foreign-affairs
Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral talks under way at PMO
The bilateral talks between Bangladesh and Brunei have started at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the meeting while visiting Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is leading his side. The talks began around 3:50pm.
Before the formal talks, the two leaders also had a tête-à-tête for some time.
Earlier, on his arrival at the PMO, the sultan was received by the Bangladesh prime minister at the Tiger Gate of the Prime Minister’s Office.
After the talks Bangladesh and Brunei are likely to sign three bilateral cooperation deals, including an agreement for introducing direct flights between the two countries.
Two other cooperation documents are on the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers and recognition of certificates for two countries’ seafarers.
Some 15,000 Bangladeshis are now working in oil-rich Brunei.
The Brunei Sultan arrived here by a special flight on his first state visit to Bangladesh on Saturday afternoon. President Abdul Hamid warmly received the Sultan at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid 21-gun salute.
In April 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a historic visit to Brunei Darussalam, which marked a new milestone as the countries signed several MoUs for various types of cooperation, including in sectors like gas supply, fisheries, agriculture, livestock, youth and sports, and art and culture, said Haris Bin Othman.
“Bangladesh can be the right place for investment from Brunei”
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday urged energy-rich Brunei to invest in Bangladesh taking advantage of facilities that the country offers for the foreign investors.
“Bangladesh can be the right place for investment. My request will be to invest in Bangladesh,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a business meeting with Brunei’s Finance Minister Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Abdullah in a city hotel.
The Commerce Minister mentioned countries like India and China where Bangladesh has the opportunity to export whatever it wants apart from its own market of 170 million people.
He also urged the Brunei Finance Minister to remove the discriminatory rule for Bangladeshi immigrant workers who have to deposit $1600 while the amount is only $500 for Malaysian workers.
Highlighting some of the major benefits provided in Bangladesh foreign investment policies, the minister informed, besides the gigantic domestic market, investing in Bangladesh will offer additional access to the Indian and Chinese market as these two markets allow most of the made in Bangladesh products duty free.
Read: Brunei Sultan due Saturday; 3 cooperation deals likely to be signed
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam also spoke at the meeting chaired by President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jashim Uddin.
He also highlighted the contributions of Bangladeshis, especially that of the construction workers.
The State minister urged Brunei to appoint more Bangladeshi manpower as Bangladesh has been focusing more on creating skilled manpower.
Bangladesh may offer a dedicated economic zone for ASEAN countries if Brunei provides capital and marketing assistance, he said.
Issues related to trade and investment, recruitment of skilled workers from Bangladesh and using port facilities were discussed in the meeting.
Dr Amin was appointed as the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II on September 27, 2018 and re-appointed on June 7, 2022.
Minister Dr Amin said the two countries have the opportunity to work together on trade and investment fronts and explore opportunities to create a regional hub in terms of transportation. “We are expanding our seaports at the moment.”
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between ZES Trading and Ghanim International Corporation was signed to introduce Halal food from Brunei in the Bangladeshi market.
Dr Nur Rahman from Ghanim International and FBCCI director Dr Kazi Ertaza Hassan, CIP signed the MoU on behalf of their organizations.
Dr Amin informed that Brunei port is nearer to China, and therefore using the port as a transshipment hub would save time and money of Bangladeshi businesses.
Minister of Home Affairs Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman praised the contribution of the skilled Bangladeshi manpower in keeping Brunei economy afloat.
FBCCI President Jashim Uddin urged the visiting delegation from Brunei to consider Bangladesh as their next trade and investment destination.
“We have ongoing development projects to facilitate investment,” he said, mentioning deep seaports, 100 special economic zones, hi-tech parks, tourism parks, nuclear power plant, metro rail, LNG terminal and construction of road and rail on bringing the whole country under a common network.
“So, our story is now very different from what it was before and Brunei can choose Bangladesh as their next destination for trade and investment,” said the FBCCI President.
Read: Momen looking forward to Sultan of Brunei's visit
Rally held in Dhaka in solidarity with protesters in Iran
Following the movement inspired by Iran's Masha Amini death and Hijab row, a consolidating rally has been held in front of National Museum at the capital's Shahabagh on Saturday.
