Foreign-Affairs
Cosmos Dialogue on Bangladesh-Switzerland relations to be premiered Wednesday
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, will host a dialogue titled “Bangladesh-Switzerland Relations: Prognosis for the Future” that will be premiered on social media on Wednesday evening (7pm).
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard will deliver the keynote speech at the virtual dialogue highlighting the beginning of the relationship, how did the two countries get from there to 50-year long journey and what the future could hold for the bilateral relations.
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The dialogue is part of Cosmos Foundation’s ongoing Ambassador's Lecture Series.
Cosmos Foundation Executive Director Nahar Khan will deliver the opening remarks at the dialogue.
The session will be chaired by Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned scholar-diplomat and former Advisor on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Caretaker Government.
Former Managing Director & CEO of Mutual Trust Bank Limited Anis A. Khan, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Fahmida Khatun and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (Retd) Tariq A Karim will comprise the panel of discussants.
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The year 2022 is seen as very special for both Bangladesh and Switzerland as they celebrate 50 years of their bilateral ties.
Switzerland considers this (50 years ties) as an important milestone and it marks their “solid and long-standing” partnership and it is a key moment of their journey together.
Cox's Bazar: Danish Crown Princess Mary to meet Rohingyas, host community Tuesday
Danish Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth will visit Rohingya camps Tuesday.
The princess will travel to Rohingya camps by car from Cox's Bazar town and observe soil erosion control and environmental restoration activities of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) through tree plantation at Camp 5.
She will interact with 8-10 Rohingya beneficiaries in an open shed.
Mary will also interact with the host community.
The princess arrived in the beach town Monday afternoon.
The Danish princess was welcomed by Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasanuzzaman after she arrived at Cox's Bazar Airport.
She will travel to the Sundarbans Wednesday to meet the forest officials and people affected by climate change.
READ: Sundarban ready to welcome Danish princess
Shortly after she arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning, the princess met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban.
From Cox's Bazar, she will go to Satkhira on a helicopter Wednesday morning and visit village Kultoli to meet climate-vulnerable people.
The princess will visit the multipurpose cyclone shelter in the nearby community, meet its management committee and learn about its functionality during a cyclone.
She will avail of a boat ride to the Sundarbans and interact with the forest officials during a 15-minute walk through the natural resource, discussing biodiversity and saltwater intrusion in the mangrove area.
Mary is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Istanbul Wednesday night.
Bangladesh wants to procure LNG from Qatar for a longer period: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought to continue procurement of LNG from Qatar for a long term period.
"Bangladesh is currently purchasing LNG from Qatar. We want it to continue for a long term period," she was quoted as saying.
The prime minister expressed the desire when newly appointed ambassador of Qatar to Bangladesh Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani paid a courtesy call on her at PM’s official Ganabhaban residence here.
Also read: Govt doing its best to rein in prices of essential commodities: PM
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
In reply, the Qatar envoy hinted the existing 15-year deal on LNG procurement with Bangladesh could be extended for a longer term.
Welcoming the envoy of Qatar in Bangladesh, the PM hoped that the bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries would further be consolidated in the days to come.
The envoy mentioned that Bangladeshi workers have been working efficiently to build stadiums in Qatar to host the upcoming Football World Cup-2022 scheduled to kick off November next.
The prime minister conveyed greetings to the Emir of Qatar and its Prime Minister.
Also read: Denmark to boost cooperation with Bangladesh in technology & energy: Danish team tells PM
The Qatar ambassador said the relation between Bangladesh and Qatar would be a historic one in future.
PMO Senior Secretary Md Tofazzal Hossain Miah was present at the meeting.
A process is on to sign several deals between the two countries on avoidance of double taxation, visa waiver and cultural affairs.
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Momen seeks investment from CICA Member States
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has sought investment from the member States of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
He held a meeting with Kairat Sarybay, the Executive Director of CICA at a city hotel on Monday.
During the meeting, Momen invited investors from CICA member states to invest in different sectors, particularly priority sectors in the Economic Zones of Bangladesh.
The current work priorities of Bangladesh regarding CICA areas of cooperation were laid out with due importance.
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Taylor’s to train up Bangladeshi workers under tripartite MoU
Taylor’s University has recently announced a new language and cultural immersion training programme for incoming foreign workers from Bangladesh as part of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU was recently signed with the High Commission of Bangladesh in Malaysia and Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka.
Together with the High Commission of Bangladesh in Malaysia, the training programme by Taylor’s University School of Liberal Arts & Sciences aims to upskill the Bangladeshi workforce in various sectors of the economy and prepare foreign workers to work and live in Malaysia.
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Derived from modules approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Malaysian Quality Agency, the training components aim to teach participants Bahasa Malaysia and Malaysian cultural knowledge to enhance their psycho-social adaptation and integration into Malaysian society.
Tipu discusses border trade with Mizoram Minister
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has discussed promotion of border trade with R. Lalthangliana, Mizoram minister of commerce and industries during his recent visit to the neighbouring Indian state.
At the meeting on Saturday, Lalthangliana asked Bangladesh to convey formal approval for setting up of Border Haat at Silsury (India) – Sajek (Bangladesh) after careful examination of its viability.
