chief guest Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister of the Shipping Ministry.
The BIMOX 2023 exhibition and Netherlands pavilion is open for all the visitors and the program will continue till October 14, 2023.
FBCCI will work to bring back golden past of jute, says its president
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade organization of the country, stressed the need for reviving the historic prominence of the jute industry, often referred to as Bangladesh's golden heritage.
FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam emphasized the significance of jute in Bangladesh's economy at a dialogue with key stakeholders in the jute sector held on Thursday at the FBCCI office in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The golden fiber of jute is renowned globally, he said adding that FBCCI will collaborate with entrepreneurs in the jute sector as well as government and private sector stakeholders to address the industry's current challenges.
Read: Derogatory remarks against judge: Dinajpur Mayor Jahangir sentenced to one month in prison
Highlighting the industry's historical importance, the FBCCI President added, "Our jute industry has been a cornerstone of our economy, serving as a primary driver of foreign exchange earnings. Even after the independence, the jute industry maintained its glory for several years."
However, various factors have led to the gradual decline of this traditional industry. Initiatives are urgently needed to restore its former glory, he added.
Mahbubul stressed the need to diversify jute products to boost exports and announced FBCCI's commitment to providing comprehensive support to entrepreneurs in the sector to create new markets and increase exports.
Read: Sylhet's Ratargul equipped with four new facilities
FBCCI's former vice-president and current director Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, FBCCI Director Md. Abul Hossain, Azizul Hoque, Md. Niaz Ali Chisty, Fakhorus Salehin Nahian, and leaders from various jute associations and organizations, including the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association, Bangladesh Jute Goods Exporters Association, Bangladesh Jute Association, Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association, Bangladesh Diversified Jute Goods Producers, Exporters Association, National Skill Development Authority (NSDA), and Bangladesh Handicraft Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Banglacraft) were present at the meeting.
Death toll from dengue rises to 1,135 with 13 more deaths in 24hr
Thirteen more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 1,135 this year.
During the period, 2,344 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the DGHS.
Also read: Decision on dengue vaccine upon recommendation from NITAG: DGHS
Of the new patients, 537 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, DGHS said.
Also read: China to provide large-scale anti-dengue aid in a few days: Ambassador Yao
A total of 8,617 dengue patients, including 2,638 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 233,531 dengue cases and 223,779 recoveries this year.
September has so far been the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak this year with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.
Also read: Study on dengue vaccine shows promising result in Bangladesh
No desire to make special request to anyone to observe polls: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said Bangladesh would not make any special request to anybody to send foreign observers but it stands ready to welcome if anyone wants to observe as the country is heading towards the next national election.
"We do not have any desire to request specially to come,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will make a special request to the European Union (EU) to reconsider their position.At a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister said it is good if they come and it does not matter if they do not come. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin also spoke at the briefing.
Read: New UNHCR country rep wants to work closely with govt, civil society partners
“We have the confidence to hold free and fair elections. We have made a commitment to that end. If anyone wants to come and see, we will welcome,” he added.
Momen said almost all the countries are now having financial crises and it is their issue whether they will send observers or not.
The Foreign Minister also said they want to see the elections free from violence but it requires sincere efforts from all the parties. “We will be very happy to see a violence-free election. We need to come out from this culture (of election-centric violence).”
The Election Commission in Bangladesh is taking preparations to hold the next election by January first week.
Read: Law Minister tells US team “election will be free and fair”
The government says the European Union's decision not to send a full-fledged polls-time observation team will have no impact on Bangladesh's next parliamentary election.
Meanwhile, from October 8 to 12, the six-member joint delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) met with a diverse group of election stakeholders including government officials, political party leaders, election authorities, civil society, and others.
The pre-election assessment mission (PEAM), following the conclusion of its activities, will release a statement of its key findings, analysis of the pre-election environment, and practical recommendations to enhance the credibility of the process and citizen confidence in the elections.
Read more: National election will be violence-free, Home Minister tells US team
PM Hasina to attend Global Gateway Forum 2023 in Brussels this month: Momen
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Brussels, Belgium later this month to attend the Global Gateway Forum 2023.
Briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, Momen said the Prime Minister will leave for Brussels on October 24 and return home on October 27.
He said the Prime Minister will have a number of meetings with the leaders of European countries on the sidelines of the Forum.
Also read: Leather Industry development authority to be formed: PM
Momen also indicated that many countries are likely to come up with proposals of selling their products to Bangladesh. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, invited the Prime Minister when they met at G20 Summit recent.
Asked whether the PM will hold a meeting with the European Commission President, Momen said he does not know yet.
The Global Gateway Forum will bring together representatives of governments from the European Union and from around the world with the private sector, civil society, leading thinkers, financing institutions, and international organisations in a two-day, invitation-only event to be held in the Belgian capital on October 25-26.
Also read: PM likely to attend Global Gateway Forum 2023 in Brussels this month
The EU’s Global Gateway strategy connects countries and regions around the world, by encouraging public and private investment in a global network of transportation and supply chains, green energy, modern telecommunications, education and research, with an emphasis on sustainable development and European values, such as good governance, transparency and equal partnership.
