Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh, Vietnam eye FTA to boost economic relations
Bangladesh and Vietnam have agreed to explore possibilities of concluding a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in order to add further substance to the steadily increasing bilateral trade and economic relations between the two regional countries, particularly in context of the LDC graduation of Bangladesh.
The issue was discussed at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held between Bangladesh and Vietnam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Sunday.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation, while a nine-member Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam Hung Viet.
Highlighting the lucrative incentives and facilities offered by Bangladesh for the Foreign Direct Investment, the Foreign Secretary encouraged the Vietnamese business community and entrepreneurs to avail the opportunities, particularly in the Economic Zones of Bangladesh, for mutual benefit.
The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum through regular exchange of high-level visits and agreed to organize the Joint Trade Commission meeting in Dhaka this year, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh also proposed formation of the Joint Commission at the Foreign Ministers’ level for comprehensive cooperation.
Both sides stressed the importance of direct air links for facilitating trade, commerce and investment and for accelerating tourism and people-to-people contacts.
Both Dhaka and Hanoi agreed to explore the possibilities for initiating direct flights at the earliest.
Foreign Secretary Masud Momen requested Vietnam to play a more proactive role bilaterally and within the ASEAN framework for an expeditious repatriation of the Rohingya people from Bangladesh to their homeland in Myanmar.
He also sought an expeditious inclusion of Bangladesh as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.
Both Head of delegations recalled with gratitude the historic event of establishment of Diplomatic ties between two countries in 1973.
As this year marks the Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic ties between the two friendly countries, the meeting appreciates the joint celebration of the watershed event with commemorative programmes in Dhaka and Hanoi.
Both sides welcomed regular dialogue and meetings of bilateral mechanisms.
The head of delegations hoped that this second FOC would help inject further vigour and momentum into the existing excellent bilateral relations for making it more collaborative and constructive and fruitful.
The next FOC will be held in Vietnam on a mutually convenient date, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The entire gamut of the bilateral relations, including cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, investment, energy, halal trade, tourism and culture, education, health, defence and security, agriculture, fisheries & livestock, ICT and telecommunication, direct air link came under discussion.
They also exchanged views on issues of mutual interests in the regional & international arena.
Both sides expressed optimism that the consultations, held after a hiatus of almost six years, would contribute significantly to adding further impetus and momentum to the existing bilateral engagements.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the current level of bilateral cooperation and stressed on further deepening the synergies through prudent utilization of the available complementarities.
Bangladesh–Nepal meeting on energy & power sector cooperation starts Monday
A two-day meeting of the joint steering committee (JSC) and joint working committee (JWC) on Bangladesh – Nepal power and energy sector cooperation is set to start in Bangladesh on Monday with a target to address the transmission bottleneck in regional electricity trade.
The JWC meeting is scheduled for May 15 while the JSC meeting is set for May 16 at the same venue at Payra power plant in Patuakhali, official sources said.
Ahead of the meetings, Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud in a meeting on Saturday urged Bangladeshi private and public sector companies to invest in the hydropower sector in the Himalayan nation which holds about 60,000 MW of clean energy potentials.
“There is huge potential in the Nepal hydropower sector. India is investing in our country and we also welcome Bangladesh to invest in Nepal,” he said at an event titled: “Realizing Energy Cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh” at the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka.
“We want to export power to Bangladesh from Nepal as there is an unlimited market,” he said.
Responding to a question from reporters on impediments in cross border transmission facilities, he said Nepal hoped to resolve the issue as the Nepalese Prime Minister is expected to visit India soon.
“We’re discussing and negotiating with India to resolve the issue. India is now positive in this regard. We’re looking positively to address the issue during the coming tour of the Nepalese Prime Minister to India,” he said.
Official sources in Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said that Bangladesh has a plan to import 500 MW of electricity from Nepal where Indian company GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower is building a 900 MW hydro power project.
But so far, no breakthrough was made in resolving issues on transmission facilities due to Indian lack of clearance, said a top BPDB official UNB spoke to.
Preferring anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, he said Bangladesh and Nepal were trying to persuade India to agree a regional arrangement to build a cross border transmission facility to facilitate electricity trade.
