bangladesh
Covid-19 takes away father, son same day in Kushtia
A Kushtia family is mourning the deaths of a father and his son from Covid-19 -- about five hours apart on Wednesday.
Haji Abdul Aziz Sheikh, 65, died at 1 pm followed by the death of son Matiar Rahman Moti (45) at around 6 pm plunging the family in profound shock, said Dr Tapas Kumar Sarkar, the resident medical officer of Kushtia General Hospital.
“The father died at Kushtia General Hospital while the son at Dr. Tofazzal Health Center (Ratan Clinic),” he added.
According to family sources both father and son developed Covid-19 symptoms around the same time.
They were admitted to the hospitals about six days ago.
Also read: Covid nightmare in Bangladesh: Daily-death toll crosses 200
Our Kushtia correspondent reported that other members of the grieving family are currently in home isolation with Covid-19 symptoms .
Kushtia General Hospital on Wednesday morning reported 17 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours amid an alarming surge in the number of new infections in the district.
Of the deceased, 10 were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining seven showed symptoms of the virus, said Dr MA Momen, administrator of Kushtia General Hospital.
Besides, 234 people have tested positive for corona in the district in the past 24 hours. "A total of 801 samples were tested during the period," he said.
The positivity rate currently stands at 29.21%, which was 30.30% a day before.
Also read: 17 more die of Covid at Kushtia hospital
Moreover, a total of 277 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital with Covid symptoms.
Dr Tapas Kumar Sarkar, the resident medical officer of the hospital, said the hospital staff are struggling to handle the rising number of Covid patients in the district.
So far, 9,432 people have been infected with the virus in the district, while the death toll from Covid topped 275. On the other hand, a total of 6,030 people have recovered from Covid to date.
Bashundhara Group receives ‘Best Business Conglomerate Group’ Award 2021
Bashundhara Group, the country’s largest business conglomerate, has received global recognition as “The Best Business Conglomerate Group” award of the year for its outstanding performance.
The Global Economics Limited, a UK-based financial publication and a biannual business magazine giving thoughtful insights into the financial sectors on various industries across the world, has accorded the award, said a media release on Wednesday.
Read 4 journalists receive Dhaka Ahsania Mission anti-tobacco fellowship award
Every year, organizations and individuals from across the globe are awarded for their contributions to corporate, banking, healthcare, utility, energy, technology and leadership categories.
The Global Economics Limited published a list of global winners for the year 2021, showing Bashundhara Group on top of the “Best Business Conglomerate Group” segment.
Also read: Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy wins Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award
Earlier, Bashundhara Group and its sister concerns got various regional and international awards for their outstanding performances.
The group’s three products -- Bashundhara Paper, Bashundhara Tissue and Bashundhara Diapant—also received the Superbrands Award 2020-2021.
The Global Economics Limited awarded Nagad, state-run mobile banking organisation in Bangladesh, for most innovative digital financial services.
Also read: Mobile World Congress 2021: Huawei wins 5 awards
In financial category, other recipients of the award are Arab Financial Services, Bahrain; GFH Financial Group, Bahrain; Contact Financial Holding, Egypt; Egabi solutions, Egypt; Odin Investment, Egypt; Tamweely Microfinance, Egypt; Pacific Risk Advisors Ltd, Hong Kong; IFC Markets Corp, Indonesia; Nova Asset Management Finance, Indonesia; Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia; Maybank Asset Management Group Berhad, Malaysia; Aspiria, Mexico; UNIFIN, Mexico; ATRAM, Philippines; Alkhabeer Capital, Saudi Arabia; Hatcher+, Singapore; StashAway, Singapore; HNB Finance PLC, Sri Lanka; Lanka Credit and Business Finance Ltd, Sri Lanka; People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, Sri Lanka; Vallibel Finance, Sri Lanka; Nova Asset Management Finance, Thailand; Invest in Sharjah, UAE; Newfields Consulting Ltd, UAE; SHUAA Capital Psc, UAE, Home Credit Vietnam Finance Company Ltd, Vietnam; Mirae Asset Securities (Vietnam) LLC, Vietnam; Tan Viet Securities (TVSI), Vietnam; and Vietcombank Fund Management (VCBF), Vietnam.
Read Urban food system challenge: 6 entrepreneurial projects awarded for innovative ideas
Lockdown Breaches: 1102 arrested, Tk 18.6 lakh fined on day 7
Police arrested 1102 people and fined 804 vehicles in the capital for Covid lockdown breaches on the seventh day Wednesday.
The arrestees were out on the streets violating restrictions, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 1,71,980 as fines from 245 people.
Also read: 467 arrested on day 6 of strict lockdown
During this time, the Traffic Division collected Tk 18,68,500 as penalties from vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Bangladesh is currently under a 14-day lockdown imposed to tame an alarming surge in the Covid infections across the country.
Also read: Covid lockdown: Govt. extends mandatory guidelines for mosques till July 14
Launched on July 1 the nationwide strict curbs will continue until July 14 midnight as both Covid cases and fatalities continue to hit new records.
