United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and the United States have formally commenced the third round of talks on tariff-related issues in Washington on Tuesday, aiming to deepen bilateral trade cooperation. The formal session of the negotiations began at 2:00pm (local time) following an informal discussion that started from 12:30pm. The talks are scheduled to continue until 5:30pm and will resume again at 9:00am on Wednesday. Led by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the Bangladesh delegation arrived in Washington earlier in the day. The team includes Dr Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser to the Chief Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Affairs; Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman; and Additional Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Dr Nazneen Kauser Chowdhury. Bangladesh-US third round of tariff talks set to begin in Washington today Officials from various ministries and departments in Dhaka are also joining the discussions virtually. The US side is headed by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, accompanied by senior officials from trade and customs departments. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC is coordinating the overall process of the tariff negotiations.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller on Tuesday reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to supporting climate-vulnerable communities and promoting green growth in Bangladesh. He noted that the 'Rain for Life' project represents a shift toward holistic, inclusive, and nature-based approaches—ensuring water access not only for people, but for crops, livestock, and ecosystems. The initiative, Ambassador said, reflects the Danish government’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development and builds on Bangladesh’s globally recognised leadership in climate action. BRAC, with support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally launched the three-year initiative through an inception workshop held on Tuesday at BRAC Centre, Dhaka. Bangladesh-US third round of tariff talks set to begin in Washington today The 'Rain for Life' project aims to strengthen water security and climate resilience for over 90,000 people in the coastal upazilas of Assasuni in Satkhira, Mongla in Bagerhat, and Patharghata in Barguna. Chairing the workshop, Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, highlighted that the Rain for Life initiative is tackling the twin challenges of water and food security, recognising their deep interconnection in the face of the climate crisis. “Water is a critical entry point, but it’s only one part of the solution,” said Saleh. “To address climate impacts effectively, we must take a comprehensive, integrated approach—one that is frugal, sustainable, locally led, and impactful, moving beyond the limits of traditional project-based responses.” He emphasised that communities are not standing still in the face of climate threats: “They are already adapting, innovating, and finding ways to survive. With the right support, farmers and grassroots communities can become powerful agents of change.” BRAC has already launched scalable solutions—including Amar Bon (My Forest), Adaptation Clinics, community-based models, and water entrepreneurship initiatives—to support climate resilience. He called for stronger government partnerships to expand these proven solutions and accelerate locally driven climate adaptation efforts. The inception workshop brought together policymakers, development partners, practitioners, and community representatives to discuss strategies for enhancing water security, food systems, and ecosystem restoration in coastal Bangladesh. Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Secretary, Planning Division; Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC); also addressed the workshop as guests ofHonour. Dr Md Liakath Ali, Director of BRAC’s Climate Change Programme (CCP), presented an overview of the ‘Rain for Life’ project, while Abu Sadat Moniruzzaman Khan, Programme Head of the CCP, delivered the welcome address. Handa to invest $250mn in Bangladesh, create 25,000 jobs Iqbal Abdullah Harun stressed that, as mitigation is not currently within Bangladesh’s primary scope, the country must prioritise adaptation. He underscored the need for functional, rather than merely formal, coordination among government agencies and partners to ensure meaningful collaboration. He also expressed the government’s openness to scaling up initiatives like ‘Rain for Life’ to better serve climate-vulnerable communities. Dr Farhina Ahmed noted that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right—one long denied to communities in Bangladesh’s coastal belt. Citing proven results from BRAC’s pilot interventions, she urged for a programmatic scale-up of the model in partnership with relevant government agencies to address persistent gaps. She praised BRAC and its frontline workers as champions of the cause and stressed that inclusive government-civil society partnerships are essential to protect vulnerable populations and prevent future loss and damage. Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim highlighted that the project places women’s participation and leadership at its centre—through climate action groups, adaptation clinics, and nature-based livelihood models. True resilience, she observed, emerges when women are not merely participants, but also active decision-makers and leaders in their communities. The project, she added, is creating a platform to enable exactly that. Dr Md Liakath Ali shared key lessons from BRAC’s Mongla Water Security Project, which, between 2022 and 2024, reached over 72,000 climate-vulnerable individuals with safe drinking water through nearly 10,000 household systems. However, as climate risks continue to intensify, he stressed the need for integrated solutions that connect water, agriculture, and nature-based approaches—an approach envisioned in ‘Rain for Life’. Several community members from climate-vulnerable areas of Mongla shared their experiences.

