Foreign-Affairs
Valentina Tereshkova's 85th birth anniversary celebrated at Russian House in Dhaka
Russian House in Dhaka has organized a weeklong programme to mark the 85th birth anniversary of Valentina Tereshkova in cooperation with the Serov Academy of Fine Arts.
The programme was designed with a seminar, an exhibition of remarkable documentary photos of V. Tereshkova, as well as painting workshops on space.
Cooking show for adolescents serves up ideas for healthy eating
Budding young chefs from across Bangladesh are flexing their cooking skills in Shorno Chef, a new television show jointly created by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and UNICEF.
The programme inspires healthy eating habits among adolescents and their families.
“Raising the level of nutrition in Bangladesh is enshrined in our country’s first constitution. The Government of Bangladesh has been working towards that goal ever since. It is commendable that in addition to the Government’s efforts on nutrition, development partners like UNICEF are teaching adolescents about the importance of nutrition and teaching them at an early age to cook not only filling meals but also nutritious ones,” said Dr. S M Mustafizur Rahman, Line Director, National Nutrition Services, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Read:Valentina Tereshkova's 85th birth anniversary celebrated at Russian House in Dhaka
The importance of good nutrition begins from the moment of conception and remains key to a person’s health and well-being through childhood and adolescence into adulthood, he said.
The consequences of not getting enough nutrients from a varied diet of vegetables, fruit, and protein such as eggs, fish, meat and pulses can be long-lasting.
It can lead to malnutrition in all its forms, where undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies can co-exist with overweight and obesity, he added.
“Shorno Chef is about helping adolescents make healthy and nutritious food choices by conveying the fun of cooking and joy of healthy eating. Sadly, many adolescents do not have the option to eat enough nutritious food, and others consume too much unhealthy food. In the end, it is a balanced diet that adolescents also enjoy eating that will help them grow to their full potential,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
The Shorno Chef programme features adolescent chefs aged between 12 and 17 who compete in a different cooking challenge each week.
At the end of each episode their dishes are assessed for both nutritional value and taste by a panel of judges, who include a professional chef and a nutritionist.
The cooking show, which is projected to reach 6 million viewers, is a partnership between UNICEF Bangladesh, the Ministry of Health and the Clean Cooking Alliance.
The programme also encourages healthier cooking fuels such as electricity or cooking gas instead of firewood.
In Bangladesh, exposure to cooking smoke in the home is a health concern, particularly for children and adolescents.
Read:Dhaka, Ankara eye Turkish president's visit this year
“The Clean Cooking Alliance is happy to partner with UNICEF and the Government of Bangladesh to help youth learn more about the benefits of clean cooking, which can improve the health of millions of young people around the world,” said Asna Towfiq, Policy Manager with the Clean Cooking Alliance.
“Educating and empowering youth as changemakers and innovators is essential to advancing access to clean cooking. We wish the show and the amazing participants all the success in their journey.”
Dhaka, Ankara eye Turkish president's visit this year
Foreign ministers of Bangladesh and Turkey have agreed to work on arranging a bilateral visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Bangladesh this year.
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said he would soon visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Dr Momen held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Austria, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey during his one-day visit to Turkey Saturday for attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
During his meeting with Mevlüt, the Bangladesh foreign minister discussed the Rohingya crisis in detail.
The Turkish foreign minister assured his Bangladesh counterpart of the continued support for the cause of Rohingyas.
Qatar to continue supplying LNG to Bangladesh: MoFA
Amid uncertainty over global energy supplies, Qatar said it will continue supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Qatar Ambassador to Bangladesh Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and discussed issues of mutual interest Sunday.
The state minister thanked the government of Qatar for extending its vaccine support to Bangladesh expatriates and not sending them back during the Covid crisis.He appreciated the government of Qatar for supporting each other in international fora.
Read: Dhaka, Ankara eye Turkish president's visit this yearShahriar Alam informed the ambassador about investment opportunities in Bangladesh and hoped that during his tenure trade and investment between the two countries would expand.As Seraya Ali expressed his commitment to further strengthen relations with Bangladesh, Shahriar Alam assured him of all support.The ambassador praised the Bangladesh government for the country's steady economic growth and continued socio-economic development.
Also, he briefed the state minister about preparations taken by his government for hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 despite Covid.
Bangladesh requests Germany to expedite student visa processing
Bangladesh has requested Germany to expedite the visa processing for its students going to the country for under-graduate and post-graduate studies. Bangladesh has also sought Germany’s support in developing skill sets for creating job opportunities for the hard working people of Bangladesh.State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam made the request when Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh Achim Tröster met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Also read: Bangladesh to open first official visa application centre in KolkataBoth the countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year. The state minister urged the ambassador for enhanced German investment to take advantage of the facilities being created in Special Economic Zones and Hi-Tech parks in Bangladesh. He requested the envoy to explore ways to increase the volume and content of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Germany. Shahriar briefed the German ambassador of the situation arising out of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh and sought continued cooperation and support of Germany for an early resolution of the crisis.
