Foreign-Affairs
Nasrul Hamid highlights Nepal's huge hydropower potential, Bangladesh's growing energy demands
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has emphasized the substantial investment potential in Nepal and expressed Bangladesh's desire to further strengthen investment linkages with Nepal.
He stressed the opportunities for energy cooperation while highlighting Nepal's huge hydropower potential and Bangladesh's growing energy demands.
The State Minister was addressing at a seminar titled "Pre-event Seminar on the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit -2024" as the chief guest at Nepal Embassy in Dhaka.
The process of importing 40MW of electricity from Nepal using India's transmission facility is nearly finalised.
Trilateral agreement essential to increase regional cooperation in power sector: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid that Bangladesh-India-Nepal trilateral agreement is essential to increase regional cooperation in the power sector.
Negotiations are ongoing, he said adding, Bangladesh has sent a proposal to India and Nepal for signing an MoU (memorandum of understanding).
He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled "Pre-event Seminar on the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit -2024" at the Nepal Embassy in Baridhara in the city on Saturday.
The state minister said that if the transmission line is built between Nepal and Bangladesh, electricity can be imported as well as exported.
Nepal wants to showcase itself as emerging destination for FDI
He said that it is possible to build profitable partnerships across borders through regional cooperation.
“Through joint efforts, the potential of our region can be quickly exploited. It is essential for neighboring countries to work together for sustainable development and economic prosperity”, he observed.
Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh was the first to import electricity from India. Now about 2660 MW electricity is being imported from India.
He noted that a process for importing 40 MW of power from Nepal through the unused capacity of Bangladesh's Bheramara HVDC sub-station using the Indian grid is almost finalised.
“Tariff settlement between Nepal's National Electric Authority (NEA) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is almost complete”.
The state minister said BPDB will invest in Nepal's Sunkoshi-3 project with the opportunity to sell electricity to Nepal and India.
“Feasibility study has already been completed. Discussions are going on between the two sides to move forward”, he said.
Bangladesh seeks Chinese investment in textile and jute sector
The matter of importing the electricity produced by the joint investment of the Indian company in the GMR project to Bangladesh is almost at the final stage.
He also said that Bangladesh Power Management Institute can provide quality training to Nepalese engineers.
Bangladesh can help Nepal in setting up solar power plants and solar home systems.
Nasrul Hamid said private investors from Bangladesh are willing to invest in Nepal's power sector. Nepal should announce special incentives to encourage them.
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Ambassador Nepal to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari said in his speech that the investment environment in Nepal has been made more liberal and business friendly in recent years.
In this regard, strengthening economic relations with Bangladesh is on the priority list of Nepal, he said adding, Specially in the power sector, for the first time in South East Asia, these two countries have come a long way towards eco-friendly hydropower trade.
Sushil Bhatta, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Investment Board, spoke among others on the occasion.
Nepal wants to showcase itself as emerging destination for FDI
Nepal has invited global investors, including investors from Bangladesh in joint venture, as the Himalayan country is eyeing growth and shared prosperity.
"We stand ready to facilitate Bangladeshi investors. Investment is playing an important role in strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and Nepal," said Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari.
He was speaking at a pre-event seminar on the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit-2024.
State Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid spoke as the chief guest.
CEO of Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Sushil Bhatta spoke as special guest.
Lawmakers and entrepreneurs and businesspeople were present.
Nepal is located between two economic powers India and China and is an emerging destination for the global investors, said the organisers of the Nepal Investment Summit 2024 which stands as a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to transforming Nepal into a premier global investment destination.
With a keen focus on developing the private sector and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Summit brings investors, policy makers, experts and Development Finance Institutions together.
In a determined effort to fortify Nepal’s standing as a highly promising investment destination, the government of Nepal (GoN) is organizing the Third Nepal Investment Summit (NIS) 2024, scheduled for April 28-29, 2024, in Kathmandu.
This Summit will convene national and international speakers, dignitaries, sector-specific experts, and, notably, high-level representatives from the government, private sector, and development partners.
The GoN is collaborating closely with development partners, DFIs, and the private sector to organize the Summit. In alignment with Nepal’s periodic plan and the government’s policies and programmes, the GoN has attached high priority to the private sector investment, including foreign direct investment.
Relevant laws have been amended/ enacted to foster an investment-friendly environment, accompanied by streamlined procedures aimed at bolstering ease of doing business.
To bridge resources and technology gaps for the country’s economic development, the government is resolute in augmenting foreign investment commitments and inflows.
US diplomats visits Beximco Industrial Park
Delegations from US Embassy in Dhaka visited the Beximco Industrial Park and Shinepukur Ceramics on Saturday.
