Foreign-Affairs
Dhaka seeks greater Dutch support for Rohingya repatriation
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah has sought support from the Netherlands towards sustainable return of the Rohingyas and political solution of the issue in Myanmar.
He made the request while calling on Dutch Prime Minister’s Foreign and Security Adviser Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on March 31 2023, according to a release here on Saturday.
He also lauded the Dutch government’s intent to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh beyond water sector.
The principal secretary, accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands M Riaz Hamidullah, apprised Bangladesh’s journey in building a pluralist and liberal society, advancing women and commitment to strengthening functioning democratic institutions in Bangladesh.
Leeuwen lauded Bangladesh’s continued journey in development under the leadership of PM Hasina.
He also reiterated the Dutch prime minister’s invitation to Hasina to visit the Netherlands.
Principal Secretary proposed for instituting a Public-Private Dialogue mechanism with the Netherlands which the Dutch side welcomed.
The principal secretary is leading a high-level Bangladesh delegation comprising Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, former MCCI President Barrister Nihad Kabir and the Secretary-General, Farooq Ahmed.
During the day, the delegation held several meetings at the Dutch Foreign Ministry where the two sides discussed a wide ranging issues including extension of EU GSP facilities towards Bangladesh apparel sector beyond graduation as an LDC, collaboration on implementation of transformative projects under Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP), facilitating Dutch investment financing in private sector, especially across diverse sectors of Bangladesh agriculture, brining innovative Dutch water solutions to Bangladesh.
He also met with representatives of leading Dutch financial institutions and the Eindhoven-based Brainport.
Implement Teesta Project to save people from manmade disasters: IFC
The International Farakka Committee (IFC) has welcomed the government of Bangladesh for sending a note verbale to New Delhi seeking to know about their plan to construct two new canals to divert water of the Teesta River.
Simultaneously the government should implement the Teesta Master Plan because efforts for a treaty on the river have remained fruitless and its entire dry season water is being diverted for the least two decades, said the IFC in a statement on Saturday.
It said Dhaka should not put on hold its efforts for shared management of the Transboundary River because the greater part of its basin lies in Bangladesh.
Yet it cannot leave over two crore people living on its two sides helpless and suffer from severe drought in the dry season and devastating floods and river-bank erosion in the summer, IFC said in the statement.
The Teesta is practically a dead river in Bangladesh because of excessive siltation as it has been deprived of its natural flow for decades and the surrounding environment has been damaged adding to the suffering of the people.
Drought in the Teesta Basin takes a devastating turn in the dry season when people can cross the river on foot.
In the wet season the entire flow of the river is released through the sluice gates of the Gajal Doba Barrage in India when it cannot carry this excess load of water due to lack of depth.
As a result this causes devastating floods and bank erosions every year. Four waves of flood last year pauperised the people living on its two banks.
Despite continuous assurances the Bangladesh part of the river continues to be deprived of water in the dry season.
Now fresh moves have surfaced for two more canals to divert its water. As time passes the share of the river’s flow looks more and more remote.
Against this backdrop, the Power China Company of the People’s Republic of China at the instance of Bangladesh Water Development Board has prepared a Taka 100 billion comprehensive project not only to mitigate the annual flood and erosion damages but also to ensure the overall socio-economic development of the people of the Northwestern region.
The project stands for sustainable development along the 102 kilometre length of the river from the Teesta Barrage at Dalia of Nilphamari district to its outfall in the Brahmaputra via Mohipur and Kaunia. According to Bangladesh Water Development Board sources the project is likely to be implemented under a loan agreement. But a final go ahead is yet to be given.
IFC leaders said it’s not wise to continue to remain idle waiting for release of water as the process of desertification is getting from bad to worse in the northwestern region of Bangladesh.
The Teesta project is no substitute for the natural flow of the river to keep it alive. Yet the move to mitigate the annual flood and river-bank erosion and improvement of the quality of life of the people of the region through integrated development activities cannot be left to uncertainties.
When the compulsion of restoring the natural flow of the river will arise upstream due to the law of nature, the Bangladesh part of the Teesta will have a new lease of life.
IFC leaders said, the overall development of the Northwestern region of Bangladesh can be accelerated if the Teesta project is expanded to include the old and original Teesta Basin covering The Atrai, The Korotoa and The Punarbhaba rivers.
