Foreign-Affairs
Global businesses must find “welcoming, enabling business environment” in Bangladesh: Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Sunday said a “Smart Bangladesh” needs greater economic connectivity to take its place as a leader on the world stage.
And for Bangladesh to be more connected to the global economy and see increased trade and investment, he said, global businesses must find a “welcoming and enabling business environment” in Bangladesh.
“And here, let me be frank. The United States government does have concerns about the regulations for digital, social media, and over-the-top platforms the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Information have introduced, as well as the draft Data Protection Act, or DPA,” Haas said.
Ambassador Haas said development and security must be balanced with democracy and human rights.
“We are going to get something very good”
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad on Sunday said Malaysia indicated a significant change in terms of hiring Bangladeshi workers making the recruitment process much easier and transparent.
“I believe we are going to get something very good,” he told reporters after his meeting with Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Appreciating the level of sincerity shown by the Malaysian Minister, the Expatriates’ Minister said they have discussed all the relevant issues fruitfully.
"Everything that is related to our worker’s interests has been discussed. There is the matter of cost and the matter of going there. Everything has been discussed. One thing must be remembered, this government is a new government. Whatever we had talked about with the previous government, now there will be a big change. He has assured this," Imran Ahmed added.
Read: Bangladesh likely to get back the money borrowed by Sri Lanka: FM
Regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier, Minister Imran said if required the MoU will be revisited and they will bring more changes to make the process easier.
But the Malaysian Minister did not give the final decision yet, said the Bangladesh Minister, adding that the joint working group meeting will be held very soon where both sides will finalize the things after discussion.
On December 19, 2021, Bangladesh and Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the employment of Bangladeshi workers in the Southeast Asian country.
The Malaysian Home Minister wrapped up his “working visit” to Bangladesh on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first minister-level visit from the Southeast Asian country since the formation of a new government there.
The Malaysian Home Minister also had a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan at State guesthouse Padma.
Bangladesh wants to ease the manpower recruitment process in Malaysia with a reduced cost through discussion.
Apology from Pakistan publicly for 1971 atrocities first thing to do: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said Bangladesh wants Pakistan to “seek apology publicly with a formal announcement” for the atrocities perpetrated against unarmed Bangalees in 1971.
“You first need to seek an apology publicly. Otherwise, I have a political reason….if it (apology publicly) happens first, I can argue for you. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me. I can’t do that. It’s pure and simple,” he told reporters sharing what he conveyed to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar.
Read more: Bangladesh likely to get back the money borrowed by Sri Lanka: FM
Talking to media at State guesthouse Padma, Momen said Pakistan wants to enhance relations with Bangladesh but Bangladesh reminded that seeking apology publicly is the first thing to do.
Hina Rabbani had a meeting with Minister Momen in Sri Lanka's capital city Colombo on Saturday.
Momen visited Sri Lanka as a guest for the country's 75th Independence Day celebrations, for which the guest list was filled up mostly by neighbouring countries at the foreign minister level.
Responding to a question, Foreign Minister Momen said the Pakistan State Minister did not make any direct reply to his request but mentioned that they have some limitations.
The Foreign Minister said if there is an issue of improving relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan that must begin with working in the economic area.
Read more: Dhaka eyes deeper relations with Latin American countries; Argentine FM due Feb 27
He urged the Pakistan State Minister to withdraw the restrictions to make the trade relations fairly balanced.
Momen, along with other South Asian ministers, attended the "Independence Parade" featuring march-past, fly-by, and parachute display by the joint forces at the Galle Face Green in Colombo Saturday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs of India V Muraleedharan also met the foreign minister of Bangladesh.
They discussed the upcoming bilateral visits and issues of mutual interest and emphasised trade and commerce for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
All the ministers from South Asian countries appreciated the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the continued economic advancement of Bangladesh.
On Saturday evening, Momen attended a reception hosted by the Sri Lankan President in honour of visiting foreign ministers/dignitaries from other South Asian countries – namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan – and the secretary general of the Commonwealth as well as state minister for foreign affairs of Japan.
Bangladesh likely to get back the money borrowed by Sri Lanka: FM
Bangladesh is expected to get back the money borrowed by Sri Lanka by September this year as the country's economic situation is improving.
