United News of Bangladesh

A delegation representing eight Australian clean energy companies visited Bangladesh from October 25 to 27 to explore commercial partnerships with Bangladeshi businesses and support the country’s energy transition. Cleaner, more reliable energy will power the next generation of Bangladeshi industry, and open new opportunities for local and Australian businesses to grow together, said the Australian High Commission in Dhaka. Led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) as part of the Australian Government’s Accessing New Markets Initiative, the delegation brought together a diverse mix of Australian exporters offering utility-scale battery energy storage systems, residential and commercial solar PV solutions, specialised electrical engineering and IT infrastructure, carbon project development, and electric vehicle charging networks to accelerate Bangladesh’s shift to a cleaner, electrified future. The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association hosted a networking event at the Australian High Commission, connecting the delegation with local businesses. At the event, High Commissioner Susan Ryle and Jodi McKay, Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia, launched the “Unlocking Bangladesh-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership Potential” scoping study, covering policy settings, distribution trends and high-value investment opportunities. To better understand Bangladesh’s clean energy ecosystem, the delegation also attended government meetings, an Australia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry seminar, and Renewable Energy Fest 2026 at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Clinton Pobke said, “As Bangladesh builds what comes next for its economy, Australia is backing its drive to diversify and innovate. This delegation is about turning clean energy’s potential into commercial partnerships that strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security, support new industries as they emerge, and grow trade for both countries.” Murray Spence, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission said Bangladesh and Australia share complementary strengths in the clean energy transition. “The delegation’s visit to Bangladesh reflects Australian businesses’ strong interest in partnering with Bangladeshi industry to bring technology and expertise that can help accelerate the development of reliable renewable energy networks, supporting greater energy self-sufficiency and security for local consumers.”

Valletta Mayor Olaf McKay and Honorary Consul of Malta to Bangladesh Shoeb Chowdhury in a meeting on Monday discussed enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, preserving ancient culture and expanding its reach on the global stage. The meeting took place in Valletta, the capital of the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, according to a press release. ​Mayor Olaf McKay highlighted how the city of Valletta, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, has preserved its 7,500-year-old historic legacy while transforming into a modern and dynamic European capital city. He also expressed plans to present Malta's timeless culture and heritage more broadly on global platforms. ​During the meeting, Honorary Consul Shoeb Chowdhury emphasised the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and state-of-the-art digital ecosystems in international tourism and cultural exchange. He proposed leveraging virtual technology and AI so that history enthusiasts and tourists from around the world can easily explore Valletta's heritage. Shoeb Chowdhury noted, "Through the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence, it is possible to impart a dynamic momentum to the diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Malta and Bangladesh." ​During the conversation, he extended an official invitation to the Mayor of Valletta to visit Dhaka. The mayor accepted the invitation and expressed his hope to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. Executive Secretary of the Valletta Local Council Gabriella Agius and Editor-in-Chief of The Asian Age Dr Jesmin Chowdhury were also present at the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Olaf McKay presented a special crest of Valletta to Shoeb Chowdhury.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, now visiting Spain, has highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to diversify exports, attract foreign investment and foster a more business-friendly environment. Inaugurating the third Bangladesh-Spain Expo 2026 in Seville, she drew attention to emerging opportunities in pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear, agro-processing, information technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The State Minister encouraged Spanish entrepreneurs and investors to explore Bangladesh’s growing market and manufacturing capabilities. Masudur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Spain; Rocío Blanco, Minister of Employment, Business and Self-Employment of the Regional Government of Andalusia; and Ashiqur Rahman, President of the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh and Hong Kong have discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in waste management, water and noise pollution control, and climate change to promote environmental protection and sustainable development. The issues were discussed at a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh's State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam and Hong Kong's Secretary for Environment and Ecology TSE Chin-wan at the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel on Monday. During the meeting, Sheikh Faridul Islam stressed the need to strengthen capacity in waste collection, segregation, recycling and safe disposal, saying Hong Kong's experience and technical expertise could benefit Bangladesh. “Effective waste management is essential for environmental protection. Capacity must be strengthened at every stage of waste collection, segregation, recycling and safe disposal. Hong Kong’s experience and technical expertise in this area could be beneficial to Bangladesh,” he said. The meeting also addressed water and noise pollution control. Participants discussed opportunities for cooperation in these areas to protect public health and ecosystems from the effects of pollution.  In this regard, the State Minister said “Water and noise pollution directly affect people’s health and daily lives. Effective pollution control requires public awareness and regular monitoring alongside sound management. Sharing experiences can play an important role in creating a clean, safe and livable environment.”   Hong Kong’s Secretary for Environment and Ecology, TSE Chin-wan, said “We are keen to advance cooperation with Bangladesh to achieve our shared goals of environmental protection and sustainable development. There are opportunities to exchange experience and knowledge in waste management, water and noise pollution control, and addressing the challenges of climate change. We are interested in supporting training and capacity development through our Belt and Road Sustainable Development Training Centre. We hope this cooperation will further advance both sides’ efforts in environmental management and sustainable development.” Welcoming Hong Kong’s interest in cooperation, the State Minister said, international cooperation, knowledge sharing and skills development are essential to addressing the challenges of climate change. “We view the prospect of cooperation through Hong Kong’s training centre positively. Such cooperation could help strengthen our institutional capacity in environmental and climate-related matters,” he said. Dr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong, attended the meeting along with other officials of the Bangladesh Consulate and relevant Hong Kong officials.

