United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday discussed the progress of the projects taken under the Public Private Partnership Platform in Bangladesh, particularly of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal-3 project and cooperation in the railway and road transport sector of Bangladesh. A Bangladesh delegation led by Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hirofumi Amakawa at the ministry in Tokyo and discussed the relevant issues.  Japan expresses support to Dr Yunus to establish a new govt Bangladesh delegation informed the Japanese side that the preparation for cargo and ground handling works of the terminal -3 is progressing to open the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the fastest possible time.  Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah assured maximum cooperation from the government of Bangladesh in this regard. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on Kamalapur Multi-Modal Transport Hub, MRT Line 6 and Dhaka Outer Ring Road-2 and 3 projects.  Cooperation was also sought to attract Japanese investment in Bangladesh's tourism sector. Assistant Vice Minister for Engineering and Housing Affairs of Japan Yosuke Tsutsumi and senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion. Japan’s top investors pledge increased investment in Bangladesh Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Chief Executive Officer of Public Private Partnership Authority Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali and Director General of Chief Advisor’s office Dr Ahmed Ullah were, among others, present.  

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army's internal intelligence agency, has dismissed reports published in Indian media about unrest in the Bangladesh Army are "false and planned." In a statement on Tuesday, ISPR stated that Indian media outlets, notably The Economic Times and India Today, recently published baseless and fabricated reports about the possibility of a military coup in the country, amid a breakdown in the chain of command within the Bangladesh Army. Expressing concern, ISPR said that these reports are entirely false and clearly part of a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the stability of Bangladesh and damaging the reputation of its armed forces. The statement emphasized that the Bangladesh Army is well-organized, united, and committed to performing its constitutional duties under the effective leadership of the Army Chief. Bangladesh Army had no direct communication with UN during July Uprising: ISPR It was also noted that The Economic Times has repeatedly published such fake news, raising serious questions about their motives and credibility. Additionally, several online portals and controversial television channels have joined in spreading these falsehoods, which the Bangladesh Army considers to be nothing more than an attempt to create confusion between the military and the public. The statement urged Indian media to refrain from publishing unsubstantiated news. It also requested that these media outlets contact ISPR for proper comments and information before publishing reports related to the Bangladesh Army. The statement also reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Army remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the country's sovereignty, integrity, and security. It called on all media to behave responsibly and to avoid spreading false statements that may create unnecessary tension and confusion.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday sought urgent action to prepare a comprehensive Rohingya repatriation roadmap involving Myanmar, ASEAN members, the UN, and donor countries. During a meeting with the visiting Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar Othman Hashim in Dhaka, he highlighted that ASEAN nations are the sufferers of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) crisis after Bangladesh. Therefore, special assistant Hossain said more coordinated efforts from ASEAN may contribute to resolve the challenges of Repatriation. Earlier after exchanging greetings, Special Envoy Othman sought Bangladesh’s views, insights and comments on the matter. The Foreign Adviser congratulated Othman on his appointment and expressed hope that his tenure as chair would usher in new avenues to resolve the crisis. He informed that Bangladesh is positively considering assisting an UN-led humanitarian assistance programme in Rakhine in the face of impending famine, which may contribute to stability in Rakhine State. He highlighted the necessity of early repatriation (read ASAOP)of the FDMNs with agreed rights and security. The Special Envoy conveyed ASEAN's strong commitment to resolving the crisis and assured that he would make a coordinated effort toward this goal. Dhaka, Islamabad happy over "upward trajectory" in bilateral relations He agreed that the crisis has gone beyond boundaries and highlighted ASEAN's ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts in Myanmar. The envoy also emphasized that ASEAN nations, like Bangladesh, are also affected by the crisis which needs to be resolved through cooperation in all possible ways. The ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to Myanmar had a separate meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary congratulated him and expressed hope that his tenure would enhance cooperation under the ASEAN framework for the repatriation of the Rohingyas. During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary underscored the importance of the repatriation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals to their homeland. He highlighted that both Bangladesh and ASEAN nations are affected by the crisis and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts. He urged the Special Envoy to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The Foreign Secretary conveyed concerns over Myanmar’s lack of political will in repatriation, escalating recent violence. He also shed light on the upcoming high level conference on Rohingyas proposed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The Special Envoy expressed the willingness of ASEAN to resolve the crisis. He also mentioned his recent visit to Myanmar and ongoing humanitarian assistance activities of ASEAN in Myanmar. He reiterated that ASEAN countries are also victims like Bangladesh and will try to resolve the issue peacefully through safe repatriation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the crisis through diplomacy.