The US Embassy Diplomats were "very impressed" to see the production facilities and world latest machineries and technologies used by Beximco’s fully vertical state of the art Textiles, Garment Manufacturing, and World Largest Sustainable Washing Plant under one roof, said a media release.
They were also "overwhelmed" by visiting Beximco’s vertical Ceramics Plant (Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd.) where they are producing premium quality Bone-China and Porcelain tableware products.
Bangladeshi teen shot dead by NYPD officers: Foreign Minister hopes US authorities will take apt action
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that the government hopes the United States authorities will take appropriate action if investigation finds New York Police Department officers guilty of “wrongfully” killing a Bangladesh youth.
“Consul General of Bangladesh in New York went to the home of Win Rozario, a Bangladeshi youth who was shot by the police in the United States, and met the family. Speaking to the family, it appears that there was no need for the police to open fire. It is very sad. We regret the incident and an investigation is underway,” he told reporters.
NYPD officers fatally shot a youth in mental distress, wielding scissors, in his Queens home last Wednesday after he called 911. His family is now calling for justice over what they believe was a “wrongful killing”.
After the meeting of central leaders of Awami League with leaders of Rangpur division at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital, the Foreign Minister replied to questions from reporters.
Responding to a separate question, Hasan said efforts are underway to rescue MV Abdullah crew members and bring back the ship safely through communication with the Somali pirates.
“I hope it will be resolved through discussion very soon. All the Bangladeshi sailors are in the cabin. They are fine. The pirates are not torturing them,” he said.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud said that three military members of the rank of major, captain and sergeant of Myanmar have re-entered Bangladesh.
They are in the custody of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), he said.
All Myanmar military personnel who entered Bangladesh earlier, including the three, will be sent back by sea soon, the Foreign Minister said.
Govt decides to extend Bangladesh envoy to Germany's contractual appointment until Dec 31
The government has decided to extend the contractual appointment of Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan as Bangladesh ambassador to Germany until December 31, 2024.
Earlier on February 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked him to return home, leaving his current charges as his tenure ends.
The government, however, decided to extend his tenure in a revised decision, said a diplomatic source.
Bhuiyan is a former senior secretary to the government and was appointed as ambassador to Germany in 2020.
Before his retirement from government service, Bhuiyan held important government positions like Chairman of the National Board of Revenue.
With a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Masters of Social Sciences degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka, Bhuiyan completed Master of Arts degree in Development Economics from Williams College in Massachusetts, USA.
Take decisive actions to shape world’s future, Ban Ki-moon tells Asia conference in China
Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Thursday called upon leaders from Asia and around the globe to step forward, speak the truth to power and take decisive actions to shape the future through words and deeds, and to live up to the high expectation of the people.
He said this at the the formal inauguration of annual conference of the Forum for Asia held in the resort town of Boao, located in the southern Chinese province of Hainan.
This year's theme has bern set as “Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities.”
Ban Ki-moon reviewed the challenges facing the world today and encouraged the participants to think about reality with a dialectical perspective and to collectively create the future through responsible actions.
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Saying that the urgent climate crisis has led to a historic consensus at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, he said that the reality requires the world to take more effective actions to make further progress.
He expressed concern about the uncertain trends in geo-political and geo-economic spheres, as well as the restructuring of global supply, trade, and investment flows, while inclusive globalisation is being sacrificed.
Recalling his years of work at the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon mentioned that he has witnessed both good times and difficult period. In the "good times," the world enjoyed the benefits of global peace dividends and rapid globalisation, while in the "bad days," the world was divided into opposing camps and blocs.
"Under no circumstances should we return to the "lbad days, and the only way forward is unity, cooperation, multilateralism, globalisation, and an open world economy," he emphasised.
Ban Ki-moon stated that global crises have compelled all to work together. "We face common challenges and should share responsibility," he added
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Zhao Leji, attended the opening plenary of the four-day conference and delivered a keynote speech.
On the other jand, the top legislator of China called for solidarity and cooperation to meet challenges and work together to create a better future for Asia and the world.
The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and global peace and development face grave challenges, Zhao said.
He added that facing the question of the times regarding the direction the world should take, China's answer is to work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Nauru David W.R. Adeang, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Daren Tang, and Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann attended the annual conference.
Li Baodong, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), presided over the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia' annual conference.
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This year’s event is focusing on how the international community can work together to deal with challenges and shoulder responsibilities.
The annual meeting sets up four major sections: "World Economy," "Technological Innovation," "Social Development," and "International Cooperation," totaling dozens of topics. Each section's topics will reflect the theme of unity and development, seeking evidence through in-depth discussions on various issues.
The mission of the BFA is to gather positive energy for the development of Asia and the world to promote economic integration in Asia.
Hainan Province, also known as “Qiong”, is located at the southernmost tip of China. With its tropical coastal view and first-class ecological quality, Hainan has long been a renowned tourist destination in China.
