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Training centers being established in eight divisions for physically challenged people: Minister
Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed on Wednesday said integrated training centers are being established in all the eight divisions of the country with the aim of providing training, and creating employment for physically challenged people.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a function organized on the occasion of the inauguration of the Protection Trust for People with Disability, Maitri Shilpa's newly constructed gate 'Shongshaptak', deep tube well, Maitri plastic chairs and baskets.
Social Welfare Secretary Md Jahangir Alam presided over the function.
Read: Disabled boy charred to death in Chandpur
The minister said that Maitri Industries is turning to a profitable industry. For the welfare of the people with disability, plants of Maitri Shilpa will be set up at the district level. Manufacturing of chairs and baskets at this plant will make it a more profitable enterprise.
Regarding the water produced by Maitri Shilpa, the minister said, “Mukta Water is widely appreciated throughout the country. The process to supply Mukta Water in Biman Bangladesh Airlines has also been undergoing.”
Read more: Social Welfare Association finally to get a law, Bill placed
The minister also visited the artificial limb making programme of Employment and Rehabilitation Center for the Physically Handicapped (ERCPH) at Tongi, inaugurated the braille press, and handed over appointment letters to 18 people who got jobs after training.
Bangladesh registers 9 more Covid-19 cases in 24hrs
Bangladesh reported 9 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total Covid-19 caseload rose to 2,045,633, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,477 as no new fatalities were reported during this period.
Read: Bangladesh registers 9 new Covid-19 cases in 24hrs
The daily case test positivity rate stood at 1.36 percent as 885 samples were tested.
The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.42 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively.
Read more: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 19 new cases in 24hrs
Govt to procure edible oil, lentil and fertiliser; cabinet purchase body okays proposals
Cabinet committee on government purchase (CCGP) in a virtual meeting on Wednesday approved a number of proposals including procurement of edible oil, lentil and fertiliser.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the meeting.
As per the approved proposals, placed by the Ministry of Commerce, its subordinate body Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the state marketing agency, will purchase of 80 lakh liters of soybean oil from City Edible Oil Ltd., at a cost of Tk 128.24 crore for the fiscal year 2023-2024 through local open tender system. Each litre will cost Tk 160.30.
The TCB will purchase 65 lakh liters of rice bran oil at a cost of Tk 103.35 crore through direct purchase method (DPM) from two local companies in two separate lots. The suppliers are Majumder Products Ltd and MRT Agro Products Ltd. Each litre will cost Tk 159.
Read: 20 lakh bags of saline to be procured for dengue patients at govt hospitals
Some 6000 metric tons (MTs) of lentil will be procured by the TCB directly without any tender from Bashundhara Food and Beverage Ltd and Foodco Agrocity Ltd at a cost of Tk 66.60 crore with each kilogram (kg) costing at Tk 111.
Another 21000 MTs of lentil will be procured by the TCB directly without any tender from Nabil Naba Food, Bashundhara Food and Beverage, Foodco Agrocity and JI Traders at a cost of Tk 260.90 crore with each cost at Tk 99 per kg.
The Cabinet body approved four proposals for importing fertilisers.
Read: Import 300,000 metric tons of wheat from Russia gets cabinet body’s nod
Of these, Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) under the Ministry of Industry will import 30,000 MTs bulk granular urea fertiliser from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company, Saudi Arabia at a cost of Tk 120.45 crore. Each MT will cost $365.
The BCIC will purchase 30,000 MTs of bagged granular urea fertiliser from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 118.84 crore. Each MT will cost $360.125.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) under the Ministry of Agriculture will import 30,000 MTs of TSP fertiliser OCP, S.A. of Morocco at a cost of Tk 130.02 crore. Each MT will cost $394.
Read: TIB rejects Cabinet-nodded Cyber Security Act-2023
The BADC will purchase 50,000 MT of muriate-of-potash (MOP) fertiliser from Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) under the state-level contract at a cost of Tk 180.26 crore. Each MT will cost $327.75.
It will import another 50,000 MTs of muriate-of-potash (MOP) fertilizer from the same CCC at the same cost of Tk 180.26 crore. . Each MT will cost $327.75.
22-day ban on hilsa fishing to begin on Oct 12: Fisheries Minister
A 22-day government ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa will come into effect from October 12 in a bid to save mother hilsa during peak breeding season, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.
The ban will continue till November 02.
“Mother hilsa Conservation Campaign will be conducted at that time. The government will provide VGF food assistance to the fishermen who will refrain from catching hilsa during the period,” said the minister.
Govt measures boost hilsa production in Khulna
The minister said this at a meeting of the National Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development at the conference room of the Fisheries Department at Matsya Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday.
