State Minister for Foreign Affairs
No possibility of expansion of sanctions: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Thursday said there is no possibility to expand the US sanctions beyond the existing individuals in Bangladesh, noting that it will not have any impact on other areas.
“There’s no impact of it (sanctions) in other areas. I can tell you very confidently. Even, there’s no possibility of US sanctions’ expansion,” he said referring to their greater engagement with the US over the last one month and trashed the rumors around.
While responding to questions from reporters at his office, the State Minister also referred to rumors spread by some quarters, including BNP-Jamaat, on imposing further sanctions by the United Nations and the European Union (EU) and cited the examples of how the UN spokesperson and EU Ambassador in Dhaka responded to media queries.
Also read: No US plan to impose sanctions on Bangladesh: Congressman Meeks
“We’ve done many things and we’re still working on many issues. We remain engaged since the US imposed sanctions on individuals,” he said, adding that one thing is very clear that the conspiracy hatched against the country by the conspirators did not work.
The State Minister said the government wants to cooperate with RAB and will further strengthen it; and termed the US sanctions “unfortunate” and “disproportionate” action.
He said it is their responsibility to protect RAB and its officers as they are the partners of many success stories on the security front. “We’re trying to know more why the sanctions were imposed.”
Also read: No impact on European business interest in Bangladesh, says EU envoy about sanctions
The State Minister said they have discussed with legal experts to explore the available avenues to withdraw the sanctions. “We’re looking into legal issues.”
Shahriar said they had a very effective meeting with the EU where they discussed how the relationship between Bangladesh and the EU will look like after 2026.
AL govt did never engage lobbyist, no plan to do either: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the Awami League government did never engage any lobbyist in its last three tenures but engaged a company purely on media front in 2015 to help the world know Bangladesh based on facts and counter propaganda against the country and its people.
“We want to make it clear the Awami League government in its last three tenures didn’t engage any lobbyists. What we did is purely media-related print-media targeted,” said the State Minister.
He talked to a small group of reporters as some of the journalists approached him to know more about his statement he made in Parliament on Monday.
Also read: BNP spent a lot on lobbying by US firm: Shahriar
The State Minister said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spent at least US$ 3.75 million on lobbyists and shared relevant documents with the media which are also available in public domain.
Shahriar mentioned fact-based stories on women empowerment, climate change, poverty alleviation and Rohingya crisis that appeared in the international mainstream media in the last four-five years.
The State Minister said Bangladesh also countered with facts when there is any negative perception in the global media and when someone writes something negative about Bangladesh and its people deliberately.
“We engaged the PR company as in most cases rejoinders aren’t published with due importance which is a common practice at home and abroad,” he said, adding that it is not a lobbyist firm.
Shahriar said the government will do only those things which are “judiciously correct” and acceptable to the people of the country.
The State Minister said some media outlets, being operated from foreign lands, are acting as spokespersons of BNP-Jamaat, and they are pointing fingers against Bangladesh.
He said they have so far eight agreements in hand and at least three agreements show BNP’s central office address.
One of the agreements was signed with Blue Strategies, LLC in Washington for a period - September 2018 to May 2020, Shahriar said.
Also read: Bay of Bengal resources to be tapped in environment-friendly way: Shahriar Alam
He said they will forward these documents related to eight agreements to the Bangladesh Bank governor to check how BNP sent that huge amount of money abroad.
Shahriar also said they can share those documents with the Election Commission through relevant Bangladesh Missions abroad and also from here if they want as every year political parties show their incomes and expenditures.
Responding to a question, the State Minister said BNP and Jamaat are two sides of the same coin and mentioned that they found Jamaat’s names in the contents of four documents.
“I’m sure there are more beyond these agreements,” he said, suggesting journalists to do investigative journalism.
The State Minister said there is nothing wrong in engaging a lobbyist but it is not good to hide the fact and act against the interest of Bangladesh and its people.
Asked whether he sees it as a defeat of the government's diplomacy against lobbyists, he said, “We don’t see it as a defeat against lobbyists using dirty money against our diplomacy.”
Responding to a question on RAB, he said the government remains engaged with the US and there will be an exchange of high-level visits soon. “I don’t want to elaborate. We hope there’ll be a solution to the problem.”
