Foreign-Affairs
“Hidden Heritage: Homes in Dhaka” launched to highlight beauty of heritage houses
The Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements and the European National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in partnership with the British Council recently launched a project titled “Hidden Heritage: Homes in Dhaka” at Haturia House, Bangshal.
The event primarily focused on the houses in Dhaka from various periods of history.
The Hidden Heritage project aims to record the history of Dhaka’s buildings and the stories behind them.
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley spoke about the Hidden Heritage project and expressed his delight at being able to inaugurate this landmark event, at a historical site in old Dhaka.
“Great to join colleagues and friends celebrating the EU-supported Hidden Heritage project at Haturia House in Old Dhaka – keeping alive time-honoured Bangladesh heritage,” he tweeted.
Several historic buildings in Dhaka have gained popularity, garnering interest for their fading architectural qualities.
However, with social and economic changes, many of the buildings are now being replaced by newer ones.
Conceived as a dedicated documentation and web-based presentation of significant homes and buildings, the project documents selected buildings or spaces within the perimeter of the Dhaka city, along with their historical, societal and environmental context.
It is a first-of-its-kind in presenting the architectural heritage of Dhaka, said a media release on Wednesday.
The web-based presentation involves a multi-media platform with a virtual tour including 360-degree photography, videos, photographs, drawings and other forms of narration.
Speakers for removing bottlenecks in promoting cross border energy trade in SA
Speakers at a seminar have urged the countries in the South Asian region to remove bottlenecks in promoting cross border energy trade.
“We should work on removing hindrances in technical and legal process to establish cross border energy trade in the region”, said Waseqa A Khan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources while addressing the seminar.
Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) organized the two-day seminar titled: “Socio-Economic Impact of Cross Border Energy Trade (CBET) at the South Asian Sub Regional Level: A Bangladesh Perspective” in association with USAID and South Asia Regional Initiative in Energy Integration (SARI/EI) at a hotel in the city on Wednesday.
Waseqa Khan said there is no hindrances at the mass level. “But only hindrances are in the technical and bureaucratic levels”.
Read: Speakers stress for nurturing innovation to drive BD development
With BEI president ambassador Humayun Kabir in the chair, the event was also addressed by Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain, SARI/EI project director Pankaj Batra, BEI senior research director Faiz Sobhan, and senior energy advisor of the USAID Bangladesh Shayan Shafi.
Mohammad Hossain said regional energy cooperation will definitely impact regional development.“Any initiative in this region will integrate the entire region.”
Pankaj Batra said Bangladesh energy sector is gas-based while Indian energy sector coal-based and Nepal’s energy sector hydro-based.
The regional countries can take initiative to utilize their additional resources for other neighboring countries, he noted.
A study report on the title of the seminar was unveiled in the function.
It was noted in the function that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/E) program in the year 2000, covering the eight countries in South Asia, viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In the first three phases, the program, aiming to promote energy security in South Asia, worked on three focus areas: Cross Border Energy Trade (CBET); Energy Market formation; and Regional Clean Energy development.
SARI/E played a key role in integrating and promoting the energy policy and technology linkages across the South Asian nations.
Nasrul seeks JICA’s help in modernising power-gas transmission, distribution in south-western region
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has sought the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to modernise the gas and electricity transmission and distribution systems in the country’s south-western region.
He made the call at a meeting with JICA's newly appointed Chief Representative to Bangladesh Tomohide Ichiguchi at the latter’s office at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
“After construction of the Padma Bridge, a rapid development is taking place in the south-western part of the country. JICA can play a major role in modernising electricity transmission and distribution systems in the region,”he told Tomohide.
During the meeting they discussed various issues related to mutual interest.
Welcoming the newly appointed chief representative, Nasrul Hamid said that JICA is one of the main development partners of Bangladesh.
He also requested the JICA local chief to extend cooperation to Bangladesh Power Management Institute (BPMI) to make it an international quality training institute for the development of human resources.
Read: Relations with Bangladesh now deeper, more extensive: JICA
He observed that a huge investment opportunity has been created in the distribution and transmission sector.
He also requested the JICA to conduct a study on local area-based load management and possible power transmission to meet the requirements.
