foreign-affairs
Bangladesh, UAE review ties ahead of PM’s planned visit in March
Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates have reviewed the bilateral relations ahead of expected visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the UAE in March as the two countries eye to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership.
The Prime Minister will visit the UAE at the invitation of her UAE counterpart and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen held a bilateral meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah-bin-Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai on Sunday and discussed the issues of mutual interest and upcoming visit.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks investment from expatriate business community in UAE
Dr Momen congratulated the UAE leadership and people on their 50th anniversary of their nationhood while appreciating the spectacular achievements during the last five decades.
Two Foreign Ministers agreed to organize some special events to mark the twin golden jubilee of nationhood of Bangladesh and UAE, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Both the Foreign Ministers recalled the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and underlined the need to work together in all areas of cooperation to the mutual benefits of the two peoples.
Among the issues, they highlighted mutual commitment to deeper political engagement, cooperation in trade, commerce, investment and economic areas, enhanced air and maritime connectivity especially establishing direct shipping links between the two countries’ seaports and introducing direct cargo flights to maintain seamless and uninterrupted supply chains.
Both the Foreign Ministers also agreed to explore new contours of collaboration in the field of agriculture and food security, culture, cooperation in the field of science, innovation and technology with focus on ICT, IoT and digitalization in order to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive partnership.
Also read: FM to visit UAE from Feb 10-13 to attend series of events
The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on the regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Dr Momen briefed the UAE Foreign Minister of the situation arising out of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals currently sheltered in Bangladesh and sought continued cooperation and support of the UAE for an early resolution of the crisis.
He extended an invitation to the UAE Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at his convenience which was graciously accepted by Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen led a seven-member delegation to the UAE on a bilateral visit from February 10-13.
During his stay in Abu Dhabi, Dr Momen also met the Director General, IRENA and attended several programmes including the Bangladesh Business Council meeting in Dubai and seminar organized at Dubai EXPO 2020 by Bangladesh Tourism Board, seminar at Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, in Abu Dhabi.
He also inaugurated the Bangabandhu Corner at Bangladesh Consulate, Dubai and visited a Skill Development Centre for Bangladeshi workers there.
Dhaka still hopeful of Khairuzzaman’s extradition
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday reiterated that M Khairuzzaman, arrested in Malaysia, would be brought back home soon though his wife, Rieta Rahman, initiating various efforts to stop the Malaysian government from deporting the former Bangladesh envoy.
“I’m confident he (Khairuzzaman) is coming back,” said the State Minister when approached by journalists.
Shahriar Alam referred to the existing good relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia and said there has been “no disagreement” from the Malaysian side.
He also hinted that the government can talk to the UN, if necessary, to explain further as there is a specific definition for refugees.
Read: France recalls historic moments with Bangladesh
According to media reports, Khairuzzaman holds a UN refugee card.
Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country, according to the UN refugee agency - UNHCR.
The State Minister said one who is okay on all fronts and financially solvent can never be a refugee. “If so, all criminals will seek a refugee status in any country of the world. That’s not logical.”
Earlier, the Malaysian government confirmed the arrest of Khairuzzaman due to an "offence" he "committed."
Khairuzzaman, a retired army major, was accused of participating in the 1975 Jail Killing case and was later acquitted before being appointed as Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Malaysia in 2007 during the caretaker government.
Read: Bangladesh has ample capacity to run “free, fair” election: UK Envoy
Soon after his arrest, State Minister Shahriar Alam said there is a scope to interrogate him again in person and look into the case against him again.
He, however, said the Law Ministry is in a better position to talk about the legal aspects. "I don't want to jump into a conclusion."
Malaysian Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin on Thursday said he was aware of the arrest. "The arrest was made according to procedures," The Star, a Malaysian daily, quoted him in its online version as saying.
After the Awami League-led government came to power in 2009, he was recalled to Dhaka.
But Khairuzzaman did not return and obtained the UN Refugee Card in Kuala Lumpur and continued to stay back there, according to The Star.
France recalls historic moments with Bangladesh
The French Embassy in Dhaka on Monday shared two photos recalling two historic moments with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The historic photos were shared as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Read:Bangladesh has ample capacity to run “free, fair” election: UK Envoy
“We wish to express our joy to celebrate today the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Bangladesh,” said the Embassy in a message.
