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Walton is the largest, successful pvt hi-tech park in Bangladesh: Palak
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Thursday said that presently, Walton Hi-Tech Industries is the largest and most successful hi-tech park in Bangladesh.
He came up with the remarks after visiting Walton headquarters at Chandra in Gazipur on Thursday.
He said that starting with electronics and home appliances, Walton has brought the world’s unique and innovative solutions through smart devices. Thus, Walton has played an important role in making the nation a productive one, according to a media release.
“Walton also inspired us to build a self-reliant and export-oriented country through their electronics and digital devices,” he said.
“We are working on building a smart Bangladesh and we have a target to increase the export volume to 5 billion by next 5 years,” he said. “Besides this, we are also aiming to create employment for over 1 million people in the same time frame and Walton is one of the development partners in these courses of action.”
He also said that the government is emphasising locally manufactured products in its procurement process.
In continuation of this, the government used nearly 4 lakhs of tabs from Walton during the last ‘population and housing census’ that saved more than Tk.150 crores of the government.
The authorities of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics have thanked Walton as the Walton tabs met the high standard. The government distributed those tabs among the students after the census ended. Many more amount of government money can be saved by taking those types of activities.
Palak inaugurated the commercial production of solid-state drive (SSD), a new model of Walton smartphone named ‘NexG N72’, and up to 100% cashback offer on Walton computer products.
Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Shamsul Arefin, Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited’s Chairman SM Rezaul Alam, Managing Director SM Monjurul Alam, Managing Director of Hi-tech Park Authority GSM Jafarullah, Project Director of Aspiration to Innovation a2i Mamunur Rashid Bhuyan and Walton Hi-Tech’s Director Raisa Sigma Hima were also present.
Walton Digi-Tech’s Additional Managing Director Md. Liakat Ali and Deputy Managing Director Yousuf Ali along with high officials of Walton also attended the event.
9 journalists receive BAJUS Media Award-2023
A total of nine journalists from different media houses have received “BAJUS Media Award 2023’ in three categories for writing informative, investigative and research-based reports on the country’s jewellery industry.
The winners received the gold medals and crests at a gala ceremony held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Thursday.
The Award’s jury board chairman Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, and its member and also President of Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin, Bajus general secretary Badal Chandra Roy, adviser Ruhul Amin Rasel and former president Dilip Kumar Roy, among others, were present at the programme.
The trade body recognised a total of nine reports in three categories – Newspaper, television and online -- with the Award for the first time.
Three journalists from each category received gold medals worth Tk 1.5 lakh, Tk 1.25 lakh and Tk 1 lakh, respectively.
The winners are- In the newspaper category, Rahim Sheikh of Janakantha, Rafikul Islam of the Business Post, (Rafikul recently joined Daily Sun) and Shah Alam Khan of Kalbela won the award.
In the television category, Mohammad Shahriar Arif of Channel 24, Farrukh Ahmed Babu of Banglavision, and Tawhidul Islam Rana of GTV, and In the online category, Shariful Islam of Ekheshepatrica.com, F. M. Abdur Rahman Masum of Dhakapost.com, and Md. Abu Sayeed (Sayeed Shipon) of Jagonews24.com won the award.
The jury comprised of eminent journalists selected reports on different issues, including the local jewellery industry in the context of the global economy, implementation of gold policy, quality of ornaments and design, potential of export and competitiveness, contribution of jewellery to economy, opportunities and challenges in investment, revenue management and policy issue, harassment and efforts to fight smuggling.
The contents were published between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
Ensure safe food: Food minister
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Thursday called upon everyone to come forward to ensure safe food
The Food Minister said this at the inauguration ceremony of Safe Food Carnival at the Hall of Fame of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
The food minister said that it costs a little more to get quality food.
"We have to create the mentality that we will eat less but eat quality food if necessary. If it is cheap, there is a tendency to eat more. In that case, he commented that it should be bought only after confirming the quality," he also said.
He said that once a lot of shrimps were exported from the country, but after the addition of harmful jelly exports started to decline.
Entire Bangladesh to be brought under rail network: Railways Minister
Pointing out that there is a demand for quality products abroad, he said, quality products must be ensured to be exported abroad.
He also said the production of exportable products should be increased alongside gaining the confidence of foreign buyers.