Integrated master plan for energy and power, renewable energy, wind power, change in electricity consumption pattern, energy demand in industry, modernization of power and energy sector, land development of Maheshkhali, gas pipeline installation projects also came up for discussion.
The JICA chief representative said, Bangladesh is his old work station.
“JICA's will remain with Bangladesh to promote its development. JICA will continue to work for the development of BPMI,”he assured the state minister.
JICA outgoing chief representative Yoho Hayakawa was also present on the occasion.
A book on BD-Japan relations unveiled
A book titled ‘Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations (1972-2022): A New Paradigm of Strategic Partnership’ has been unwrapped at a function in the Japanese embassy here in Dhaka.
Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Associate Professor of Japanese Studies Department of Dhaka University (DU), composed the book mainly to explore the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive relations to understand Japan’s miraculous development models and apply them in Bangladesh’s development policy initiatives.
Addressing the book unwrapping function held on Tuesday, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said Bangladesh can learn from the miraculous development of Japan—how this country developed from the ashes after World War-II.
He said the book has highlighted the present relation and the future direction of the relations between these two friendly nations.
Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, in his welcome speech, described this book as a historic mark in academia considering the 50 years mark of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations. The book might be highly influential for future academics, he said.
Read: FM’s book on Padma Bridge unveiled
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal said it is an important book since Japan is a development partner of Bangladesh, which is helping Bangladesh implement some most significant megaprojects including the Matarbari deep sea port, MRT line in Dhaka, and third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Presiding over the function, Chairman of the Japanese Studies Department Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun said this is one of the rarest academic endeavours in the field of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Member of Bangladesh Public Service Commission and also DU International Relations Professor Dr Delwar Hossain also spoke at the event conducted by Japanese Studies Associate Professor Shiblee Noman, said a press release.
Safe Digital Space: AUW, UNDP to promote intercommunal, religious harmony
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Asian University for Women (AUW) have joined hands to create a safe and tolerant digital space through UNDP’s Partnerships for a Tolerant and Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project.
Under this partnership, UNDP and AUW organized a three-day long hackathon titled “Digital Khichuri Challenge for Pathway to Peaceful Societies: Catalyzing Youth as Responsible Citizens” from September 18 to 20.
The six finalists from more than 50 applications of the hackathon presented their ideas on September 20.
“Team Illuminate” & "Let’s Spared Humanity” were the winners for their ideas to promote peace and tolerance by creating different content on social media and raising awareness of the students of AUW and beyond.
The winners received Tk 50,000 as a grant to implement the initial ideas and will receive a mentorship programme from UNDP.
The event was attended by Asif Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Professor and Director of MBA Program, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Dr. Beena Khurana, Dean Of Arts AND Sciences, Asian University for Women, Dr. David Taylor, Dean Of Humanities, AUW Suman Chatterjee, Director of Student Recruitment and Acting Dean of Students, AUW, Mr Mohammad Masudur Rahman, Instructor in Performing Arts, AUW, Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications, UNDP Bangladesh, Farhana Shahnaz, Communications Officer, PTIB, UNDP, Habibur Rahman, Associate Coordinator, CRI, Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, AUW and Robert Stoelman, Project Manager, UNDP along with representatives from various national and international NGOs, and faculties from AUW.
“There’s plenty of potential in our society which can be realized through better communication. The DKC is such a platform to convert such potential candidates into change-makers,” said Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications, UNDP Bangladesh
Asif Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Professor and Director of MBA Program, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), stated that “We need more powerful young women in society. There are plenty of young women who are very willing to access the world of learning, but we have to initiate the change and ensure their access.”
This year, there will be five Digital Khichuri Challenge cohorts across the country where ICT Division, Red Orange Media and Communications, and Better Stories Limited are supporting as strategic partners and Barisal Youth Society (BYS), Chalkboard Communications, and Peace Maker Studio as implementing partners.
The Digital Khichuri Challenge, started in 2016, is a platform that enables young people to leverage digital means and tools to promote peace, tolerance, and diversity in Bangladesh as responsible citizens and further contributes to SDG 16.
