foreign-affairs
Bangladesh, Thailand keen to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic level
Bangladesh and Thailand on Sunday stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of the friendly and constructive bilateral engagements for raising the relations to a strategic level.
The two sides called for further exploring the untapped potentials for mutual benefits of the two countries.
Read more: Ted Kennedy Jr. meets PM Hasina along with his family
Bangladesh and Thailand are celebrating the 50 years of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner and with fervor through a series of events throughout this year.
As part of this celebration, an event to unveil a commemorative stamp and launching of an e-Book was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Read more: Bangladesh, Myanmar border guards meet Sunday to discuss tension
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and visiting Thai Permanent Secretary-designate Sarun Charoensuwan jointly unveiled the commemorative stamp and launched the e-Book.
The Foreign Secretary paid his tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to the martyrs of the great War of Liberation, and paid his homage to the late King Bhumibol of Thailand for his historic role in relation to the independence.
Both the Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Secretary expressed happiness at the friendly and multidimensional bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand that flourished over the last five decades and evolved from strength to strength.
Thailand recognised Bangladesh on October 5, 1972 being one of the few countries that extended recognition to an independent and sovereign Bangladesh very early into her independence, according to the MoFA.
Ted Kennedy Jr. meets PM Hasina along with his family
Ted Kennedy Jr. and his family members paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.
They met the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban in the morning, according to PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Kennedy Jr., son of the late US Senator Edward M. Kennedy and nephew of the late US President John F. Kennedy, and his family members is in Bangladesh to attend the celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations arranged by the US embassy here in Dhaka.
Read more: Family of US Senator Ted Kennedy, a true friend of Bangladesh, to visit Dhaka
Ihsanul said the prime minister welcomed the members of the Kennedy family, saying that this visit is very significant during the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations.
She expressed gratitude to the family members for Edward M. Kennedy's outstanding contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina also recalled the visit of Edward M. Kennedy who was a staunch advocate for Bangladesh’s fight for independence, to Bangladesh in February, 1972.
Remembering late Edward Kennedy as a true friend of Bangladesh, the PM said he had also visited the refugee camps in India at that time.
She said the late US senator on 11th of December 1971 took a bold stance against the genocide committed against freedom-loving Bengalis by the Pakistan military in 1971.
Hasina said her ancestral home at Tungipara of Gopalganj was also set on fire during the 1971 Liberation War.
She said Senator M Kennedy raised his voice and drummed up public opinions in the USA in support to Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
The PM also highlighted various welfare steps taken by her government, including providing houses for homeless people.
During the meeting, Ted Kennedy Jr. said the then US President Nixon and Secretary of States Henry Kissinger supplied arms to the then West Pakistan, according the media briefing by the press sectary.
He said Kennedy family has been working for the justice and equality for the disabled people. He will meet with the organisations in Dhaka, which are working for the welfare of the disabled people.
Read more: Payra Port has so far earned revenues worth over Tk 600cr: PM Hasina
During the meeting, Kennedy Jr. was accompanied by Dr. Katherine Kennedy (wife), Dr Kiley Kennedy (daughter) and Teddy Kennedy (son).
Accompanied by his family members Ted Kennedy Jr. arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a seven-day visit to Bangladesh. He is scheduled to travel t0 Rajshahi and Bogura.
PM's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present.
Bangladesh, Myanmar border guards meet Sunday to discuss tension
A flag meeting between members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) at commander level will be held over the prevailing unrest along the border at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar.
Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar, commanding officer of BGB-2 Battalion, told UNB that they would discuss the issues related to the border security and prevailing tension.
“You have learned what incidents have happened, we will discuss issues, which have triggered tension among our people living along the border,” he said.
On September 16, a Rohingya boy was killed and five others injured as a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar army exploded at a Rohingya Camp located at the Zero Point of the border.
Read: BGB wide awake along border with Myanmar: DG
On the same day, another Bangladeshi young man was seriously injured in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari upazila in Bandarban.
Local people said it was the Myanmar army that had planted mines the area. One exploded near the Tombru border.
In the face of continuous gunfire and mortar shelling inside Myanmar close to the Bangladesh border local authorities evacuated 30 families from Dochari and Ghumdhum unions at Naikhongchhari on October 23.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently summoned Myanmar envoy to Dhaka several times and formally protested against the move by the Buddhist-majority nation’s military.
‘Reports misquoting me tried to create adverse situation between Bangladesh, US’
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that he feels journalists of the country “have weaknesses and lack maturity” when reporting.
The minister said this after paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum in Tungipara this afternoon.
Talking about the media “misquoting” him recently, Momen said that the headlines used were “false and imaginary”.
Read: Momen misquoted by media: MoFA
“Media outlets including print, electronic and online published news with false headlines that the USA ‘a war-mongering country’, which I didn’t say. The headings had no connection with what I actually said. I think our journalists have weaknesses and I’ll be happy if they gain maturity,” Momen said.
Momen added that the reports “misquoting him” put Bangladesh in an awkward position and the US may get a wrong impression about the country and this government.
