Foreign-Affairs
We set the stage for next 50 years of ties: US Ambassador after meeting PM Hasina
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said his country “looks forward to growing its defense cooperation” with Bangladesh in addition to deepening ties between the two countries on key fronts.
“I’m excited about the possibilities for collaboration on the economy, development, public health, security, and climate change,” he said after his meeting today (September 13, 2022) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They discussed Bangladesh’s successes and the two countries’ strong bilateral partnership over the past 50 years.
Read: 81,000 textbooks, funded by Japan, handed over at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp
“We set the stage for our nations’ next 50 years of ties,” said the US Embassy quoting Ambassador Haas.
The Ambassador and the Prime Minister discussed 50 years of partnership between the United States and Bangladesh and ways the countries can deepen this partnership.
“We discussed our cooperation on a range of topics, including economic development, security, climate change, Rohingya refugee assistance, and COVID-19,” Ambassador Haas said.
He acknowledged Bangladesh’s remarkable economic progress, its leadership in climate change, its generosity in sheltering Rohingya refugees, and its tremendous contribution to global peacekeeping operations.
Ambassador Haas reaffirmed the United States’ continued support of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
Read: “Bangladesh suffering from greenhouse gas impact caused by the developed world”
“During our meeting, I told the Prime Minister that I think one of our proudest joint achievements was in how we worked together to respond to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Ambassador Haas.
“I commend Bangladesh’s effort to vaccinate over 70 percent of its entire population” he added.
The United States has donated nearly 88 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, contributed over $140 million in COVID-19 related development and humanitarian assistance, and collaborated closely with Bangladesh to distribute this assistance throughout the country.
G20 Presidency: India to invite Bangladesh as guest country
India, as G20 Presidency, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as guest countries to its meetings and Summit.
The Ministry of External Affairs, India made the announcement on Tuesday.
Read:“Bangladesh suffering from greenhouse gas impact caused by the developed world”
India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.
Under its Presidency, India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country, beginning December 2022.
The G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State / Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 next year in New Delhi.
ISA (International Solar Alliance), CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and ADB (Asian Development Bank) will also be invited as guest IOs.
In addition to G20 Members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some guest countries and International Organizations (IOs) to its G20 meetings and Summit.
Regular International Organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB and OECD) and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU, AUDA-NEPAD and ASEAN) will be joining, too.
The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.
It comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA and the European Union (EU).
Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
Read:Bangladesh seeks additional supply of LNG to meet growing demand
India is currently part of the G20 Troika (current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies) comprising Indonesia, Italy and India. During our Presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil would form the troika.
This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies, providing them a greater voice.
81,000 textbooks, funded by Japan, handed over at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp
Japan has assured of its efforts towards repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
“Finding lasting solutions to this crisis will be conducive to our pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki.
He said Japan will further cooperate with relevant agencies for better living conditions of Rohingyas and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Read: Japanese ambassador attends handover ceremony of ambulances in Cox's Bazar
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island.
On Monday, Naoki attended the handover ceremony of textbooks, held at the learning centre in the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.
During the ceremony, in total 81,000 textbooks on Myanmar language grammar, mathematics, history, general science and other subjects were handed over from Komori Takashi, Senior Representative of JICA Bangladesh, to Sheldon Yett, representative of UNICEF Bangladesh, in the presence of RRRC Shah Rezwan Hayat.
The learning materials, which Japan funded, will be used for the implementation of Myanmar Curriculum Pilot, which was approved in January 2020, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Read: Japan needs young engineers, Bangladeshi ICT professionals can fill that gap
Ambassador Naoki expressed his delight that the learning centres reopened after more than one and half a year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We hope this assistance will contribute to the learning of Rohingya children. I believe it is particularly important for them to learn the language, history and culture of Myanmar so that they may reintegrate to the society after repatriating to their home country,” said the envoy.
“Bangladesh suffering from greenhouse gas impact caused by the developed world”
UN Special Rapporteur on promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ian Fry, is currently on an official visit to Bangladesh.
The special rapporteur’s news conference to share his preliminary findings from the visit will be held virtually on September 15.
This is the first official visit (September 4-15) by the UN expert since he took office on May 1, 2022, said an official.
He is assessing how the adverse impact of climate change affects human rights in vulnerable communities.
Also read: UN acting rights chief for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly in Bangladesh ahead of polls
The special rapporteur is focusing on loss and damages incurred due to climate change and extreme weather.
“The impacts of climate change continue to take a huge economic and social toll on the people of Bangladesh. Studies indicate that globally, costs related to loss and damage from climate change impacts will rise to between $290 billion and $580 billion a year by 2030,” Fry said.
“People of Bangladesh are suffering from the greenhouse gas pollution caused by the developed world. It is time the international community stepped up and took responsibility for these impacts,” the UN expert said.