He hoped that they would bring a positive outcome through engaging with the US directly without engaging any lobbyists. “We do believe it. We don’t have an immediate plan to appoint a lobbyist firm.”
Shahriar said they do not believe in pursuing political agenda using that route where cash is involved.
BNP spent a lot on lobbying by US firm: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam on Monday said he has proof how much money the BNP-Jamaat clique has spent on lobbying by a US firm in the last five years.He made the claim while speaking on thanksgiving motion on President Abdul Hamid’s speech in Parliament.Shahriar said the first document he has had is about hiring a lobbyist, Akin Company Associates, in the United States in 2015.“An agreement was signed with the address of BNP's Nayapaltan office. The agreement was valid for three years and US$ 50,000 was given to it per month meaning that they paid six lakh US dollars first and two million US dollars in total in three years,” he said.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNPThe state minister said he has 10 such documents and showed all those in parliament. Each political party submits its accounts on expenditure and income to the Election Commission, he said.“BNP has to ask itself whether this money has been sent with the approval of the Bangladesh Bank! If not, we want an investigation into it to ascertain whether orphans’ money has been syphoned off abroad to pay to the lobbyist farm,” he said.Shahriar said the future of Bangladesh will be determined by its 16 crore people and no country in the world, no matter how powerful they are, can fix Bangladesh’s future.
Also read: US Embassy dismisses BNP leader Hafizuddin's claim over sanctions on CEC“If we’ve problems, we’ll discuss that in Parliament, or we’ll take to the streets. We’ll solve the problems there. We’ll go to the Election Commission. We’ll go to the President,” he insisted.
Ocean health needs proper regional, global attention: Dhaka
Bangladesh has said ocean health, like climate change, needs proper regional and international attention and frameworks supported by all stakeholders.
“We must ensure that our ocean with its all resources remains healthy under proper surveillance and continue creating equitable opportunities for our people,” said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.
He made the call while delivering a speech at the 5th Indian Ocean Conference 2021 (Plenary Session 3) on Sunday arranged on a virtual platform.
Read: Bay of Bengal resources to be tapped in environment-friendly way: Shahriar Alam
Minister to the PM and Standing Secretary of State, Cambodia Ouch Borith; State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maldives, Ahmed Khaleel and Deputy Minister, Tanzania Omary Kipanga also spoke at the event.
The State Minister said oceans are the homes of opportunities and they are both engines for global economic growth and key sources of food security.
He said sustainable harnessing in the Indian Ocean through coordination and joint efforts of the countries in the region can make a groundbreaking impact on socio-economic development creating jobs and opportunities for livelihoods.
Doing so offers the possibility of generating new sustainable pathways to rebuild economies recovering from the effects of the global pandemic and sudden economic shock, said the State Minister.
“However, we shouldn’t lose focus that the oceans are coming under increased pressure from population growth, abuse of waters, and global competition for raw materials, food demand, water scarcity, maritime security threats, climate change and marine pollution,” Shahriar said.
He said these multiple challenges and other geo-economic and geo-strategic factors require an integrated response and an urgent transition of the world economy towards a sustainable, inclusive and resource efficient path through adopting the concept of blue economy.
This year’s theme of the Indian Ocean Conference is ‘Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy, and Epidemic.’
He mentioned that Bangladesh economy has proved to be rather resilient to the shocks brought about by Covid-19 despite the global economic downturn.
In early October this year, the World Bank had forecast that Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by 6.4% in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The government, however, has set a 7.2% growth target for the current fiscal year.
The State Minister said Covid-19 has put up inconsistent hindrances for cross national movements and it has posed new threats in international trade and people to people contact.
“We, the nation significantly dependent on cross-border trade and man power exports, have become vulnerable to such unequal restrictions. Bangladesh as an ardent proponent of safe and orderly migration urges the Indian Ocean countries to form a unified voice to break the shackles of unusual political puzzles,” Shahriar said.
Read: E-passport service at Toronto mission soon: Shahriar
He said the challenges created by Covid-19, concerns over future pandemics, supply chain over-dependencies, mobility disruptions – have all brought to the fore new challenges of an interconnected world. They have also focused our attention on building capacities at home.