"Hilsa is not only our national resource; it is a GI certified asset that carries our unique identity in the global arena. Hilsa production has increased breaking all previous records,” the minister said.
The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother hilsa which lay eggs during the period.
Despite ample supply, Hilsa still out of reach of the average buyer
Bangladesh’s over 12.0 per cent fish production comes from hilsa, posting the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species.
Hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, is recognized as a certified patented product of Bangladesh. The marine fish flies to rivers in Bangladesh to lay eggs. The fish is very popular both in Bangladesh and West Bengal. About 75 percent of the world's hilsa is netted in Bangladesh.
Chandpur is considered one of the largest trading hubs of hilsa in Bangladesh as the fish from the Padma River is much more popular than the ones that come from other rivers because of its extremely pleasing taste.
Habibur Rahman made new DMP Commissioner
The government of Bangladesh has appointed Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Habibur Rahman as the new commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Read: US Ambassador holds meeting with DMP Commissioner
A gazette notification was issued in this regard by the Home Ministry's Public Security Division on Wednesday (September 20, 2023).
The order will be effective immediately, the notification said.
Read: Crime in the capital 'under control': DMP Commissioner
2 children, mother die as haystack falls on them in Feni
A 35-year-old woman and her two minor children died as a haystack collapsed on them at Dakkhin Dharmapur village in Fulgazi upazila of Feni district on Wednesday morning.The deceased were identified as Sumi Akter, wife of Tipu Sultan, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Bahrain and her two children—Shahid, 5 and Siam, 2.Abul Hashim, officer-in-charge of Fulgazi police station, said Sumi was cutting hay from the haystack for feeding cattle in the morning. Her two children were also there.
Man hacked to death over extramarital affair in RangpurAt one stage, the haystack collapsed on them, leaving them dead on the spot.Local people took them to Chhagalnaiya Sadar Hospital where doctors said they were brought dead.Man stabs wife, father-in-law to death in Laxmipur, say locals
Latest ADB report predicts a better year for Bangladesh in FY2024
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth to be 6.5 percent in the fiscal year 2024, compared to an estimated growth of 6 percent in fiscal 2023.
The projection was made in the latest ADB report, ‘Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023,’ released today.
The ADB in a press release said that the growth forecast reflects an improvement in domestic demand and better export growth due to economic recovery in the Eurozone.
ADB, Deutsche Bank ink risk sharing agreement to boost supply chain financing in Asia
The ADB also mentioned that inflation in Bangladesh is projected to ease from 9 percent in FY2023 to 6.6 percent in FY2024.
The current account deficit is expected to slightly narrow from 0.7 percent of GDP in FY2023 to 0.5 percent of GDP in FY2024 as remittance growth improves.
The main risk to this growth projection is a further deterioration in export growth if global demand is weaker than expected, the press release said.
Global trade finance gap expands to 2.5 trillion USD in 2022: ADB
ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting said that the government is managing relatively well against the external economic uncertainties, while advancing infrastructure development and critical reforms to improve the investment climate.
“These key structural reforms include to strengthen public financial management, enhance domestic resource mobilisation, improve logistics, and deepen financial sector, which are critical for private sector development, export diversification and productive job creation in the medium term,” he said.
ADB to provide Bangladesh $300 million loan to boost skills of labour force
He mentioned that continued high oil prices also provide a good incentive to accelerate reforms to expand domestic renewable energy supply and achieve the country’s climate change goals.
The ADO September 2023 states that moderate inflation and an increase in remittances will contribute to reviving private consumption, while the completion of a number of major government infrastructure projects will boost investment.
Private investment, however, may be dampened by the initial higher interest rates following the enhancement in the country’s monetary policy framework.
Inflation is expected to ease in FY2024 with some fall in global non-fuel commodity prices, expected higher agricultural production, and the initial tightening of monetary policy under the new framework.
PM Hasina honoured for her UN-recognised community clinic model in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been accorded a special honour by Brown University, one of the oldest higher educational institutions in the United States, for her community clinic model introduced to reach the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people.
The Warren Alpert Medical School of the Brown University on Tuesday honoured the Bangladesh prime minister with a citation congratulating her on the recent recognition by the United Nations of the “Sheikh Hasina Initiative.”
Dr. Mukesh K Jain, Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences of the institute, handed over the citation to Sheikh Hasina at her palace of residence, The Lotte New York Hotel here on Tuesday. Hasina is now in New York to attend the 78th UNGA session.
PM Hasina puts five points to reshape global financial system to tackle ongoing crisis
"The Warren Alpert Medical School of the Brown University has given the Prime Minister a special honour on her recognition by the United Nations for taking the initiative of community clinics," PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Md. Noorelahi Mina told reporters.