Three senior police officers transferred to new postings
Three senior police officers at the rank of Superintendents of Police (SPs), have recently been transferred to new postings.
A Home Ministry circular said SP of Meherpur District SM Murad Ali has been posted as the SP of Habiganj District.
Also read: Lockdown: Police arrest 621 for violations on Dhaka streets
He was replaced by Special Superintendent of Special Branch (SB) Md Rafiul Alam, while incumbent SP of Habiganj District Mohammad Ullah was transferred as Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters.
The appointments were made in a circular signed by Dhananjay Kumar Das, Deputy Secretary, Police-1 Branch, Public Security Division under the Home Ministry on July 4 by order of the President.
Also read: Police announce committee to probe the Moghbazar explosion
Potential export sectors need support after LDC graduation: Experts
Experts at a virtual dialogue called for adequate policy support to the non-RMG sectors to help them diversify exports after the country’s graduation from LDC status.
They also put emphasis on policy reforms and skill development for the export diversification during the post-graduation period, said a press release.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organized the dialogue on “Challenges and way forward on export diversification of Bangladesh upon LDC graduation” through a virtual platform.
“RMG is a success model to us. But now it is the high time to give focus on other potential non-RMG sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, ICT, leather goods and jute sector,” said noted economist Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman, also a distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
At present 70 per cent of the exports are under preferential market access. After LDC graduation compliance will be a major issue. “We’ve to enforce domestic regulations WTO compliant. In that case industry readiness is more important. Our labour may be cheap….so we have to make our labours productive,” he said.
Dr Rahman stressed the need for innovative finance, forging comprehensive economic partnership with potential partners, and enhancing legal capacity to deal with larger commercial disputes after the graduation.
Also read: Bangladesh sets $51-bn export target: Minister
DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said Bangladesh will be deprived of many international support measures and will face different duty and non-duty tariff related challenges during the post-graduation period.
Covid-19 vaccine registration now possible through imo
People will now be able to register for Covid-19 vaccine through imo, according to a press release of the popular messaging app .
The move aims to amplify the mass vaccination efforts of the Bangladesh government, read the press release issued on Wednesday.
Read: Registration for Covid vaccination to start again Thursday
“ The key function of this new feature is to make the vaccine registration process more accessible and seamless for the people,” it read.
Users will be able to find the newly added feature under the “explore” tab within the imo app, named “Covid-19 Vaccine Appointment.
Read Chinese firms working with Bangladeshi partners for vaccine co-production
They will be greeted with a step-by-step tutorial of the vaccine registration process for their convenience.
The users will be redirected to the Surokkha website for appointments so that they can select their desired hospitals.
Read: Covid vaccine: Expat workers can now sign up on Surokkha
Then they will be allocated a suitable time and date via SMS so that they can receive their vaccine jabs, explained the press release.
Covid nightmare in Bangladesh: Daily-death toll crosses 200
In a disastrous turn, Bangladesh recorded 201 deaths in 24 hours until Wednesday morning, its highest-ever single-day fatalities.
The first seven days of July have been the deadliest ones in the current pandemic, with the country registering 1,090 deaths during the period as it is struggling with a catastrophic second wave of the virus.
Besides, the country logged 11,162 new cases as the case positivity rate declined slightly to 31.32 % from Tuesday’s 31.46%.
The new numbers took Bangladesh’s death toll to 15, 593 while the caseload to 977,568. The fresh coronavirus cases were detected after testing 37,147 samples during the period, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The case fatalities remained unchanged at 1.60% after remaining static at 1.59% for a long time.
Read: Bangladesh hits new grim record with 164 single-day Covid deaths
Bangladesh’s Covid hotspot Khulna continues to be the hardest hit with the district registering the highest number of single-day deaths yet again, 66. Dhaka followed Khulna with 58 deaths during this time.
Besides, 21 people died in Chattogram division, 18 in Rajshahi, 14 in Rangpur, nine in Sylhet, eight in Mymensingh and seven in Barishal divisions.
So far, 850,502 people have recovered from the disease putting the recovery rate at 87%, which is declining unlike other indicators.
Among Wednesday’s 201 deceased, 119 were men and 82 were women.
Of them, 1 belonged to the age group of 11-20, four were within 21-30, nine between 31-40, 25 between 41-50, 47 between 51-60 and 115 were above 60 years old.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh is hopeful of receiving more vaccine doses this month from Japan, the European Union (EU) and the USA under COVAX facility apart from a steady flow of that from China.
Read: Covid getting deadlier in Bangladesh; record-high 153 die in 24 hours
“We’re in a good position now. I should say we’ve made a line up. I think there’ll be no vaccine crisis, and the vaccination programme will continue uninterruptedly,” he told a small group of reporters at his residence.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh is expected to get around 2.5 million doses of vaccine from Japan while 1 million from the EU under the COVAX facility. “These’re likely to be AstraZeneca vaccine doses.”
In another positive turn of events, people will now be able to register for Covid-19 vaccine through imo, according to a press release of the popular messaging app.