Nepal has invited Bangladesh to attend 'Sagarmatha Sambaad', a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberating on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance.  Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Tuesday met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and handed over an invitation letter from Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to attend the inaugural edition of 'Sagarmatha Sambaad,' scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16-18. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the positive recent developments in economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. They discussed key areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, tourism, climate change, and the strengthening of people-to-people contacts. Russia seeks continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s gas exploration efforts The discussions also focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation within regional and sub-regional frameworks, including Saarc, Bimstec, and BBIN, aiming to accelerate mutual benefits for both nations.

Russia on Tuesday sought the cooperation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to ensure continuity in the work of state-owned Russian company Gazprom International in gas exploration. The Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexander G. Khozin, placed the request when he met the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna. Gazprom has been present in Bangladesh since 2012 and has worked as a partner in exploring gas reserves. In 2023, Gazprom International identified five new wells for further exploration in Bhola. The Chief Adviser thanked Gazprom for the necessary preparations for drilling five wells in Bhola and informed that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources was working on the issue and open to further cooperation in this regard. Dr Yunus hopes to attract Trump, Musk for investment in Bangladesh The ambassador discussed various issues during the meeting, including general and trade cooperation. In 2024, the supply of Russian wheat to Bangladesh reached an all-time high, making the country the second-largest consumer of Russian grain after Egypt. From July 2024 to January 2025, 2.3 million tonnes of Russian wheat reached Bangladesh, including 623 thousand tonnes through G2G contracts. The ambassador informed that Russia is also preparing to supply 30,000 tonnes of MOP fertiliser to Bangladesh as a gesture of friendship. He also informed the Chief Adviser of a significant rise in the number of visas issued to Bangladeshis who discovered Russia as a new job destination in the fields of agriculture and shipbuilding. China Bangladesh's most reliable friend, says Chinese envoy The number of visas issued in January- March 2025 rose fourfold compared to the number of visas issued during the corresponding period of last year. The Chief Adviser thanked Russia for being with Bangladesh during the critical time of the post-liberation war.

Stressing that Dhaka-Beijing relationship is a people-centric one, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday expressed optimism that Bangladesh can overcome all the difficulties and challenges by working together to bring a new Bangladesh which is “more united, stable, more democratic and prosperous.” While responding to a question at a seminar, he also hoped that with the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, all major political parties will work in a cooperative approach for a stable and prosperous Bangladesh. “China and Bangladesh are best friends and trustworthy partners. So, whatever change is taking place internationally or domestically in Bangladesh, our policy remains steadfast,” he said, adding that no matter who forms the government, China wants to be their partner and their policy is not related to any particular government. Ambassador Yao said they believe their cooperation is for the benefit of all the Bangladeshi people and the people of China as well. The Ambassador referred to visits of top leaders of Bangladesh to China over the past decades. “So, we have a tradition to have good relations with traditional high level visits.” Replying to a question on the Chief Adviser’s upcoming visit to China from March 26-29, he said China invites all prime ministers or heads of government, and that he cannot make any comment on the priorities of the visit at this point. Nepal invites Bangladesh to attend 'Sagarmatha Sambaad' He said there is no universal form of democracy and it can vary from country to country and the people of the particular country can decide on it.  The Centre for Alternatives hosted the seminar titled "National Image of China in Bangladesh" at a city hotel, where its Executive Director and international affairs expert Dr Imtiaz Ahmed presented a paper. Former Rector of Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy Mashfee Binte Shams, Dhaka University Prof Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and independent researcher, analyst Syed Shahnawaz Mohsin and former DU International Relations Department Prof Dr Amena Mohsin spoke at the seminar. On the Rohingya issue, the envoy said China, as the best friend of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, is determined to play their role to help and he still believes there is no other option except repatriation. “That's the final solution. So, we are willing to play a role.” Ambassador Yao said they are bringing together Myanmar and Bangladesh to talk for the solution and they almost became successful. “But due to the internal conflict inside Myanmar, especially in Rakhine state, all our efforts have to be suspended.” He, however, said they never give up and they are doing their part to have ceasefire arrangements inside Myanmar and they are working both with the Myanmar military and ethnic