The third round of trade talks between Bangladesh and the United States is set to start today (July 29) in Washington DC.  Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, who is leading the Banglagesh side, and National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman are in the US capital for the three-day talks.  Govt expects positive outcome from tariff talks with US:  Shafiqul Alam Based on progress made so far, Bangladesh hopes for a positive outcome from this round, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. 

Handa Industries Co, a Hong Kong-based textile and apparel chain, has announced it will invest 250 million USD in Bangladesh. Handa Industries Co, Chairman Han Chun announced the plan as he met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. Handa had initially planned to invest 150 million USD in Bangladesh’s textile sector and signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh authorities during the Bangladesh Investment Summit in April 2025. Following further assessments and with strong support from Bangladesh authorities, Handa has since increased its investment plan to approximately USD 250 million. The company has now decided to set up three factories in Bangladesh—two garment processing and one knitting and dyeing unit, which are expected to create 25,000 jobs. “We decided to increase our investment as we got confidence after talks with the officials of government agencies, including BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority), BEZA (Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority) and BEPZA (Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority),” said Han Chun. “We would like to bring the latest technologies to Bangladesh’s garment and textiles industries through our projects,” he said. BIDA, BEZA and BEPZA officials said this is one of largest single Chinese investments in Bangladesh’s textile sector. Export from BEPZA increases by 16.22%, creates 33,000 jobs in FY25 Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the investment plan of Handa Industries Ltd. “You take the leadership in Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s textile sector and encourage other Chinese investors to come here,” he said. He also urged Handa Industries Ltd. to train Bangladeshi designers to enable them to learn the taste of buyers. Han Chun presented the Chief Adviser with a design of their factory that they are going to set up in the Mirsarai economic zone. “It looks like a beautiful painting to me,” said the Chief Adviser, hailing the design. The land lease agreement for the garment factory in Mirsarai will be signed on Wednesday with an investment value of 80 million USD in phase-1. The finalisation of land and other facilities for phase-2 is under process now and is expected to be finished by the end of 2025. BIDA executive chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Principal Secretary Md Siraj Uddin Miah, principal coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Lamiya Morshed, BEPZA executive chairman Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, and Handa Industries Ltd. President Heng Zeli were present at the meeting.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam on Tuesday encouraged Romania for the resumption of labour recruitment from Bangladesh, stressing the need for finding ways to deepen the engagement in potential areas. He also suggested academic collaboration through joint scholarships, recognition of degrees and academic exchanges between universities of the two countries. The issues were discussed when non-resident Ambassador of Romania to Bangladesh Sena Latif paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Secretary at his office. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Ambassador to Bangladesh and congratulated her on the presentation of her credentials. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation. During the discussion, the Foreign Secretary proposed collaboration in trade, investment, labour mobility, education and consular services, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also highlighted opportunities for trade diversification and investment in sectors such as ICT, renewable energy and agro-processing. Romania agrees to explore alternative visa mechanisms, support GSP+ for Bangladesh The Foreign Secretary also suggested academic collaboration through joint scholarships, recognition of degrees and academic exchanges between universities of the two countries. The Ambassador appreciated the proposals and assured of conveying them to the Romanian authorities. She also took note of the request of facilitating visa services to prospective Bangladeshi students and workers through interim consular arrangements. The Foreign Secretary assured the Ambassador of the fullest support of the Government of Bangladesh in discharging her duties and responsibilities towards further strengthening bilateral relations during her tenure.  

The High Commission of India in Dhaka hosted a send-off ceremony on Monday in the High Commission premises to bid farewell to the students selected for the prestigious Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships for 2025. This year, nearly 550 students have been selected from all over Bangladesh for the prestigious scholarship. Addressing the gathering on this occasion, High Commissioner Pranay Verma congratulated the scholars on their selection and urged them to use their academic pursuits in India both to advance their careers as well as to build new bridges of friendship between India and Bangladesh. He noted that India and Bangladesh share a deep and enduring bond, rooted in our shared history and culture, and in their shared sacrifices during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. He said that by participating in this scholarship programme, the youth of Bangladesh are contributing to strengthening these ties and building our collective future. ICCR scholarship is a flagship programme of the Government of India for meritorious Bangladeshi nationals to pursue undergraduate, post graduate and PhD courses in premier universities and educational institutions of India in wide-ranging streams.  