World Bank to remain Bangladesh's dev partner: Vice President for South Asia
World Bank (WB) new Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser has said the WB will remain beside Bangladesh as a partner in adopting economic policies to overcome the challenges of development.
Raiser said this at a meeting with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday night. This is his first visit to Bangladesh after taking over as WB Vice President. Martin Raiser arrived in Dhaka on September 19 on a three-day visit.
Raiser praised Bangladesh's economic development in the meeting with the Finance Minister. He also appreciated the timely steps taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face the crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
Read: Martin Raiser World Bank's new VP for S Asia
The finance minister said that the WB is one of the development partners of Bangladesh. The organization has provided budget support to various development projects in Bangladesh including education, health, electricity, and disaster management sectors.
Kamal also thanked the WB for its support in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic .
The Finance Minister emphasized further partnership of the World Bank in various initiatives for the socio-economic development of the country.
Raiser called the continuity of Bangladesh's progress an exemplary example for many countries in the world and said that Bangladesh is one of the countries receiving the highest IDA loans.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Finance Department Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin, Economic Relations Department Secretary Sharifa Khan, Financial Institutions Department Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Saleem Ullah, and others were present at the meeting.
Russian Embassy refutes TIB statement on Dhaka-Moscow grain deals, gas exploration
The Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday said they remain open to provide the official comments on all the matters of Bangladesh-Russia bilateral relations as well as on the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in order to avoid dissemination of fake information.
“Moscow appreciates Dhaka’s commitment to realisation of joint projects in spite of the challenges posed by the USA and the European Union,” said the embassy rebutting the statement by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) about Russia-Bangladesh gas exploration and grain deals.
TIB in a statement recently said importing wheat at an inflated rate from Russia and engaging Russian companies in gas drilling with a high cost is against public interest.
“Transparency International”, known for its “biased reports” made primarily for the political purposes, is classified as a “foreign agent” in Russia, said the embassy.
The embassy said the organization in its investigation has not requested any clarifications from the official sources of information: the Russian embassy, “Gazprom EP International Investments B.V” and JSC “Prodintorg”.
Read: TIB’s report on TCB products not based on proper information: Commerce Minister
According to the statement, the government of Bangladesh signed a deal to purchase 500,000 tons of the Russian wheat at higher price than market ones.
However the price of US$ 430 per ton is in strict compliance with the market prices at the time of concluding Russia-Bangladesh interstate agreement on August 24, 2022, and is the same as the sale price of the Russian grain contracts recalculated on FOB Novorossiysk port basis given the freights and insurance differences as well as the losses while discharging the cargo.
The price premium for the volume, which cannot be provided by other supplier, should be taken into account as well, said the Russian embassy.
Moreover, the cost of importing wheat on G-to-G basis is less than through open tendering method, it claimed.
Momen in NY: No specific info given by US on Rab sanctions
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the US government provided no specific information to Bangladesh about putting sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and some of its top current and former officials.
He said this in reply to a question during a media briefing on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s programmes during the 77th UNGA in New York on Tuesday.
Read:Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY
The foreign minister said that the Bangladesh government repeatedly sought information on the sanctions the US imposed on Rab and its current, former officials last December for alleged rights abuse.
“Still, they have not given any correct and specific information. So, we do not know. Besides, the US has a habit of imposing sanctions on different countries,” he said.
Read: Momen, Canadian High Commissioner welcome formation of CBAA
The minister praised Rab for combating terrorism in the country.
In this regard, he said there has been no terrorist incident in the country after the Holey Artisan attack on July 1, 2016. “That was the last one,” he added, He also said that PM Hasina demonstrates zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Read US sanctions outcome of USD 100 million project: IGP
Myanmar’s shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”, Momen says in NY
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday termed Myanmar’s recent mortar shelling inside Bangladesh “unintentional mistake”.
He said this while addressing a press conference — on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s itinerary at the 77th UNGA — at Hotel Lotte in New York.
The foreign minister said Myanmar authorities informed them that they are not shelling, targeting Bangladesh.
Read Myanmar claims mortar shells fired by Arakan Army, ARSA on its border forces landed in Bangladesh
“That particular border area is very crisscrossed. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the border…for that reason, they are not shelling inside our border intentionally,” Momen said. One or two mortar shells that landed inside the Bangladesh border were dropped by mistake, he said.
