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Govt meets with WB over sustainable plastic management
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday held a meeting with the World Bank regarding the implementation of a sustainable plastic management action plan to prevent plastic pollution in the country.
At the same time, discussions were held with Lafarge Holcim regarding the implementation of Geocycle, a modern waste management system.
Presided over by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, the meeting was attended, among others, by Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Md Moniruzzaman, Additional Secretary (Environment) Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Additional Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control) Md Mizanur Rahman, the World Bank's senior environmental expert Yoon Ju Alison Yee and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Executive Director Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Read: Anti-plastic laws not being implemented: Speakers
At the meeting, on behalf of the World Bank, proposals were presented on policies and financing mechanisms for implementing the Sustainable Plastic Management Action Plan.
The meeting also informed that the World Bank is preparing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as part of the implementation of the action plan.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke on the draft guidelines of EPR on plastics.
Kaushik Mukherjee, head of LafargeHolcim's Geocycle Division, presented the Geocycle waste management approach to control pollution.
Kaushik said LafargeHolcim is implementing the method of burning garbage without any residue in a furnace with a temperature of 80°C-2,000°C.
The Geocycle process burns 100% of the waste, and because it uses garbage instead of fossil fuels, the process does not produce greenhouse gases, he said.
Praising the Geocycle system, Dr Farhina Ahmed said the government will implement it if it is found to be environmentally friendly and feasible after on-site inspections.
"The necessary guidelines for the implementation of the Sustainable Plastic Management Action Plan will be formulated in consultation with all concerned", she added.
Govt urged to revise tobacco control law and restrict e-cigarettes
The Development Organisation of the Rural Poor, a leading local non-governmental organization, urged the government to pass the draft amendment of tobacco control act and ban all types of electronic cigarettes at the earliest to make the country tobacco-free by 2040 on Wednesday.
"Tobacco companies are spreading rumours against the amendment of tobacco control act. We request the government to revise the act without any delay," Deputy Executive Director of the organisation Mohammad Zobayer Hasan said at a press conference at the National Press Club in the capital.
Read more: Reinforce tobacco laws to save young generation: Speakers
Referring to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2017, he said at least 35.3% of people aged over 15 are directly consuming tobacco, while 18% are passive smokers and 20.6% are smoke-free tobacco consumers.
"Every day, the country sees 444 deaths on average due to tobacco consumption," Zobayer Hasan added.
Member of Parliament from Sirajganj-3 constituency Professor Dr Md Abdul Aziz, Former Dhaka Medical College Orthopaedics Department head Professor Dr Md Shah Alam, Development Organisation of the Rural Poor Executive Advisor Md Azhar Ali Talukder, among others, were present at the event organised to discuss the role of the media in tobacco control.
Bangladesh export income rises despite bad global economy
Bangladesh's export grew by 7.81 percent in February year-on-year, which shows the country’s ability in export trading in spite of the global recession, said Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
The country earned $4.63 billion from exports in February this year, which is 7.81 percent higher than in February last year.
The EPB released this updated data on commodity exports on Thursday. As per the EPB data, in the first eight months (July-February) of the current financial year 2022-23, goods worth $37.08 billion were exported. This export is 9.56 percent more than the same period of last financial year.
Exports of more than $5 billion for three consecutive months decreased in February. However, Bangladesh has maintained growth in product exports.
According to EPB data, exports of ready-made garments, leather and leather products, non-leather footwear and plastic products increased in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.
Read more: Bangladesh earned $27.22b from exports in July-Dec amid new records
In contrast, exports of jute and jute products, agro-processed products, home textiles, and frozen foods have declined.
Following the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation in the country is on the rise. Consumers' purchasing power decreases. Purchase orders continue to decline. In the middle of the year, the gas-electricity crisis became evident in the country. Load shedding causes disruption of production for a large portion of the day.
Despite this crisis, the beginning of the current fiscal year was excellent in terms of the export of goods. In the first two months, $8.59 billion worth of goods were exported. The growth was also 25 percent. However, exports fell by 6.25 percent in September. It further decreased by 7.85 percent in October.
Exports got to a positive trend in November. Exports of goods in November, December, and January were $5.09 billion, $5.37 billion, and $5.14 billion respectively. Among them, the goods exported in December are the highest exports in a single month in the country's history.