“Through misrepresenting the facts, our journalists have tried to create an adverse situation between the US and Bangladesh. Either these journalists didn’t know Bangla properly, or they had done this with specific reasons. They need to research why such low quality journalism prevails in the country,” Momen added.
Read Momen in NY: No specific info given by US on Rab sanctions
The foreign minister further said that journalism in Bangladesh doesn’t have the standards, moral and ethical values it used to have in the past.
“It’s a shame for those journalists who wrote those false stories,” Momen said.
Momen said he was misquoted on October 26 by some media outlets after he spoke at the seminar on "Sheikh Hasina at the United Nations", organised by the Progressive Columnist Forum of Bangladesh at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Read Momen meets Lavrov, pitches for stronger international support for resolving Rohingya crisis
Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a rejoinder, saying that misleading and baseless news quoting Foreign Minister Momen sent a wrong message to the people and the government of the US.
‘Will honour 50th anniversary of my father’s pivotal role in Bangladesh’s independence struggle’
Edward M. Kennedy Jr. will deliver a speech — commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh-US relations — on October 31 at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.
US Ambassador Peter D Haas and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman will be present during the speech.
"My family and I will honour the 50th anniversary of my father’s pivotal role in the Bangladeshi struggle for independence," said Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy Jr., son of the late US Senator Edward M. Kennedy and nephew of the late US President John F. Kennedy, and his family will visit Bengal Foundation in Dhanmondi on Sunday (October 30, 2022).
Family members accompanying him will include Dr. Katherine Kennedy (wife), Dr Kiley Kennedy (daughter), Teddy Kennedy (son), Grace Kennedy Allen (niece), and Max Allen (nephew).
The Kennedy family will be attending a live classical music performance, a traveling library exhibition and the ongoing art exhibition at Bengal Foundation gallery.
The family will also visit the organizer’s bookstore to encourage readership.
When approached, a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka termed it a “historic visit.”
The Kennedy family is visiting Bangladesh to mark the yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US relations.
They will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
Under the auspices of the US Department of State’s Speakers Program, Kennedy Jr. will commemorate the legacy of his father as a staunch advocate for Bangladesh’s fight for independence and will visit the banyan tree his father planted to symbolize the friendship between the United States and Bangladesh.
As a lawyer and advocate for civil rights of individuals with disabilities, he will also deliver a lecture on disability rights at the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts.
During the one-week visit to Bangladesh, the Kennedy family will visit various cultural attractions and meet with civil society representatives, US government-sponsored exchange programme alumni and Bangladesh government officials.
In February, 1972, Senator Ted Kennedy spoke to the students at University of Dhaka and said, "You know while some governments do not yet recognise you, the people of the world do recognise you, and they recognise all you have accomplished here in the name of freedom from tyranny and oppression. We are brothers in liberty, and no man, no policy, no government can change that fact."
Senator Kennedy planted a banyan tree on Dhaka University’s campus as a living tribute to friendship, resilience, and hope, and it stands today.
Senator Ted Kennedy, during his 1972 visit to Dhaka, also said, “The struggle of the people of Bangladesh evokes the greatest memories of our past.
Bangladeshi entrepreneurs showcase innovative designs for first time at Dutch Design Week
Bangladeshi manufacturers and entrepreneurs showcased their innovative designs and concepts at the Dutch Design Week 2022 for the first time in the Netherlands' Eindhoven to explore collaboration to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
Bangladeshi companies like APEX leather, Walton, ACI, Nourish, and Beniboonon reached out to 1,500 innovative designers at the largest design event in northern Europe Thursday.
The Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands organised the unique projection at the Dutch Design Week with the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka, Eindhoven-based Brainport International Project Office, Frontier Fund, and the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.
Leading Dutch Design expert and former director of Design Week, Hans Robertus, presented to the Bangladeshi manufacturers how they could gain an advantage by investing in design innovation aimed at the global market.
Every year, hundreds of designers converge at Dutch Design Week where emerging thinking or trends in design, innovation, new materials, sustainability, and concepts are showcased to entrepreneurs from Europe and beyond.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Riaz Hamidullah indicated the Dutch side's readiness in pitching Bangladesh in future Design Weeks by having more creative and inspiring Bangladeshi companies.
Syed Nasim Manzur of Apex said: "Dutch Design Week is an important source of inspiration for what the future looks like from sustainability and consumer demand. Bangladesh has started to transition from simply selling products and services to creating and designing its brands."
"Dutch Design Week can be a valued source of strength for Bangladeshis. This kind of engagement must continue to inspire the next generation of designers – both in Holland and Bangladesh – to solve the problems we all face."
Read more: Yunnan has immense opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses: Speakers
Labelling Bangladesh as "the largest living lab," Manzur invited the Dutch designers to explore collaboration opportunities.
Walton signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) at the Bangladesh event. The company's Deputy Managing Director Liakat Ali said the collaboration is a significant step towards establishing its brand in the global market.
This collaboration with DAE in Eindhoven aims to produce innovative products which would "give Walton an edge to make globally competitive products," Liakat added.
The DAE director welcomed it as an exciting opportunity to "ensure smart use of materials and developing newer conceptual products."
