bangladesh
President seeks massive investment from Qatar in Special Economic Zones of Bangladesh
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday urged Qatar to invest more in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Bangladesh.
"Bangladesh will welcome investments in various sectors including in state-led food supply chains from production to consumption such as agro-production and processing, food packaging, smart agriculture and fertiliser production," he said
He made this call during a courtesy meeting with the visiting Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Bangabhaban.
President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Acknowledging Qatar as a valuable development partner of Bangladesh in the Gulf region, the president said the emir's visit and the signing of the cooperation documents - five agreements and five MoUs- between the two countries will further expand and strengthen bilateral co-operation in the days to come.
The president said Bangladesh government has established 100 Special Economic Zones for foreign investment.
"Qatari investors can get massive incentives and support in sectors like petro-chemicals, energy, machineries, information technology, electronics, ceramics, agri-business, food processing in Bangladesh," he also said.
Expressing his gratitude to the Qatar government for providing employment opportunities to about 3.75 lakh Bangladeshis, president Shahabuddin said this manpower is constantly contributing to the socio-economic development of both Qatar and Bangladesh.
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Besides, the president urged the emir of Qatar to recruit more young, skilled and semi-skilled manpower, IT experts, and professional technicians from Bangladesh.
The president also thanked the Qatari government for supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh and sought long-term energy assistance from the country.
He also stressed the need for playing more effective role by the two sides in exploring trade and business potentials.
The president praised Qatar's efforts (along with Egypt and the US) to facilitate the ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas.
The emir of Qatar praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He assured that all necessary assistance will continue for Bangladesh in the coming days.
The emir of Qatar said that the various agreements and MoUs signed by Qatar and Bangladesh will play more effective role in the development of bilateral and multi-lateral relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, both the president and the emit exchanged greetings.
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They hoped that the visit will pave the way for further strengthening the multi-faceted partnership between Bangladesh and Qatar.
In the meeting, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, foreign secretary and secretaries to the president were present.
After the meeting, the emir took part in a photo session and signed the visitor's book kept there.
Fire on launch in Dhaka’s Shyambazar Terminal under control
A fire that broke out on the "MV Bangali" launch in Dhaka’s Shyambar Launch Terminal was brought under control on Tuesday.
Five firefighting units brought the fire under control at 1:45 pm on Tuesday, said Talha Bin Zasim Station Officer of FSCD headquarters media cell.
Earlier, the fire broke out at 12:55 pm.
No passengers were on the launch at the time of the fire, added the fire official.
Bangladesh has no significant changes in human rights: US report
There had been "no significant changes" in the human rights situation in Bangladesh during the year 2023, the United States has said in a new report.
The country reports in the 2023 Human Rights Report (HRR) do not draw legal conclusions, rank countries, or draw comparisons, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
There were numerous reports of widespread impunity for human rights abuses, said the report in its Bangladesh chapter.
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In most cases, it claimed, the government did not take credible steps to identify and punish officials or security force members who may have committed human rights abuses.
The U.S. Department of State released the 2023 Human Rights Report, which the US Embassy described as a "factual and objective" record on the status of respect for human rights worldwide.
The 2023 Human Rights Report (HRR) covers 198 countries and territories.
The individual reports in the HRR detail "credible factual information" on human rights abuses and violations, providing a tool used by governments, advocates, journalists and others concerned about the state of human rights and democracy in specific countries and territories, said the embassy.
The United States has issued these reports for nearly five decades.
The HRR represents several months of work performed by U.S. Department of State colleagues in our missions abroad and in Washington, D.C.
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The HRR informs U.S. foreign policy decisions and assists the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch, and immigration courts when accurate information on human rights conditions is needed.
The HRR also informs the work of civil society — including human rights defenders—lawmakers abroad, scholars, immigration judges and asylum officers, multilateral institutions, and other governments.
Gas supply to stop for 12 hours in Savar Wednesday
Gas supply to all categories of customers will remain suspended at different areas in Savar for 12 hours from 9 am to 9 pm on Wednesday.
According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, the areas where gas supply will halt include Tongabari, Ashulia, Khejur Bagan, Gouripur, Khagan, Kumkumari, and Akran.
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The consumers in the adjoining areas may experience low pressure gas supply, said the Titas Gas regretting the temporary inconveniences of its customers.
Expat student drowns after falling into river in Kishoreganj
An expatriate student, drowned after falling into the river while trying to board a launch in Bhairab upazlila of Kishoreganj on Monday (April 22, 2024).
The incident happened at the Bhairab Bazar Launch Terminal around 8:30 PM on Monday.
The deceased was Al Islam (30), son of Alauddin, director of the Bhairab Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Bhairab River Police Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam confirmed the matter.
He said, after being informed, a police team reached the spot and rescued Islam with the help of local divers after 40 minutes. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Islam had gone to Germany for studies on a scholarship about a year and a half ago. He came home on vacation a few days before Eid.
Family members said Al Islam was going to board a ferry to hang out with his friends by the riverbank. At that time, he slipped and fell into the river.
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Bangladesh, Qatar sign 10 cooperation documents to take ties to new height
Bangladesh and Qatar on Tuesday signed 10 cooperation documents - five agreements and five MoUs - to strengthen ties on multiple fronts and help the relations reach a new height.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani witnessed the signing of the documents.
