foreign-affairs
South Sudanese ministers visit Pran-RFL industrial park
A seven-member delegation of South Sudan visited Pran-RFL industrial park in Palash, Narsingdi Thursday.
The delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Dau Deng Malek, visited different parts of the Industrial Park. It also included General Chol Thon Balok, deputy minister of defence and veteran affairs.
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Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of Pran-RFL, Eleash Mridha, managing director of the group, RN Paul, managing director at RFL Group, Kamruzzaman Kamal, director (marketing) of Pran-RFL, apprised the delegation of various aspects of the production process.
Deng Dau Deng Malek said: "There is a good demand for agro-processing products in South Sudan. Pran can grab the opportunity. The steps taken by the group for manufacturing products using modern technologies are praiseworthy."
Ahsan Khan said: "Pran-RFL is now exporting products to 47 African countries. The demand for our products is increasing day by day. We hope we will do better to export our products to South Sudan in the upcoming days."
50 years of diplomatic ties: Japan hands over commemorative coins to Bangladesh
Japan has delivered commemorative coins to Bangladesh to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
"The coins designed with cherry blossom and water lily symbolise our long-lasting friendship. We hope that the commemorative coins will be seen by many people and contribute to further strengthening our friendly relations," said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki Thursday.
The envoy met Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir and handed over the commemorative coins.
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Japan recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign nation on February 10,1972.
Under the Japan Mint and Bangladesh Bank cooperation, 13,000 pieces of Tk50 denominated commemorative silver coins were minted and 3,000 coins were delivered to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, Japan celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in Tokyo
Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan on Thursday with due fervor.
The Embassy organized a reception in a local reputed hotel- the New Otani. The venue has a historical connection to the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stayed at this hotel during the historical and first official visit to Japan in 1973.
Bangabandhu had chosen Japan as one of the first few countries to visit after independence. That historic visit laid the foundation of the unwavering friendship between the two countries and its peoples till today, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo.
Read: Smart Grid: Power Cell to get $1.5mn assistance from US
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 and successfully elevated the relations to a ‘comprehensive partnership’ level encompassing mutual cooperation at bilateral, regional and global level.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed welcomed the guests to the reception where Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro was the chief guest.
Ambassador Ahmed expressed gratefulness to Japan and its people for their recognition of newly independent country Bangladesh on 10 February 1972.
Smart Grid: Power Cell to get $1.5mn assistance from US
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded nearly $1.5 million technical assistance grant to Power Cell, a policy and planning agency under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh.
The assistance will help improve the reliability, affordability and resiliency of Bangladesh’s electricity grid through smart grid infrastructure.
“For USTDA, the grant we are signing is an important example of the climate-smart infrastructure projects we are looking to support,” said Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally (Ret.), USTDA’s Acting Director.
“It has the potential to shape Bangladesh’s power grid, to make it more efficient and dynamic, and to create a stronger foundation for the integration of renewable energy solutions.”
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USTDA’s assistance will provide a detailed roadmap that will provide an investment and implementation schedule for using smart grid technologies to improve the grid in Bangladesh over the next ten years.
Massachusetts-based Boston Consulting Group will carry out the assistance.
“Two-way communication brought about by a smart grid will allow us to generate and use power more intelligently and efficiently. Implementing a smart grid is therefore an infrastructure development as potent as any bridge or flyover,” said Helen LaFave, Chargé d’Affaires, of the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday.
This activity advances the goals of USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects U.S. industry to major clean transport and energy infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.
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USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
Dhaka appreciates Genocide Watch’s statement
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has thanked Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Genocide Watch for their statements on ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day’.
Dr Momen said their statements will contribute towards accelerating the pace as well as the spirit of efforts for achieving global recognition of 25 March as the ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day.’Genocide Watch recently issued a declaration in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Genocide perpetrated against Bangladesh and its people by Pakistani Army. "[The] people of Bangladesh find solace in your words of empathy who were subject to widespread and systematic crimes by the Pakistani forces and their local allies during our great war of Independence in 1971," said Dr Momen in a letter sent to Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, Founding President of Genocide Watch. Following a unanimous decision adopted by Bangladesh Parliament on 11 March 2017, the people of Bangladesh have been observing 25 March as ‘Genocide Day’. "We also establish “Genocide corner” in our Ministry. The Parliament tasked the government to secure international recognition in favor of Bangladesh’s Genocide Day," Dr Momen said.
Read: As decade of development looms, Port City leaders ask for suffering to be 'tolerable' In a separate letter, the Foreign Minister said the statement by Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention will contribute in accelerating the pace as well as spirit of their efforts for achieving global recognition of 25 March as the ‘Bangladesh’s Genocide Day.’"I write to thank you for the Statement issued by the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention on the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 perpetrated against Bangladeshi people by Pakistani Army," said Dr Momen in his letter to Elisa von Joeden-Forgey and Irene Victoria Massimino, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention.The Foreign Minister wished them good health, happiness, and continued success.