Bangladesh has ample capacity to run “free, fair” election: UK Envoy
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday said the next national election in Bangladesh is going to be a “very important moment” for all which will help the country build better and productive relationship with its friends globally.
The envoy said this at the “Meet the Reporters” programme hosted by Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) where he expressed his hope for a “fair and credible” process for the elections due at the end of 2023.
Read:Our shared aim is to see safe repatriation of Rohingyas: Dickson
“There’s ample capacity in Bangladesh to run a free and fair election,” he said, reiterating that election needs to be “Bangladesh-led” and it is not for Bangladesh’s friends to say how this process should run.
The high commissioner said the United Kingdom (UK) and their international partners support the “plural and transparent” democracy in Bangladesh provided in the Constitution.
Highlighting the importance of a credible Election Commission, he said it will be easier for everybody to have a “productive friendship” with Bangladesh if the election is carried out in a way which is “free, fair and credible.”
Dickson said there will be better relationship between Bangladesh and its friends after a credible election.
Globally, he said, long term stability and economic growth flourish best in open and democratic societies with strong institutions, public accountability and competitive elections.
The envoy appreciated the milestones such as the Election Commission formation process and laid emphasis on strong commitments from all parties on a “free and fair” process.
He said they are supporting the COVID-19 pandemic response in Bangladesh and provided 4.1 million vaccines under Covax in December last year. “We hope to provide more soon.”
He said they have been supporting the Bangladesh ministry of health to develop a well-coordinated national response plan, resourced by all the development partners and the government of Bangladesh.
Dickson also talked about Bangladesh-UK flourishing defence relations, human rights issues, trade and investment and climate partnership and media freedom.
“We’ll continue to exchange expertise, share technology, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges, with the shared aim of producing the real change we need to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees,” he said.
Read:FM for well-calibrated action agenda for tourism sector
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK, following Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic press conference at Claridges’ Hotel, his meeting with PM Edward Heath and his return to a newly liberated Bangladesh by the Royal Air Force.
In the intervening half century the relationship has been transformed, said the British envoy.
In the 50th year of “Brit-Bangla Bondhon”, the two countries are building on all the links that exist between Bangladesh and the UK, including the diaspora, the 600,000 people living in the UK with Bangladeshi heritage, and the much wider range of links that exist between the two countries on security, defence, climate, COVID-19, trade, and a whole range of issues on which we work very closely with friends and partners in and beyond government in Bangladesh.
DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke welcoming the envoy.
Our shared aim is to see safe repatriation of Rohingyas: Dickson
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday said their shared aim is to see “voluntary, safe and dignified” repatriation for the Rohingya as soon as conditions in Myanmar allow.
“Bangladesh continues to be extraordinarily generous in its response. The refugees have access to healthcare, food, shelter, and water and sanitation,” he said while addressing a programme hosted by Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event.
The High Commissioner said they have seen generosity in the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines for refugees.
Also read: World now looks at Bangladesh with admiration, says Dickson
He, however, said despite progress, the situation remains challenging both for the Rohingyas, especially for women, and for their hosts in Bangladesh.
“We’re leading donor to the international response to the Rohingya refugee crisis having contributed over £320m since 2017 to support both refugees in the camps and host communities including in building resilience against COVID-19,” said the High Commissioner.
Describing the Rohingya crisis as a “tragedy for all involved,” the British High Commissioner said no one chooses to live in a refugee camp or to host a large influx of displaced people.
“As with so many other refugees worldwide, the great majority of the Rohingya population say they want to return home,” said the British envoy, adding that they are ensuring the Rohingyas and Bangladesh are not forgotten.
High Commissioner Dickson said they raise the plight of the Rohingya on the international stage, including in the UN Security Council. “As a new Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, we support the efforts of the ASEAN Special Envoy.”
Also read:Bangladesh seeks investment from expatriate business community in UAE
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island.
FM for well-calibrated action agenda for tourism sector
A well-calibrated action agenda for the tourism sector can serve as a great tool to diversify not only the foreign currency earning capability but also the productive capability of the country’s economy, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said.
"I believe that we can twin tourism with the tenets of solid economic relocation for innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives from around the globe to Bangladesh," he said.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the country’s sustainable economic diversification and promoted the distinct Bangladeshi tea brand in Dubai, UAE while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Explore Mujib’s Bangladesh: A Hidden Gem of Tourism in South Asia” held at the Bangladesh Pavilion of EXPO 2020 Dubai on Saturday.