Also read: Visa Free Country List for Bangladeshi Passport Holders in 2021The envoy appreciated Bangladesh’s proactive role in providing shelters as well as humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas. He assured of standing by Bangladesh to help find a durable solution for the Rohingya crisis. He also mentioned about his recent visit to Bhashan Char and expressed his satisfaction about the infrastructural development as well as all other facilities that are being put in place by the Government of Bangladesh. During the meeting, different aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Germany were discussed including trade and investment, technical cooperation, technology transfer, private sector development, new economic opportunities in Bangladesh, maritime connectivity and cooperation in vocational education. They also exchanged views on the regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.Secretary (West), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mr. Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury was present at the meeting.
World Bank presents its areas of interest for future projects in Bangladesh
The World Bank is keen to work with Bangladesh in areas like energy security, energy efficiency, a regional power market that Dhaka is very interested in, energy exchange and policy reforms.
The multilateral financing agency made the proposal when its regional director Guangzhe Chen met State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office in the ministry on Sunday.
According to the ministry's press release, the World Bank also expressed its interest to modernise the gas pipeline network and install pre-paid gas metres.
Also read: World Bank praises Bangladesh for anti-poverty social schemes
Welcoming Guangzhe Chen, Nasrul Hamid said the World Bank might be one of the development partners, but it takes a long time to implement projects. “The World Bank should be careful about the timing,” he said.
He mentioned that the energy demand is growing day by day in the country. The World Bank can work with Bangladesh to increase the use of clean energy.
He said that Bangladesh has been working to introduce modern technology and digitalisation.
“Electric vehicles should be used in a massive way. The World Bank can work on policy reform to achieve energy efficiency”, he said adding Bangladesh needs some efficient consultants where the World Bank can work.
At present, 5 projects are being implemented with the finance of the World Bank while discussions are in progress for some more new projects in the country’s power and energy sector.
Expansion of transmission lines, improvement in voltage and power factor, increasing energy efficiency and enhancing the stake of clean energy are the areas the World Bank has scope to work on, said a ministry release.
Also read: World Bank approves more than $700 in emergency support for Ukraine
World Bank operation advisor Gisu Mohadjar, senior operation officer Barbara Weber, programme leader Rajesh Rohatgi and senior energy specialist Mohammad Anis were present during the meeting with the state minister.
Switzerland wants stronger partnership with Bangladesh
President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis has highlighted their "stronger than ever partnership" with Bangladesh as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
President Cassis underlined key areas of future collaboration, including COVID-19 recovery, peace and prosperity, climate change and sustainable development.
On this day five decades ago, Switzerland officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent State.
Read:Certain Bangladesh media coverage of Ukraine war biased against Moscow: Russian Ambassador
To commemorate this very significant milestone, the Swiss President extended his greetings to President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In his congratulatory messages, the president of Switzerland, emphasized the longstanding collaboration between the two countries in many domains as well as the continuous broadening and deepening of bilateral ties.
Being a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Switzerland aims at further "broadening its engagement" with Bangladesh also in multilateral fora to tackle global peace and security challenges.
Over the last five decades, Switzerland has been a reliable development and economic partner of the people and government of Bangladesh, says its embassy on Sunday.
Switzerland has invested over CHF 1.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in development assistance in the country, with significant additional contributions channelled through international financial institutions.
Switzerland’s development cooperation focuses on innovative projects benefitting the most vulnerable.
Read:China won’t build military base in Bangladesh: Ambassador
Bilateral trade has increased rapidly and today, traded goods amount to over CHF 1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) per year, said the embassy.
Most Swiss multinational companies are present in the country and provide critical products, technologies and services in various key socio-economic sectors.
Certain Bangladesh media coverage of Ukraine war biased against Moscow: Russian Ambassador
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander V. Mantytskiy has slammed a section of Bangladesh media for what he said “biased approach” in their coverage of the situation in Ukraine and Russia’s actions there.
He described it as "deliberate efforts" to undermine Dhaka-Moscow relations.
“I consider the biased approach of certain Bangladeshi media towards the situation in Ukraine and Russia’s actions there as a result of deliberate efforts by those forces that have always sought to undermine mutually beneficial cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, which started 50 years ago,” he said in an open letter to editors of print and electronic media, the heads of radio and TV broadcasters in Bangladesh on Sunday.
Read:China won’t build military base in any foreign land including Bangladesh: Ambassador
The ambassador referred to the 1971 when Bangladeshis overthrow, with the active support from India and the USSR, the dominance of non-Bengali masters, to stop harassment, discrimination and violence against Bengali people, so that they could finally enjoy the right to speak their native language.
He said the Russian-speaking people of Donbas in East Ukraine have been struggling to obtain the same right for eight years, while suffering from genocide unleashed by the Kiev regime.
The time is ripe for Russia to come to the rescue once again, for the same cause, to ensure the right to speak the mother tongue and to end language-based discrimination, said the Russian envoy.
“I hope that through my open letter your readers will be able to get acquainted with an alternative point of view towards the developments around Ukraine,” said the ambassador.
Against the backdrop of “anti-Russia campaign and blatant Russo-phobic hysteria” from western mainstream media, the ambassador said certain Bangladeshi newspapers and broadcasters “widely echoed and spread” those.