minority groups. The Ambassador laid emphasis on collective international efforts and they need the common standing between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Ready to encourage more investment Ambassador Yao said China is ready to encourage more companies to increase their investment in Bangladesh in the fields of textiles and garments, clean energy, electric vehicles and digital technology. Yao said China promised to continuously expand its opening up to Bangladesh and provide it with zero-tariff treatment for all taxable items before Bangladesh graduates from the status of least developed country. So far, 14 Chinese companies have invested a total of 230 million USD in Bangladesh since the establishment of the interim government. "Let’s work together to tell a vibrant and passionate story of China-Bangladesh friendship. Let’s make the tree of China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership continue to bear more fruitful results in the new era," Ambassador Yao said. The seminar highlighted that Bangladesh and China can work together toward a more balanced trade relationship, attract greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s industrial and technology sectors, and foster public private partnerships for sustainable infrastructure development. It was mentioned that China's role in regional diplomacy, particularly concerning the Rohingya crisis, is recognised, but expectations for a more proactive stance persist. Russia seeks continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s gas exploration efforts It was also highlighted that China's relationship with Bangladesh is focused on the benefits of people. Ambassador Yao said they need to make unremitting efforts for a closer brotherhood between the two peoples - Bangladesh and China. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations. "Bilateral relations between two countries face a historical opportunity to build on the past and forge ahead into the future," said the Chinese envoy. Since the beginning of this year, Bangladesh and China have made frequent exchanges in various fields and at several levels. "Yesterday (March 10), we saw off the first group of Bangladeshi patients, doctors and travel agencies to Kunming, Yunnan Province of China, for medical check-ups, treatment, and hospital reviews," Ambassador Yao said, adding that in the future, they will further expand their cooperation, adding more Chinese cities and high-level hospitals to our medical cooperation to provide Bangladeshi patients with more diverse and quality medical choices. He said they welcome scholars from both countries to further strengthen in-depth research on bilateral relations, accurately capture public opinion trends, strengthen friendly narratives to resolve misunderstandings and build a solid foundation for the close ties between the Chinese and Bangladeshi peoples. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, Ambassador Yao congratulated the Centre for Alternatives for successfully conducting the survey on the national image of China in Bangladesh for three consecutive years. With various charts and models, the report shows vividly the Bangladeshi people's cognition and friendly feelings towards China, said the envoy. What deserves attention is that some positive trend changes are reflected in this report, he said. "And it also puts forward valuable suggestions for areas that need further enhancement." Dr Yunus hopes to attract Trump, Musk for investment in Bangladesh Sharing his three thoughts and views on the public opinion towards China reflected in the report, Ambassador Yao said they need to uphold the unshakable foundation of the ties between our two peoples, which is getting better with each day passing by. He said 99 percent of the people interviewed approve of and support the friendly relationship between China and Bangladesh, showcasing the broadness of the consensus. Around 60.1 percent of Bangladeshi people thought positively of China in 2022, which rose to 66.7 percent in 2024. About 50 percent of Bangladeshi people recognised the development of China's economy, science and technology in 2022, and the figure surged to 85 percent in 2024. The Bangladeshi people widely welcome Chinese investment in Bangladesh and speak highly of the important role of bilateral cooperation in Bangladesh's national development, construction and poverty alleviation. "Bangladeshi people also evaluate positively the "Belt and Road" cooperation between the two countries, and believe that it has a bright future. What’s behind all the data is China's adherence to the policy of friendship and good-neighborliness for all Bangladeshi people," said the Ambassador. He said the enthusiasm shown by the Bangladeshi people has greatly increased their confidence in further promoting the development of the Bangladesh-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Secondly, the envoy said, they need to pay great importance to the opinions and suggestions put forward by the Bangladeshi people on strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. He said Bangladeshi people admire China's unprecedented development achievements, wish to learn more about China's experience in state governance, and would like to have a more comprehensive understanding of China’s major initiatives such as the idea of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind and the Global Development Initiative. "We are pleased to see that 75 percent of the Bangladeshi people are willing to visit in person or send their children to China to receive higher education, up by 5 percentage points compared to that in 2022," said the envoy. Around 29 percent of the Bangladeshi people showed great interest in going to China for medical treatment, a significant increase of 13 percent in comparison with 2022. China Bangladesh's most reliable friend, says Chinese envoy "This