" If the imam of the mosque makes the Muslims aware about safe food , then the awareness will increase. If the school teacher encourages at least 2 minutes about safe food before his lecture, it will have an impact on the students," he added.
Urging all to come forward from their respective positions, he also said that once there was a shortage of food in the country, there was also manga.
"We are not there now. We have become self-sufficient in food grain production. Now we are working on providing nutritious and safe food to consumers," he also added.
Secretary of the Ministry of Food Ismail Hossain said that awareness should be increased for safe food.
Nasrul Hamid trashes demand for removing electricity-run autorickshaws from streets
Saying that food safety has already been included in the textbooks, he said that there are plans to extend it up to secondary level. If it is up to the secondary level, it will not be required at the college level. There are inspiring people in the society to work here, he said.
"If the issue of safe food can be taught from primary education then the matter will be easier," he said
Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, Chairman of Safe Food Authority, was the special guest at the event.
Later the food minister visited various stalls of safe food products.
On the occasion of National Safe Food Day, 2024, the three-day 'Safe Food Carnival', which started for the first time with the country's traditional food, will play an important role in informing the public about the safety practices of various food establishments in food production, processing and export and in increasing inter-coordination among establishments.
The food carnival is open to all for three consecutive days from 8 am to 10 pm every day. Visitors do not have to pay any additional entry fee to enter the carnival.
No narcotic substances found in energy drinks: Industries Minister
Safe Food Authority is organising this carnival to inform common people about food safety related to food production, processing and export of various establishments and to increase inter-coordination among food establishments.
The carnival will have a variety of traditional regional foods starting from Mejban of Chittagong, Dai of Bogra, Kalai Ruti of Rajshahi, Matri Bhandar of Comilla, Shalik of Cox's Bazar, Manda of Muktagacha. In addition to these, there will be five-star hotel's famous food arrangements.
Special menus of five star hotels like Hotel Intercontinental, Pan Pacific, Holiday Inn, Dhaka Regency, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Amari will be displayed at the carnival.
Entire Bangladesh to be brought under rail network: Railways Minister
The entire Bangladesh would be brought under the rail network by constructing new railways, Railways Minister Md Zillul Hakim said on Thursday.
"Railways will be made a safer mode of transport by improving the quality of service," the minister was speaking at a reception organised by Pangsha-Baliakandi and Kalukhali madrasa teachers-employees of Rajbari at Pansha George Government High School ground.
No mechanism yet to take action against misinformation from abroad: Mohammad Arafat
The Ministry of Railways will take strict action against black marketers of train tickets. Law enforcers have already arrested several members of this gang and it will continue.
There will be no problem in getting the train tickets for the upcoming Eid trip, everyone will get the tickets easily. 'Sahaja'.com, railway employees and some unscrupulous officials are involved in the black market of train tickets, the minister said.
Nasrul Hamid trashes demand for removing electricity-run autorickshaws from streets
He said that railways were destroyed during the BNP's regime. Now, the BNP wants to destroy the railway system by setting fire to coaches.
The authority concerned has been directed to improve the quality of food for the passengers on the train, added the minister.
No narcotic substances found in energy drinks: Industries Minister
Among others, Zilla Parishad Chairman Shafiqul Morshed Aruj, Pangsha Upazila Parishad Chairman Farid Hasan Odud, Baliakandi Upazila Parishad Abul Kalam Azad, Pangsha Upazila Awami League President Khondkar Saiful Islam Buro were present.
No mechanism yet to take action against misinformation from abroad: Mohammad Arafat
State Minister for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Thursday said the ministry has no direct authority to take measures against the dissemination of misleading information on social media from abroad.
He, however, mentioned that there is a Fact-checking Committee under the Press Information Department, which is working continuously to prevent rumours and misleading propaganda against the country at home and abroad.
The state minister said this in Parliament while responding to a query of ruling Awami League MP elected from Sirajganj Chayan Islam.
The state minister said that there is an opportunity to take action under the existing law if any subversive activity or propaganda is carried out against the country from inside Bangladesh.
“But mechanism to handle disinformation through social media from foreign soil has not yet been developed. But the government is very careful about this. Countering propaganda using information technology is possible through information technology. Efforts will soon be taken to stop propaganda through proper application of technology,” Arafat said.