"Sri Lanka is gradually doing better. They are recovering slowly. We have given them time till September (to repay the loan)," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at state guesthouse Padma on Sunday (February 05, 2023) afternoon, hoping for repayment by Sri Lanka within the timeframe.
The Foreign Minister, who returned home Sunday from Sri Lanka, said the new government in Sri Lanka is running the country “pretty well”.
The Sri Lankan government hopes that they will recover from the problem and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is coming up for support, Momen said.
Also read: FM likely to visit New Delhi March 1-2
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed Sri Lanka's gratitude to the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the timely assistance as the country battles to rebuild its economy.
“I must say they are very grateful to us,” said Foreign Minister Momen.Foreign Minister Momen visited Sri Lanka as a guest for the country's 75th Independence Day celebrations, for which the guest list was filled up mostly by neighbouring countries at foreign minister-level.
Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently reached a staff-level agreement on a 48-month, $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility which will also help it secure short-term funds from other donors.
Bangladesh Bank earlier granted Sri Lanka six more months to repay the $200 million loan after the Island nation requested to extend the repayment period due to its prolonged economic crisis.
Read More: Sri Lanka thanks Bangladesh for timely assistance on road to recovery
In a friendly gesture, Bangladesh had extended the loan to cash-strapped Sri Lanka under a currency swap arrangement in 2021.
Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently reached a staff-level agreement on a 48-month, $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility which will also help it secure short-term funds from other donors.
Bangladesh Bank earlier granted Sri Lanka six more months to repay the $200 million loan after the Island nation requested to extend the repayment period due to its prolonged economic crisis.
In a friendly gesture, Bangladesh had extended the loan to cash-strapped Sri Lanka under a currency swap arrangement in 2021.
Also read: FM Momen to join Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo
Pakistan should formally apologise for 1971 atrocities: Momen tells Hina Rabbani
Bangladesh has said Pakistan "should formally apologise" for the atrocities perpetrated against unarmed Bangalees in 1971.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen conveyed this to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar when she met her Bangladesh counterpart in Sri Lanka's Colombo Saturday.
Momen is now in Sri Lanka as a guest for the country's low-key 75th Independence Day celebrations, for which the guest list was filled up mostly by neighbouring countries at the foreign minister level.
The Bangladesh foreign minister, along with the others, attended the "Independence Parade" featuring march-past, fly-by, and parachute display by the joint forces at the Galle Face Green in Colombo Saturday.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe conveyed Sri Lanka's gratitude to the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the timely assistance as the country battles to rebuild its economy.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs of India V Muraleedharan also met the foreign minister of Bangladesh.
They discussed the upcoming bilateral visits and issues of mutual interest and emphasised trade and commerce for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
All the ministers from South Asian countries appreciated the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the continued economic advancement of Bangladesh.
In the evening, Momen attended a reception hosted by the Sri Lankan president in honour of visiting foreign ministers/dignitaries from other South Asian countries – namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan – and the secretary general of the Commonwealth as well as state minister for foreign affairs of Japan.
The foreign minister will return to Dhaka Sunday.
Read more: Prominent persons demand recognition of 1971 killings as genocide
Sri Lanka thanks Bangladesh for timely assistance on road to recovery
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed Sri Lanka's gratitude to the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the timely assistance as the country battles to rebuild its economy.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is now in Sri Lanka as a guest for the country's low-key 75th Independence Day celebrations, for which the guest list was filled up mostly by neighbouring countries at foreign ministry-level.
Momen, along with the others, attended the "Independence Parade" featuring march-past, fly-by, and parachute display by the joint forces at the Galle Face Green, Colombo Saturday.
The foreign minister later paid a courtesy call on President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. It was then that Wickremesinghe conveyed the Sri Lanka people's gratitude to their neighbours in Bangladesh.
Ganga Vilas river cruise demonstrates power of rivers to connect Bangladesh, India: Pranay Verma
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Saturday welcomed the passengers aboard the world’s longest river cruise MV GangaVilas on its arrival at Mongla port in Bangladesh.
The cruise was flagged off by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi, India on January 13.
It demonstrates the endeavour to boost river cruise tourism between Bangladesh and India, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal a concrete manifestation of India-Bangladesh friendship: Pranay Verma
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma today visited the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant at Rampal, being built with funding from the Indian government’s concessional financing scheme with an outlay of about US$ 2 billion.
