Foreign-Affairs
Bangabandhu Corner to be established at Lovely Professional University in Punjab
A Bangabandhu Corner will be established at “Lovely Professional University” in Punjab, one of the largest private universities in India.
The Bangabandhu Corner will gradually be converted into a centre as agreed by the university authorities.
The decision was taken in a meeting between Muhammad Imran, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India and Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of the University, said the Bangladesh High Commission on Tuesday.
The initiatives have been taken to mark the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Read: ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ established in Yonsei University
Lovely Professional University has around 35 thousand students including more than three thousand foreign students from over 50 countries in its 600 – acre campus.
Sadia Faizunnesa new Bangladesh ambassador to Brazil
The government has appointed Sadia Faizunnesa, now serving as the consul general of Bangladesh in New York, as the next ambassador of the country to Brazil.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed her appointment Monday.
Sadia, a career diplomat, belongs to the 18th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service Foreign Affairs cadre.
READ: Abida Islam new Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico
She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1999 and served as director-general for the UN there, deputy permanent representative at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and in different capacities at the Bangladesh missions in Bangkok, Berlin, and for multiple wings at the headquarters.
Sadia received a master's in development studies from Brac University and graduated with a bachelor of medicine and surgery degree from Dhaka University.
READ: Fazlul Bari new Bangladesh ambassador to Iraq
Bangladesh only country to ride over pandemic better than any other nation: IFFRAS
Bangladesh is the only country which has been able to ride over the pandemic better than any other nation, says IFFRAS, an international think tank headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
The country, which former US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger acerbically referred to as basket case in 1972, has in the last 50 years since its independence performed better than Pakistan, it said.
Bangladesh's growth rate was way above Pakistan, even before the pandemic; in 2018-19 it was 7.8% compared to Pakistan’s 5.8%, said IFFRAS (International Forum for Rights and Security).
IFFRAS, in its article titled "Bangladesh and Pakistan - Formerly one Nation, today a World Apart" described how Bangladesh became a "miracle story" and Pakistan a "disaster tale".
It mentioned in the Covid-19 pandemic and amid major changes unseen in a century, the global economy is mired in its deepest recession since World War II and multilateralism and the international order are confronted with unprecedented challenges, which has created considerable obstacles to South Asian development in the economic and other fields.
Bangladesh and Pakistan are a world apart today because they perceive their national interest very differently, IFFRAS mentioned.
READ: 'Volunteerism, Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic' webinar Thursday
Bangladesh sees its future in human development and economic growth. Goal posts are set at increasing exports, reducing unemployment, improving health, reducing dependence upon loans and aid, and further extending micro credit, it said.
For Pakistan, according to IFFRAS, human development comes a distant second. "The bulk of national energies remain focused upon check-mating India and nurturing extra state actors in the 1990s."
It said Bangladesh’s economic miracle also benefitted from separation of religion from state and their leaders’ single-minded focus on Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves in May 2021 hit a record $45.10 billion amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which is more than double compared to Pakistan’s17.1 USD bn in June 2021.
The real marvel lies in the fact that even in FY '20, when economies around the world contracted as a result of pandemic lockdowns, Bangladesh managed a 5.24% growth, (IFFRAS) said.
In 2021, Bangladesh’s GDP per capita had grown by 9% rising to $2,227. Pakistan’s per capita income, meanwhile, is $1,543. In 1971, Pakistan was 70% richer than Bangladesh; today, Bangladesh is 45% richer than Pakistan.
READ: Pandemic leaves Indians mired in massive medical debts
With macro-economic stability as its cornerstone, Bangladesh’s economy has increased by 271 times over 50 years, IFFRAS said.
Bangladesh’s successful journey is a good example and in just two decades, Bangladesh has overtaken Pakistan on key economic indicators.
Over the past 20 years, Bangladesh’s GDP per-capita increased 500 percent, two and a half times that of Pakistan, said IFFRAS.
There are thousands of garment factories in Bangladesh, a country which does not grow cotton.
But by importing cotton worth a couple of hundred million dollars, Bangladeshi garments factories are exporting it in the form of readymade garments worth $35 billion, it said.
On the contrary, Pakistan – despite being a cotton-growing country – has failed to increase its exports of garments and textile products beyond $10 billion, said IFFRAS adding that even worse, Pakistan is now importing cotton.
READ: Pandemic Yoga: How to strengthen lungs, ease breathing problems with yoga
In fact, a lack of innovation and commitment on the part of the authorities in Pakistan because of its feudal and tribal structures, it is unable to make use of its agricultural resources, particularly cotton, to increase its exports of textiles and textile made-ups, IFFRAS mentioned.
PM likely to join 76th UNGA in person
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA-76) in person maintaining health guidelines.
“We’re hoping that our Prime Minister will lead the Bangladesh delegation (in person),” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters on Monday.
He said the UNGA will be held on a limited scale this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and they do not know about the heads of state and government who will be joining it in person.
Also read: 76th UNGA session: Bangladesh elected vice-president
The UNGA will open on September 14, and the first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on September 21.
The Foreign Minister indicated that there will be less engagements on the sidelines due to the Covid situation.
Repatriation is the only solution, not integration: FM about Rohingya crisis
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday reiterated the government position against any long-term programme by the World Bank for the integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh but indicated some adjustments on the proposal.
He said there might be some adjustments with the World Bank proposal with Bangladesh giving its priority to repatriation of the Rohingyas.
Read:Bangladesh against any idea leading to Rohingya integration: FM
"We’ve dropped all ideas (from WB proposal) that don't match with our own philosophy that's repatriation," Dr Momen told reporters, adding that there will be an MoU if the WB agrees with the Bangladesh proposal.