He said that not only Bangladesh but the whole world is very concerned over misinformation and rumours. In the meeting of the World Economic Forum, misinformation and disinformation have been identified as the number one problem of the future.
“We have been affected for the past 15 years. We are all aware of this. After taking charge of the ministry, I have talked about it with the stakeholders. If the country can be freed from lies and rumours, there will be no place for anti-liberation war evil forces in the country. Because these evil forces have taken their place only based on lies and rumours,” the state minister also said.
He said that freedom of expression is important for the sake of democracy. At the same time, countering rumours and blocking disinformation is equally important.
“We are working on it. This will require the cooperation of the Ministry of Law, the Home Affairs and the ICT. We have already taken some initiatives,” Arafat added.
Worker dies after container falls on him from elevated expressway in Tejgaon
A project worker of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway died after a container from a crane fell on him in Dhaka's Tejgaon area on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Shamim Miah, 39.
The incident took place around 11:00 am in Tejgaon's Tejkunipara.
A container fell from a crane that was moving it and crushed Shamim Mia who was working underneath the expressway, said Mohammad Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Police Station.
Shamim died on the spot, he added.
On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College morgue for an autopsy.
Police detained crane operator Azharul Islam following the incident, added the OC.
Earlier on Wednesday, Motiur Rahman, alias Moti Mia, 50, a hawker, was killed after a steel frame from the expressway fell on him in Dhaka's Moghbazar area.
A case will be filed in this regard, the police officer said.
2nd phase of Biswa Ijtema begins Friday
The second phase of the three-day ‘Biswa Ijtema’, one of the largest congregations of Muslims in the world, will begin on Friday morning on the bank of the Turag River in Gazipur's Tongi.
The authorities have completed the necessary preparations to hold the religious gathering smoothly.
Six men die on Biswa Ijtema ground
A good number of foreign devotees from different parts of the world along with Bangladeshis have already thronged the Ijtema venue.
The second phase of Ijtema will start after fajr prayers through ‘Aam Bayan’ on Friday and will end on Sunday (Feb 11) through Akheri Munajat.
First phase of Biswa Ijtema begins
Devotees from different foreign countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Europe, America and Africa have reached the venue.
Meanwhile, members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to maintain law and order at the Ijtema venue and adjacent areas. Besides, plainclothes police and intelligence officers will remain deployed in the area.
All out measures taken for fire safety for devotees in Biswa Ijtema: FSCD
The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema ended on February 4 at the same venue starting on February 2.
Nasrul Hamid trashes demand for removing electricity-run autorickshaws from streets
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid on Thursday said the return from the battery-run auto-rickshaws is manifold compared to the electricity they use.
“I call these 4 million three wheelers as the Tesla of Bangla. They are using their own creativity to build these. We are not stopping them,” he said so in reference to American electric carmaker Tesla.
The state minister said this in Parliament while responding to a supplementary question of ruling party MP elected from Narayanganj Shamim Osman.
“It may have mechanical faults. The return is much higher compared to the electricity that they are using. About 40 lakh rickshawpullers, who are using electricity, are earning” he said.
No narcotic substances found in energy drinks: Industries Minister
He said the government is trying to move from lead batteries to lithium batteries.
“We are working on a project regarding this matter. We will supply them with lithium batteries and take away the lead batteries,” he said.
Osman in his supplementary question said that the battery-operated auto-rickshaws are running and they are very dangerous and should not be allowed to run.
He said that these auto-rickshaws steal 90 percent of its electricity for charging batteries.
“They are consuming 700-800 MW of our electricity. Do you take any special initiative to stop them all over the country?" he asked.
Bangladesh is doing well in IMF terms: Finance Minister
In reply, Hamid said that there is a revolution going on now all over the world on how quickly the transport system can be transformed to electric vehicles.
He mentioned that the efficiency of an oil-powered car is 20 percent. On the other hand, the efficiency level of the electricity-run engine is 80 percent.
“Basically we encourage electric cars to come to market as fast as possible.”
He mentioned that if it takes Tk 100 to go a distance in an oil-powered vehicle, it will take Tk 20 to go that distance in an electricity-run vehicle.