The rally was held at 3:30 pm, organised under the banner of 'Nipironer Biruddhe Shahabag' where the activists and leaders from left leaning political organisations took part to consolidate with the protest of Iranian women.
The rally was presided over by organiser Akramul Hoque, activist of Gonojagoron Mancha while it was conducted by Khan Asaduzzaman Masum, General secretary of Jubo Union.
Among other Cummunist Party leader and women activist Junanu, Chatra Union organising secretary Sumaiya Setu, Samajtantrik Nari forum leader Monisha Chakroborthy, writer Oditi Falguni, human rights activist Musfika Laiju, publisher Robin Ahsan and feminist activist Fawzia Khandkar spoke at the program.
Akramul Hoque, said, "There are two obstacles in our society which hinders its harmony: unequal distribution of wealth and improper education curriculum. Our education curriculum teaches that the men and women are not same which at last results in disrespect of women in a male dominant society."
"In Iran, in the name of religion, they are killing, raping and abusing women. The same thing is going to happen in Bangladesh too and we have already observed some prefixes,” he added.
Activist and writer Fawzia Khandker said, "It is not only against women, it is against mankind. But we are too late to express our consolidation with Iranian women."
"We are not against religion but we are against the oppression that is being made in the name of religion or using the label of religion which is oppressive to women. We want to live with respect and our legal rights. We were with this movement, we are and we will be with them,” Fawzia said.
Kaberi Gayen, Professor of Mass communication and journalism department of University of Dhaka, said, "The movement that is going on in Iran is not a sudden incident. It has a past. In Iran, women and girls were the part of many important movements. But with the killing of Masha Amini, Iranian government has shown its worst-ever behavior toward women. At least 200 women have been killed while participating in the movement in Iran by the law enforcement organisation."
AUN J Classic Orchestra concert held in Dhaka celebrating Bangladesh-Japan friendship
The Embassy of Japan organised a concert by the AUN J Classic Orchestra, a group of Japanese traditional instrumentalists on Saturday to celebrate 50 years of friendship between Bangladesh and Japan at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka.
This is AUN J Classic Orchestra's first overseas tour since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Japanese traditional musical instruments such as wadaiko (Japanese drum), Shaminisen (three-stringed traditional instrument), koto (traditional stringed instrument), shakuhachi (bamboo end-blown flute), and shinobue (transverse bamboo flute), are all the instruments of the AUN J Classic Orchestra, which are usually not played in an ensemble.
The troupe was formed in 2008 by seven renowned artists who specialise in each instrument in pursuit of unique musical experiences. Their technical quality and performance level have been highly acclaimed around the world.
AUN J played their original songs like "Kenran Basara" and "Haru Ichiban," and covered songs like "Bolero" and "Furusato."
Ryohei Inoue played wadaiko and Shamisen, Kohei Inoue played shamisen and shinobue, Seizan Ishigaki played shakuhachi, Hideki Onoue played Shamisen, Michiko Yamada played shinobue, and Azumi Yamano played koto.
Bangladeshi actress and singer Shahtaj sang "Gurenge," the first opening theme for the highly popular Japanese anime "Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)," played by AUN J.
AUN J played the song "Shada Shada Kala Kala" from the movie "Hawa" and singer Siblu sang the song together.
Finally, "Purano Shei Diner Kotha" was played by AUN J and Rezwana Choudhury Bannya performed with them.
The concert started with the opening remarks of Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki who expected young generations to be inspired to show more interest in Japan and the Japanese culture through the event.
LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam joined the programme as the chief guest. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali was also present.
Bangladesh ready to send professional, skilled workforce to Brunei: Momen tells Sultan
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh is ready to send professional and skilled human resources to Brunei, as it has done before, in line with the requirements of the tiny Southeast Asian state's workforce.
During his meeting Saturday evening with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, once reputed to be one of the richest persons on the planet, the foreign minister also lauded the contribution of the Bangladeshi expatriates in Brunei to the economies of both countries.
The Sultan for his part expressed his satisfaction that the Bangladeshi expatriate workers in Brunei are mostly hard-working and sincere.
The foreign minister said the sultan's visit would take the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries to new heights.
Highlighting the phenomenal socio-economic development of Bangladesh, Momen explained the successful handling of the pandemic in Bangladesh.