The move aims to amplify the mass vaccination efforts of the Bangladesh government, said the press release issued on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Bank orders freezing bank accounts of ex-deputy governor SK Sur, his wife
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Wednesday asked banks to freeze all accounts of former Bangladesh Bank (BB) deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury and his wife Suparna Sur Chowdhury for suspected tax evasion.
Central Intelligence Cell of the revenue collecting authority, in a letter, directed all banks to freeze withdrawal or transfer of money from all accounts maintained by them.
The NBR CIC gave the directive to the banks suspecting of tax evasion by the couple.
The CIC also asked banks to submit a compliance report, stating the latest balance of the accounts.
On February 23, the NBR has asked banks for detailed information of all types of accounts and transactions of five people, including SK Sur Chowdhury, present Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Md Shah Alam and their spouses.
READ: PK Haldar’s trail: BFIU seeks info on accounts held by SK Sur, Shah Alam
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) on March 11 has sought for the bank details of SK Sur Chowdhury , his spouse and BB Executive Director Shah Alam and his spouses, Shaheen Akhter Shalley and Nasrin Begum.
These moves came after a close associate of PK Hader, a fugitive accused of a money laundering case, confessed to a Dhaka court that two high-placed BB officials had assisted them in the financial scams.
Bangladesh Bank withdrew Shah Alam from the responsibility of monitoring two departments for his alleged connection with PK Halder following the confessional statement.
READ: Court orders freezing two bank accounts of suspended DIG prison Bazlur
Shah Alam was relieved from his duties at the central bank's Department of Financial Institutions and Markets (DFIM) and the Department of Banking Inspection-2.
V20 Climate Finance Summit
Bangladesh will host the first-ever virtual V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit on Thursday aimed at shaping up a cooperative responses of the problems related to global warming and climate change.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), will open the Summit, which will be attended by the Heads of States and Governments from the CVF member countries, said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told reporters at a virtual briefing on Wednesday.
He said major International Financial Institutions, including the Secretary General of the United Nations and representatives from G7 and G20 will to attend the mega event scheduled to be held from 7:30 pm to 9:50 pm.
READ: PM to open V20 Finance Summit Thursday
He said the event is poised to become one of the most crucial and eminent platforms for decisive climate action in the lead up to COP26 Glasgow.
The CVF member nations include Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and the Marshall Islands; V20 finance ministers from countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Honduras, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Sri Lanka; along with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of Bangladesh.
Formed in 2015 the V20 Group of Finance Ministers, Mustafa Kamal said, this forum is a dedicated cooperation initiative of economies systematically vulnerable to climate change.
The finance minister said the V20 represents economies of a collective 1.2 billion people from 48 countries which are the most affected by the climate change and they are facing existential threats from its growing perils.
He said that collectively, V20 countries will seek a transformational approach to global economic activities anchored in keeping global warming to below 1.5 degree Celsius while keeping the global economy on its growth path.
“We are going to set a clear pathway overcoming the real crisis of Covid-19 and climate change towards a recovery and climate prosperity as a whole.
He said government and international agencies must seize every opportunity for protection of the most vulnerable communities through a close cooperation with the United Nations sand key development partners in order to ensure fast-tracked efforts in building resilience.
Responding to a question, Kamal said there is almost zero emissions in the coal-fired power plants which Bangladesh is building for its economic needs. “We use the highest quality coal in these plants”.
READ: Bangladesh to host V20 Climate Vulnerables Finance Summit on July 8
He also claimed that Bangladesh has been spending more than $2 billion every year to mitigate climate vulgarities.
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Md. Shahab Uddin; Special Envoy of CVF Presidency of Bangladesh, Md. Abul Kalam Azad; Secretary of Economic Relations Division Fatima Yasmin and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Md. Mostafa Kamal, also spoke at the press briefing.
Authorities permit 3 makeshift cattle markets in Chattagram, set 17 conditions
Amid an alarming Covid-19 surge, the authorities have allowed only three temporary cattle haats in the port city on seventeen conditions.
The cattle markets will be allowed from July12 in Karnaphuli, Saltgola Rail Crossing and Patenga Butterfly Park.
Currently, there are three permanent cattle markets—Sagarika, Bibirhat and Postarpar Bazar—in the city.
The conditions: the haats to be installed 100 feet away from the main roads; to pay 20 per cent lease money as revenue, no additional stump for cattle outside the market, ensure health guidelines, ensure hand sanitization while entering or exiting market, maintain social distance, wearing facemasks.
READ: Imported cattle seized at Dhaka airport
There will be one entrance and one exit point in the cattle market and all must avoid crowds, sources of the local administration said.
The haats will be kept under CCTV surveillance and the authorities have been asked to recruit volunteers for ensuring security to the market.
Mohammad Nazrul Islam, chief revenue officer of Chattogram City Corporation, said “We have sought approval of installing seven temporary cattle haats but the local administration allowed only three.”
READ: Special cattle trains ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
Earlier on July 4, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said the government will not allow entry of any cattle from outside the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.