The Foreign Minister said the WB has taken a long-term programme for 16 countries which are hosting refugees and they will provide money from a Tk-2000 crore fund.
"Rohingyas are not refugees here. They’re persecuted and displaced people …they’re taking shelter here on a temporary basis," Dr Momen said.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister told UNB that the government has taken a very strong stance against the idea floated by the World Bank that apparently suggests integration of Rohingyas into Bangladesh giving them all the rights like Bangladesh citizens.
“We took a very strong stance. We didn’t like it and we opposed it strongly. We conveyed it,” said Dr Momen.
The World Bank came up with a programme as part of its Refugee Policy Review Framework globally for refugee host countries through the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
BSS CNE Sajjad appointed minister (press) at Washington Mission
The government has appointed AZM Sajjad Hossain, chief news editor (CNE) of national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) as minister (press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
The public administration ministry issued a gazette notification regarding his appointment Sunday.
Sajjad will serve in the position for three years as part of a contractual appointment.
He is the youngest son of former Awami League lawmaker Dr MA Kashem, who was also an organiser of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 19171.
The BSS CNE's mother Begum Hafizunnessa, who passed away today, was the president of the then Madaripur subdivision Mohila Awami League.
Sajjad, a post-graduate in mass communication and journalism from Dhaka University, was attached to the Press Wing of the Prime Minister's Office from 2011 to 2020.
Time to allow young generation dream big: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has said it is time to allow young generation dream big and address any skill gaps in their career path through training in communication, cooperation and leadership.
Support and cooperation from all the stakeholders including private sectors, NGOs, development partners in the forms of knowledge, skills and technology as well as investment are needed in the employment generation and skill development of youth to utilise their full potential, he said.
Read:Ambassador Muhith takes over chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Group in Vienna
The State Minister made the remarks while addressing a policy dialogue virtually titled “Skill Development of Youth for Better Employment Opportunity” as the chief guest.
Syeda Saima Ahmed, Councillor, Ilford Town, London Borough of Redbridge and Tasmiah Rahman, Head of Strategy & Business Development, BRAC took part as the panelists at the event held on Saturday evening.
The dialogue was chaired by Tasnuva Ahmed, President, JCI Dhaka Independent and moderated by its Director Mahfuz Mishu.
Junior Chamber International, commonly referred to as JCI, is a non-profit international non-governmental organization of young people aged 18 to 40 years who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities.
The State Minister said the government of Bangladesh has already taken numerous initiatives to ensure maximum utilisation of youth potential through promoting their empowerment, morality, humanity and commitment to uphold the responsibilities and glory of Bangladesh.
He said there are certain challenges that they need to address together.
"We need to ensure full employment and decent work for all men and women including the youths by 2030," said the State Minister.
He said global standard education and skill development are twin key factors to this endeavour.
Read:EU delegation launches Climate Adaptation Campaign
68 more return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight
Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok has facilitated repatriation of a group of 68 Bangladeshi, Indian and Thai nationals from Thailand to Bangladesh by a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.
The flight was arranged on a self-payment basis in line with Bangladesh Government’s commitment to extend all possible assistance and support to stranded Bangladeshis abroad.
Read: More people return to Dhaka from Thailand by special flight
The Biman Bangladesh flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye thanked the Thai Government for extending their cooperation in this regard.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok has so far facilitated 16 special flights from Bangkok to Dhaka in coordination with the authorities concerned in Bangladesh and Thailand.
Read:78 Bangladeshis, foreign nationals arrive from Thailand
Officials of the Embassy saw the passengers off at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and extended necessary consular and other assistance for their departure formalities.
Bangladesh, India start freight train services on Haldibari-Chilahati route
Bangladesh and India on Sunday started regular operation of freight trains through restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route, aiming to "strengthen rail connectivity and bilateral trade" between the two countries.
It will also enhance rail network accessibility to the main ports and dry ports to support the growth in regional trade and to encourage economic and social development of the region, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday.
Read:After 56 yrs, Bangladesh-India rail link to reopen Sunday
The Haldibari- Chilahati rail link is the fifth rail link between Bangladesh and India that has been made operational.
The commodities that can be exported from India to Bangladesh through this rail route include stones and boulders, food grain, fresh fruits, chemical fertilizer, onion, chilies, garlic, ginger, fly ash, clay, limestone and wood.
From Bangladesh to India all exportable commodities are permitted.
Indian Railways dispatched the first freight train loaded with stones from Damdim station of Northeast Frontier Railway to Bangladesh.
After the partition in 1947, 7 rail links were operational between India and the then East Pakistan (up to 1965).
Read:BR Masterplan: Riding train to a prosperous future?
Ambassador Muhith takes over chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Group in Vienna
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Agencies and other International Organizations in Vienna Muhammad Abdul Muhith has taken over the chairmanship of the Group of Aisa-Pacific States (APG) in Vienna.
Read:Ambassador Ito sees 5 challenges ahead to elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties
In the 54-member group, the Chair plays a vital role in coordinating the positions of this unique and diverse group with regard to the UN agencies, conferences and processes based in Vienna, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Ambassador Muhith vowed to effectively promote the APG’s collective interests on important issues such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative and peaceful use of nuclear technology, climate action, inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), and to tackle global challenges such as transnational crimes including terrorism, narcotic drugs and corruption as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resilient and green recovery.
Read: Peter Haas nominated next US Ambassador to Bangladesh
Bangladesh took over the Chairmanship from Afghanistan at a virtual handover ceremony recently which was attended by the Permanent Representatives and other diplomats of the APG member states in Vienna.