indicates that the Bangladeshi people are looking forward to traveling, studying, and doing business in China, so that they could experience and understand China’s traditional culture and social development better by themselves," Ambassador Yao said. "However, at the same time, we also see the challenges for people-to-people exchanges. The frequency and effect need to be strengthened," he added. To facilitate the exchanges and interactions between the two sides, the envoy said direct flights between the two capitals have been launched and are being operated. Now there are as many as 58 flights per week between the two countries, which can accommodate more than 11,000 passengers, the Ambassador said. The Chinese government has introduced a series of measures to simplify the procedures for Bangladeshi people to visit China, he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed the hope that US President Donald Trump might see Bangladesh as a “good investment opportunity” and trading partner, and said he intended to pitch this to Elon Musk during his visit.  “Trump’s a dealmaker, so I say to him: come, do deals with us,” he told The Guardian in an interview published on Monday. If he did not, Bangladesh would feel a little pain, Yunus said. “But this democratic process will not stop.” The Biden administration was one of Yunus’ biggest backers, both politically and financially, but the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh is unlikely to be a priority for Trump, according to the Guardian report, the Guardian says in its interview report.                It says Bangladesh has taken a blow from Trump’s decimation of the US Agency for International Development (USAid), which had pledged the country more than $1bn in assistance in recent years.   In a speech, Trump alleged millions of USAid dollars earmarked for strengthening Bangladesh political landscape had been used to elect a “radical left communist” without offering any evidence. In an attempt to bring the US on side, Dr Yunus recently invited Trump’s billionaire backer Elon Musk to bring his Starlink satellite internet network to Bangladesh.  Sources around Yunus said a visit by Musk to the country was expected in April. Deposed Prime Minister Hasina is becoming increasingly vocal in her criticisms of Dr Yunus: she recently called him a “mobster” who was unleashing “terrorists” on the country, according to the Guardian report. Dr Yunus said India hosting her would be tolerated, but “allowing her to use India as a platform for her campaign to try to undo everything we have done is dangerous. It destabilises the country.” India’s government is not Dr Yunus’s only problem: the return of Donald Trump to the White House is also bad news, reads the Guardian report.   When Dr Yunus flew back to Bangladesh in August, he was greeted by bleak scenes, says the Guardian report.   Dr Yunus, UN chief scheduled to visit Rohingya camp on March 14 It says the streets were still slick with blood, and the bodies of more than 1,000 protesters and children were piled up in morgues, riddled with bullets fired by police.  Sheikh Hasina had just been toppled by a student-led revolution after 15 years of authoritarian rule. She fled the country.  At 84, Dr Yunus – an economist who won a Nobel prize for pioneering microfinance for the poor – had long given up his political ambitions, the report mentions.   He had faced years of vilification and persecution by Hasina, who viewed him a political threat, and he spent much of his time abroad.  But when the student protesters asked him to lead an interim government to restore democracy to Bangladesh, he agreed.  “The damage she had done was monumental,” Yunus told the Guardian, describing the state of Bangladesh when he took charge. “It was a completely devastated country, like another Gaza, except it wasn’t buildings that had been destroyed but whole institutions, policies, people, international relationships.” Hasina’s reign was dominated by allegations of tyranny, violence and corruption. It culminated in a bloody few weeks over July and August, when more than 1,400 people were killed in protests against her repressive rule, a violent crackdown by police that could amount to a “crime against humanity”, according to the UN. She has denied all use of excessive force.  Yunus’ return to Bangladesh was heralded as the dawn of a new era for the country. In the six months since he took charge, senior police officers – no longer under Hasina’s protection – have been prosecuted for extrajudicial killings, secret detention centres where Hasina’s critics were allegedly tortured have been emptied, human rights commissions have been established and Hasina is facing hundreds of charges, which she denies, the Guardian says.  Dr Yunus has pledged that, sometime between December this year and March 2026, Bangladesh will hold its first free and fair elections in decades, after which he will hand over power.  Dr Yunus calls for quick action to recover billions in stolen money But walking the streets of Dhaka, there is a feeling that the country stands at a precipice. While Yunus is still widely respected, questions have been raised over his governance capabilities and the pace of promised reform, according to the Guardian.  Political parties, particularly the Bangladesh National party (BNP), have been desperate to return to power and have exerted mounting pressure on Yunus to hold elections, calling into question his legitimacy. The students who led the revolution have also launched their own party. Senior BNP figure Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said elections could not come soon enough. “This government was only meant as an interim measure,” he said. “Right now nobody is accountable on a day-to-day basis and they don’t have the political weight, mandate and mobilisation to carry out reforms.”  