If this is done the command area of the project will cover 28 thousand square kilometres as against the present four thousand square kilometres.
The huge Chalan Beel can be used to retain water and facilitate fish and duck farming in the wet season and irrigation in the dry season. The groundwater level in the region will go up and help keep all tubewells operational throughout the year.
The statement has been signed by IFC New York chairman Atiqur Rahman Salu, secretary general Sayed Tipu Sultan, IFC Bangladesh president Prof. Jasim Uddin Ahmad, senior vice-president Dr. S.I. Khan, general secretary Irfanul Bari and IFC coordinator Mostafa Kamal Majumder.
India-Bangladesh trade using rupee instead of US dollar could start soon
Bangladesh could soon start trading with India using rupee instead of US dollar, trial for which has been done by Bangladesh Bank recently.The ministry of commerce has placed a written recommendation at the last cabinet meeting regarding the possibility and opportunity of using rupee instead of dollar.
Currently Bangladesh exports goods to India worth around USD 2 billion.
“The use of rupee will start with Bangladesh's $2 billion trade with India. Bangladesh Bank has almost finished all kinds of trials in this regard. Trading in rupee will be introduced in both countries only after bilateral decision on some issues,” an executive director of Bangladesh Bank told UNB.
Read More: Bangladesh Bank yet to allow Indian rupee in foreign trade
Wishing anonymity, he said that banking systems in India and Bangladesh have to sign separate agreements on using rupee.
Meanwhile India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) has submitted the total trade account to the central bank in the form of a proposal. This initiative is being taken to overcome the existing dollar crisis, sources said.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Md Mezbaul Haque said that India-Bangladesh trade, using rupee instead of US dollar, is still in the experimental stage. Some issues still need to be settled.
“There are some bilateral issues that need to be resolved. Then the banks have to prepare. But there will be a positive decision in this regard,” he added.
Read More: Indian businesses eager to invest in various sectors
In response to a question whether there will be a fixed annual dollar quota for opening LCs, he said, LCs will be opened according to the needs of businessmen. But the only source of rupees is from the export earnings of Bangladeshi goods in India.
“We are importing more from India than we export. This is why there is a trade deficit. As a result, the amount of rupee is also being considered,” Mezbaul said.
Currently India is trading in rupees with Russia, Mauritius, Iran and Sri Lanka.
At the Bangladesh-India ministerial meeting on trade, held in the Indian capital New Delhi on December 22-23 last year, India proposed to introduce the rupee as a medium of trade for both countries.
Read More: Bangladesh maintains close ties with all – China, US and India: PM tells CNN
Then, on the sidelines of the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors held in Bengaluru, India on February 24-25, there was a discussion between the two countries about moving the dollar as an exchange currency.
There, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukder and Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das discussed the possibility of such a system using rupee instead of US dollar.
Prothom Alo journo offered a child Tk 10 and expressed his views in the minor’s name: Foreign Ministry
The government of Bangladesh has said as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child it would not tolerate any act of abusing children, noting that Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams was arrested because of “child abuse and exploitation”.
"The government would also not accept any such effort aimed at maligning the Independence Day of the nation," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today (April 01, 2023).
The government of Bangladesh is committed to uphold the freedom of expression for all its citizens and the media, the foreign ministry said.
Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
However, it said, creating social unrest by undertaking such “fraudulent acts” is contrary to the spirit of honest journalism.
The ministry said it has been brought to the notice of the government that some international media and institutions are claiming that a journalist in Bangladesh, named Shamsuzzaman, has been arrested as he wrote about the “cost of living in Bangladesh”.
"This information is totally false and fabricated. This journalist was arrested because of ‘child abuse’ and ‘child exploitation," the foreign ministry said.
Many media outlets have been continuously reporting on the cost of living in Bangladesh since the beginning of the Ukraine war which has caused inflation around the world.
Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams taken to court
"No one has been arrested due to such reporting. The said journalist was arrested because of child abuse and child exploitation, as he offered ten taka to a 9-year-old boy and then expressed his own views in the name of that child," the ministry said.
"That is surely an act of child abuse and exploitation. Secondly, he tried to undermine the independence of Bangladesh on the great Independence Day. These acts are surely tantamount to punishable crimes," the foreign ministry said.
Read More: Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman sued under DSA
US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’
The United States’ Department of State has expressed concerns over the Bangladesh government’s use of the Digital Security Act (DSA).