ACI Director (plastic industry) Prodip Kumar Poddar said: "Bangladesh's plastic products, used daily, offer an opportunity in the recycling industry."
He hoped to develop sustainable and commercially viable plastic products.
Bangladesh ambassador presents credentials to Bolivian president
Bangladesh Ambassador Sadia Faizunnesa has presented her credentials to Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora in La Paz.
Sadia assumed the charge of ambassador of Bangladesh to Brazil on October 17, 2021. She will also serve as Bangladesh's non-resident ambassador to Bolivia.
Following the presentation of her credentials Wednesday, the Bangladesh ambassador had a meeting with Luis Arce.
Sadia spoke about the friendship between legendary Latin American leader Fidel Castro and Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh considers labour rights related recommendations from US, EU, ILO with due importance: PM's Adviser
Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment Salman F. Rahman has said Bangladesh considers the recommendations of the United States of America, European Union and the International Labor Organization (ILO) on labor rights with due importance.
Speaking at the virtual meeting of the US-Bangladesh labor working group on Thursday, Rahman detailed the steps taken by the current government in the labor sector.
The Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment and US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez led the Bangladesh and US delegations respectively at the inaugural meeting of the working group.
US team leader Fernandez praised the steps taken to develop the labour sector in Bangladesh and called for the full implementation of the recommendations of the International Labor Organization, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
He pledged to provide necessary cooperation and work together for the further development of the labour sector of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh and the US discussed "collaboration and assistance" to Bangladesh as it takes further steps to implement the requirements developed by Bangladesh for its International Labor Organization roadmap and adhere to internationally recognized labor rights.
"We will be stronger in every field", says Turkish Ambassador Turan seeking broader partnership
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said his country is determined to develop its partnership with Bangladesh further based on shared interests and for the mutual well-being of people in the coming days.
"Our economic development trajectories bode well for a promising future. We will be stronger in every field if we develop our partnership further on this solid foundation," he said.
Türkiye is best placed to understand Bangladesh and always stands in solidarity with the government of Bangladesh in the years to come, said the ambassador.
In a message marking the Turkish National Day, Ambassador Turan said Turkish investors have already recognized Bangladesh as a land of opportunities, and invested in key sectors of the economy such as energy, consumer goods and ready made garments.
"Our trade is booming despite pandemic, expected to reach 1.5 billion USD in 2022," he said, adding that Turkish Airlines have increased the number of their flights to 14 a week.
Businesses from the two countries are meeting at online and offline B2B meetings.
The envoy highlighted another shared value the two countries have: hospitality towards foreigners and particularly those in need.
Both of the countries host millions of refugees, 4 million Syrians in Türkiye and over 1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
"We set the standards for humanity in taking care of the vulnerable people fleeing persecution and violence," said Turan.
He said 99 years ago, Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye.
"This was possible thanks to the
sacrifices made by the Turkish nation and the Independence War led by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founding Father of the Republic of Türkiye," said the envoy.
Read: Bangladeshi students accorded reception by High Commission in Turkey
Turkish people were victorious against the foreign armies also because of the support extended by friendly nations around the world.
"Bengali nation was one of them. We will never forget the helping hand of our Bengali brothers and sisters during our most difficult times," Ambassador Turan said.
Turkish War of Independence and establishment of the Republic of
Türkiye in October 1923 had sparked joy and inspiration for other nations under occupation at the time.
Kazi Nazrul Islam, the revolutionary poet of Bengal, had expressed his admiration for
Mustafa Kemal in his epic poem titled “Kemal Pasha”.
"His name is given to the most prestigious avenues in Dhaka and Chattogram and a
high school in Feni as a sign of respect for what he stood for, freedom and independence," said the Turkish envoy.
"Today, rising on the legacy of our Founding Fathers, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, both Türkiye and Bangladesh are thriving countries," he said.
On 20 October 2021, the two countries have launched the Bangladesh-Türkiye Business Forum (BTBF) in Dhaka.
Bringing together six major Turkish companies operating in Bangladesh and eleven prominent Bangladeshi companies who are doing business with Türkiye, BTBF will promote better economic and trade relations between the two countries and facilitate partnerships based on our shared values, said Ambassador Turan.
"Indeed, our shared values date back to the times of Hazrat Shah Jalal, whose mother was from Konya, the Turkish city where Hazrat Mawlana Jelaleddin Rumi lived and died," said the envoy who visited Sylhet, the city of saints, where Hazrat Shah Jalal’s shrine is revered and visited by millions who respect him and his wisdom.
"Konya and Sylhet are sister cities, bringing us closer," he added.
Dhaka, Washington discuss supporting Bangladesh's commitments to labour rights protections
Bangladesh and the US have discussed how the North American country can support Bangladeshi implementation of commitments to improve labour rights protections and further economic cooperation between the two countries.
On Thursday, Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman and US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez led the Bangladesh and US delegations at the inaugural meeting of the US-Bangladesh Labor Working Group.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed collaboration and assistance to Bangladesh as it takes further steps to implement the requirements developed by Bangladesh for its International Labor Organization roadmap and adhere to internationally recognised labour rights, according to the office of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State.
Read: Dhaka-Washington: A thaw in the offing?