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In order to synchronize efforts to formalize trade on both sides, the Mizoram government proposed to Bangladesh to explore possibility and viability of setting up of matching infrastructure in the form of ICP at Thegamukh, adjacent to the ICP being developed at Kawrpuichhuah.
Upon receipt of written request from the Mizoram state government, this proposal will be forwarded to the relevant ministry, said a commerce ministry press release.
The Mizoram government also proposed that Bangladesh considers the possibility of constructing a 17-km road from Chhota Horin to Thegamukh in order to upgrade connectivity and a request in this regard will be sent to the ministry concerned.
Besides, Khawthlangtuipui (Karnaphuli) river may be included in one of the routes on India – Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, proposed Mizoram.
The efforts will be made from the government of Mizoram to expedite the work on the proposed 660m River Bridge that connects the two countries across the river Khawtlangtuipui or Karnaphuli, said the minister of Mizoram.
"The relevant ministry of Bangladesh may communicate, upon receiving communication from the Ministry of Commerce, its position regarding the construction of such bridge."
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It will be an endeavor of both sides to capitalize on the potentiality of a thriving border trade regime through establishment of critical trade infrastructure at viable locations, said the release.
Earlier on April 19, Tipu Munshi met Chief Minister (CM) of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and discussed the issues of common interest in the area of trade and investment.
The commerce minister led the Bangladesh delegation at the two-day business event ‘Bengal Global Business Summit’.
Bangladesh, Denmark sign document to strengthen partnership on green transition
Bangladesh and Denmark on Monday signed a document on sustainable and green framework engagement to strengthen the partnership on climate and green transition between the two countries.
Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Flemming Moller Mortensen signed the document in presence of visiting crown princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at a city hotel.
After the signing ceremony, a meeting was held between the two foreign ministers at the same venue where they discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Celebrating the 50 years of diplomatic ties, the ministers have pledged to take the Bangladesh-Denmark relations to a new level.
The two countries wished to partner towards attaining a sustainable and greener future globally.
The focus will be on climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental damage and loss of biodiversity, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, according to Danish Embassy in Dhaka.
Bangladesh and Denmark share a joint commitment in tackling global challenges such as climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Also read:Bangladesh, Norway keen to broaden economic partnership
Bangladesh, Norway keen to broaden economic partnership
Bangladesh and Norway have expressed interest in broadening economic partnership through trade, investment and maritime sector cooperation.
The two countries also discussed in particular the potentials for investments in offshore renewable energy.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has briefed his Norwegian counterpart Annekin Huitfeldt about measures taken in building safety and green production facilities in the RMG sector.
Also read:Crown Princess of Denmark Mary Elizabeth in Dhaka on a 3-day visit
The Norwegian Minister showed interest in the ship breaking industry and enquired about Bangladesh’s plans concerning ratifying the Hong Kong Convention.
Momen held the meeting with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister in Dhaka on Sunday.
The newly appointed Norwegian Foreign Minister is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh as both countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
Crown Princess of Denmark Mary Elizabeth in Dhaka on a 3-day visit
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen received Crown Princess of Denmark Mary Elizabeth who arrived here on Monday on a three-day visit.
She met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gonobhaban and will hold meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel today.
Also read: Danish Crown Princess Mary to meet PM, visit Rohingya camps
She will also meet the Rohingyas and host communities in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps.
The Crown Princess, who turns 50, will attend a lunch hosted by the Danish Ambassador in Dhaka at her residence.
She is scheduled to reach Cox’s Bazar at around 5pm on Monday and will join a briefing by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) on Tuesday morning.
The Princess will travel to Rohingya camps by car from Cox’s Bazar town and observe soil erosion control and environment restoration activities of DRC through tree plantation at camp 5.
She will interact with 8-10 Rohingya beneficiaries in an open shed outside of the RCO. The Danish Crown Princess will plant trees there.
The Crown Princess will also interact with the host community.
From Cox’s Bazar, she will travel to Satkhira on Wednesday morning and visit Kultoli village to meet climate vulnerable community members.
The Crown Princess will visit multipurpose cyclone shelter at the nearby community, its management committee and functionality during cyclone.
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She will talk to community members close behind embankment about vulnerability, loss and damages caused by cyclones.
The Crown Princess will avail of a boat ride to the Sundarbans and will have interaction with the forest officials during a 15 minutes' walk through the natural resource discussing biodiversity and salt water intrusion in the Sundarbans.
She is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Istanbul on Wednesday night.
Increased business can open up trade opportunities for Bangladesh, India: BGMEA
Increased business interactions and collaboration between apparel and textile exporters of Bangladesh and India can open up new trade opportunities.
It is important to provide more avenues and platforms to bring manufacturers and exporters of both countries closer so that they can reap mutual trade benefits.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan came up with the observations while exchanging views with Renu Mohindra, managing director of Apparel Resources, in Dhaka Sunday.
Issues of mutual interests were discussed during the meeting, especially possible collaboration between the BGMEA and Apparel Resources in promoting Bangladesh's garment industry globally through its trade exhibitions and online news portal.
They also talked about the participation of Bangladeshi garment manufacturers in the upcoming Apparel Sourcing Week scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, India on 1-2 July.
Nitish Varshney, assistant editor of Apparel Online, was also present at the meeting.