The objective of the Global Gateway Forum is to bring leaders together to debate issues relating to global investment in infrastructure, including challenges faced by the public and private sectors, best practices and lessons learned.
It will focus on the themes of green energy transition and green hydrogen; education and research; critical raw materials: transport corridors: health products manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
It will also provide a platform to demonstrate delivery of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
Also read: US official Afreen Akhter to discuss election, Rohingya issue during upcoming Bangladesh visit: Momen
Govt to set up Leather Industry Development Authority: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said a leather industry development authority will be formed to help thrive the country’s leather and leather goods sector.
“I am announcing a leather development authority for the development of the leather industry. We, the Prime Minister’s Office, will form a leather industry development authority separately,” she said.
The premier made this announcement while inaugurating the 4th edition of Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS-2023) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
But the BLLISS-2023 is being held at International Convention City Bashundhara till Saturday next.
Hasina said her government has a plan to develop area-based tannery industry (industrial estates) in several more places including Chattogram and Rajshahi in the country in phases.
“If we can do it (develop area-based tannery industry), the preservation, processing and use of leathers would go up. Because, it will develop as a big industry for us,” she said.
The prime minister asked all concerned to preserve rawhides properly and to take proper measures to modernize slaughtering houses to this end.
She asked the industry owners to pay taxes, gas and electricity bills properly as well as take care of the wellbeing of their workers as they earned revenues for the owners.
The PM said the leather goods and footwear industry has overtaken jute and jute products in export earnings over the last decade. “Stepping into a higher value addition level, it (the leather goods and footwear industry) has become the second largest export earning sector after the ready-made garments,” she said.
Noting that it is a labour intensive sector, she said some 2 lakh people directly and another 10 lakh indirectly were employed in the sector. “Bangladesh is the world's 8th largest footwear producer, 11th largest consumer and 17th largest (footwear) exporter,” she added.
She said the local market for different products including leather goods is expanding with the rise of purchasing power of the local people.
Mentioning that “Possible. In Bangladesh” – the theme of BLLISS-2023, Sheikh Hasina said she also believes possible in Bangladesh as the unprecedented developmental transformation, taken place in Bangladesh through public-private initiatives in the recent years, has been aptly reflected.
She said Bangladeshi exporters of leather goods and footwear are producing and exporting high quality and diversified products and fulfilling the purchase orders from the world renowned brands and buyers.
The PM said many reputed foreign companies take unfinished goods from Bangladesh and make these as finished products in their country and then market these goods as their brands.
In this context, she stressed the need for paying attention to developing some goods as brands of Bangladesh by producing and marketing finished products here.
PM Hasina said her government would extend all sort of cooperation in case of developing the brands of Bangladesh in this regard. “We want our products to be marketed under the name of our own brands and the image of our country to be brightened,” she said.
The premier said the government has successfully made three significant changes in this sector during its three consecutive tenures, including commercial farms spread throughout the country and a revolution attained in rearing livestock, expansion of leather goods and footwear industry, and relocation of Hazaribagh tannery units to Savar modern tannery estate.
She said some 25 million cattle are reared annually for slaughtering and Bangladesh is now able to supply 100 percent of the sacrificial animals during the holy Eid-ul Azha.
She said just a decade ago in this sector, the bulk of the country's export earnings came mainly from the export of raw leather materials. With the government’s incentives and policy support, the manufacturing industry of high value added products such as footwear and leather goods has expanded, and created much interest among the entrepreneurs to invest in this sector, she added.
“Now about 93 percent of the export income of this sector is coming from footwear and leather goods,” she said.
She said the government has already formed a task force to make recommendations and formulate action plans for the development of the leather industry, formulated Leather and Leather Products Development Policy 2019.
“If we can produce and export finished products against 100 percent of our growing supply, we will easily be able to achieve USD 3 billion export revenue from the leather goods and footwear sector by 2025. I want the overall export earnings from this sector to increase to 10 billion US dollars by 2030,” she said.
She said some 150 acres of land will be there for the development of composite leather products and footwear factories in the expansion project of Savar Leather Industrial Estate. The land will be allocated against the LFMEAB members on priority basis for investment.
The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to end red-tape bureaucracy and to implement decisions quickly.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Founder of Golden Chang Group James Ho and Founder & Chairman of Advanced Manufacturing Group Jonathan Bobbett spoke on the occasion.
President of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur delivered the welcome speech.
Drive against brokers at MMCH: 7 jailed for 7 days
A mobile court sentenced seven brokers at Myemensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) to seven days in jail each on Thursday morning.
The court led by Executive Magistrate Mahfuzul Haque handed down the judgment.
The convicts--Jewel Mia, 26, Alal Uddin, 32, Shamsul Alam, 41, Bijoy Das Harijan, 45, Tushar Ahmed, 26, Ratan Mia, 47, and Pavel, 23, are from different areas of the district town.
Read: 6 RMG workers dead after bus runs them over on highway in Trishal
The convicts were active members of different broker gangs at the MMCH, private clinics and diagnostic centres and ambulance syndicate.