He said his letter to editors is an effort to explain to the Bangladeshi readers once again the goals and tasks behind the “special military operation” of the Russia in Ukraine.
Read:Dhaka, Riyadh eye stronger political, investment ties; Saudi FM due Tuesday
According to the Ambassador, the goals are:
1. To protect Russian-speaking civilians in Ukraine subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years;
2. To eliminate Neo-fascism;
3. To prevent the development of nuclear weapons in Ukraine;
4. To stop the deployment of NATO military bases in Ukraine.
While tasks are:
1. To demilitarize and denazify Ukraine (to free it from Nazi ideology);
2. To put an end to Neo-fascism that has raised its head in Ukraine after being defeated in the Great Patriotic War.
3. To eliminate military threats on the border of the Russian Federation;
4. To disarm aggressive entities of Ukraine, posing threat to peaceful coexistence.
5. To identify and punish persons who have committed crimes against the civilian population of Ukraine and citizens of the Russian Federation by legal procedures in the courts of the Russian Federation.
“We do not plan to occupy Ukrainian territory. We are not at war with Ukrainian people. We do not intend to impose anything on anyone by force. We have explained many times that the situation in Ukraine has evolved in such a way that it has come to pose a direct threat to Russia’s security,” Ambassador Mantytskiy said.
China won’t build military base in Bangladesh: Ambassador
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China will not build any military base in Bangladesh or any other foreign land.
“China will not build any military facility or military base on any foreign territory, including in Bangladesh. China will not build anything militarily in any other country’s territory. That’s for sure,” he said when his attention was drawn about a report carried by NIKKEI ASIA titled "India wary of China setting up Bangladesh missile maintenance hub".
With China preparing to set up a maintenance facility in Bangladesh for surface-to-air missile systems it supplied in 2011, alarm bells are ringing in New Delhi, reads the report.
Ambassador Jiming, however, said he does not have any specific information about the media report and he will have to check it further. “I cannot firmly confirm this information because this is from the (media) report. I will have to check it.”
The Embassy of China in Bangladesh hosted the in-person press conference titled "Spring Dialogue with China" at Pan Pacific Sonargaon moderated by Inam Ahmed, Editor of the Business Standard.
The ambassador shared his thoughts on various issues including Bangladesh-China relations, Rohingya crisis, infrastructure, trade and investment, Quad, Indo-Pacific Strategy and AUKUS Taiwan situation.
READ: China locks down city of 9 million amid new spike in cases
Ukraine Issue
Ambassador Jiming said China is not taking the side of Russia in the war against Ukraine, rather Beijing wants a peaceful resolution to the issue through dialogue.
"Not really," he said when asked whether China is taking the side of Rusia. Both Russia and Ukraine are Beijing’s friends, he emphasised.
Referring to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen's statement over the Ukraine issue, the Chinese Ambassador said Bangladesh wants peace and that is what China exactly wants.
He said Bangladesh and China maintained similar positions regarding the Ukraine issue.
Dhaka, Riyadh eye stronger political, investment ties; Saudi FM due Tuesday
Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are keen to strengthen their political and investment relations as Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud will arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will hold a “tete-a-tete” with his Saudi counterpart at a city hotel on Wednesday morning which will be followed by bilateral “political consultation” between the two countries at the same venue, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
In his less than 24-hour visit at the invitation of Dr Momen, the Saudi Foreign Minister will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the official said.
Ahead of the visit, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan said the "dynamic partnership" and long-standing relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will further flourish and reach to a new height.
Also read: Dhaka wants Asia's leadership role to address emerging challenges
Foreign Minister Dr Momen will receive his Saudi counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his arrival at around 5pm on Tuesday.
He will host a dinner in honor of the Saudi Foreign Minister at a city hotel the same day.
On Wednesday, the Saudi Foreign Minister and Dr Momen will join the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Arabic Language Institute after the “political consultation” between the two countries.
Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman will host lunch in honor of the Saudi Foreign Minister.
The Saudi Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon wrapping up his visit that might see signing of a number of cooperation documents. Foreign Minister Momen will see him off at the airport.
The Saudi government says Bangladesh is a “remarkable country” and appreciates Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, noting that her capacity to make “swift decisions” is keeping the country's economy on track.
Also read: FM Momen discusses issues of mutual interest with Turkish counterpart
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan, during a recent media briefing, shared Saudi investors’ desire to invest “extensively” in Bangladesh.
Engineering Dimensions, a Saudi Arabian Enterprise, has confirmed $1.8 billion investment in Bangladeshi, said the envoy.
Saudi Arabia is mulling establishing a special economic zone and considering scopes to invest in the construction of rail links connecting Dhaka and Payra port, including the development of Cox’s Bazar as an international tourist destination.
The ambassador said Saudi ACWA Power has already announced to invest $ 600 million to build a 700 MW power plant and proposed a total $ 3.5 billion investment in Bangladesh.
He said Saudi Red Sea Gateway Terminal wants to invest $ 1.2 billion in Bangladesh, said the envoy.