Police, facing public anger and criminal charges for their actions under Hasina, have been reluctant to return to their posts and the security situation has been rapidly declining.   Gang crime is rampant on Dhaka’s streets and minority groups are experiencing harassment.   Protesters burned an effigy of Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the home affairs adviser, demanding his removal from office over his failure to curb rising crime.  Dr Yunus denied any suggestion that the streets were less safe than under Hasina’s rule, but others have warned that the country’s security situation threatened to spiral beyond his government’s control.  Prominent student leader Nahid Islam, head of the new National Citizens Party, told the Guardian it would be “impossible to hold free and fair elections in this current law-and-order situation”.  In a strongly worded speech last week, Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman – who played a pivotal role in Hasina’s departure and Yunus’ return – said the country was in a “state of anarchy”, and if the divisions fuelling unrest continued, “the independence and sovereignty of this country will be at stake”.  Yunus maintained he had a “very good relationship” with the military, and that there was “no pressure” from the army chief. However, some took the general’s words as a strong rebuke of Yunus’s leadership and even a warning that military intervention might be on the horizon.  Yunus is determined to frame the country’s woes as consequences of Hasina’s rule:  “Hasina’s regime wasn’t a government, it was a family of bandits. Any order from the boss and it was done. Someone’s causing problems? We’ll make them disappear. Want to hold an election? We will make sure you win all the seats. You want money? Here’s a million dollar loan from the bank you never have to pay back.”  The scale of the corruption carried out under Hasina has left the banking system highly exposed and the economy in tatters.   Among Hasina’s relatives caught up in the financial scandals is her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour MP. Siddiq resigned from her role at the Treasury as she faced questions over assets allegedly linked to Hasina’s regime and was named in a corruption investigation in Bangladesh. She has denied all wrongdoing.  Operations involving financial authorities in the UK, US and Switzerland are under way to try to recover upwards of $17bn estimated to have been taken from the country's banks by Hasina’s allies. But hopes of it being returned anytime soon are diminishing.  “Banks were given full licence to loot people’s money, with active participation from the government,” Yunus said. “They would send their officials with guns to get it all signed off.”  Dr Yunus has also been accused of not doing enough to contain a surge in the hardline Islamic religious right in recent months.  Dr Yunus likely to visit China, Thailand and Japan soon to deepen ties Some of the greatest pressures on Yunus have come from outside Bangladesh.   When she was in power, Hasina enjoyed a close relationship with India and is now hiding out in the neighbouring nation as bilateral ties between the countries disintegrate, the Guardian report says.  The Guardian says India has shown little interest in mending them while Yunus is in charge, with Delhi recently accusing Dhaka of “normalising terrorism”. In December, a formal extradition request was made to India to send Hasina back to face trial in Bangladesh but Yunus confirmed there had been “no response” from the Indian government.  He said Hasina would still face trial for crimes against humanity, even if in absentia.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Monday affirmed that China is Bangladesh's most trustworthy and reliable friend, and the relationship between the two nations will continue to strengthen. "China is the most dependable and reliable friend of Bangladesh. China has consistently pursued a policy of friendship and good neighbourliness with all the people of Bangladesh," he said. The Ambassador made the remarks while engaging with the members of the Bangladesh Friendship delegation, who visited China from February 24 to March 6, during a dinner party. The BNP Standing Committee member, who led the 21-member delegation on the visit, along with his wife, Rokhsana Khondker, hosted the event in honour of the Chinese Ambassador and his wife at their residence in Gulshan. "I am certain that you have felt the warm and friendly sentiments of the Chinese people towards the people of Bangladesh," he told the delegation members. He expressed the hope that the visit would further enhance the long-standing friendship and foster deeper cooperation between the two countries in the future. Dr Yunus, UN chief scheduled to visit Rohingya camp on March 14 The ambassador also listened to the delegation members as they shared their experiences from the visit. Most of them said they brought back a message focused on enhancing bilateral ties and deepening cooperation between the two countries. Dr Moyeen Khan expressed gratitude to the Chinese envoy for organising such a remarkable tour, which included delegation members from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from eight political parties, students, scholars, journalists, and researchers. He also highlighted the hospitality and cordiality extended by the Chinese authorities to the delegation during their visit. The BNP leader hoped that the bilateral relationship, particularly the people-to-people bonds, would further be strengthened in the future, to the mutual benefit of both nations. On March 6, the 21-member Bangladesh Friendship Delegation returned home after an 11-day visit to China, at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC). According to Chinese authorities, the visit was part of their strategy to strengthen multiparty relations with Bangladesh following the political changes in August.