He also stressed the importance of further enhancing trade between the two countries, tapping into the unutilised potential for mutual benefit.
During the discussion, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told the Sultan that Bangladesh was ready for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and encouraged Bruneian investment in Bangladesh.
Pointing to the ongoing inflationary pressures and volatility in the energy sector, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen stressed the importance of stronger bilateral and regional collaboration to cope with the prevailing challenges.
The sultan expressed his happiness for being able to visit Bangladesh and looked forward to his engagements with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived Saturday afternoon on his first visit to Bangladesh and held a meeting with President Abdul Hamid in the evening.
Recruit more manpower from Bangladesh: President to Sultan of Brunei
President Abdul Hamid on Saturday urged the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh.
The President made the call when the Sultan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this evening.
Welcoming his guest to Bangladesh, the President said that a new chapter has begun in the relationship between the two brotherly countries with the visit - the Sultan's first state visit to Bangladesh.
The President said that Bangladesh attaches importance to developing relations with Southeast Asian countries.
He also expected Brunei's support to get Bangladesh's ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.
The President thanked the Sultan for providing free corona vaccine to expatriate Bangladeshis working in Brunei.
Stating that there is a suitable investment environment in Bangladesh, the President urged the businessmen of Brunei to invest in Bangladesh.
He also emphasized increasing communication at the public-private level to increase trade between the two countries.
Thanking the Sultan for his support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, President Hamid expressed hope that his support to Bangladesh on this issue would continue in the future.
He sought the cooperation of the Sultan for the speedy repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The Sultan of Brunei praised the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and assured his counterpart of providing the support in the future.
Prince Abdul Mateen was present in the meeting too.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen, and secretaries to the President were also present on the occasion.
After the meeting, the Sultan signed the visitors' book.
The President hosted a cultural programme followed by a state banquet, that was also attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Human rights as ‘cheap political tool’ could be counterproductive, says Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Saturday said presenting the human rights issues as “cheap political tool” does not bring any greater good for the country, but such tendency might prevent the country from achieving its goals on the rights fronts.
He blamed some political parties, foreign NGOs with apparent support from some locals who are taking it as a cheap political tool to wrongly present the human rights issues.
“The government has good intentions. There is no denial, absolutely no denial. But the fact is that whether we are gradually improving or not,” Alam said while speaking at a discussion on human rights.
Editors Guild-Bangladesh, a platform of editors, organised the discussion held at the Dhaka Gallery in the city's Banani.
Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, human rights activist Khushi Kabir, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Prof Amena Mohsin and Prof Sadeka Halim, among others, spoke at the event moderated by Editors Guild President and Editor-in-Chief of Ekattor Television Mozammel Babu.
The State Minister said anti-crime elite force RAB is a successful institution, which earned mass people’s confidence, and the government cannot afford any step intended to malign the force.
Alam described how Bangladesh has come at this stage successfully in countering terrorism and controlling militancy when the country saw sons prepared to even kill parents. “There is no scope to undermine those achievements.”
The State Minister felt the necessity for taking the responsibility by the human rights defenders to clean their own community for having evidence based on facts.
He highlighted the importance of engaging civil society and mentioned that the government remains engaged on that front.
Alam said the government, NGOs and journalists - all need to play a role in enlightening people about the rights issues so that people do not get confused.
“I would say Bangladesh is probably one of the smartest 50-year-old countries in the world,” said the State Minister, highlighting the importance of a responsible human rights body.
Human rights activist and lawyer ZI Khan Panna described 1975 as a period when the nation witnessed the key attacks on human rights, noting that the subsequent indemnity ordinance was the worst thing to see.
“The key attack (on human rights) was in 1975. And nothing can be as worst as the indemnity ordinance,” he said.
Just 41 days into the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an indemnity ordinance was promulgated by Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed, who grabbed state power immediately after the brutal killing by putting martial law in place.
The ordinance was issued on September 26, 1975 with an aim to block any legal or other proceedings against the killers and those who were involved in proclaiming martial law on the morning of August 15, 1975.
Panna also described the post-1975 development and how people were brutally tortured.
He claimed existence of “Aynaghar” in the post 1975 period and he was one of the victims of that. “There’re many victims,” he said, mentioning few names and brutal nature of tortures on them.