He is also paying special attention to and exploring how climate change impacts are forcing people to be displaced from their land and what measures are being taken to address these impacts.
The UN expert will identify good practices, strategies and policies implemented by the government of Bangladesh, as the country adapts to climate change and builds resilience to its adverse impacts.
The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report on his visit to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2023.
Ian Fry is the first Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
He was appointed by the Human Rights Council at its 49th session in March 2022 and started his mandate on May 1, 2022.
Fry is an international environmental law and policy expert.
Also read: UN for adoption, implementation of national strategy for cutting poverty among Bangladesh's differently-abled
His focus has primarily been on mitigation policies, and loss and damage associated with the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol and related instruments.
He worked for the Tuvalu government for over 21 years and was appointed as their Ambassador for Climate Change and Environment from 2015 to 2019.
Japanese ambassador attends handover ceremony of ambulances in Cox's Bazar
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki visited Cox's Bazar to attend the handover ceremony of ambulances provided to NGO Friendship by Japan through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP).
"The Project for Provision of Emergency Ambulance Services in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar District" is expected to help improve the medical infrastructure and medical environment by installing three ambulances at the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
Kazi Golam Rasul, senior director and head of health of Friendship, Md Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, and Md Shamsud Doza, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, attended the ceremony.
"I hope these ambulances will save the lives and help improve the medical environment of the Rohingya camps," Ambassador Ito said.
The GGHSP began in 1989 and has been contributing to social development at the grassroots level. To date, $16.25 million has been extended to 208 projects in Bangladesh including three projects at the Rohingya camps by Japan.
Also read: Chuadanga: Ambulance received from India remains unused
Bangladesh seeks additional supply of LNG to meet growing demand
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has requested his Qatari counterpart Soltan bin Saad Al- Muraikhi to consider additional supply of LNG to Bangladesh to meet the increasing demand for industrial growth in the country.
Shahriar made the request at the second Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) meeting between Bangladesh and Qatar held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar on Monday.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh side reiterated the invitation to the Emir of Qatar from the President of Bangladesh.
The Qatari side informed that the Emir of Qatar may undertake a visit to Bangladesh next year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
During the meeting, the two State Ministers signed an agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic, official and special passport holders between Bangladesh and Qatar.
Both sides agreed to sign agreements on avoidance of double taxation, cultural cooperation, collaboration in legal field, MoU on education, and cooperation on Waqf and Islamic Affairs during the upcoming high level visit.
During the meeting, two delegations took stock and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues between the two countries.
The issues that came up for discussions included enhanced cooperation in skilled manpower and human resource development, increased business to business contact, visa waiver for diplomats and officials between the two countries, collaboration on food security, education and health, energy and power, civil aviation etc.
The State Minister of Bangladesh requested the Qatari side to consider investment in high-tech parks, special economic zones, in construction and energy sectors etc.
UN acting rights chief for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly in Bangladesh ahead of polls
UN acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al- Nashif has said it will be vital for the government of Bangladesh to ensure freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and for security forces to refrain from using "excessive force" against protests in the "polarising environment" ahead of the next elections.
Nashif said this while delivering a statement on global update at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
During the first ever visit by a High Commissioner to Bangladesh last month, as well as to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, the former High Commissioner discussed a full range of concerns with the authorities and offered OHCHR’s support to review restrictive laws governing on-line expression.
Also read: EVMs to be used in maximum 150 constituencies in next national polls: EC
At that time, she encouraged the establishment of an "independent, specialised mechanism" to investigate allegations of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, by law enforcement agencies, particularly by the Rapid Action Battalion.
"Human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and victims’ families should not face reprisals or sanctions for their advocacy work," said Nashif.
Also read: UK ready to send independent observers to Bangladesh national polls: Envoy
Japan Foundation print exhibition to be held at Liberation War Museum
On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh, the Japan Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh will organize a traveling exhibition titled “Photographic Images and Matter: Japanese Prints of the 1970s’’ at the Liberation War Museum.
The event will be inaugurated on Friday (September 16), and will remain open to visitors till September 29, except Sundays.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs K.M Khalid will inaugurate the exhibition as the chief guest and eminent artist Professor Syed Abul Barq Alvi will be present as special guest, along with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki, according to the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.
Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary
Bangladesh wants to avert tension along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border through "dialogue and discussions", using the existing mechanism between the two border forces amid Myanmar's internal conflicts.
Talking to a small group of journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said they will have discussions through existing mechanism between Border Guard Bangladesh and its Myanmar counterpart to resolve any issue quickly if there is any provocation.
"Basically, it's an action against their insurgents inside Myanmar. Maybe unintentionally a number of incidents took place. They acknowledged the matter," he said on Sunday evening.
