United News of Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has banned the import of poultry and table eggs from 40 countries including Bangladesh aimed at protecting public health and ensuring food safety in the kingdom. It also imposed partial restrictions on certain regions in 16 other countries, reports Gulf News. The authority said the list of affected countries is regularly reviewed in line with global health developments and epidemiological updates. According to the latest update, some bans have been in place since 2004, while others were introduced gradually over the years based on risk assessments and international reports on animal diseases, especially highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. The full ban covers imports from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Côte d’Ivoire and Montenegro. Partial restrictions apply to certain states or cities in Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SFDA clarified that the ban does not cover heat-treated poultry and related products, provided they meet approved health and safety standards. Such products must carry official certification confirming that they have been processed to eliminate avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses and come from approved facilities in the exporting country.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has said he looks forward to working closely with his newly appointed Bangladesh counterpart Dr Khalilur rahman to further enhance the bilateral relations in the years to come. “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” he said in a message to FM Dr Rahman. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973, the Korean Foreign Minister said the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have fostered strong ties of friendship and cooperation in a wide range of fields. He conveyed best wishes for Dr Rahman’s continued good health and success, as well as the enduring prosperity of Bangladesh.

President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung has said he is confident that Bangladesh will continue to achieve sustained economic growth and social prosperity under the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “Korea and Bangladesh have expanded cooperation in various fields, including education and investment, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, based on long-standing friendship and mutual trust,” said the South Korean President in a message to Prime Minister Tarique. President Lee said he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. He extended his heartfelt congratulations to Tarique on his journey as the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, following his election with the strong support of the people of Bangladesh. “Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your success and for the continued prosperity of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” according to the message shared by the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday discussed ways to accelerate negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The issues were discussed when UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and ‘growing strategic partnership’ between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates. UAE-Bangladesh joint venture to invest $10m at BEPZA Economic Zone The Foreign Minister conveyed appreciation for the greetings from the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment, under the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy, to elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic and economic partnership. The Foreign Minister appreciated the UAE for hosting around 1.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates and requested reopening of labour visas and facilitating greater mobility, including business and transit visas. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across sectors and enhancing people-to-people ties for mutual benefit. UAE rulers grant royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners Earlier, the UAE Ambassador met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. The State Minister stressed exchange of high-level visits and on holding regular meetings of existing bilateral platforms to identify opportunities and advance cooperation for mutual benefit.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering support and commitment to revitalise SAARC process. The Minister expressed Bangladesh's readiness to take proactive initiatives to strengthen and revitalise SAARC. He made the remarks when Secretary General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar met him on Tuesday. Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh's conviction in abiding commitment to the principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual benefit of the peoples of member states. The Foreign Minister recalled that the idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first proposed by Bangladesh in the early 1980s by late President Ziaur Rahman to promote people's welfare, improve quality of life, and strengthen collective self- reliance in the region. Being one of the founder members and the host of the very first Summit of SAARC in December 1985 and twice in 1993 and 2005, Bangladesh acknowledges the valuable role of SAARC to foster common regional values and promote cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, climate change, food security, culture, people-to-people contacts and so forth, he said.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia early Wednesday, the first foreign trip since his appointment as the Foreign Minister. Humayun Kabir, Adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, will also be part of the visit. The Foreign Minister will attend a Foreign Ministers-level meeting in Jeddah to discuss the illegal Israeli occupation decisions aimed at promoting settlement, annexation and attempting to impose alleged Israeli sovereignty on the occupied West Bank. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold the emergency meeting of the Open-ended Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers on Thursday at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, a senior official told UNB. The Foreign Minister and Adviser to the PM are likely to have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the OIC meeting with their counterparts. The OIC meeting aims to coordinate positions and discuss ways of action to confront these invalid decisions and measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities, the latest of which was the decision to start procedures to settle lands in the occupied West Bank under the name of ‘state property’, as part of its illegal schemes aimed at changing the legal, political and demographic status of the occupied Palestinian territory and undermining the two-state solution. Bangladesh described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and longstanding partner of Bangladesh and recalled that diplomatic relations between the two countries began during the presidency of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with the establishment of Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1976. President Zia also paid a historic visit to the Kingdom in 1977. Both sides acknowledged his historic contribution to promoting Muslim unity. Commonwealth Meeting The Foreign Minister will visit the United Kingdom to attend the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) which will take place at Lancaster House in London on March 8, a senior official told UNB. Representing the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, the Minister of Finance of the Independent State of Samoa, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, will welcome Foreign Affairs Ministers to the retreat and offer remarks. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey will also speak at the event. This CFAMM is ‘significant’ as it will signal the start of Commonwealth Day activities, marked every year on the second Monday in March.  This 26th meeting will bring together Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers to address the role of the Commonwealth in a fast-changing international landscape; and explore impactful and transformative solutions to unlock opportunities together for shared prosperity across the Commonwealth, in the face of a fractured global climate. It is the first time that Foreign Ministers will come together within the platform of an executive retreat, which will provide a plan of action for a bold, practical Commonwealth. This will be Secretary-General Botchwey’s second meeting with Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers at CFAMM. Ministers will shape policy priorities leading up to the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 1-4 November 2026.