The five signed agreements are: agreement for cooperation in the legal field between Bangladesh and State of Qatar, agreement on promotion and protection of mutual investments; agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes in income between Qatar and Bangladesh; agreement on maritime transport; and agreement on the establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC).
President seeks massive investment from Qatar in Special Economic Zones of Bangladesh
The five MoUs are: MoU on cooperation in the fields of sports and youth between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU on cooperation in the field of manpower employment (Labour) between Ministry of Labour, State of Qatar and Bangladesh; MoU on cooperation in diplomatic training between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU for cooperation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU in the field of ports (MAWANI Qatar and Chittagong Ports Authority).
Earlier in the morning, PM Hasina warmly welcomed and received Emir Sheikh Tamim at her office.
Both the leaders held an exclusive tete-a-tete discussion where they exchanged views on matters of mutual interests and priorities.
Held in a cordial and amicable environment, the Qatari Emir’s visit is expected to generate goodwill and understanding between the two countries, said the Bangladesh side.
This high-level visit will significantly contribute to the consolidation of ties and elevate the Bangladesh-Qatar bilateral relations to the next level, said the government.
During the visit, Bangladesh and Qatari delegations led by the Prime Minister and the Emir held fruitful bilateral talks at the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM Hasina warmly welcomes Qatar’s Emir at her office
During the bilateral Talks, both sides reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations and underlined the need to enhance the bilateral cooperation through exchange of visit and increased interaction at all levels and strengthening bilateral engagements between Bangladesh and Qatar.
The areas that came up for discussion on cooperation included bilateral trade and investment, energy and power, manpower, defense, education, agriculture, food security and culture. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interests in the meeting.
In the opening remarks, the Prime Minister deeply appreciated the incredible advancement and transformation of Qatar as an advanced knowledge-based multi-cultural society and Qatar’s role in mediation and multilateral diplomacy under His Highness’s stewardship.
Qatari emir appreciated the remarkable achievements of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister and commended Bangladesh as an investment destination and expressed his keenness to invest in diverse potential sectors.
The emir also appreciated the expatriate community in Qatar who are making positive contributions to the economies of both the countries.
The Prime Minister requested the Qatar side to consider more workers/professionals, nurses, technicians, caregivers etc from Bangladesh to which the Qatari Emir responded positively.
Bangladeshi man injured in BSF firing along Cumilla border
A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man was injured after members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) opened fire along the border at Burichang upazila of Cumilla on Monday night.
The injured was identified as Billal Hossain of Laribagh village of Rajapur union of the upazila.
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According to locals, BSF men opened fire on Billal when he was unloading sugar smuggled from India at the Tetultala border area around 9:30 pm on Monday.
Locals rescued him and took him to the emergency department of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, where doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
4 including 2 children dead after bus ran them over in Cumilla
Border Guard Bangladesh Sankuchail BOP Commander Faruk Kamal said, "Locals took the injured person to the hospital before we could reach the spot.”
Six houses gutted in Magura fire
At least six houses were gutted in a fire at Khamarpara village of Sreepur upazila of Magura on Monday night.
The fire originated from a mosquito coil around 8:30 pm on Monday and quickly spread to the houses of Najak Joardar, Kamal Joardar, Shilan Joardar, Ziko Mollah, and Obayed Mollah around, confirmed Sreepur Fire Service Officer Delwar Hossain.
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Three houses, three cowsheds, four cows and four goats, and two kitchens were burned in the fire, he said.
On information, a team of Sreepur Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, added the fire official.
According to the victims' families, thet suffered losses worth Tk 15 lakh.
PM Hasina warmly welcomes Qatar’s Emir at her office
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday morning warmly welcomed and received Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at her office.
They will have tête-à-tête (one-to-one) meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, which will be followed by a bilateral meeting.
The two leaders will witness the signing of cooperation documents and join a joint press meet.
Bangladesh and Qatar expected to sign 10 cooperation documents - six agreements and five MoUs after the meeting.
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After signing visitors' book there, the emir will head for Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon where the president will receive him.
The five agreements that are planned to be signed are: agreement for cooperation in the legal field between Bangladesh and State of Qatar, agreement on promotion and protection of mutual investments; agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes in income between Qatar and Bangladesh; agreement on maritime transport; and agreement on the establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC) between FBCCI & QCCI.
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The five MoUs that are likely to be signed are MoU on cooperation in the fields of sports and youth between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU on cooperation in the field of manpower employment (Labour) between Ministry of Labour, State of Qatar and Bangladesh; MoU on cooperation in diplomatic training between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU for cooperation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research between Bangladesh and Qatar; MoU between Qatar Ports management Company “MAWANI QATAR” and Chittagong Ports Authority.
A high-level Qatari delegation headed by Qatar’s emir is paying the state visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of the president and the prime minister of Bangladesh.
Contractual Appointment: Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan gets 6 months extension
The government has extended the contractual appointment of Shahabuddin Ahmed as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan by another six months.
His new appointment will be effective from July 1, 2024, according to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration.
The government, in 2020, appointed Shahabuddin Ahmed as the ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan for three years.
He got an extension later, and his tenure was scheduled to end in June this year.
With the latest extension by six months, he will remain Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan until December this year.
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Ambassador Shahabuddin is a former secretary to the government of Bangladesh and was also a member of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Administration cadre.
Shahabuddin obtained his Bachelor and Masters degree in Soil Science from the University of Dhaka.
He also completed his degree in Development Finance from the University of Birmingham.