foreign-affairs
Bangladesh seeks greater support from Sweden for digital transformation, market access
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has sought Swedish support in digital transformation, trade facilitation, climate change adaptation, and DFQF market access for Bangladesh to the European Union (EU) until 2032.
Impressed by the massive socio-economic and infrastructural developments, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diana Janse during her meeting with Shahriar, highly appreciated Bangladesh’s extra-ordinary developmental journey and expressed Sweden’s willingness to take bilateral relations between the two friendly countries to a new height.
Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg Von Linde and Head of South Asia Group at the Asia and Latin America Department of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Niclas Trouvé, among others, also joined the meeting.
She highlighted that more than 50 Swedish companies are successfully doing business in Bangladesh and indicated orientation of Swedish development cooperation to trade promotion.
She also underscored the importance of green transition and offered development financing in this regard.
Read: Mustafa Jabbar emphasises digital transformation of education
The State Secretary appreciated the generosity of the government of Bangladesh for hosting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and assured continued Swedish humanitarian support.
Diana Janse expected that the upcoming parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be free and fair.
The State Minister assured that the government will extend all possible cooperation to the Election Commission to conduct free, fair and peaceful election.
He welcomed independent international observers to observe the upcoming parliamentary election in Bangladesh.
The two sides also shared their views on war in Ukraine and its resulting impacts on global economy and food security, rules-based world order, and climate change.
Read: Digital transformation changes lives in Moheshkhali Island
Thanking the Swedish State Secretary for her maiden visit to Bangladesh, the State Minister fondly recalled his recent fruitful meeting with Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Export and Investment Promotion of Sweden and exchange of views on different issues of mutual interest with the cross-party Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm in June this year.
He acknowledged with gratitude that Sweden was one of the first few European countries to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign state on 4 February in 1972.
He appreciated Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency—SIDA’s support to Bangladesh to rebuild a war-ravaged country after the Independence and its continued support to Bangladesh to the improvement of living conditions of the poor, particularly women and children, and promoting gender equality.
Read more: Joy joins intervention on digital transformation in NY
The State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s contributions to world peace under the UN, remarkable socio-economic development, particularly in poverty reduction, attainment of food autarky, successes in health and education and massive infrastructural developments under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The State Minister hosted a lunch in honour of Diana Janse after the meeting.
Post-Brexit UK ready to work with Bangladesh, other Indo Pacific partners: Sarah Cooke
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke on Monday said they are committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected and states can make choices free from coercion, disinformation and interference.
"With growth enabled through the Rules Based International System, which the UK is committed to upholding. We are ready to work with Bangladesh and our partners to realise that vision," she said.
The High Commissioner said the UK’s vision is for a free and open Indo Pacific, a region that is secure and stable, enabling prosperity and sustainable economic growth.
Read: PM's tour of US, UK set to wrap up Tuesday
The High Commissioner was speaking at a plenary session on “Defining Competition in the Indo-Pacific”, moderated by Zillur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Governance Studies and chairman of Bay of Bengal Conversation.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer also spoke at the event.
The UK and Bangladesh worked in partnership to raise global ambition before COP26.
The British envoy said they will continue to work closely to turn global commitments into action, in line with the UK/Bangladesh Climate Accord signed in March this year.
"This commits us to work together on adaptation, mitigation and climate finance, as well as loss and damage," she said.
Bangladesh, as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, is playing a key role internationally both to drive international action on climate change.
The British High Commissioner said the role in the Indo Pacific region will be stable, long-term and guided by regional perspectives, such as ASEAN centrality.
"Ambitious and effective partnerships are key to achieving our objectives, and we are prioritising working with and through regional partners and institutions in the Indo Pacific," she said.
For example, as ASEAN’s first new Dialogue Partner in 25 years and through our membership of CPTPP.
Read: Bangladeshi student in UK says ‘had to share a 2-bed flat with 20 men’
"In parallel, we are working to help other regional initiatives such as IORA and BIMSTEC drive tangible change in the Bay of Bengal," said the envoy.
She said their historic partnership with Bangladesh is a unique and valued relationship, cemented by their diaspora, cultural, and trade and economic links.
"We are also working in partnership with Bangladesh to tackle regional and global challenges. From climate and biodiversity, to maritime security, to the international system of rules and norms," Sarah Cooke said.
She reflected on three key areas - prosperity and growth; the importance of the Rules-Based International System (RBIS) and, taking action on climate change:
From being the world’s second-poorest country in 1971, Bangladesh is now preparing to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.