Bangladeshi workers whose iqamas (residence permits) expired after they failed to reach Saudi Arabia on time due to flight disruptions will be allowed to enter the kingdom, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday. “Those wishing to go to Saudi Arabia will have their entry formalities completed automatically through the electronic system, and they will be permitted to enter,” he said at a discussion at the BIAM Foundation auditorium on Eskaton Road. The minister said the target for overseas employment can be achieved if the government and recruiting agencies work together, stressing the need to cut migration costs for workers. Taking a swipe at recruiting agencies, he said: "Where it is possible to go to Saudi Arabia for Tk 3 lakh, charging Tk 7-8 lakh is unacceptable. Run your business in a halal way and refrain from extracting excess money from workers, so that they do not spend their entire working time just recovering that cost." Ariful said modern technology is being introduced at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) to simplify the overseas-going process and speed up verification of visa authenticity. A dedicated email service is also being introduced to resolve complaints, he added. The minister also underscored the need to strictly follow the laws of destination countries and urged recruiting agencies to join the government in conducting necessary awareness campaigns. Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque drew the Saudi government's attention to granting special amnesty to Bangladeshis who currently in jail in the kingdom during the upcoming Ramadan. He expressed hope that any bilateral issues will be resolved through mutual discussions and called on agencies to lower migration costs. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya said Bangladeshi workers constitute the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia after the country's own nationals. He said the existing warm ties between the two countries will be further strengthened in the labour sector in the future. At the meeting, representatives of recruiting agencies demanded simplification of the Takamul test process, a reduction in fees, resolution of BMET's manpower-related complications, and measures to make recruiting agencies stronger and more effective.

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the attend 18th edition the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), a leading global defence and security event, and the 8th edition of the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX 2027) which will be held in Abu Dhabi in January next.  Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka on Monday. The two events will be held from January 25 to 29, 2027 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE capital. The Crown Prince of Dubai said Prime Minister Tarique’s esteemed presence would greatly enrich this significant occasion and contribute meaningfully to the success of the exhibitions. He conveyed to the Prime Minister the assurances of his highest consideration and profound appreciation. IDEX and NAVDEX are premier international platforms for presenting the latest advancements and innovations across the land, naval and air defence sectors. The exhibitions bring together eminent experts and leading global companies specialising in defence and security. IDEX is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and is organised by capital events in association and with the full support of the Ministry of Defence. The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) brings together government officials, military leaders, industry experts, and key decision-makers to showcase the latest technologies, drive innovation, and strengthen international collaboration. IDEX 2027 provides direct access to a global network of defence leaders, procurement stakeholders, OEMs, prime contractors, and international delegations, creating valuable opportunities for business growth, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.

Foreign loan disbursement to Bangladesh fell by nearly 48% year-on-year in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, while commitments from development partners rose, according to provisional official data. Development partners disbursed $541.74 million in loans during July-September of FY2026-27, down from $1,038.12 million in the same period of FY2025-26, the Foreign Assistance Monthly Report of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) shows. Total foreign assistance disbursement, including grants, also declined to $662.31 million from $1,148.59 million in the corresponding period a year earlier. The fall came despite an increase in foreign assistance commitments, which rose to $1.27 billion in the first quarter of FY27 from $910.67 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Loan commitments increased to $1.15 billion from $821.70 million, while grant commitments rose to $125.45 million from $88.97 million. Project assistance accounted for the entire amount of foreign aid commitments during the period, as no food assistance was committed in either of the two comparable quarters. On the disbursement side, project assistance totalled $652.31 million in July-September of FY27, down from $1.14 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This included $541.74 million in loans and $110.57 million in grants. Food assistance disbursement remained unchanged at $10 million, entirely in grants, during the two periods. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s debt-servicing burden increased in the first quarter of FY27. The country paid $1.35 billion in principal and interest on foreign loans during July-September, compared with $1.28 billion in the same period of FY26. Principal repayments rose to $858.92 million from $816.99 million, while interest payments increased to $492.31 million from $462.96 million. In taka terms, total debt servicing reached Tk16,646.46 crore in the first quarter of FY27, up from Tk15,591.69 crore a year earlier. The principal repayment amounted to Tk10,584.62 crore, while interest payments stood at Tk6,061.84 crore. The figures are provisional and were published in the ERD’s Foreign Assistance Monthly Report for July-September 2026.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir will lead Bangladesh's delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4 as acting foreign minister. A notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani  was issued in this regard, said a PID handout on Sunday. Humaiun Kobir will enjoy the status and protocol of a full cabinet minister at the event, it said.

Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks paid a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram at the Speaker’s office on Sunday, discussing parliamentary cooperation, investment and other areas of bilateral relations. During the meeting, the Speaker said Sweden had long been a development partner of Bangladesh. He noted that Sweden’s parliamentary system is a unicameral, representative democracy and said the two countries share similarities in several aspects of parliamentary democracy. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the formation of a parliamentary friendship group between Bangladesh and Sweden could play an important role in promoting parliamentary democracy in both countries. He said the people of Bangladesh had always been committed to democracy and had never hesitated to sacrifice their lives for it. Their voting rights were taken away during 17 years of autocratic rule, he added. The Speaker said students and people from all walks of life brought an end to the autocratic regime through the mass uprising of 2024. He said people in Bangladesh vote for their preferred political parties and candidates, adding that voters play an important role in parliamentary democracy by exercising their democratic right to vote. Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks said Sweden’s parliament has 349 seats, with members elected by direct popular vote for four-year terms. He said Sweden is formally a constitutional monarchy, but all political and administrative powers of the state are vested in parliament and the government.   Both sides stressed the importance of forming parliamentary friendship groups and caucuses. They also discussed ways to increase investment between the two countries, including cooperation in sports and culture. During the meeting, the Speaker briefed the ambassador on the activities of the ongoing Constitution Amendment Committee. He also invited Swedish companies to participate in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas reserves off Bangladesh’s coast in the Bay of Bengal. Officials of the Swedish Embassy and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, including its Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan, were present at the meeting.

Nepal resumed exporting 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s transmission network on Friday evening, after the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood damage to two hydropower plants disrupted supplies. The exports had been suspended after the disaster damaged the Trishuli and Chilime hydropower plants, both of which had been approved to supply electricity to Bangladesh. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said exports resumed after India’s Central Electricity Authority approved electricity generated by other hydropower plants for supply to Bangladesh. Under the revised arrangement, electricity from the Solu Khola and Kabeli B1 hydropower plants has been approved for export to Bangladesh, while the Lower Modi Khola plant has been cleared to supply Haryana. The new approvals replace the previous designations for the Trishuli, Chilime and Devighat hydropower plants, reports the Kathmandu Post. Shrestha said the resumption of exports to Bangladesh, alongside continued electricity sales from other projects despite flood damage to hydropower plants and transmission infrastructure, was an important development for Nepal’s electricity trade. The renewed exports are expected to help Nepal manage surplus electricity generated during the monsoon and expand regional power trade, he said. The NEA and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) signed a five-year agreement on October 3, 2024, for seasonal electricity exports. Under the agreement, Nepal supplies 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh each year from June 15 to November 15. Meanwhile, the NEA exported electricity worth Rs5.925 billion to India between mid-September and mid-October 2026, earning more than in the same period last year and the preceding month despite flood damage to several hydropower projects. According to data from the NEA’s Load Dispatch Centre, Nepal exported 633.986 million units of electricity to India during the period, generating Rs5.925 billion in revenue. Floods had forced some hydropower plants that had received approval to supply electricity to India to shut down, affecting exports. Export earnings were Rs962 million higher than the Rs4.963 billion recorded during the same period last year and Rs832.5 million above the Rs5.0925 billion earned between mid-August and mid-September this year. The electricity was sold through two channels. Under bilateral power sales agreements, Nepal supplied electricity to the Indian states of Haryana and Bihar. The remaining power was sold at competitive rates through the day-ahead and real-time markets of the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The NEA exports surplus electricity generated during the monsoon after meeting domestic demand. Under medium-term bilateral power sales agreements, Nepal supplies electricity to Haryana and Bihar from June to October each year.