Read: Warned Myanmar against firing shots towards Bangladesh, says Home Minister
The Foreign Secretary said the BGB remains vigilant though firing happened almost 10 kilometers away from the Bangladesh border.
"But sounds are being heard here, on the Bangladesh side. For this reason, locals might become restless. Our surveillance is there. We are observing the situation," said the Foreign Secretary.
He said efforts are there so that no tension prevails along the border. "We remain highly alert. BGB will not allow anyone inside Bangladesh."
Earlier, Bangladesh reiterated deep concerns over mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory, indiscriminate aerial firing from Myanmar in the bordering areas, and air space violations.
On September 3, 2022 two mortar shells fell inside Bangladesh between BP 40 and 41.
The Myanmar Ambassador in Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet the Director General of Myanmar Wing.
Read: Myanmar envoy summoned: Dhaka shares “deep concerns” with Naypyidaw over border violation
During the meeting, the Ambassador was also told that such activities are of grave threat to the safety and security of the peace-loving people, violation of border agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar and contrary to the good neighborly relationship.
The Ambassador was also urged to ensure that no trespassing of the internally displaced Myanmar Residents takes place from Rakhine.
It was also stressed that a safe, secure and conducive environment in the place of their origin in Rakhine is essential for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
The Myanmar Ambassador was also asked to come to the Ministry on 21 August and 28 August 2022 and protest notes were handed over to him conveying Bangladesh’s grave concerns.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon also raised the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar with much importance.
UAE Golden Visa, Green Visa, Job Visa 2022: How to apply
The United Arab Emirates has always been a lucrative place for Bangladeshi workers. The UAE Government have taken new economic initiatives to attract skilled foreign workers. By capitalizing on this initiative, different third-world countries can use the opportunity to export workers abroad. Besides this, the skilled professionals can migrate to the UAE. Let’s discuss the process of getting Entry Permits, Job Visa, Green Visa, and UAE Golden Visa in UAE.
What is the UAE Golden Visa?
The UAE Golden Visa is basically a long-term residency permit for foreign talents who want to work, live or study in the country for a long time. A golden visa is given for 10 years with renewable schemes. However, previously a certain category of people was eligible to apply for a golden visa. In 2022, UAE has increased the categories.
The United Arab Emirates announced the launch of this long-term visa system in 2018. After that, from 2019, investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives of various organizations, scientists, and those with excellent results in institutional studies started to be given visas for a period of 5 to 10 years.
Read Thailand now offering 10-year visa: Who are eligible?
Who can apply for the UAE Golden Visa
From October 3, 2022, UAE is increasing the number of ten-year resident visas, which is known as Golden Visas. The list of professions that can get this visa has also been extended. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that ten professionals would be eligible for ten-year golden visas.
Golden Visa holders can live with spouses and children. The following people can apply for a 10-year Golden Visa in the UAE.
Professionals
It is a major expansion of the Golden Visa eligibility criteria. According to the new rule, professionals from all fields can apply for a Golden Visa if they are eligible. For eligibility, the individual must contain a valid employment contract from a UAE company.
Also, their occupation level should be categorized as first or second class by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification. The applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Also, the monthly salary should be AED 30,000.
Read Malaysia offering premium visa to draw wealthy investors
Real Estate Investors
If anyone has idle money in their bank, they can buy AED 2 million worth of property and apply for a Golden Visa. Also, they can take loans from local banks to buy property. In addition to that, you can get a 10 year visa by purchasing an off-plan property.
Entrepreneurs And Startup Owners
Now small and medium enterprises (SME) owners and investors can also apply for the Golden Visa. The investor will need to register the company in UAE, and the annual revenue should be at least AED 1 million. In addition, if the individual had a previous entrepreneurial project that was sold for at least AED 7 million should also be eligible.
Exceptional Talents
Emirates will give golden visas to creative people in the field of culture and art. Creative persons of culture and art must be approved by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. For exceptional talents, educational qualification, employment status, or even salary is not necessary.
Read How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know
Scientists and Inventors
Researchers and scientists will also be eligible for Golden Visas who are experts in their respective fields. Scientists must be approved by the Emirates Scientists Council or the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence.
Emirates will also be eligible for a 10 year Golden Visa. But they must have the value of patenting inventions that can have an impact on the economy of the emirate. Patents must be approved by the Emirates Ministry of Finance.
Skilled Workers
Engineers in computer, electronics, programming, electrical, active technology, AI, and big data fields will get Emirates Golden Visa too. However, skilled workers need to have a valid job contract with AED 30,000 minimum salary per month. Also, the skilled worker should have a bachelor’s degree.
Students and Graduates
The UAE will grant ten-year golden visas to highly qualified individuals. Such applications require a degree from the world’s 100 best universities.