"The UK is proud to have been a development partner of Bangladesh during this time," said the High Commissioner.
"And, we now look forward to building a modern economic partnership focused on boosting trade and investment and supporting the economic reform and export diversification needed to help the economy grow sustainably," she added.
The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme will provide Bangladesh duty free, quota free access to the UK market on everything but arms until 2029, and thereafter, enhanced UK market access for 98% of product lines.
"The DCTS is the most generous global trade preference scheme and Bangladesh is by far the biggest beneficiary," said the envoy.
But achieving growth and building prosperity will be impossible without upholding and championing the Rules Based International System, she said.
Together with India, the High Commissioner said, the UK is developing a Regional Maritime Centre of Excellence for the Bay of Bengal.
Working closely with maritime authorities across the region, including in Bangladesh, the Centre will work to ensure the resilience of the Bay; from tackling criminality to providing early storm warnings, she said.
"And the long tradition of naval co-operation between the UK and Bangladesh is a cornerstone of our enduring relationship," she said.
Canada is here to cooperate with and support Bangladesh, says its high commissioner
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls on Monday said her country is committed to remaining a friend and partner of Bangladesh.
"We know that Canada and Bangladesh are both diverse countries; both champions of multilateralism, and both are trading nations and interested in maintaining a rules-based international order," she said.
As more and more countries think about the Indo-Pacific region as a strategic priority, the high commissioner said Canada is here to cooperate with and support Bangladesh as it graduates from LDC status.
Read: India-Canada diplomatic row: Talks with India ‘in private,’ says Canadian Foreign Minister
Nicholls said she looks forward to having a discussion about the ways that they can expand that cooperation, and the ways in which Canada’s vision of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific will include a vibrant, growing and open Bangladesh.
The envoy was speaking at a plenary session on “Defining Competition in the Indo-Pacific”, moderated by Zillur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Governance Studies and chairman of Bay of Bengal Conversation.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, also spoke at the event.
Talking about Canada’s Indo Pacific Strategy, she said the region is home to 65% of the world’s population and is rapidly becoming the global centre of economic dynamism.
"And we know that our security and our social and economic prosperity are intertwined with the Indo-Pacific, so Canada is taking action to make sure that Canadians will play a vital role in what we believe is becoming the most significant and strategic region in the world," said the high commissioner.
Read: Despite dispute, Canada remains committed to its relationship with India: Trudeau
Canada recently launched our Indo-Pacific Strategy just short of a year ago, last November, and it is a "veritable game-changer" for Canada’s role and position in the region.
"Our strategy is supported by dedicated new investments across the region totaling nearly $2.3 billion. This will enable unprecedented engagement by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada," Nicholls said.
Canada’s vision for the Indo-Pacific is founded on values that are universal. Many of them fall in areas where Canada and Bangladesh are already natural partners: peace and security; economic growth that benefits everyone; a sustainable future; and people-to-people ties that build friendship and mutual understanding.
The high commissioner said Canada will continue to stand with Bangladesh to respond to the Rohingya crisis, including through our engagement with ASEAN and other Asian nations and by working towards accountability for those in Myanmar responsible for the refugee crisis.
"In fact, our Indo-Pacific Strategy specifically states Canada will fully implement the next phase of Canada’s Rohingya Strategy, while also supporting peace building in Myanmar and seeking accountability for human rights violations in that country," she said.
Canada also recently co-hosted a conference on Peacekeeping here in Dhaka.
"We are both peacekeeping nations, and we want to continue working with Bangladesh on regional peace and security. This increased stability will pave the way for economic growth and prosperity," she said.
By 2040, the Indo-Pacific region will account for more than half of the global economy. Over the last several years, the region was responsible for almost two thirds of global growth.
Read: How India’s relations with Canada hit rock bottom
"We recognize that Bangladesh has been a part of this with over 6% annual growth most years since 2005," said the envoy, adding that no region will be more consequential to Canada’s prosperity than the Indo-Pacific, and its importance to Canadian trade, investment and economic security will only continue to grow over time. Canada-Bangladesh trade has grown to $4 billion and has the potential to become more diversified and grow much further.
As part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, she said, Canada will contribute to infrastructure investment in region, helping to mobilize Canadian institutional investors, as well as deploy Canadian firms and technologies in the region.
"We know that connectivity and infrastructure are key parts of Bangladesh’s Perspective Plan 2041, and our new strategy provides some tools where Canada and Bangladesh can cooperate on building the economy of tomorrow," said the High Commissioner. Approximately 60% of international students studying in Canada come from the region and there are about 10,000 Bangladeshi students living and studying in Canada every year.