Tipped off, members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a drive at emergency and outdoor departments of the MMCH.
Read: Smugglers escape but BGB seizes over 3kg crystal meth near Domdamia frontier
Mohammad Mainuddin Khan, assistant director of the hospital, said that such drives will continue in future to reduce the sufferings of patients and save it from the clutches of brokers.
2 dead in motorbike-three wheeler collision in Narail
A motorcyclist and his pillion rider were killed in a collision between his motorbike and a motorised three wheeler in Sadar upazila of Narail of Thursday.
The deceased--biker Badsha Mollah, 45, son of Nabir Mollah, and Kapil Sheikh, 24, son of Chhabur Sheikh, were from Mithapur village under the upazila.
Read: Two women die in separate road accidents in Chattogram
Witnesses said the accident occurred around 12:00pm when the Mithapur-bound motorbike crashed into the three-wheeler coming from opposite direction on Narail-Magura road in Kagjipara area, leaving the two dead on the spot.
Read: Biker dead, two pillion riders injured in Magura road accident
Sadar police station’s officer-in-charge Md Obaidur Rahman said the bodies were sent to Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.
The vehicles were seized, he added.
Read more: Chapainawabganj road accident leaves one dead
US official Afreen Akhter to discuss election, Rohingya issue during upcoming Bangladesh visit: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said he had "very good and positive" discussion with US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Afreen Akhter in Colombo on several issues including elections and human rights.
The foreign minister briefed her about the preparations for the next national elections that the government wants to see free and fair.
Briefing the media at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Momen said the US deputy assistant secretary will be in Dhaka next week to discuss issues of mutual interests.
Read: US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter due next week
The visit may take place on October 16-18, a diplomatic source told UNB, noting that she might also visit Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps during the visit.
Akhter looks after issues in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives, as well as the Office of Security and Transnational Affairs.
She was the National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.
She visited Dhaka in May this year.
The US official will meet government officials to discuss priority bilateral issues and election issue may also come up for discussion.
The foreign minister had a series of meetings in Colombo on Wednesday including a meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.
Read: High-level regional meeting on Rohingya refugees in Bangkok October 17
Momen raised the issue of medical visa for Bangladeshis so that the process is expedited.
Responding to question, Momen said Akhter is coming mainly to discuss two issues - Rohingya crisis and Bangladesh elections.
He said the US also wants to see free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
Momen, however, said the government cannot guarantee an election free from violence if all parties do not show sincerity.
He also conveyed Akhter that Bangladeshis are not like Americans and people in Bangladesh cast their votes with much enthusiasm. "It's a festival here. It's totally a different scenario in Bangladesh," Momen said.
Read more: Rohingyas' prolonged stay in Bangladesh may pose threats to security of region, beyond: Momen tells UNHCR
Noise pollution awareness campaign: One-minute silence to be observed in Dhaka Oct 15
A 'one minute of silence' program will be observed in Dhaka city from 10 am to 10:01 am on October 15 to create widespread public awareness about noise pollution.
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Farhina Ahmed said this while talking to reporters at the secretariat on Thursday.
The secretary said to make this program successful, officials and employees of the government departments and agencies, school and college scouts, traffic police and members of transport owners association will form human chain with banners, festoons from 9:30am to 10:00am on Sunday (October 15) at 11 important points of Dhaka city.
Read: International Mother Language Institute signs MoU with and Mother Language Lovers of the World Society
The important points included Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Shahbagh intersection, Uttara, Bijoy Sarani crossing, Mirpur-10 Roundabout, Gabtoli, Moghbazar, Mohakhali, Gulshan-1, Kamalapur, Buddha Mandir and Jatrabari intersection.
"Drivers on the road will receive noise awareness leaflets and stickers from the human chain. They will be encouraged to avoid honking for one minute during the event," said the environment secretary.
"Noise pollution is a serious threat to public health. Excessive noise pollution causes low hearing in the ears, partial or complete deafness, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia and loss of focus and premature abortion," said Farhina Ahmed.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing an 'integrated and partnership project to control noise pollution' to keep the countrymen free from the harmful effects of noise pollution, according to the environment secretary.
As part of the campaign, awareness theme songs, TVCs, radio dramas and documentaries are being produced and aired.
Read: Derogatory remarks against judge: Dinajpur Mayor Jahangir sentenced to one month in prison
Besides, social media and print media campaigns are underway and awareness billboards, sign boards, leaflets, stickers, prints and distribution have been completed.
Meanwhile, Mobile courts are being conducted on a regular basis.
Responding to a question from a journalist, the secretary said the transport sector has been identified as the main source of noise pollution.
“Noise pollution is caused by vehicular movement and unnecessary honking. Besides, the ministry has identified the construction sector and factories among others as sources of noise pollution.”
Secretary Farhina Ahmed said the Environment Ministry is working with BRTA and BRTC as the transport sector has been identified as the main source of noise pollution.
Additional projects are in the pipeline to transform Dhaka into a quieter city, she added.