“But India always prefers to settle such issues on a bilateral basis”, he added, "Bangladesh and Nepal prefer a tripartite or regional agreement”.
Explaining the matter he said, If Bangladesh wants to import power from Nepal, it has to first sign a deal with India, not directly with Nepal. Then Nepal will sign a separate deal with India, each deal will be bilateral basis.
In this case, Bangladesh has to import electricity from Nepal through an Indian company. Currently, Bangladesh is importing electricity from India through a similar arrangement where Indian company NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is importing power for BPDB.
As there are no adequate transmission facilities in place, Bangladesh is now trying to start electricity import by 50 MW through the existing limited facilities. But still such a plan is not getting clearance due to lack of Indian approval, said the BPDB official.
Meanwhile, the meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee on Power Sector Cooperation was held in Khulna on May 4.
Joint development of cross-border trade and relevant projects and projects on energy efficiency in Bangladesh were discussed, a press release of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources had said at that time.
It also had mentioned that the meeting also discussed India-Bangladesh interconnection link for electricity import, the signing of a proposed agreement to import 500 megawatts of hydroelectricity from Nepal by Indian company GMR to Bangladesh through India, tripartite investment of Bangladesh, India and Bhutan in hydroelectricity project in Bhutan and also the importing of electricity from the project to Bangladesh.
Resilience of Bangladeshi people very powerful, inspiring: US DAS Afreen Akhter
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Afreen Akhter has said the resilience of the Bangladeshi people is very powerful and inspiring.
While visiting the Liberation War Museum, she said the Museum movingly conveys both the facts of that period as well as a sense of what Bangladeshis experienced during that time.
“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to learn more about Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom and democracy," Afreen said.
She appreciated the experience and thanked the staff for providing an excellent tour.
‘Dhaka, Male can fight together against climate change’
Vice-president of the Maldives Faisal Naseem on Saturday paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban when they agreed that both the countries can work together in the fight against climate change.
Press secretary to the President Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
Shahabuddin said bilateral existing relation between Bangladesh and the Maldives has strengthened and deepened over the years.
The visit of the President of the Maldives during the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh and the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in December 2021 have created a new chapter of relationship between the two countries, he also said.
He highlighted that Bangladesh has achieved rapid economic growth during the last decade and is acknowledged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Thanking the government of the Maldives for employment of Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives, he said that they are contributing actively to both the economies.
He hoped that employment of Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives will continue in the days ahead.
Stating that Bangladesh offers one of the most liberal and investment friendly milieus in South Asia, he welcomed businesses of that country to avail the facilities provided by the government for foreign investment.
The Vice- President of the Maldives said that the country is the world's most climate-vulnerable country.
The two countries can work together to fight against the climate change for solving the problem, he said.
He also thanked Bangladesh for providing support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that the establishment of marietime route between Bangladesh and the Maldives is necessary to accelerate the trade volume.
Mauritian president calls on Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday said Bangladesh and Mauritius may establish cooperation in tourism, education, IT and ICT, blue economy, agriculture, manpower and air connectivity areas.
Shahabuddin said when visiting President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.
President of Bangladesh along with his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana welcomed the President of Mauritius and his wife at Bangabhaban with flower bouquet
During the meeting, the presidents of the two countries discussed various aspects of mutual relations. They emphasized government and private visits to boost trade and investment.
Saying different types of passenger cargo ships are manufactured in Bangladesh, the President urged Mauritius to import ships from Bangladesh.
Besides, the President said Bangladesh has a lot of skilled - semi-skilled manpower. Mauritius can utilize this manpower for economic development.
He thanked the government of Mauritius for naming a road after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in Plaine Verte in honor of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh.
Mentioning various steps of development and progress of Bangladesh, the President said Bangladesh is now considered as the model country of development.
He also highlighted the measures fpr building smart Bangladesh.
Shahabuddin also called for investing in special economic zones and hi-tech parks.
President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh and Mauritius will benefit if both countries work together in tourism, education, IT and ICT, blue economy, agriculture manpower and air connectivity areas.
He also said he will encourage investors of his country to invest in Bangladesh in the mentioned areas.