“To make our efforts stronger, there’s no alternative to sharing and collaborating our experiences and expertise,” Shahriar said.
The pandemic is a global phenomenon; therefore, he said it necessitates coordinated global response.
The State Minister mentioned that Bangladesh Parliament declared climate change to be a “planetary emergency” and called on the world to work “on a war footing” to combat it and reduce its impacts.
“We’ve formed Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF) for climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction. We’re going to implement the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ to achieve low carbon economic growth for optimized prosperity and partnership,” he said.
The State Minister said the time has come to go for a sustainable approach and nature-based solution for coastal risk reduction.” It would be a great measure to combat the uncertain climate change.”
Dhaka-Delhi ties “crucial for greater regional stability”
Bilateral issues with India need to be resolved amicably with fairness and justice as the Bangladesh-India relations are crucial for greater regional stability and development, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.
“The past 50 years are a testimony, with ample evidence, how crucial Bangladesh-India relations are not only for bilateral partnership and peace, but also for greater regional stability and the development of the subcontinent,” he said while addressing a dialogue on Wednesday as the chief guest.
To alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta River basin, Alam said, it is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta waters based on the draft agreement which has already been agreed upon by both the governments in January 2011.
Read: Bangladesh-India relations scale newer heights: Hasina
He said Bangladesh believes in India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement at the earliest.
Likewise, the State Minister mentioned, it is necessary that an equitable comprehensive water-sharing agreement on common rivers such as Gumti, Khowai, Kushiyara, Teesta, Feni and Muhuri needs to be concluded so that the people of Bangladesh can perceive that India will be attentive and fair to their needs.
He said the past 50 years will guide them to navigate the course of the next 50 years in the evolving scenario of the regional and global context, where the friendship and partnership would be deeper and more consolidated.
“As we march forward to turn the dream of Sonar Bangla of Bangabandhu into a reality, the partnership and friendship with India signifies a metamorphological transition to transform the region as a role model of peace, prosperity, and development,” he said highlighting the historic transformative journey of shared prosperity.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the dialogue titled “50 Years of Bangladesh-India Partnership: Towards a Journey in the Next 50 Years” in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India.
Bangladesh already emerged as economic powerhouse in Asia: Shahriar
Bangladesh has already emerged as an economic powerhouse in Asia and the international community terms Bangladesh a “development miracle”,State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said.
The State Minister delivered a lecture on Tuesday on the history and socio-economic development of Bangladesh at an event titled “Meeting the young minds”; organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Mexico City in partnership with the Ibero-American University of the city.
His deliberation was live streamed by the University authority and approximately 2700 students of “IBERO” campuses from three different cities of Mexico namely at Torreon, Tijuana, and Santa Fe, were connected to this event virtually.
He highlighted remarkable success in poverty reduction, food security, women empowerment, and inclusive economic growth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and shared Bangladesh’s impressive journey towards prosperity.
Read: Wealthier nations should provide more trade access to poorer countries: Shahriar
The State Minister congratulated the students on the 200-year celebration of Mexican independence and mentioned that a military contingent and a cultural team of Bangladesh joined the 200-year celebration of Mexican independence, while a military delegation from Mexico is expected to participate in the victory day celebration of Bangladesh.
He also congratulated the students for pursuing higher studies in this prestigious university.
In order to provide them a brief account on the history of Bangladesh, he elaborated on the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, Bangladesh’s fight against oppression followed by the partition and its long struggle towards independence under the undisputed and charismatic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Shahriar provided a detailed account with regards to the language movement and the Mother Language Day on 21st February which was later recognized by UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day in 1999.
Referring to the stable economic growth rate over 6% during the past decade and official announcement of its graduation the LDC status to a developing country in the coming years, Bangladesh State Minister then discussed the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy of Bangladesh and its resilience against it including the status of procurement and distribution of vaccines by the Government of Bangladesh.
He mentioned that Bangladesh has inoculated 6.1 million people in a day (on 28th September 2021) to celebrate the birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister Shahriar Alam expressed his deep appreciation to Mexico for extending its consistent support on the Rohingya issue at the multilateral platforms.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s contribution to global peace as one of the leading troop contributing countries.
