United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Wednesday urged the United Kingdom to continue preferential market access for Bangladeshi products under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The minister made the call during a meeting with UK Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton at the Ministry of Commerce. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations, increasing investment and enhancing cooperation for long-term economic growth. The minister said the government has undertaken a series of reforms to improve the investment climate, reduce logistics costs and facilitate ease of doing business. He stressed that increased investment is essential to harness Bangladesh’s growing workforce, adding that the government is prioritising this area. Muktadir also noted that Bangladesh is working on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with several countries and will further strengthen trade and investment dialogue with the UK. During the meeting, he reiterated the request for continued preferential access for Bangladeshi goods under the UK’s DCTS. Baroness Winterton praised the new government’s economic reforms, investment-friendly policies and initiatives aimed at achieving long-term growth. The UK side noted that there is scope to better utilise existing market access facilities for Bangladeshi products, highlighting export potential beyond readymade garments, particularly in processed food, seafood, light engineering and leather goods. They also encouraged Bangladesh to utilise export credit facilities worth around £2 billion under UK Export Finance to support investments, including in infrastructure. Both sides agreed to reactivate the Bangladesh-UK Trade and Investment Dialogue and expressed optimism about closer cooperation in the future. UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan, and members of the UK delegation were present at the meeting.

The Honorary Consul of Malta in Dhaka, Shoeb Chowdhury, held a courtesy meeting with the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Wednesday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral interests and regional cooperation. The meeting focused heavily on the upcoming Europe Day 2026 celebrations. The two officials reviewed preparations for the event’s central theme, "A European-Bangladeshi Village," highlighting the initiative’s role in fostering cultural and community ties. In addition to event planning, the discussions covered a broad spectrum of strategic issues, including Bangladesh’s current investment climate, social security frameworks, and the advancement of freedom of expression and human rights. During the exchange, Consul Shoeb Chowdhury expressed his profound gratitude to Ambassador Miller for the European Union’s enduring commitment to the country. He underscored the EU’s vital contributions to Bangladesh’s ongoing development and its significant impact on the nation’s socio-economic landscape.

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director Jihoon Kim on Wednesday said human trafficking remains a serious challenge that requires coordinated and sustained efforts. He made the remarks while speaking at a programme marking the conclusion of a multi-year initiative to combat human trafficking and promote safe migration. KOICA, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), organised the final dissemination workshop of the “Comprehensive Counter Trafficking Program to Address Human Trafficking in Bangladesh” at a city hotel. Human trafficking must stop, offenders must face justice: State Minister Through this programme, Kim said, KOICA has supported a comprehensive and victim-centred approach in partnership with the government of Bangladesh and stakeholders. “We believe the achievements and lessons from this initiative will continue to contribute to national efforts in addressing human trafficking.” While the programme concludes, stakeholders emphasised the importance of sustaining its achievements through continued national leadership, institutional strengthening, and collaboration. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Political Wing) Dr Ziauddin Ahmed said the government of Bangladesh is firmly committed to combating human trafficking through strengthened systems, legal frameworks, and coordinated action. “This programme has made meaningful contributions to enhancing our national capacity.” IOM Chief of Mission Giuseppe Loprete said this initiative highlights the importance of partnerships and a survivor-centred approach. “The progress achieved provides a strong foundation for continued efforts in Bangladesh.” Shah Mohammad Naheeaan, Head of Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Hasan Mahmudul Islam, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs were also present.

A two-day South Korean film festival titled ‘Korean Story Festival 2026’ will be held at the Bangladesh National Museum on April 17-18, celebrating the richness and diversity of Korean movie. The festival aims to bring together film enthusiasts and cultural lovers by showcasing a curated selection of acclaimed Korean films spanning multiple genres, including drama, action, history, and slice-of-life storytelling. The festival is open to all viewers free of charge, said the Embassy of the Republic of Korea on Wednesday. Viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy five popular Korean movies - Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission, Luck Key, Assassination, Little Forest and Escape from Mogadishu. The Korean Story Festival is designed to strengthen cultural exchange between Bangladesh and South Korea through the universal language of movie. Each film reflects unique aspects of Korean history, society, and everyday life, offering Bangladeshi audiences a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

Bangladesh has welcomed the temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East describing it as an encouraging step towards de-escalation in the region. “Bangladesh hopes that all parties involved will respect the ceasefire and utilise this opportunity constructively to work towards a durable and sustainable resolution and restore lasting peace and stability across the region,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh appreciates all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts in facilitating the ceasefire. Bangladesh reiterates that all disputes can and should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan says Iran confirms participation in Islamabad peace talks