"We remain deeply concerned about the [Bangladeshi] government's use of the Digital Security Act. And freedom of expression, including for members of the press, is an essential element of democracy and is especially important in an election year. No members of the press should be threatened, harassed, physically attacked, or arrested for simply doing their job,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State on March 30.
This was posted on the verified Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka today.
On March 29, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) men in plainclothes picked up Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams from his residence in Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.
Also read: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" in the daily Prothom Alo.
A Dhaka court on Thursday (March 30, 2023) sent Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams to jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act after rejecting his bail petition.
Bangladesh seeks urgent action for protection of climate migrants
The recently adopted UN General Assembly Resolution, requesting for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on obligations of states in respect to climate change, recognizes the link between climate change and displacement of affected persons.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said this while speaking at a panel discussion organized by IOM during its 2023 International Dialogue on Migration held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Referring to the extreme vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change, Foreign Secretary Momen shared the various initiatives undertaken by the government of Bangladesh in addressing the impact of climate change including the 8th Five Year Plan incorporating action point to address the environment, climate change adaptation and mitigation; establishment of a Climate Change Trust Fund; and launching of ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also undertaken the biggest housing project for climate migrants in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the “Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project”, he further added.
Expressing concern over the inadequate action of the international community on the protection of persons displaced by climate change and associated disaster, he urged to scale up global actions including climate financing.
Read more: Bangladesh urges global solidarity to address gaps in migrants’ human rights
US Congress introduces resolution commending Bangladesh, its socioeconomic progress
On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 52nd anniversary of independence, the United States Congress introduced a resolution on March 29 — recognizing and commending Bangladesh and its remarkable socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced the resolution at the Congress as the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus.
Joe Wilson Sr. (born July 31, 1947) has been serving as the US representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2001.
He earlier served as the South Carolina state senator from the 23rd district from 1985 to 2001.
Read more: Declare Pakistan army action in 1971 ‘Genocide’: US congressmen introduce resolution
While placing the resolution, Congressman Wilson recalled that 51 years ago on April 4, 1972, the United States recognized Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.
During the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and pro-Pakistani militias killed hundreds of thousands of people and injured many more, the resolution said.
The war for independence was a struggle for democracy and freedom led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it noted.
It said Bangladesh has made enormous strides in the last five decades from one of the poorest nations to having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with the GDP per capita increasing to $2,457 in 2021 according to the World Bank which now exceeds that of its regional neighbors.
Read More: Japan is a true friend , trusted partner of Bangladesh since independence: Envoy
The resolution mentioned since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh's economy has grown from $9 billion to $450 billion, life expectancy has risen from 47 years to 73 years, and the adult literacy rate has risen to more than 75 percent.
Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made substantial socioeconomic progress in food production, disaster resilience, poverty reduction, improved health, education, and women's empowerment, it noted.
The resolution said Bangladesh has successfully maintained a moderate Muslim society and curbed extremism in the country, and its people have sought to maintain support for democracy and rule of law rather than descending into authoritarian rule.
The resolution said the United States and Bangladesh have extensive cooperation on matters of regional and global security, counter terrorism, and climate change.
Read More: India would help restore democracy as it helped gain independence: Fakhrul
The US is the largest export market for Bangladesh and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment, it said, adding the nation of Bangladesh has also contributed to the US economy through bilateral trade and international security cooperation in return.
The resolution said the American people appreciate the generous and indispensable role that Bangladesh performs in accepting and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya people from a genocide perpetrated by its neighbor, Myanmar. The United States has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to address this crisis, totaling more than $2 billion.
It said the American people welcome that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest contributors to United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts globally. Both countries seek to enhance their people-to people and government-to-government relationship for shared prosperity.
The resolution mentioned that Bangladesh has expressed gratitude to the United States for contributing more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Bangladesh.
Read More: Sultana Jesmin’s death in RAB custody won’t impact Bangladesh-US relations: Momen
The resolution said the American people recognize and commend the nation and people of Bangladesh as they celebrate five decades of independence. The United States extends its sincere determination to remain a constructive partner of Bangladesh in achieving mutual economic, social and national security objectives now and into the future, the resolution concluded.