50 Years of Ties: Bangladesh, Japanese PMs pledge to strengthen ties
Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Japan have committed to "strengthen bonds of amity and cooperation" as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries falls on February 10.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have issued separate goodwill video messages on the occasion of the 50the anniversary of bilateral relations.
Both the Prime Ministers congratulated the people of the two friendly countries on this momentous occasion.
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Japan officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent state on February 10, 1972.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, expressed the gratitude of the people of Bangladesh for the precious support and contributions of Japan and its people during Bangladesh’s War of Liberation.
She highlighted the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973, which laid the foundation of a steadfast and lasting friendship between the two countries.
She also expressed her contentment to carry forward Bangabandhu’s legacy and visit Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and in 2019 to further strengthen the two countries’ relations.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned the solid foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries, poised to be raised from “Comprehensive Partnership” to “Strategic Partnership” in the near future.
She acknowledged the sustained economic cooperation and support of Japan and expressed the hope that last fifty years’ enviable cooperation would remain an inspiration for the coming fifty years for mutually beneficial gains.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in his message, reiterated Japan’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh.
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He referred the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 as the solid base in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Highly appreciating the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to stand beside Bangladesh for the mutual benefits of the two peoples.
He assured Japan’s continued support to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
At a ceremony jointly organized on this occasion by the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh this afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen; Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki spoke at the celebration event.
Video messages of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Japanse Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were played.
Message of President of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League Taro Aso was also read out.
As the chief guest of the ceremony, Dr Momen recalled with gratitude moral and material support provided to us by the Government and people of Japan to our War of Liberation.
He also paid deep respect to the “Friends of Bangladesh” from Japan, whom Bangladesh has awarded for their invaluable contributions to the independence of Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Momen highlighted the historical kinship between the two countries.
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to Japan in 1973 sealed the relationship between the two friendly countries for eternity.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is progressing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to achieve the dream of Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla, he stressed on the instrumental role of Japan as a key development partner in this endeavour.
Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki highlighted the robust multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
He assured Japan’s continued cooperation for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh as well as repatriation of Rohingya people.
Colorful dance performances at the courtesy of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy were also presented at the ceremony.
Chairmen of BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA and high-level representatives from Japanese business community in Bangladesh, among others, attended the event.
Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the relations between Bangladesh and Japan have steadily grown from strength to strength with accelerated pace in recent years since Bangabandhu's visit to Japan.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paid the historic visit to Japan in October 1973.
"As we cross the milestone of 50 years of friendship, I’m confident that together we can build a peaceful and prosperous future for all," Dr Momen said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing a function on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan that falls on February 10.
Read: Bangladesh-Japan partnership poised to soar high: PM
Dr Momen said since the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, the two countries have consolidated close cooperation to new heights through trade, investment, development cooperation, education and cultural exchange, and a broad spectrum of people-to-people contacts.
The Embassy of Japan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs cohosted the event at the Foreign Service Academy.
Bangladesh, India share best practices in waste management
Indore Municipal Corporation in India and Dhaka North City Corporation have held productive discussions on how to take forward cooperation in the field of solid waste management and other municipal services.
They have shared the best practices in solid waste management noting that there is much scope for mutual learning.
A virtual dialogue was organised between the two sides to that end on Tuesday.
Read:Korea intend to intensify engagement with Chattogram
The webinar was facilitated by the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of India.
Korea intend to intensify engagement with Chattogram
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun has expressed his willingness to engage actively with Chattogram in strengthening bilateral friendly ties between Korea and Bangladesh.
Lee Jang-keun has shared a cooperation project with Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury to prepare a master plan of urban transportation for Chattogram Metropolitan area which will include mass transit line and metro rail
The project will be implemented between 2022 and 2024 through KOICA, Korea’s international development agency, with a total cost of US$ 6 million.
The project is expected to contribute to the urban and infrastructure development of Chattogram, the second largest city of and a gate city to Bangladesh, as well as reducing the city’s increasing traffic congestion problem.
Ambassador Lee, during his visit to Chattogram, paid a courtesy call to the Mayor on Monday.
Ambassador Lee briefed on various cooperation programs Korea has been conducting in Chattogram such as the Chattogram BKTTC (Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Center), the establishment of Cyber Investigation Center in the Chattogram Police, Bhandal Jhuri Water Supply Project with C-WASA and Karnapuli Railway cum Road Bridge.
A group of Korean experts led by Professor Chang Il-joon, an urban transportation specialist, are currently visiting Bangladesh and will have meetings with stakeholders of Bangladesh both in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Japan to financially support operations of WFP & IOM in Bangladesh
Japan will provide USD 9 million to support the operations of World Food Programme (WFP) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh.
This support contributes approximately USD 4.55 million to WFP to develop agricultural infrastructure, strengthen market linkage with rural farmers, and improve the food value chain in Cox’s Bazar, Ishwardi, and Patuakahali District, the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka said in a press release on Tuesday.
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It will also provide approximately USD 4.47 million to IOM for construction and maintenance of shelters, disaster risk reduction activities, maintenance of medical facilities and latrines, and the construction of deep tube well in the “Rohingya” refugee camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar district.