“There are over 40 lakh vehicles in Bangladesh which use lead batteries. It takes 7/8 hours to charge them. If there are lithium batteries, it will take only half-an-hour,” he said.
Electricity demand may rise to about 17,500 MW in coming summer: Nasrul
The state minister said that the Power Division has made a policy to set up electric vehicle charging stations. According to this policy, anyone can make a charge station.
He said that public transports (buses) in Bangladesh should be transformed into electricity-run quickly.
“It will be cheaper and environment-friendly,” he said.
Hamid said that Bangladesh's transport sector emits 18 percent of carbon.
However, he said, there is concern about the illegal use of electricity.
“We are concerned about it. Electricity companies are keeping an eye on whether illegal electricity is being used anywhere. Most are now using meters instead of taking electricity illegally,” he said.
No narcotic substances found in energy drinks: Industries Minister
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Thursday told Parliament that soft drinks like Tiger, Speed and Guru, which are being marketed, took licences as carbonated beverage from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) following proper procedures.
“No presence of narcotic substances were found in the samples of beverage products (Speed, Royal Tiger, Black Horse, Bulldozer, Power, Guru, Gear, Strong and Red Bull) by the Department of Narcotics Control and the Directorate General of Drug Administration,” he said.
Bangladesh should discuss issues related to trade benefits at WTO ministerial conf: speakers at a seminar
The minister said this replying to a question from Awami League lawmaker Nurunnabi Chowdhury (Bhola-3) during the question-answer session in the House.
In the question, the lawmaker wanted to know if it is true that the energy drinks in the name of energy are injecting dangerous diseases into the human body, and many brands contain narcotic ingredients, energy drinks of 27 brands are being sold under fake licences of the BSTI, aphrodisiac Viagra ingredients are being mixed, energy drinks have become soft drinks through tax evasion. He also wanted to know whether the BSTI will take strict action against these, if the allegations are true.
Bangladesh is doing well in IMF terms: Finance Minister
The industries minister said the government has so far brought 273 products under the BSTI. Energy drinks are not considered as compulsory products in the country.
However, the locally produced drinks like Tiger, Speed, Guru and others, which are being marketed in the country, collected the BSTI licences as carbonated beverages following the proper procedures, he said.
Electricity demand may rise to about 17,500 MW in coming summer: Nasrul
In the last one year, as many as 237 samples of the drink items were collected and tested in the labs. “But all the samples succeeded as per Bangladesh standards,” said Nurul Majid.
He, however, said monitoring continues against the mixture of narcotics with drinks and the marketing of drinks in the name of energy drinks.
Bangladesh should discuss issues related to trade benefits at WTO ministerial conf: speakers at a seminar
Economists and experts on Thursday said that Bangladesh should negotiate issues related to trade benefits in the 13th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) not as a least developed country but as a future non-LDC developing country, aiming to make the graduation sustainable.
They said this at a knowledge-sharing session on the ‘13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO: What Stakes for Bangladesh?’ held at the National Press Club in the city.
A think tank, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the United Kingdom organised the programme.
The MC13 will be held from February 26-29 in Abu Dhabi.
Securing an agreement on fisheries subsidies negotiation, embarking on border reforms and dysfunctional dispute settlement system would be the key issues in the conference, they said.
Centre for Policy Dialogue(CPD) distinguished fellow Mustafizur Rahman Mustafizur Rahman said that Bangladesh will have to keep in mind the interest of the developing country during the negotiation in the WTO.
He said that Bangladesh will have to prepare for some reforms as the country would graduate from LDC in November, 2026.
After graduation, Bangladesh will not get TRIPS weaver and the country have to pay for the patent license to produce medicine, he said.
Bangladesh should go for reverse engineering which could allow the country to use the formula without paying any charge, Mustafiz said.
Regarding fisheries subsidy, he said that Bangladesh would face challenges on the issue after graduation as a subsidy would allow for a developing country if its share of the global marine fish catch does not exceed 0.8 percent but the share of Bangladesh crossed the threshold.
Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Mashiur Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest.
Former Senior Secretary Sharifa Khan, trade policy analyst Mostafa Abid Khan, RAPID chairman M A Razzaque, Executive director of RAPID Dr. M Abu Eusuf, among others, spoke at the event.