According to EPB data, from July-February of the current fiscal year, readymade garments worth $31.36 billion were exported. This export is 14.06 percent higher than in the same period last year.
Apart from this, in the first eight months of the fiscal year, leather and leather products worth $830 million were exported. This export is 6.04 percent higher than in the same period last year.
Bangladesh reports 16 more Dengue cases
Sixteen more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Of the new patients, six were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Thirty-nine dengue patients, including 18 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 751 dengue cases, 703 recoveries, and nine deaths this year.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Pedestrian dead being hit by covered van in Dhaka
A 30-year-old pedestrian was killed after a covered van knocked him down in Gopalbagh area of the capital early Thursday.
The deceased, Md Jahidul Islam Mollah, was son of late freedom fighter Mostafa Mollah of Paschim Krishnapur village under Rajoir upazila in Madaripur.
Mostakim Patowary, a sub-inspector of Jatrabari police station, said the covered van hit him after a speeding bus of Shyamoli Paribahan rammed it from behind at the foot of Gopalbagh Bridge, leaving him dead on the spot.
On information, the body was recovered from the spot and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, he said.
Though the bus and covered van were seized, drivers of the vehicles went into hiding, the SI said.
The victim’s paternal cousin said Jahidul was a painter by profession and used to live in a mess in Madhubagh area.
He was supposed to go to the village from Dhaka on Thursday.
Politics can be done even from jail: Agriculture Minister
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Thursday said imprisonment can’t bar idealistic politicians or patriots from doing politics if they want.
“A person can keep in touch even from jail. How can one's politics ever be stopped through imprisonment if the person is an idealistic politician, a patriot?,” he said when reporters drew his attention to the contradictory remarks made by some cabinet members over BNP leader Khaleda Zia’s participation in politics.
Razzaque was talking to reporters following a meeting with a delegation led by Pim Van Stryen, vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands.
"We have to understand politics no matter what the law is. Had Iran's Khomeini's politics been stopped? Bangabandhu did do politics from jail. Would Bangabandhu have stop doing politics if there was a conviction against him?”
“I said it from that perspective. Politics can be done even in jail. That's what I told you. I say it again,” he added.
"This is how rebels and revolutionists do politics all over the world. Khaleda Zia will not be able contest the election because of the law. But will that stop her political thinking,” said the minister.
When asked why all the cabinet members cannot agree on the matter, the minister remained quiet for a while. He then said, "What are the cabinet colleagues saying? I didn't talk to them about this.”
Read more: AL staging drama over issue of Khaleda's politics with evil motive
“Is Lalu Prasad stopping politics? (Late) Jayalalithaa was also responsible for corruption,” said the minister referring to the Indian politicians convicted and jailed for corruption.
About Awami League MP Sheikh Selim's statement in parliament that Khaleda Zia signed a bond on staying away from politics, Razzaque said, "I do not know whether Khaleda Zia gave such a bond. I know that Tarique Zia (Khaleda’s son) gave it. He gave it to the caretaker government before going abroad.”
When asked why the Awami League brought this issue to the fore 10 months before the election, the AL leader said, "It is not a very important issue. We think the amount of discussion about it is enough. I gave two examples of India.”
Dialogue held to chart roadmap for responsible business conduct
Leaders and representatives from business, the government, civil society, workers organizations and other actors joined a national dialogue on Thursday to discuss strategies to promote responsible business conduct in Bangladesh.
The dialogue comes at an important moment, said a joint media release issued by ILO-UNDP.
In 2026, Bangladesh is set to transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC) status, a clear indicator of its economic strength and resilience to financial and climate shocks.
"Bangladesh will soon become a trillion-dollar economy, and the government is committed to ensure an institutional regime conducive to responsible business,” said Md. Ariful Hoque, Director of BIDA under Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh.
“Compliance with the UNGPs would ensure an inclusive and resilient LDC graduation,” he added.
Despite progress, the country continues to face issues such as business-related rights abuses and barriers to effective remedy.
As the country prepares for LDC graduation alongside a growing number of leading economies adopting mandatory human rights due diligence (HRDD) legislation, the promotion of responsible business conduct and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) will help address these issues and ensure a smooth graduation and continued sustainable development.