Speakers at a discussion meeting on Monday said that Bangladesh can take US President Donald Trump’s trade policy as an opportunity. “President Trump has focused on trade and economic issues, and some countries are facing additional taxes to access the US market. But Bangladesh is fortunate in this regard that the US so far has no plan to do so with Bangladesh,” they said. The speakers highlighted these at the discussion meeting on ‘America-Bangladesh Relations in the Trump Era’, organized by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at its office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. William B. Milam, former US ambassador to Bangladesh and president of Right to Freedom, Jon F. Danilowicz, executive director, Right to Freedom, Dr. Asif M Shahan, professor, Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Ambassador Humayun Kabir, President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), among others spoke in the programme. Lufunnisa Saudia Khan, president of IBFB presided over the event. A number of former diplomats, academicians, and trade experts attended the event. Milam said that he knew Bangladesh for the last 40 years. The US has investments in various sectors, including energy, but in the last 15 years, no partnership was developed between the two countries. Seminar highlights challenges and prospects of Bangladesh’s tea industry “Reform and institutional development of democratic practice, sustainable transaction of democracy will help Bangladesh to develop partnership with US businesses, government and private sector,” he pointed out. He also praised the Bangladeshi people and their sacrifices in July and August to transform the country on the democratic path as well as the right to vote. In response to US investment in Bangladesh, Danilowicz said that business-to-business connection with the US and Bangladesh will be important to grow trade and investment. He also said that US Indo-Pacific policy and other trade and regional issues will not affect Bangladesh, rather Bangladesh has a lot of opportunities to develop a partnership with the US. Other speakers said that today's discussion is both timely and significant. The United States has long been a key strategic partner for Bangladesh in trade, investment, and development. As U.S. policies evolve, it is crucial to assess their potential impact on Bangladesh's economic and diplomatic landscape. Adapting proactively will be essential to further strengthen trade and investment ties, they said. The IBFB is a non-partisan, research-driven organisation dedicated to improving Bangladesh's business climate. As a bridge between policymakers and the private sector, the IBFB advocates for policy reforms, tackles economic challenges, and promotes investment.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, is scheduled to visit the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on March 14 as the UN chief is set to embark on Bangladesh visit as part of his annual Ramadan solidarity tour. Guterres will also take part in an Iftar meal with refugees and members of the Bangladeshi host community, recognising the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering nearly one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar in the morning (March 14) and return to Dhaka in the evening (same day), Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. As part of his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, Guterres will be here in Dhaka from March 13 to 16, where he will meet Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, his Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said. During his visit, he will also visit the capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammed Yunus, as well as young representatives from civil society. The Secretary-General has made solidarity visits an annual tradition, beginning during his decade-long tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when he regularly observed Ramadan alongside displaced and marginalised communities. “Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe. These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam,” Guterres said in his message. “Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity. It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community…And I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season,” he added. Dr Yunus calls for quick action to recover billions in stolen money UN chief Guterres, in a recent letter to Dr Yunus, expressed his hope that the high-level conference on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will renew global focus and help develop broader solutions for their plight. The United Nations will continue to mobilise the international community to support Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya, Guterres said. “I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my Special Envoy on the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other stakeholders, towards a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar, including creating conditions conducive to the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine,” he wrote. The UN chief has requested his senior managers to provide guidance to the United Nations Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar on how they can maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support to communities in Rakhine. The United Nations will prioritise engagement on this issue, including through the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, in Myanmar, to enable safe, rapid, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar.” “We await the agreed outcomes and plans for the conference, following Member State consultations, to understand how the United Nations system can best support the process.” He thanked Dr Yunus for his letter, dated 4 February 2025, which was shared with him by High Representative for the Rohingya Crisis and Priority Affairs Khalilur Rahman during their meeting on 7 February. The UN chief also reiterated the strong solidarity of the United Nations with Bangladesh and their support for the transition process under Dr Yunus’ leadership. He said he shared Bangladesh’s concerns regarding the impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Rakhine.