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday said they are exploring areas of cooperation based on national priorities, noting that environment and climate change naturally appear very high in that priority. "Environment and climate change - both are areas are very important part of our domestic governance in India and Bangladesh," he told reporters after a meeting with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo at Secretariat. The High Commissioner said they have invited Bangladesh to become a full member of the International Big Cat Alliance that they have recently launched. Dhaka, Delhi discuss strengthening bilateral ties, says Jaishankar Bangladesh also attended the inaugural meeting. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global conservation initiative launched by India in April 2023 to protect the world's seven major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, puma, and cheetah. "I briefed the Minister about what we are doing in the renewable energy sector. 
India has a very ambitious target. It has achieved a lot in terms of its renewable energy and non-fossil fuel energy portfolio," he said, noting that they have a very ambitious target of 500 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity in the next few years. The High Commissioner shared some of those experiences - what kind of institutional mechanisms they have built to achieve that capacity and how they can work together in the renewable energy capacity building for Bangladesh. The High Commissioner said there are many areas which are common to their interest like climate change, energy transition and renewable energy. "We discussed also in detail about carbon trading system, which Bangladesh is also going to introduce," Pranay Verma said. 
 He said they also have a carbon trading market. "So, these are the kind of experiences that we shared, and we discussed how we can take them forward." The two sides also discussed about conservation areas like forestry, wildlife, and also how tbey can cooperate together in international initiatives that they are both members, like International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster, Resilient Infrastructure. 
 Pranay Verma described his meeting with the Environment Minister as "excellent" and said they discussed a lot of areas of how they can have closer cooperate together both bilaterally and internationally in the days ahead.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir has met Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi. During the meeting, Adviser Kobir handed over a letter to Dr Vijay from Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rehman addressed to BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Shishir Bajoria accompanied the BJP leader at the meeting. Adviser Humaiun Kobir is currently accompanying Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi.

Bangladesh on Wednesday thanked the Indian government for the recent supply of diesel and requested an increased volume of diesel and fertiliser supply to Bangladesh while the Indian side indicated that it would consider the request “readily and favourably.” Dhaka also reiterated its request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. They have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh. Bangladesh thanked the Indian authorities for apprehending the suspected killers of Shaheed Osman Hadi. Both sides agreed that the arrested individuals would be returned to Bangladesh in accordance with the procedures laid out in the extradition treaty between the two countries. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman raised these issues during his meetings in New Delhi. He met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Oil and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah were present at the meetings. The Bangladesh side also held a meeting with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Tuesday evening after arriving in New Delhi. Although a future visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India is under discussion, neither Bangladesh nor India mentioned any specific date in their separate readouts issued on Wednesday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time. “A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said in his recent letter handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla who represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh.

Thirteen countries including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK) have jointly urged all applicants in Bangladesh to follow official procedures when seeking visas, permits, or other consular services The countries urged the Bangladeshi applicants not to use any false documents. "Do not use falsified documents, unreliable or unlicensed agents, or make payments to unauthorised individuals, agents, or missions," according to a joint message shared by the British High Commission in Dhaka. Such action can lead to delays, financial loss, refusal at borders, and/or serious legal consequences, it said. "No mission is affiliated with any agents," said the message. Applicants in Bangladesh are 'strongly advised' not to rely on intermediaries claiming special access or influence over visa decisions. "Always rely on verified information and official channels provided by legitimate authorities," the message reads. The countries, through its diplomatic missions stationed in Dhaka, said their shared priority is to ensure a safe, fair, and transparent application process for everyone. Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, France, and Denmark are among the thirteen countries.    

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday expressed his country’s readiness to further deepen cooperation with Bangladesh in key areas of water resources management. He made the remarks during a meeting with Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and State Minister Forhad Hossain Azad. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration in the water sector. Ambassador Yao said China is willing to enhance cooperation in hydrological information sharing, flood forecasting, capacity building and personnel training, as well as in water resources management and water conservancy project implementation. He noted that China and Bangladesh have maintained long-standing friendly cooperation in the sector, yielding fruitful results. The Bangladeshi side emphasised that water resources collaboration is a key pillar of bilateral relations and expressed eagerness to expand experience sharing and practical cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.