On June 1, 2020, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Master Plan for the Development of Hainan Free Trade Port, entrusting Hainan with a new and historic mission to build a free trade port (FTP) with Chinese characteristics. In 2023, the provincial GDP was up by 9.2 percent, the second highest growth rate in China.
BGB gives state guard of honour and farewell reception to Bhutan’s King in Kurigram
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) gave a state guard of honour and farewell reception to Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at Sonahat land port in Kurigram district on Thursday.
As part of his state visit to Bangladesh, the King of Bhutan visited Special Economic Zone and Sonahat Land Port in Kurigram district on March 28, said Kurigram Battalion (22nd BGB) Commander Lt. Col. Muhammad Masudur Rahman.
Bhutanese king visits Special Economic Zone in Kurigram
BGB Rangpur Region Commander Brigadier General Khondkar Shafiquzzaman extended greetings and a warm welcome to the King of Bhutan when he arrived at Sonahat land port on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, a well-armed smart contingent of the BGB's Kurigram Battalion (22 BGB) presented a state guard of honour to the king. The Bhutanese King then signed the BGB's VVIP visit book and gave sweets to the BGB members who were presenting the guard of honour.
Later, the King of Bhutan was given a state guard of honour again by the BGB members after completion of his immigration process. Then he was provided strict security up to the zero line of the border and the Bhutanese King was accorded farewell by the Rangpur Regional Commander just before he left for India.
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BGB Rangpur Sector Commander Col Mamunur Rashid, Kurigram Battalion (22nd BGB) Commander Lt. Col. Muhammad Masudur Rahman along with other BGB officials were present.
The Bhutanese King left for India at around 2:50 pm by land to return to his country.
Bangladesh seeks Chinese investment in textile and jute sector
Bangladesh invited Chinese businessmen and entrepreneurs to invest in its textile and jute sectors on Thursday.
Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak made this call during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at his office in the capital's secretariat.
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At that time, Ministry of Textiles and Jute Secretary Md Abdur Rauf, Additional Secretary Taslima Kaniz Nahida, Director General of Textile Directorate Mo Nuruzzaman, Executive Director of JDPC Gopal Chandra Das, Economic and Commercial Counselor Song Yong of the Chinese Embassy and Attaché Li Jichen were present.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the minister said the Chinese envoy praised Bangladesh government for the development in different sectors.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues, including the opportunity of Chinese students to study in different educational institutions in Bangladesh.
They also discussed the progress of various development projects of Bangladesh's textiles and jute sectors.
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The Chinese ambassador greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for assuming office for the fourth consecutive term. Replaying to a question, Nanak, also Awami League Presidium Member, said China is a development partner of Bangladesh.
China is playing an important role for the development of Bangladesh, he said.
The minister hoped that China would continue its cooperation to make 'Smart Bangladesh' under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
JICA, BFDC join hands to modernise fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement of JPY 2,294 million (approx. BDT 165 crore) to implement a project for the improvement of Fish Landing Center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) in Cox’s Bazar District
The signing ceremony held on Thursday at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
Under this project, JICA and BFDC will work together for infrastructural upgradations within the center, and improve management skills among the BFDC officials.
The Grant Agreement was signed by Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Iwama Kiminori, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh; Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Chairman of BFDC; and relevant officials from JICA, ERD, BFDC and the Embassy of Japan were present to witness the signing.
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Bangladesh’s fishery sector, the second-largest earner after textiles, employs 11.8 percent of the population, with 40 percent of artisanal fishers in Cox’s Bazar District.
Yet, natural disasters and aging facilities hinder efficient landing, contributing to a high poverty rate of over 32 percent, surpassing the national average of 24 percent.
The influx of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) and COVID-19 have driven up demand for livelihood improvement and poverty reduction.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Fish Landing Center in Sadar Upazila handles over 85 percent of Cox’s Bazar’s fish catch.
However, damage from a 2012 cyclone has left parts of the quay, jetties and landing facilities in disrepair, making restoration challenging both financially and technically.
Additionally, fishers face income challenges due to declining prices and post-harvest losses from inefficient landing processes and poor handling, impacting the quality and freshness of fish.
Against such a backdrop, the aims to improve the efficiency of landing, handling and quality of fish catch through upgrading landing facilities and related equipment at the (BFDC) fish landing center in Cox’s Bazar District; thereby contributing to the improvement of productivity of fishermen and decrease of post-harvest loss rate in the distribution system.
JICA has already conducted a survey to assess the feasibility of improving the BFDC Fish Landing Center in Cox’s Bazar.
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The survey results indicate that improving the fish landing center will lead to enhanced capacity in the fisheries value chain.
The project will contribute to the achievement of SDG 1(No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 13(Climate Action), and 14(Life below Water).