Students come to study in Canada and often stay to work, to contribute and to join Canadian society. Those who return home forever carry with them the knowledge and experiences gained in Canada.
Like Bangladesh, the high commissioner said, Canada is not a superpower, nor do they strive to become one.
"Ultimately, cooperation is how Canada stays competitive and it defines our vision for the Indo-Pacific," she said.
Nicholls said they will continue to pursue this as they always have – as a friend and partner committed to mutual respect; as a proudly diverse country; and as a champion of multilateralism motivated by the idea that our future security and prosperity is best served when all countries – large and small – abide by global and regional rules and respect national sovereignty, the rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
No more sanctions ahead of national polls, says Shahriar Alam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday reiterated that there is no possibility of any punitive measures by any country against Bangladesh before the next national election.
"Not at all," he told reporters when his attention was drawn about media reports that suggest likely economic sanctions on Bangladesh.
Ruling out any such possibility of economic or trade sanctions, Shahriar said they do not know from where they got such thing.
Read: Don't pay heed to rumours over sanctions: FM Momen
Referring to his ten years of experience in Foreign Office, the state minister said it was done in a planned manner to create panic and fear among the people.
He urged the media to judge things with their on merit and based on facts discussing with the officials with the relevant countries as a vested group might capitalise such fear.
He talked to reporters at State Guest House Padma after his meeting with Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse.
Read: US sanctions made govt lose its sanity: Fakhrul
Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen urged all to ignore rumours over new US sanctions, noting that there has been no discussion on this in Washington.
"For God's sake, don't destroy your sleep thinking of those (rumours)," Momen told reporters when his attention was drawn about some media reports indicating new phase of US sanctions on individuals.
Read more: Threat to remove govt or any sanctions will bring no gain: PM
"We were in the US...not a single person did tell us that a tornado is coming. You cook it up. They (US) only want free and fair elections. Even the words - participatory or caretaker government - were not uttered," Momen said while responding to a question.
By championing democracy and human rights, US paving the way for a region that thrives: Ambassador Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas today (October 09, 2023) said that they firmly believe that “competition” in the Indo-Pacific is not about forcing countries to choose, but it is about offering an alternative vision based on respect, prosperity, and partnership.
“It’s my hope that our definition of competition in this region allows us to renew our sense of purpose and reinvigorate our commitment to a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
The US ambassador was speaking at a plenary session on “Defining Competition in the Indo-Pacific”, moderated by Zillur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Governance Studies and chairman of Bay of Bengal Conversation.
Read: Indo Pacific not political, but a natural region: Ram Madhav
Jeremy Bruer, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh; Lilly Nicholls, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh; and Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, also spoke at the event.
“Together,” Ambassador Haas said, they stand as stewards of stability, prosperity, and inclusivity.
By championing democracy, human rights, and open dialogue, he said, the US is paving the way for a region that not only endures but thrives.
“Through the recognition of our sovereign foreign policy prerogatives, we forge partnerships that are based on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and, especially in the case of our friends on this panel, partnerships and alliances that transcend borders and stand as a testament to our collective commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” said the US ambassador.
Quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ambassador Haas said, “The Indo-Pacific region must be an area of peace and prosperity for all. Our vision for the region is to have a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive region.”
Read: Indo Pacific should be centrally about people: ORF President
The United States wholeheartedly agrees to this vision, he said.
Looking to the future, Haas said, it is in everyone’s interest to protect that freedom, that openness. “And I’d also like to add to that diversity, that makes the Indo-Pacific such a dynamic engine of growth and prosperity, not just for the citizens of the region, but for the entire world.”
He said they collectively champion a resolute commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, fostering robust economic integration, and safeguarding the sanctity of maritime commons.
“We are also collectively committed to relying on our alliances and partnerships with each other, and others in the region, to achieve these aims. This is absolutely central to our approach,” he said.
Read: Young leaders' passion, innovation invaluable in tackling climate challenges: Ambassador Haas
The US ambassador said they applaud Bangladesh’s vision of a “free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific” and note significant overlap with their own, including on issues such as freedom of navigation and overflight; open, transparent, and rules-based multilateral systems; and environmental resilience.
“Here we also underscore that just as we seek a free and open region, we believe we can only truly fulfil these visions when we apply those principles domestically as well,” Haas said.
‘A lie’: French ambassador dismisses claim of journalists’ visa requests being denied
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy has dismissed the claim of a section that ten senior journalists’ visa requests have been refused.