A fire gutted valuables of five shops at Baitun  Nur Shopping Complex near New Market in Khulna city early Tuesday. Witnesses said the fire started around 11:30 pm and locals informed Khulna Fire Service immediately. Six fire units of Khulna Fire Service brought the blaze under control by 1:15 am. Police, army, navy, and local residents helped fire fighters contain the blaze. Khulna Fire Service Deputy Director Md Abdul Malek said units from Boyra and Tutpara worked together to control the fire. Transport contractors go on strike in Khulna, food supply disrupted Five shops in the mall were damaged, with goods in two shops completely burned. “Electrical short circuit is believed to be the cause. Electrical and internet cables in front of the mall were also damaged. The total loss is still being assessed,” he added.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Monday underlined that French companies want to develop their presence in Bangladesh and need a business-friendly environment in this context. He, together with the Heads of EU diplomatic missions, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Ambassador felicitated the Minister for his new assignment and expressed the commitment of France to deepening the long-standing partnership with Bangladesh and developing new common initiatives. France, Bangladesh share common vision for peace, multilateralism: French Ambassador The Minister thanked the EU for the concrete support it extended to Bangladesh through the electoral observation mission, which played an important role in the general elections. He emphasised the importance of EU-Bangladesh relations and the new government's desire to facilitate exchanges in all fields.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering support for Saarc process and its commitment to working with member states to achieve the shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia. Saarc issues were discussed when its Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar called on the State Minister on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister recalled that the idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first proposed by Bangladesh in the early 1980s by late President Ziaur Rahman to promote people's welfare, improve quality of life, and strengthen collective self- reliance. Time to view Bangladesh differently: Shama Obaed Being one of the founder members and the host of the very first Summit of Saarc in December 1985, Bangladesh acknowledges the valuable contributions of member states in sustaining the relevance of Saarc amid evolving regional and global dynamics.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday said they see huge confidence in the new government from countries which are willing to engage deeply and work with Bangladesh very closely. “We want to establish mutually beneficial relations with every country as coequals…we will resolve all our issues respectfully and on the basis of mutual respect,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a series of courtesy meetings held on Sunday and Monday with diplomats stationed in Dhaka. The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of protecting independence and sovereignty, not interfering in each other's internal affairs. “Our policies will be based on mutual interests and national dignity.” “I am pretty confident that we will be able to conduct a very dynamic foreign policy in the coming days,” he said, mentioning that so far they have had courtesy and friendly meetings with envoys. Asked about safety along the Bangladesh-India border and measures to stop border killings, the Foreign Minister said he is not taking any specific question and they will discuss specific issues later, which will require some time. Dr Rahman said the Envoys of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, China, Pakistan, the United States and European countries led by the EU Ambassador met him on Sunday and Monday where he outlined the new government's foreign policy. "We have started meetings with envoys since Sunday. We have presented the outline of our government's foreign policy to them. Our motto is Bangladesh First. Bangladesh will be above all,” he said. Next Bangladesh govt will need to navigate tricky foreign policy issues: Crisis Group The Foreign Minister expressed optimism that they will be able to establish deep relations with other friendly countries in the region and the world. The Foreign Minister on Wednesday said they want to get back to the foreign policy of martyred President Ziaur Rahman which was very positive and expansive, stressing that the government wants to maintain a good relationship with each country while at the same time protecting the country’s interests. “Foreign policy is a very serious matter,” he told reporters at the state guest house Padma in the evening, seeking objectivity from the media while reporting on foreign affairs. The Foreign Minister said an imprudent or misleading statement can affect international relations and urged journalists to maintain objectivity and avoid rumors.