"Congratulations to her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on the recent recognition by the United Nations of the "Sheikh Hasina Initiative," reads the citation.
Promote community clinics in developing world: PM Hasina urges dev partners
"A successful model of Community-based Primary Health Care: A Participatory and Inclusive Approach to Universal Health Coverage by promoting primary health care, women's empowerment, and community engagement," the citation added.
During the meeting with the prime minister, Dr Jain discussed about Bangladesh-Brown Biomedical Research and Education Initiative as a potential platform to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of public health and research.
The PM appreciated the initiative and expressed her support for it.
PM Hasina reaches NY for 78th UNGA session
Hasina stressed the need for improving medical and clinical research in Bangladesh. "We're always giving importance to research. It can play a great role in medical science research," she said.
The Brown University has been screening cervical cancer in different parts of Bangladesh.
Dr Jain said they can help Bangladesh in introducing electronic data management in the community clinics to keep the records of the patients taking healthcare services from the clinics.
The Brown University has also expressed its desire to forge a partnership with Bangladesh in the field of research and education. The institution has also expressed its desire to sign an agreement to this end.
Thanks to continued rain, Dhaka's air quality remains ‘moderate’
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the ‘moderate’ zone this morning, amidst rain since Wednesday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 58, the capital of Bangladesh ranked 39th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality at 8:57 am today.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Indonesia's Jakarta and the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 166, 164 and 163, respectively.
Thanks to rain, Dhaka's air quality 'good' this morning
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Dhaka's air quality ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
PM Hasina puts five points to reshape global financial system to tackle ongoing crisis
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the world financial system needs fundamental shift to address the ongoing financial crisis across the globe.She put forward five points in reshaping the financial system while speaking at the High-level Roundtable titled “Towards a Fair International Financial Architecture” held at UN Headquarters here.The points are:First, MDBs, IFIs, and private lending agencies must re-align their priorities and mobilize additional funds for SDG implementation and climate action.Second, funds need to be made available for developing countries at low-cost, concessional rates, and preferably in higher quantities of grants;
Read: PM Hasina honoured for her UN-recognised community clinic model in BangladeshThird, all lending instruments should have disaster clauses to allow vulnerable countries to absorb shocks during crises;Fourth, fair and effective debt relief measures need to be given priority based on coordination and transparency among creditors; and,Fifth, instead of quotas, SDR borrowing limits should be based on needs and vulnerability, supported by easy lending processes.“We recognise that the international financial architecture needs urgent reforms. But agreement on the nature and extent of the reforms remains lacking. Political will is important,” Hasina said.She mentioned that international public finances are found to be costly and out-of-reach.
Read: Latest ADB report predicts a better year for Bangladesh in FY2024“We try to stay clear of high-interest-rate loans to avoid debt distress. Bangladesh has never defaulted on its loan repayment, and we hope to maintain that record,” she said.Agreeing with the UN Secretary General that the global credit rating system must be reviewed, she said that the current rating system further restricts access to funds for many low- and middle-income countries.“The limits on their voting rights, quotas, and representation in MDBs and IFIs also undermine their bargaining power,” she said.Sheikh Hasina said it is critical for the international financial architecture to be inclusive and representative of the Global South.“Development narratives from countries like Bangladesh demonstrate that we can do our part. It is time for the international financial system to respond to our expectations,” she said.Noting that Bangladesh has long been credited for its sound macro-economic management, the PM said, “Our economy grew by 8.15pc just before the pandemic.”She said the country’s economy was put under stress due to the Covid pandemic and Ukraine war.
Read: Promote community clinics in developing world: PM Hasina urges dev partners“Despite we’re still maintaining 6-7pc GDP growth, we are trying to curb inflation, manage the balance of payments, and maintain our development expenditures. There are evident strains on our fiscal and policy space,” she added.She said her government reduced the poverty level from 41.9pc to 18.7pc and the extreme poverty level from 25.5pc to 5.6pc in the country.Also on Tuesday, Hasina held bilateral meetings separately with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the bilateral meeting room at the United Nations Headquarters.“Various aspects of the issues related to interest of Bangladesh were discussed during the meetings,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen while briefing reporters.
He said Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, paid a courtesy call on Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s place of residence on the day.During the meeting, the prime minister put emphasis on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and reiterated Bangladesh's steadfast commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, said Momen.Sheikh Hasina recalled that Bangladesh ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty after she formed the government for her first term.She expressed her sincere thanks to IAEA for providing technical support to Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Savar Nuclear Reactor Research Establishment.Meanwhile, the prime minister highlighted the progress of Bangladesh in developing adversity-tolerant and high-yielding crop varieties developed by Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), said the FM.