The ambassador described the claim as a "lie and disinformation."
French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy visits Cosmos Atelier 71
“Sport is essential in life. Some play football, some tennis, others badminton or squash. @ABhuttow’s daily sport is lie and #Disinformation. His latest record can be watched hereunder,” the French ambassador replied to a comment on X (formerly Twitter).
An individual named Abdur Rab Bhuttow claimed that 10 “pro-government” senior journalists were refused visa to travel to France.
Boosting cooperation with Bangladesh on political, economic, climate fronts priorities for France: Ambassador Marie Masdupuy
Talking to UNB, the French ambassador said this is “totally false.”
The journalists did not apply in time, for visa, for an event they were planning to attend, said an official.
They will get their visas, though the event will already have taken place, said the official.
Sweden wants to see free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh: State Secretary tells PM
Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diana Janse, today said her country wants to see free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh.
She said this while making a call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in response, told the Swedish state secretary that her government is committed to holding free and fair elections.
The PM reiterated her call for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war immediately, and suggested money can be channeled to the welfare of mankind across the globe.
“Sanctions should not be imposed on the transportation of food items,” she said.
She mentioned that due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the entire world is under tremendous pressure of inflation which has also spiked the cost of transportation.
PM Hasina also said that currently Bangladesh has no food crisis as agricultural scientists of the country have done a tremendous job on their part.
She criticized developed countries for not doing their part regarding climate change.
“Unfortunately, the developed countries are not acting enough to combat the climate change issues,” she said.
66th anniversary of Sputnik winning 'the space race' celebrated in Dhaka
The 66th anniversary of Russia, or the then-Soviet Union, becoming the first country to have an artificial satellite in space, has been marked with three days of activities in capital Dhaka.
The "Sputnik Cosmofest" was held from October 5-7, arranged jointly by Russian House in Dhaka, with the Bangladesh Astronomical Association (BAA) and Green Bud Nursery School.
Inaugurating the event with a press conference, Pavel Dyovchenkov, the Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, graciously welcomed all the media personalities and briefed them about Sputnik-1, as well as the history of the contemporary Russian space program and its impact on global progress.
He also said that the Russian House in Dhaka is generous in its cooperation in all matters, including education, culture, and science.
Denmark to exhibit a ‘GREENER TOMORROW’ at Edge Gallery
The Embassy of Denmark in Dhaka will host a world of green innovations at the "Greener Tomorrow Exhibition."
The three-day long exhibition ´Greener Tomorrow´ will take place from 10-12 October at the Edge Gallery, Bay´s Edgewater.
Denmark is committed to the global green and digital transition and is global frontrunner, said the Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.
The ´Greener Tomorrow´ exhibition showcases Danish green solutions and best practices in sectors like, Water and Environment, Digitalisation, Energy, Food & Agro, Health and Tech.
It also includes cutting-edge Danish green technologies and solutions that are shaping a sustainable world.
In June 2023, Denmark and Bangladesh launched a Joint Action Plan on Green Framework Engagement. Denmark is committed to actively supporting Bangladesh in its sustainable transition and successfully meet the goals of the Joint Action Plan.
IMF team holds meeting with Energy Division
A team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held a meeting with Energy and Mineral Resources Division officials on Sunday.
According to official sources, the IMF team came to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in the afternoon and discussed with the senior officials of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
Energy Secretary Nurul Alam led the Energy and Mineral Resources Division in the meeting with the IMF team.
IMF reviewing reserves, macroeconomic condition ahead of next fund release
A team from the IMF, led by Rahul Anand, Mission Chief for Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on October 4 to discuss the terms of a $4.5 billion loan to Bangladesh.
The team is scheduled to leave Bangladesh on October 19 after its series of meetings with different ministries and their subordinate bodies and also with the central bank officials to discuss the release of the second tranche of the total loan of 4.7 billion of which the first tranche was already released.
IMF says Sri Lanka makes commendable progress in reforms
The second tranche is expected to be released in November this year.
Official sources said the IMF team discussed various issues in this sector, including subsidies in energy sector, automatic price determination of petroleum fuels in coordination with the global market, and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Sources said while making decision to provide $4.7 billion loan to Bangladesh, the IMF tagged a number conditions including taking measures for automatic price adjustment of petroleum fuels maintaining coordination with the global market price so that the government would not incur loss.
Bangladesh expected to receive IMF loan’s 2nd instalment in Nov
But so far, no progress major has bern made in this regard. But the Energy Division officials informed the IMF that they have been working on the issue.