He also said that Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned the Myanmar ambassador and the Myanmar authority promised that they will remain cautious.
Momen said Bangladesh has sealed the entire border and will not allow any more Rohingyas cross into the country.
Read Malaysian foreign minister, int’l lawmakers demand decisive action on Myanmar
He also mentioned that some Rohingyas went to the China area as they did not dare to come to the Bangladesh side.
He hoped that the displaced Rohingyas, who are staying in Bangladesh, would return to their homeland.
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the international community and the United Nations to play a more active role in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their motherland Myanmar.
Read Tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border: Govt plans to evacuate 300 families
She made the call while UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi paid a courtesy call on her in New York.
Sheikh Hasina also emphasized enhancing UNHCR's activities in Myanmar for solving the Rohingya issue.
In response, Filippo Grandi said he would visit Myanmar soon.
Read BGB, Coast Guard asked to remain alert with “reinforcement”, if needed
The PM reiterated that the Rohingya crisis can only be resolved by repatriating them to Myanmar.
The UNHCR High Commissioner also agreed with her on this matter.
During the meeting, they discussed in detail the present operations of UNHCR to help Rohingyas who took shelter in Cox's Bazar and Bhashanchar in Bangladesh.
Read BNP urges global community to act against Myanmar's insolent activities
Later, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim A A Khan QC also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They discussed various aspects of cooperation between Bangladesh and the ICC.
The Premier has assured the ICC Prosecutor that Bangladesh will continue to cooperate with all ongoing efforts at the ICC to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya victims of torture in Myanmar.
Read Do more to cut Myanmar military's revenue, arms supply: UN to countries
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh again early next year.
Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well.
In this meeting, the steps for sustainable urbanisation taken by the Bangladesh government and areas of future cooperation were discussed.
Read Bangladesh-Myanmar border tension: ASEAN envoys to relay Dhaka's concerns
In this connection, the Prime Minister informed him about the success of the Ashrayan Project undertaken by the Government of Bangladesh for the landless and homeless people.
Bangladesh can learn from miraculous development of Japan: State Minister Khalid
State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid has said Bangladesh can learn from the miraculous development of Japan - how this country developed from the ashes after World War II.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of a new book titled "Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations (1972-2022): A New Paradigm of Strategic Partnership" held at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador on Tuesday evening.
The book is written by Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Associate Professor of the first ever area studies department at the University of Dhaka—Department of Japanese Studies.
Professor Dr A S M Maksud Kamal, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) joined the ceremony as special guest.
Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain, Member of Bangladesh Public Service Commission and Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka spoke as the discussant.
The State Minister said the book has stressed upon the present relation and the future direction of the relations between these two friendly nations.
"This is a great book. This is a very rare academic work focusing on bilateral relations. I would say, very historic academic work," said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.
He described the book as a historic mark in academia considering the 50 years of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations.
Naoki also predicted it to be highly influential for future academics.
"It's a great day for me," said Dr Jahangir Alam, the author of the book.
Delwar Hossain said this book covers contemporary issues particularly from the perspective of political science, international relations, etc.
"It has a comprehensive focus which is the strongest part of this book. It has a comprehensive focus on Bangladesh-Japan relations," he said.
Prof Maksud Kamal said Japan is the number one bilateral development partner of Bangladesh which is helping Bangladesh implement some most significant megaprojects including the Matarbari deep sea port, MRT line in Dhaka, and third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Chairman of the Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka.
He mentioned that this is one of the rarest academic endeavours in the field of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The main objective of the book is to explore and examine the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive relations to understand Japan’s miraculous development models and apply them in Bangladesh’s development policy initiatives and planning to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and ‘Vision 2041’.
The chapters of the book attempt to make a comparative study among the South Asian countries with relevant policy recommendations for further improvement of the said bilateral relations.
However, asymmetric in nature, many academia and a cross-section of people in Bangladesh believe that the Japanese economic development model should be replicated in Bangladesh.
To explore those possibilities, a couple of chapters of this book revisited Bangladesh-Japan’s comprehensive diplomatic relations since the former’s independence would simultaneously strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.