Bangladesh’s challenges to address the adverse impacts of climate change as well as migration were duly highlighted during his lecture as well as the receipt of the ‘SDG Progress Award’ by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition of Bangladesh’s initiatives to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all.
With regards to the bilateral relationship with Mexico, State Minister Shahriar Alam said that Bangladesh considers Mexico as a good friend and a trusted partner in the region with whom it shares similar values of multiculturalism, democracy and peaceful coexistence.
Read: Shahriar joins Mexican independence anniversary celebration
Wealthier nations should provide more trade access to poorer countries: Shahriar
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has called on wealthier nations to provide more trade access to poorer countries so as to stimulate their economic growth.
He also highlighted the steps taken by the Bangladesh government to ensure full compliance with international labour laws, particularly in the readymade garment industry, during his meeting with Mexican Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade Luz Maria de la Mora Sanchez in Mexico City Tuesday.
The two Ministers, in fact, discussed ways to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties at the meeting.
Read:Shahriar joins Mexican independence anniversary celebration
Shahriar told the Mexican Minister that "setting bilateral trade targets may be aspirational but useful". He has already set a target of US one billion dollars during an interaction with the business community of the two countries.
On her part, the Mexican Minister underscored the importance of moving forward, "as both countries have many people who are left behind".
'Bangabandhu Bangladesh Book Corner' launched in Brunei
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Monday said the "Bangabandhu-Bangladesh Book Corner" in Brunei will serve as an effective conduit to bring the academics and students of Brunei and Bangladesh to collaborate and learn from each other.
"Education is a priority of our government; we want to collaborate with the universities of Brunei more," he said, noting that the education sector worldwide suffered a huge blow from the pandemic.
Read: Bangabandhu's foreign policy still works as guiding principle: FM
The State Minister thanked the University Technology Brunei (UTB) for opening the Bangabandhu-Bangladesh Corner at its premises.
Bangladesh wants lasting peace in Afghanistan: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh wants to see lasting peace in Afghanistan that has gone through many ups and downs, noting that the current situation has an impact on South Asian politics.
He said Bangladesh expects that there will be no black chapter in like past but people’s rights will be established.
The State Minister said Bangladesh will decide the nature of its relations with Afghanistan observing the situation closely and considering how things move ahead.
“We’re ready to help Afghanistan when we feel that there’s a stable government in place with people’s mandate,” he told reporters on Monday.
The State Minister said things are still premature as the situation is evolving and Bangladesh cannot welcome it until there is a permanent government. “We’ll extend our helping hand timely.”
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar said the Prime Minister repeatedly talked about regional peace and prosperity.
He said South Asia’s potential and opportunity remained unexplored for a long time and Bangladesh wants to see that peace is restored in Afghanistan.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Bangladesh is carefully observing the fast evolving situation in Afghanistan, which, Bangladesh believes, may have an impact on the region and beyond.
READ: Time to allow young generation dream big: Shahriar
"We urge all stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm ensuring safety and security of all including foreign nationals," said the Ministry in a statement.
Bangladesh said it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural linkages. It is a fellow member of SAARC and an integral part of South Asia.
Bangladesh recalled the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
"Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan for fulfilling the visionary policy of the Prime Minister that the region must grow and prosper together for this development to be sustainable," the statement reads.
Bangladesh believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country.
In this regard, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan.
"We stand ready to share our best practices with Afghanistan in a range of areas, such as basic education, community healthcare, sanitation, human resources development, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster management and ICT enabled public service delivery," said the Ministry.
Bangladesh firmly believes that it is upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves.
READ: Big-B Initiative to bring more investment to Bangladesh: Shahriar
Bangladesh wishes to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community.
Iranian President lauds Bangladesh's robust development
Newly-elected President of Iran Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi has appreciated the robust economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had a meeting with President Raisi on Friday that lasted for 20 minutes.
Read:Indian sends 30 ambulances to Bangladesh
Earlier, Alam who led a three-member Bangladesh delegation, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Iranian president.
During the meeting, the president of Iran recalled his visit to Bangladesh 20 years back, particularly mentioned about his visit to Jashore.
President Raisi expressed his gratitude to President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for congratulating him on his election as president.