BGMEA solicits EU support for sustainable growth of sector
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan met with Joost Korte, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission in Brussels on March 30.The meeting was also attended by Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Commerce Secretary of Bangladesh while Jordi Curell, Director of Labour Mobility at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, and Daniel Klein, International Relations Officer, Unit for International Affairs at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, were also present.They discussed various issues including the progress made by Bangladesh on the labour conditions and national action plan and road map to achieve the parameters towards obtaining GSP Plus.The issue of EU’s support for smooth transition of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation also got due importance in the meeting.BGMEA President Faruque Hassan apprised Joost Korte of the vast progress in Bangladesh's apparel industry, especially in maintaining labour standards and workers’ welfare.He also highlighted the contribution of the RMG sector to transforming the lives of millions of workers, mostly women who now have dignity in society and family and a voice in decision making.He also gave an account of how the development of the industry has alleviated poverty in rural areas with massive employment and paved the way for education for young girls.Faruque Hassan mentioned the progress made by Bangladesh in workplace safety and workers’ rights through collaboration of the global brands and retailers, manufacturers, government, ILO, development partners, and local and global unions.He also briefed Joost Korte about the committed efforts of the industry to carry forward the progress in workers’ rights and welfare.BGMEA President Faruque Hassan requested the European Union to continue its trade benefits for Bangladesh even after the country's graduation from LDCs.He also requested for the EU’s support for Bangladesh in attaining GSP Plus, especially for the apparel sector in getting benefits under the scheme, which would contribute to its sustainable development.
Bangladesh wants continued EU support measures for 6 years after LDC graduation
Bangladesh has asked the European Union (EU) to extend International Support Measures (ISM) for six more years after its graduation from the least developed countries grouping, in view of the current global economic situation.
The request was made when PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah held meetings with the Directorate General for Trade and Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission in Brussels, the capital of Belgium on Thursday.
Issues related to trade and labour were discussed, said a press release of Bangladesh Mission to the European Union in Brussels.
The Bangladesh side apprised the EU of developments in these areas and the latter reiterated their interest to continue strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh.
DG Employment Joost Korte highlighted the mutually beneficial relationship being enjoyed by both sides and stressed that Bangladesh is becoming an increasingly important partner for the EU.
Noting the status of implementation of the National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh, he conveyed the importance of staying on course on the commitments made by Bangladesh.
Matters related to factory safety were discussed. The Bangladesh side underscored the extensive improvements made in workplace safety, sustainable production techniques in the green factories, factory inspection, use of technology and upgraded machinery.
During the meeting with DG Trade, the EU’s ongoing negotiations on the draft GSP legislation and Bangladesh’s transition from EBA status to GSP+ was touched upon.
The EU side, led by Maria Martin-Prat, Deputy Director General for Trade, encouraged Bangladesh to continue the various reforms being undertaken and stressed the importance of aligning with international labour standards.
With the ongoing external shocks on the global economy, food and energy crisis and volatility in international financial markets, the Bangladesh side requested the European Union (EU) for an extension of International Support Measures (ISM) for another six years after Bangladesh’s graduation from the status of a least developed country.
The Bangladesh side also sought the EU’s strong support in the WTO negotiations for the submission of the LDC Group for an extension of International Support Measures (ISM) for the same (six) period after graduation.
Bangladesh also requested that the country’s trade interests, particularly in the RMG sector be protected in the new GSP regulation under consideration of the EU.
The Bangladesh side said the need for fair pricing and responsible business conduct by the companies and brands was stressed upon in addition to requesting consideration of a mechanism under Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence to make relevant companies accountable in these areas.
Later in the afternoon, the Principal Secretary met Michael Hager, Head of Cabinet of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
During the meetings, the Principal Secretary was accompanied by Commerce (Sr) Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Mahbub Hassan Saleh, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, President of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) Nihad Kabir and Secretary General of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Farooq Ahmed.
Philippines shows interest in moving 'long-standing friendship' with Bangladesh forward, strengthening cooperation
The Philippines has shown interest in closely working with Bangladesh to move the countries' "long-standing friendship" forward and strengthening their cooperation to address persistent and emerging challenges for mutual benefit.
Enrique A Manalo, secretary of foreign affairs (foreign minister) of the Philippines, recently highlighted the "longstanding and amicable" relations between his country and Bangladesh in a message sent to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
Manalo sent the message on the occasion of Independence Day of Bangladesh. The Philippines foreign minister extended his heartfelt felicitations and greetings to the people and the government of Bangladesh.