bangladesh
Nothing to be worried over lowering growth projection by IMF: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has said there is nothing to worry about downgrading growth forecast for Bangladesh by IMF for the current fiscal year.
He said he is satisfied over the recovery of Bangladesh’s economy.
The finance minister said this in response to a question from a Bangladeshi journalist on the sideline of the World Bank-IMF spring meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday.
IMF downgrades Bangladesh's GDP growth projection again for current fiscal
The finance minister said that he is not too worried about the GDP growth forecast by the IMF as the country has already started to recover from crisis.
“Initiatives taken by the government for economic reforms are working,” he said.
Even though people are slowly getting relief, those who see negatively are not happy, he added.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) again has revised downward the growth forecast of Bangladesh's economy to 5.7 percent for the current fiscal year of 2023-24.
Bangladesh’s second quarter GDP growth slowed to 3.78%: BBS
The IMF made the revised projection in its World Economic Outlook released April 16.
The IMF growth forecast highlighted different global and local challenges, including persistently high inflation, unemployment, lower remittance flow, and a fell industrial investment target.
The global lender for the second time cut economic growth forecast for Bangladesh. In October last year, it projected 6 percent growth, cutting down its previous prediction from 6.5 percent for the FY2023-24.
ADB forecasts Bangladesh's GDP growth at 6.1% in FY 2023-24, anticipates rise to 6.6% next year
The IMF growth forecast comes a week after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Bangladesh's GDP will expand 6.1 percent in FY 2023-24, riding on exports.
Early this month, the World Bank said Bangladesh will register subdued growth for reduced private consumption affected by high inflation.
Sweet Diplomacy: Ambassador Haas celebrates Cinnabon's arrival in Bangladesh with Bun-Buying Bonanza!
The US Embassy in Dhaka, alongside a delegation of guests, raised a cinnamon bun in a delectable display of cross-cultural culinary commerce!.
Nestled within the vibrant heart of Banani across from the Sheraton Hotel, the tantalizing scent of freshly baked buns wafted through the air, beckoning curious onlookers and seasoned dessert enthusiasts alike.
With a playful nod to the ambassador's penchant for diplomatic finesse, the ribbon-cutting ceremony unfolded amidst a chorus of cinnamon-infused excitement.
"Ambassadors often find themselves in sticky situations, but this is one I welcome joining in!" said Ambassador Peter Haas, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he ordered lots of iconic swirls of Cinnabon's signature treats.
The ambassador's presence at the launch underscored more than just a culinary affair -- it marked a significant stride in strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Bangladesh.
"Cinnabon's expansion into this market not only tantalizes taste buds but also bolsters our trade and investment relationship," he said, his smile as warm as the gooey centers of the freshly baked buns.
India’s FS Vinay Kwatra likely to be in Dhaka on April 20
Among the guests were John Fay, Foreign Commercial Service Officer, and Stephen Ibelli, Public Diplomacy Counselor of the U.S. Embassy, who echoed sentiments of excitement for the growing presence of American franchises in Bangladesh.
"Cinnabon joins a growing number of American franchises interested in operating in Bangladesh," noted Fay, emphasizing the role of American business interested in investing in Bangladesh fostering cultural exchange and economic cooperation.
With a wink and a nod to the future, the ambassador sealed the day's celebrations with a promise of more delectable delights to come.
"I look forward to seeing other famous American brands bring new options to Bangladesh diners and investing in the market," he declared, his words resonating with the promise of sweet success and savory partnerships on the horizon.
UNESCAP: PM Hasina to visit Thailand next week
As the aroma of cinnamon lingered in the air, Nilufa Heights on Kemal Ataturk Avenue stood as a beacon of gastronomic delight, inviting all who passed by to embark on a journey of indulgence and camaraderie, one irresistible bite at a time.
India’s FS Vinay Kwatra likely to be in Dhaka on April 20
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra is likely to pay an official visit to Bangladesh on Saturday to discuss and review the entire gamut of bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Apart from his bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen, the Indian foreign secretary is due to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, a diplomatic source told UNB.
The visit is part of high-level exchanges between India and Bangladesh and to review progress in two countries' bilateral cooperation agenda.
However, details of his visit are yet to be known.
The government of India in March extended Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra's tenure by six months. Kwatra assumed charge as India’s foreign secretary on 1 May, 2022 and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988.
Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi on 24 November 2023.
FOC is an institutional dialogue mechanism between the two foreign secretaries to review the entire gamut of bilateral relationship.
UNESCAP: PM Hasina to visit Thailand next week
Both sides in bilateral forums usually discuss comprehensively a wide range of issues covering border and security, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, people to people ties and development cooperation in Bangladesh.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India is planned after the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.
Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.
"Prime Minister's (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India," FM Hasan said recently.
He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.
In January, Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, Greece vow to further strengthen bilateral relations
The last bilateral engagement between the two prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.
PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
UNESCAP: PM Hasina to visit Thailand next week
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave for Bangkok, Thailand on April 24 to attend the eightieth session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) which will be held from April 22 to 26 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will accompany the prime minister during the visit, a senior official told UNB.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu will also be part of the Bangladesh delegation, he said.
Dhaka-Delhi relationship has to be nurtured, kept moving forward with fresh impetus: Shringla
Discussions are underway to add a bilateral component of the visit which might see signing of a half a dozen bilateral cooperation documents, said a diplomatic source.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to return home on April 27.
Guided by the theme “Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, the eightieth session will be an opportunity to strengthen region-wide cooperative action on leveraging digital innovation for the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The session will bring together government leaders and ministers from across Asia and the Pacific and other key stakeholders to discuss how digital innovation can more inclusively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across multiple disciplines.
Moreover, participants will be able to identify opportunities to fully unleash the transformative potential of digital innovations and discuss pathways to strengthen their contribution to sustainable development, said the organizers.
A digital innovation fair will provide space to engage with a broad range of partners and stakeholders showcasing digital innovations that are already contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across the region.
Asia and the Pacific is uniquely placed to leverage digital technologies to overcome sustainable development challenges.
Bangladesh, Thailand nearing energy cooperation MOU: Nasrul Hamid
Already, the region is recognized as a dynamic hub for digitally driven innovation fueled by pioneering technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Finance, GovTech, and the Internet of Things. Yet to encourage further ingenuity and tap digital innovation to bolster the huge collective effort required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the region needs a plan.
Bangladesh to introduce drone technology to assess crop losses
Bangladesh is preparing to introduce remote sensing and drones to detect crop damage caused by extreme weather events or diseases, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Around 20 officers of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are initially receiving training to learn how to use the state-of-the-art technologies.
Malay Choudhury, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, and Edimon Ginting, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh inaugurated a workshop titled “The Use of Drone and Satellite Image for Crop Monitoring and Crop Damage Assessment” in Dhaka on Tuesday to initiate a seven-day training programme.
ADB forecasts Bangladesh's GDP growth at 6.1% in FY 2023-24, anticipates rise to 6.6% next year
DAE and ADB jointly designed the training programme that will continue till April 25 April, according to ADB.
Renowned geospatial experts from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will conduct the training.
The trainees will receive four days of classroom training on geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing analysis for crop damage detection and participate in a three-day field trip to Sylhet to learn how to collect ground data using mobile devices.
Local DAE officials are expected to participate in the training in Sylhet, where the 2022 floods caused major crop damage.
ADB to increase cooperation in Bangladesh climate actions: Environment Minister
Proper assessment of crop diseases and losses are critical to take appropriate measures to ensure agricultural productivity and food security in the context of growing threats of climate change in Bangladesh, said Country Director Edimon Ginting.
“ADB will continue to bring in innovative solutions including advanced technologies to help Bangladesh tackle climate impacts,” Ginting added.
With advanced geospatial technology, our officers will be able to assess crop damage and provide effective government programs to mitigate the expected damage caused by climate change in the future, said Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General, DAE.
PM Hasina seeks more support from ADB for socioeconomic uplift
Following the training program, ADB and DAE plan to produce joint reports on crop damage assessment in the Sylhet region, conduct a project evaluation study of an ADB-supported integrated water management project in Gopalganj areas, and implement a nationwide climate disaster assessment in a small local government unit.
Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific financed by the Government of Japan provided the grant fund for the training program through the Asian Development Bank.
Train movement normal after 2-hour derailment disruption
Train movement from the capital city resumed after a 2-hour disruption fo0llowing the derailment of the Dhaka-bound Jamalpur Express in Tejgaon of Dhaka on Wednesday morning.