During a keynote address, Pichamon Yeophantong, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Member for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the urgent need to act.
“The UNGPs represent a collective good, and all stakeholders are set to gain from their implementation. A sound, stable economy will help the government attract investment, they provide businesses with a guide of what they need to do, and they ensure the basic rights of people and the environment are respected and protected,” she said.
The national dialogue was the culmination of the Bangladesh Business and Human Rights Week organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Government of Sweden and the European Union through ILO-IFC Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) programme.
From 25 February to 1 March, a series of workshops – concluding today with the national dialogue – engaged different actors to reflect on the progress, pertinent challenges, and opportunities of responsible business conduct in Bangladesh.
Discussions centered on the need to develop a roadmap for action on responsible business and what roles different actors can play to promote corporate responsibility in line with international standards like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
“As Bangladesh prepares for LDC graduation and upcoming mandatory human rights due diligence laws, the UNGPs provide guidance for states and businesses to play their part in protecting, respecting and remediating business-related human rights violations,” said Stephan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh.
“The UNGPs can also assist states and businesses in contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and UNDP remains committed to support efforts to implement these standards in Bangladesh and across Asia,” he added.
Speakers at the event noted that Bangladesh should make greater efforts to promote business and human rights to ensure the long-term growth of export-oriented industries – not only the ready-made-garments sector, but all industries – which are vital engines of the economy.
"The government, employers and workers’ organizations in Bangladesh have been successfully advancing labour reforms and promoting responsible business and decent work for all. ILO is committed to continue to support this work, which will protect Bangladesh’s hard earned economic growth and lead towards the achievement of the SDGs," said Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh.
Many European countries are adopting legislation on mandatory human rights due diligence, which would require businesses of a certain size to identify, prevent and mitigate the adverse impacts of their operations on human rights, labour rights, and the environment.
Since three-quarters of Bangladesh's exports are targeted for European markets, businesses in these nations will be required to demonstrate due diligence measures in their supply chains. Similar legislation and measures are being taken by other trading partners.
The event was attended by approximately 250 participants, including representatives from the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, development partners, global brands and retailers, and academia.
Syedabad railway level crossing to remain closed till March 5 morning
The Syedabad railway level crossing will remain temporarily closed for traffic from Thursday midnight to Sunday (05 March) dawn to facilitate Padma Bridge rail link work.
The Ministry of Railways issued a notice signed by its Deputy Chief Information Officer Md. Shariful Islam on Thursday regarding the closure.
People have been urged to use alternative roads during this period.
Bangladesh Railway regretted for the temporary inconvenience caused to people.
LPG price slashed by Tk 6.33 per kg
Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has decreased by Tk 6.33 per kg to Tk 118.54 from the previous price of Tk 124.85 per kg for the month of March.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced its latest price through a press release on Thursday.
As per the new price, 12kg LPG cylinder cost has cut by Tk 76 as a retail consumer will get it at Tk 1,422 instead of previous price of Tk 1498 (including VAT).
LPG prices for other sizes of cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, said the BERC press release.
An official of the BERC said that the prices witnessed such fall due to a decline in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price).
Last month, as per the Saudi CP, the LPG price was $790 per metric ton while the current month’s CP was set at $733 per MT with increase by $57 per MT, he added.
Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from Middle-East Market on the basis of Saudi CP.
As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also decreased to Tk 66.22 per litre (including VAT) from previous Tk 69.71 per litre, down by Tk 3.49 per litre.
The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (2 March, 2023).
Read more: 12kg LPG cylinder to cost Tk 46 more
The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 per cent.
The LPG price witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12kg cylinder), in the local market in February this year following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year.
Normally, the BERC Chairman announces the LPG price at the beginning of every month through a virtual press briefing.
This time, there was no press briefing as four members out of five including the BERC chairman recently retired from their jobs after expiry of their contracts with the government.
New chairman has not been appointed yet, said a BERC official.
Bangladesh reports 10 more Covid-19 cases
Bangladesh reported ten more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,850, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,445 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity rate was 0.44 percent against the tests of 2,298 samples.
The recovery rate increased to 98.31 percent. However, the death rate remained unchanged at 1.44 percent.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.