Secretaries concerned to the President were also present during the meeting.
Indian Ocean Conference: US wants to see regional architecture solidify to realise potential of region
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Afreen Akhter on Saturday said the United States is committed to regional and multilateral efforts that help advance prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
"We want to see this regional architecture grow and solidify, because we believe it is absolutely necessary in realizing the potential of this region," she said while speaking at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference that ended on May 13.
As she heads back to Washington, Afreen said, she takes the perspectives with her, noting that "Your voices will guide our efforts to help build a prosperous, peaceful, free and open Indian Ocean Region."
Next month, the United States will attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association’s (IORA) Strategic Dialogue—where IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners will gather to discuss collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region.
"Collectively addressing the climate crisis will be a key priority for us as an IORA Dialogue Partner," Afreen said.
Afreen said in Bangladesh the United States is implementing a $17 million, program over five years that will expand Bangladesh’s access to affordable clean energy and support innovation in the clean energy economy.
In addition, the United States is working with the Maldives, Sri Lanka and partners across the Indian Ocean region to stop the flow of plastic pollution, develop climate smart agriculture and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The United States is also supporting resilience and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region by responding to crises and making long-term investments.
The United States is committed to the Indian Ocean region, she said, adding thst from the Strait of Malacca to the Arabian Sea, this strategically important region is filled with promise and opportunity.
"We are already working across the Indian Ocean region to support transitions to clean energy," she said.
For instance, U.S. Development Finance Corporation invested $500 million in First Solar to boost solar power production in India.
Indian Ocean Conference: Masud Momen advocates 'free, secure, inclusive region' in closing
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh envisions an Indian Ocean that is free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive, promoting shared prosperity for all.
"We remain committed to working with all our regional partners towards this end," he said, adding that Bangladesh advocates "shared prosperity" through "shared responsibility" over the region, through which they would achieve the global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
While delivering his closing remarks at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference, Foreign Secretary Masud said if they fully appreciate and realize this, they can grow together towards peace, prosperity, and partnership for a resilient future.
Bangladesh considers the stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean as an essential component in achieving her ‘Vision 2041’ of establishing a modern, knowledge-based developed country by 2041, he said.
Read: US wants to provide $6mn for maritime security initiatives, partnering with Bangladesh and others
The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh believes the Indian Ocean can significantly contribute to the global GDP, international trade, towards climate action, and growing technological advancements for ensuring global peace and prosperity.
He said Bangladesh stands ready to extend cooperation in the region towards a result-oriented focus that will augment achievement for the common good of the region.
Masud said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday suggested six priority areas where the Indian Ocean Region should focus on - maritime diplomacy; combating climate change and natural disasters; strengthening partnerships; strengthening mechanisms for maritime safety and security; promoting a culture of peace; and promoting equitable and sustainable development.
"In line with these, we may build on our cooperation and collaboration among the Indian Ocean countries to ensure a better future for us," said the Foreign Secretary.
On behalf of the government, he expressed sincere gratitude to all the participating countries in this 6th Indian Ocean Conference-2023 in Dhaka.
Read: A seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to our collective advantage: Jaishankar
"With your commitment and contribution, I believe this 6th Indian Ocean Conference has become a remarkable success and we can carry forward the take aways of this Conference to the next conference and other global discourses," he said.
President of Mauritius and Vice President of Maldives, among others, joined.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the conference.
The Foreign Secretary said the world’s centre of political and economic gravity is moving eastwards to Asia and Africa.
The importance of the Indian Ocean Region needs no reiteration especially for many countries whose existence, prosperity and security were, and will always be, intimately linked to it, he said.
Yet, he said, Indian Ocean Economy is perhaps not one of the highly economically integrated regions of the world.
"We should not also lose focus of the fact that the oceans are both an engine for global economic growth and a key source of food security," said the Foreign Secretary.
Bangladesh puts great emphasis on enhancing physical, institutional, energy, digital and human connectivity, facilitate movement of goods, services, capital, and people in a systematic manner, and promote technology transfer and access to innovations in the region, he said.
"We would like the other countries in the region to engage and cooperate proactively inpromoting food security, water solidarity, and disaster risk reduction," he said.