The railway authorities said that the train movement has returned to normal around 10 am.
Station Manager of Kamalapur Railway Station Mohammad Anwar Hossain said that the train derailed at 8:05 am. He couldn’t confirm the reason behind the accident.
However, Md. Abul Hossain, railway second grade mechanic working at the accident site, said that the train was derailed due to the broken equaliser beam.
He explained that there is a hanger positioned between the two wheels, with two equaliser beams flanking it on either side. “These equalisers play a crucial role in stabilizing the beam. The derailment occurred as a result of the breakage of this vital component,” he said.
No casualties have been reported in the accident.
14 killed as truck ploughed thru several vehicles in Jhalakathi
At least fourteen people, including children, were killed and 25 others injured when a speeding cement-laden truck ran through several vehicles before plunging into a roadside ditch near Gabkhan bridge in Jhalakathi municipality area on Wednesday.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.
The accident occurred around 1:30 pm when the Barishal-bound truck ploughed through five vehicles including a microbus carrying a bridal party, three auto-rickshaws, and one pickup van standing in front of the toll gate. It then hurtled into the roadside ditch, leaving fourteen people dead and 25 others injured, said Jhalakathi police super Mohammad Afrujul Haque Tutul.
Severe heat wave sweeps over Chuadanga, Bagerhat
Severe heat wave sweeps over Chuadanga, Bagerhat
A severe heat wave is scorching the districts of Chuadanga and Bagerhat while a mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, parts of Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, according to weather office.
The severity may ease in some other places, said a met office bulletin.
Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Dhaka’s air continues to be ‘unhealthy’, 4th most polluted in the world this morning
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country
‘Mujibnagar Day’ observed by Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei
The High Commission of Bangladesh in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam observed the historic Mujibnagar Day with due solemnity and respect.
In the morning the high commission organised a programme with the expatriate Bangladeshi communities in attendance,according to a message received here.
The programme started with hoisting of National flag and continued with recitation from the Holy Quran, and observing one minutes silence for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, the four National Leaders of Bangladesh: Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman, and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war. The Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman Shumona read out messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the historic Mujibnagar Day.
The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day
A documentary on Mujibnagar Day was screened, reflecting on the historical significance of the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh in the tiny mango grove-covered village in Baidyanathtala, now under Meherpur district.
The Bangladesh high commissioner enlightened the audience with factual analysis of the history of ‘Mujibnagar Day’ in particular, in relation to how important the formation and oath-taking of the provisional government was during that epochal moment in the history of the nation's independence movement and liberation war.
She paid tribute and homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war.
The high commissioner requested the Bangladesh community members to work hard with utmost sincerity and honesty so as to help materialize the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has attended the "9th Our Ocean Conference Greece 2024" held in Athens on April 16-17.
He led a delegation at the Conference which is a regular platform for governments, international organisations, academia, private sectors and NGOs to come together with the aim of sharing a common vision for the protection of oceans and taking actions to support this vision.
The conference was inaugurated by the Greek President through a video message, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the first day, apart from various plenary sessions on greening of the shipping sector, confronting plastic pollution, effective management of marine protected areas, ocean-climate nexus, the foreign minister participated in a high-level segment with the participation of Heads of State/Government, preceded by an event where the Geek Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech.
The foreign minister also took part in a working lunch hosted by the Greek foreign minister in honor of the participating toreign ministers.
9 BNP men land in Naogaon jail
In the morning of 16th April, on the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
The ocean plays a key role in human existence; it is essential for people's survival, well-being and prosperity.
It provides food, regulates our climate, and generates most of the oxygen we breathe.
It also serves much of the world’s economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries and to international shipping while it is connected to our culture and is a major source of inspiration.
Number of Benazir-like wealthy people increased: Rizvi
However, the health of seas and the ocean, and of marine ecosystems in particular, is threatened by unsustainable practices such as discharges of wastewater and marine litter, unregulated and unreported fishing, unsustainable shipping and tourism activities, said the speakers.
To mitigate the negative impacts from human interventions and improve the current state of our oceans, it is essential to join efforts on a global scale, they said.
Collaboration among nations, NGOs, private entities, academia, professional groups, civil society organisations and more, is of paramount importance for implementing effective solutions, fostering sustainable practices, and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of oceans.
Read more: SeaKeepers Society: Making waves in ocean conservation