Read E-Passport for Children in Bangladesh: Application process, necessary documents
Humanitarian Pioneers
Humanitarian pioneers include outstanding members of associations of public benefit, international and regional organizations’ distinguished members, sponsors and volunteers of different humanitarian efforts, and award winners in humanitarian fields.
Doctors and Nurses
Emirates will also give resident visas to doctors and nurses for ten years. It will help the country deal with the pandemic and address the shortage of medical professionals. Doctors licensed with the UAE health regulatory bodies can apply for Golden Visa too. However, this year’s deadline for the doctors is finished.
Frontline Heroes
The frontline heroes include ambulance workers, nurses, and frontline staff who worked relentlessly during Covid-19 situations. Also, healthcare workers who cared for the critical Covid 19 patients also got a 10 years Emirates ID card.
Read Visa Free Country List for Bangladeshi Passport Holders
Benefits of Golden Visa in UAE
Golden Visa comes with tons of opportunities and benefits. Let’s get to know them.
- It offers multiple entries.
- It gives you a 10 year visa, which you can renew after the expiration.
- You don’t need to sponsor most of the cases. Hence, it is a self-sponsor visa.
- You can stay outside of the UAE as long as you want, and it will not revoke your Golden Visa.
- This visa allows sponsoring immediate family members such as spouses and children. Children’s age is not a matter in this case.
- You can even sponsor a domestic worker or household worker.
- Even if the primary applicant passes away, the family members and sponsored people can stay in the country.
Read UAE-returnee Feni man held with Tk89 lakh gold at Dhaka airport
Application fee of the UAE Golden Visa
The application cost is not fixed as it depends on the visa category. However, the application cost will be AED 2,800 to AED 3,800, depending on the category. If you are applying outside of the UAE, the cost will be AED 3,800 to AED 4,800. In addition to that, the applicant will also need a medical examination along with Emirates ID, which will cost approximately AED 1,000. Moreover, you will also need to pay UAE health insurance, which might start from AED 800.
What is the UAE Green Visa?
After the successful launch of the Golden Visa in UAE, the green visa was introduced in 2021. Whoever under this visa is eligible to work in the country without a company sponsor. Besides, Green Visa holders can sponsor their own parents and children. But in this case, the maximum age of children can be 25 years.
Eligibility criteria of the UAE Green Visa
Along with strengthening the economy of the UAE, the government has brought several changes in the green visa to attract talented people.
Skilled Employees
As per the Green Visa, skilled employees can get a 5 year residency permit without any sponsor. However, the applicant will need a valid job contract. The minimum educational qualification is a bachelor’s degree, and the salary should be at least AED 15,000.
Read IBBL holds meeting in UAE's Abudhabi
Freelancers and Self-Employed
Freelancers and self-employed people can now get 5-year residency without any sponsor. However, the requirements are a minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent diploma, freelance or self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, AED 360,000 annual income, or provide documents for financial solvency.
Investor or Partner
Anyone who wants to invest in the UAE can get a 5-year Green Visa. The investor will need to invest 1 million AED. If the investor has partners in the business, the total invested capital will be taken into consideration. In addition to that, approval from local authorities is also necessary.
Remote Work Visa
The Emirates grants remote work visas to individuals who work for a company or organization outside the Emirates and have a minimum tenure of one year. In this case, you can work in any country outside the Emirates. But in this case, the candidate must have one-year contract validity and a minimum salary of $5,000. Proof of employment from a foreign employer must be submitted. The candidate does not need employment or sponsors for this visa.
Read India’s tourism gets a huge push at Expo 2020 Dubai
Application cost of the UAE Green Visa
UAE is yet to release the application cost for Green Visa. However, it is expected that the cost will be lower than the Golden Visa. But, the medical examination cost and health insurance is mandatory.
UAE Visas Without Job
The UAE also offers visas without jobs. In this category, the country offers retirement visas, job exploration visas, visas for divorced or widowed women and their children, and visas for humanitarian Cases.
How to Apply for the different UAE visas?
To apply your desired visa, you may visit to https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services?id=71ea8dd6-56c3-11ea-0320-0050569629e8
Clicking on individual categories will give you the requirements and required documents’ information along with the steps too.
Final Words
The Bangladeshi recruitment agencies are more interested in sending unskilled workers to the UAE because it is more profitable for them. Hence, a small number of skilled professionals shows interest in the UAE job market as they need to do all the process by themselves. Besides this, residence permit renewing in UAE was another issue. Fortunately, these issues seem to be resolved as UAE is increasing Golden Visa categories based on different eligibility criteria.
Read Djokovic in Australian Open draw despite visa uncertainty
Expatriates are given the opportunity to live a better life and enjoy the best quality of life, as declared by the UAE government. The UAE government provides these facilities to expatriates without even a work visa. So far we have discussed the eligibility criteria and benefits of UAE Golden visa, and UAE Green Visa. Hopefully, this article will give you enough information to find your desired category.