Cooperation among the countries to address the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and other significant and harmful impacts on the environment is also critically important, said the Foreign Secretary.
Bangladesh eliminates lymphatic filariasis
In a boost to efforts to end neglected tropical diseases in WHO South-East Asia Region, Bangladesh has eliminated lymphatic filariasis, says the World Health Organization on Saturday.
This is a disease that cripples and has significant social and economic impact on the affected communities.
“Bangladesh’s achievement is commendable and follows strong political commitment, tireless efforts by health authorities, partners and the communities. It is also a result of innovative approaches and meticulous implementation of elimination strategies,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, who has been prioritizing ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the Region as one of the flagship programs.
Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.
The infection is usually acquired in childhood with painful and disfiguring visible manifestations appearing much later in life, often in the form of enlargement of body parts causing pain, severe disability, and associated stigma.
Lymphatic filariasis was a major public health problem in Bangladesh.
In 2001 the country established its national programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis which was endemic in 19 of the 64 districts. Between 2001 and 2015, high coverage mass drug administration campaigns were rolled out in all endemic districts.
Alongside, systematic and high-quality transmission assessment surveys were carried out by well-trained programme personnel between 2011 and 2021.
The Regional Director also complimented Bangladesh for its morbidity management and disability prevention programme which has been regularly updating data from the endemic districts. Using this database, over 31,000 patients have been trained on self-care and provided kits to manage their disease condition and improve quality of life.
For lymphatic filariasis elimination, WHO strategy is based on two key components – first, stopping spread of infection through large-scale annual treatment of entire populations at risk in an area or region where transmission is present; and second, alleviating the suffering caused by lymphatic filariasis through increased disease management and disability prevention measures.
As part of the validation process, Bangladesh submitted a dossier to WHO which was reviewed by a Regional Dossier Review Group.
After examining the dossier, the Regional Dossier Review Group recommended Bangladesh for validation of elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.
“Strong partnership, several innovative operational research projects in surveillance methodologies and well-trained programme personnel have been key to the country’s success and will continue to be critical for the country to sustain its status of lymphatic filariasis elimination,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Bangladesh’s national strategic plan 2018-2025 focuses on post-validation surveillance strategy and response measures to prevent recrudescence of infection and progress towards elimination of transmission.
Bangladesh is the fourth country in WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem after Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
In 2014, Dr Khetrapal Singh identified ending neglected tropical diseases as one of her flagship priorities.
Besides lymphatic filariasis, there has been successes against other neglected tropical diseases. India has been certified for ending yaws and Nepal and Myanmar have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
“Neglected tropical diseases affect the marginalized and the vulnerable communities, aggravating their sufferings manifold. With low-cost and highly effective drugs and treatments we must end NTDs.
WHO remains committed to support efforts to eliminate these diseases to achieve a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future for everyone, everywhere,” the Regional Director said.
Bangladesh wants to walk together with countries in the region by resolving issues: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday said Bangladesh wants to walk together with the countries in the region by resolving the issues through discussion and joint efforts.
He also laid emphasis on sharing good practices among partner countries as Bangladesh seeks cooperation in the region.
The State Minister was talking to reporters after three separate bilateral meetings with Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Assistant Minister of UAE on the sidelines of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka.
He said the leaders who are participating in the Indian Ocean Conference have highly appreciated Bangladesh’s progress and its continued efforts for establishing regional peace.
Shahriar said Bangladesh has emerged as 35th largest economy in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said Bangladesh seeks support from its partners in terms of extension of duty free benefits till 2029.
Responding to a question, the State Minister said the government is looking into the agreements and signed joint communique with Japan during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit there so that follow up is done quickly on the targets.
US wants to provide $6mn for maritime security initiatives, partnering with Bangladesh and others
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said they are seeking to provide $6 million, working with the US Congress, for regional maritime security initiatives — partnering with Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
This funding will bolster interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the Indian Ocean’s South Asian sub-region, she said.
"Partnership is critical to maritime security, and I want to acknowledge India’s leadership in this space… specifically in the fields of anti-piracy, EEZ monitoring, and disaster response," Sherman said today virtually during a session at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Dhaka.