Panna also highlighted the present situation, saying there are some failures. “I would say avoiding tendency, not limitations.”
He said the CHT peace treaty is the one of the best agreements without involvement of any third party or country.
The rights activist credited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for this.
Talking about the glorious War of Liberation, he said Bangladesh is a unique nation in world history.
The rights activist said nobody can show a country in the world except Bangladesh whose 30 lakh people sacrificed their lives in a period of 9 months. “You can’t show in world history. Bangladesh is a unique country.”
He said it was not a conventional war, but it was a people's war.
Energy-rich Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrives in Dhaka
- Bangladesh rolled out the red carpet as Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah arrived in Dhaka on his first state visit to the country on Saturday afternoon.
President Abdul Hamid warmly received the Sultan at the VVIP terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport amid 21-gun salute upon his arrival by a special flight.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were, among others, present.
The Brunei Sultan was accompanied by his royal family members, ministers and senior government officials.
He was given a guard of honour by a combined contingent of Bangladesh army, navy and air force in presence of President Hamid, senior ministers and high civil and military officials.
The Sultan of Brunei and the Bangladesh President stood on a makeshift dais when military band played national anthems of both the countries.
Foreign Minister Momen has expressed optimism that the state visit by the Sultan would “usher in a new chapter” in the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei.
The visit was originally scheduled for October 14-16, but later it was rescheduled for October 15-16.
Brunei has one of the world's highest standards of living due to its abundant oil and gas reserves.
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's longest-reigning and few remaining absolute monarchs. He was crowned in August 1968 following the abdication of his father, Sir Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin.
Read: Brunei Sultan due Saturday; 3 cooperation deals likely to be signed
Momen looking forward to Sultan of Brunei's visit
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting to accord their heartiest welcome to Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.Momen expressed optimism that the state visit by the Sultan would usher in a new chapter in the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brunei.Sultan of Brunei Darussalam is scheduled to arrive Saturday afternoon for his first state visit to Bangladesh.Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof met his Bangladesh at state guesthouse Padma on Friday night.During their talks, the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on important aspects of bilateral relations and stressed the importance of further strengthening the level of trade and investment for the mutual benefit of the two countries.They agreed to explore new areas of cooperation as well as to enhance connectivity for giving trade, investment, tourism, people-to-people contacts, etc. further boost in the days ahead.They also exchanged views on the challenges brought about by the pandemic and the conflicts in Europe, particularly in the form of food and energy insecurity and supply chain disruptions.Erywan Yusof arrived in Dhaka as a part of the delegation of the Sultan of Brunei’s state visit to Bangladesh on 15-16 October.Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary (East) Ambassador Mashfe Binte Shams and Nahida Rahman Shumona, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei were present during the meeting, while Pengiran Norhashima Md Hassan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei and Haji Haris Bin Othman, the High Commissioner of Brunei, accompanied his Foreign Minister.
Lord Karan Bilimoria to arrive in Bangladesh on October 17
Lord Karan Faridoon Bilimoria of Chelsea, one of the UK's leading entrepreneurs, will arrive in Bangladesh on October 17 on a five-day visit.
Bilimoria – a current member of the House of Lords, chancellor of the University of Birmingham, and former president of the Confederation of British Industry – will visit Bangladesh at the invitation of UK-based Curry Life Media Group.
He will inaugurate the week-long "British Curry Festival" at InterContinental Dhaka on October 20.
During his five-day visit, Bilimoria will meet with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, and the leaders of British Business Group, and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
Bilimoria will also visit Dhaka University and the Liberation War Museum. He will go to Sylhet as well.
On September 16, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited UK businesses to avail investment opportunities in Bangladesh during her stay in London to attend the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, en route to the 77th UNGA in New York.
She made the call during her meeting with Bilimoria.
Bilimoria, the first South Asian of Parsi background to sit in the House of Lords, briefed the prime minister about his work in support of the UK's curry industry. Also, he expressed interest in forging a higher education partnership with Bangladesh in his capacity as the chancellor of Birmingham University.
Hasina paid tribute to the contributions of Lord Bilimoria's late father General Faridoon Bilimoria of the Indian army during Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971.