Bangladesh has welcomed the announcement of immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. Bangladesh praised Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, for mediating the fruitful talks between the two sides at the highest political level, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. It also commended the role played by other friends of Thailand and Cambodia. "Bangladesh hopes that both Thailand and Cambodia would continue to pursue settlement of the outstanding border demarcation through dialogue and diplomacy and calls for early restoration of calm and stability along the affected border areas to save lives and livelihoods of the people living in both sides of the border," said the Ministry in a statement.  

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said China supports Bangladesh’s interim government in its governance and backs the country’s efforts to hold the general election smoothly and successfully, and pursue a development path that suits its national conditions. "Bangladesh is now undergoing a pivotal phase of reform and development," he said while speaking at the DCAB Talk. Asked about the elections in Bangladesh, Yao said China wants a ‘smooth, successful and participatory’ election in Bangladesh. Asked about the timing, he said it was the people of Bangladesh to decide the time, not any foreign country. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the flagship event at Jatiya Press Club. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke on the occasion. At the beginning, a one-minute silence was observed, paying deep respect to former DCAB's former President Shamim Ahmad, who passed away on July 7 last, as well as the innocent victims, including children, who tragically lost their lives in the recent aircraft crash into Milestone School and College. Fakhrul calls for State reforms to improve public life Asked why China did not engage other South Asian countries in the first place, Yao said China found the relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan warming up, which inspired China to take up the initiative. China has many other trilateral initiatives and the China-Pakistan-Bangladesh one is only the latest one, he said. Sought comments on why China was inviting all the political parties, including BNP, Jamaat, National Citizen Party, to visit China over the last several months, the Chinese envoy said that China was engaging with all of the parties as now there is a chance for this. Over the years, he said, the engagement with the parties like BNP and Jamaat was hindered. Asked what was the nature of the hindering, Ambassador Yao said, "You know it!" Ambassador Yao said China is willing to always be a trustworthy good friend, good neighbour and good partner of Bangladesh. "To help Bangladesh achieve better development, we are ready to strengthen exchanges on governance experience and share experience in economic development, poverty alleviation, disaster prevention and mitigation and climate change response," he said, welcoming Bangladesh as it is playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, now in New York, has said the July Uprising paved the way for a fairer and more inclusive Bangladesh under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. "Our government, drawing its strength and legitimacy from citizens across all spectrums of our life was entrusted with a singular mandate: to rebuild the foundations of our republic that serves all its people," he said. The Foreign Affairs Adviser was speaking at an event 'July Beyond Border' at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN on July 28. Over the past one year, he said, they have taken decisive steps to that end. 'We have repealed laws that stifled dissenting voices and eroded public trust. We have embarked on constitutional reform to ensure that no future regime can compromise the rights of people," Hossain said. He said they are overhauling the electoral process to restore credibility, inclusiveness, and the sanctity of the people’s choice. "We have initiated institutional repair, reviving the independence of our courts and commissions. And most importantly, we have created real space for young people to lead," Hossain said. Prof Yunus launches July Uprising commemoration prog with QR code He said the youth who once led the protest rallies are now designing programmes, driving digital innovations, and helping them chart their governance and development policies. "When young people are trusted, they can change our societies for the better. They are the ultimate beacon of hope in times of political inertia or crises of public trust," Hossain said, adding that this is where the story of July resonates far beyond their borders. "This is where our journey intersects with everyone else’s." Hossain said their experience with youth leadership is relatable in the comity of nations too. "Our story deeply aligns with global frameworks that have strong focus on youth. To us, Youth, Peace and Security agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or more recent Pact for the Future are not abstract aspirations. They speak directly of our lived reality," he said. The Foreign Adviser said, "Let us move beyond just commemoration and celebration. Let us continue this conversation – here, and beyond these walls." He also said, "Let us invest in policies, platforms, and partnerships that place youth at the heart of leadership. Their courage, energy, and creativity will illuminate our path toward a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world." A year on: How the July Uprising redefined Bangladesh’s political landscape Hossain said just one year ago, the nation witnessed the profound power of youths. "A movement led by our students ignited a mass upsurge and was embraced by every segment of our society," he said, adding that their call for opportunity, equity and transparency soon evolved into a popular aspiration for systemic transformation across the country, leading to the ouster of a regime that had become completely autocratic.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have expressed deep concern over the ongoing Israeli aggression and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine, reiterating their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause. The message was conveyed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, held on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations. Both expressed the hope for meaningful outcomes from the conference. This was their fourth meeting since October 2024. Pakistan envoy meets BGMEA president, discusses trade ties They also reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation, while exploring ways to enhance connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka said early Tuesday. The two sides agreed to undertake high-level visits in the near future.