Majority of the amount is being provided by India’s EXIM Bank.
The plant uses ultra super critical technology and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Phase-I of the 1320 MW power plant was inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh in September 2022 and has already started supplying electricity to the national grid of Bangladesh.
Phase-II of the project is expected to be completed shortly, officials said.
Energy cooperation is an "important component" of India-Bangladesh development partnership and the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant is a concrete manifestation of the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between India and Bangladesh, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Pranay Verma visits Rupsha Rail Bridge
On February 3, the Indian high commissioner visited the Rupsha rail bridge which is expected to "boost trade and connectivity" for not only Bangladesh but also for the entire sub-region.
The bridge is being developed under the Indian government’s concessional line of credit (LOCs) extended to the Bangladesh government.
During his two-day visit to Khulna division on February 3-4, High Commissioner Pranay Verma will be visiting some of the important connectivity projects which are being developed under the Bangladesh-India development partnership.
The total length of the Rupsha bridge is over 5km and the cost of constructing the bridge is US$ 169.26 million.
Read more: Rampal Plant starts electricity production, 660MW from unit-1 added to nat’l grid
The bridge has been constructed over the Rupsha river, and its construction was a challenging engineering feat as it required use of specialized technology for piling work, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Friday night.
The bridge also has additional features for ensuring navigation safety and the navigational clearance is more than 18m from standard high-water level.
India is Bangladesh’s largest development partner in South Asia.
India has already committed LOCs worth nearly US$ 8 billion to Bangladesh.
The bridge is a visible example of the India-Bangladesh development partnership, said the High Commission.
The Rupsha railway bridge and the Khulna-Mongla port rail line will greatly facilitate transportation of goods, and enhanced connectivity and accessibility to Mongla Port will improve market access for local businesses including for agricultural produce in the region. It is also expected to positively impact tourism to prominent spots in the southwestern part of Bangladesh.
Read more: Hasina, Modi jointly unveil Rampal Power Plant’s unit 1
Bangladesh, South Africa discuss ways to boost trade and investment
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said Bangladesh and South Africa have common socio-economic development objectives and there are huge potentials to boost trade and investment.
He observed that visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders and agreement on avoidance of double taxation between Bangladesh and South Africa will facilitate contacts and increase trade and investment between the two countries.
The state minister had bilateral talks with Deputy Foreign Minister of South Africa Candith Mashego Dlamini in Pretoria on February 3 and discussed areas of cooperation.
Referring to his meeting with the Business Unity South Africa which took place on Thursday, Shahriar Alam said the organization has shown interest in working with Bangladeshi chambers.
Read More: Shahriar inaugurates 'Made in Bangladesh' exhibition in Pretoria
He expressed hope that with mutual efforts, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and South Africa may be enhanced to one billion dollars.
The state minister proposed formation of a Bangladesh-South Africa business council comprising different chamber officials and businessmen to assess potentials and discuss business matters.
The Deputy Foreign Minister of South Africa Dlamini referred to the recent high level visits that took place between Bangladesh and South Africa.
US Senator Roger Marshall to extend support to further strengthen Dhaka-Washington ties
US Senator Roger Marshall has expressed his willingness to extend support to further advance Dhaka -Washington relationship.
Roger Marshall, the Republican Senator from Kansas, described Bangladesh as “an important partner” of the United States and hoped that the two countries would continue to work to forge bilateral cooperation in all possible areas.
The US Senator made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran at his office in Washington D.C. on Friday.
Senator Marshall appreciated Bangladesh’s impressive economic achievements.
He also praised Bangladesh’s contributions towards global peace through the UN Peacekeeping Missions, according to the Bangladesh Mission in Washington today.
Ambassador Imran briefed the Senator on the impressive socio-economic development that has taken place in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He also highlighted Bangladesh’s sustained economic growth, self-sufficiency in food production, advancement in the healthcare sector, disaster management, women’s empowerment, and efficient COVID-19 management.
Read More: US wants inclusive, representative, multiparty democracy in Myanmar
Ambassador Imran lauded the US government’s contribution of COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh.
While apprising on the Rohingya issue, he sought support of Senator Marshall and the US Congress for repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
They both underscored the importance of further expanding the trade and investment relations between Bangladesh and the United States, and deepening the existing partnership between the two countries in the coming days.