The seminar was arranged by Bangladesh Tourism Board, an organization which is responsible for ameliorating tourism of Bangladesh, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Dr Momen mentioned the importance of transforming tourism’s immense potential into a unique brand of the country’s enchanting natural beauty that has been unexplored and unknown by global tourists.
Read:Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
The Foreign Minister focused on the environment friendly tourism industry so that it becomes sustainable one.
Stating from a report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Dr Momen said only 3 percent of total tourists visits Bangladesh per year are foreigners and rest 97 percent is from local origin.
Addressing as a special guest in the seminar, Md. Mokammel Hossain, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, opined that successful implementation of ongoing mega projects will bring new doorway to the tourism sector of the country.
He also revealed the plan of constructing exclusive tourism, ocean tourism, theme park etc to attract foreign tourists to our country.
Read: FM to visit UAE from Feb 10-13 to attend series of events
Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Abu Zafar, Ambassador of Bangladesh to UAE, among others, were present.
Bangladesh seeks investment from expatriate business community in UAE
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the expatriate Bangladeshi business community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in Bangladesh and help the country to grow further.
"Bangladesh has now become a land of opportunity from the cliché of a so-called bottomless basket," said Dr Momen while addressing a business meeting hosted by Bangladesh Business Council (BBC) at a local hotel in Dubai as the chief guest.
He recalled the tireless contribution of the expatriate workers in collective achievement of Bangladesh while terming them as heroes.
The foreign minister called upon the CIPs and businessmen to take advantage of the business-friendly environment prevailing in Bangladesh and urged them to share the country’s achievements to the global community.
The meeting, held on Friday, was chaired by Mahtabur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Business Council, Dubai.
The programme included a thematic seminar on "Role of NRBs" in the implementation of economic and public diplomacy and a reception.
Also read: Bangladesh, US keen to further strengthen ties with greater engagements
Dr Momen handed over the crests to the new recipients of 26 CIPs awarded last year.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE Md. Abu Jafor and Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai were present in the meeting as special guests.
The Foreign Minister paid deep tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, for his unique contribution to the national history: an independent national identity- a state and ‘a dream of transformation of the newly born state’s socioeconomic conditions’.
He highlighted the country’s remarkable transformation from the identity of a food deficit country to a food-surplus one under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Reduction of absolute poverty through the social safety net program and ensuring home for the homeless--the Ashrayan project are other additions to the many success stories of Bangladesh, he added.
Dr Momen also apprised the gathering about the measures undertaken by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic for the welfare of the expatriate community.
Recalling his continuous engagements with his counterparts in securing safety and interests of Bangladesh community abroad, he elaborated the measures undertaken in this context.
Also read: Bangladesh promotes culture of peace: FM
He underlined the need of opening the new window of economic diplomacy stating that the new canvas would open up scope and expanse of investment opportunities, enhancement of trade, export etc. gainful employment of people, as well as knowledge- based technology and skills in the country’s economy.
Mahtabur Rahman, founder Chairman of the Bangladesh Business Council and Chairman of the NRB Bank, urged the government to step up efforts to establish a direct shipping link between Chittagong and Dubai.
He also sought government’s cooperation in allocating an Exclusive Economic Zone for the CIPs.
The Foreign Minister assured the business community of their possible integration to the country’s development processes.
The Foreign Minister is now leading a 10- member delegation to the UAE on a bilateral visit from February 10-13.
Earlier, he addressed a seminar on "Bangabandhu’s Vision for World Peace and Security: Its relevance in Today’s World" at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi.
The delegation included among others, Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East), Iqbal Hussain Khan DG (West Asia) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka.
Bangladesh, US keen to further strengthen ties with greater engagements
U.S. Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas has said he is keen to working together with Bangladesh to move forward the relationship as the two countries eye greater engagements marking the 50th anniversary of Dhaka-Washington diplomatic ties.
He was speaking at an interaction session with the officers of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C. on Friday.
Read:Bangladesh promotes culture of peace: FM
Ambassador designate Haas paid the visit to the Embassy before taking up his assignment in Dhaka.
He was received by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam and other officials of the Mission.
Bangladesh promotes culture of peace: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh adopted a 'culture of peace,' which is Bangabandhu's vision who wanted an independent space for human life and human dignity.
"Bangabandhu wanted an independent refuge in the very quotidian life where he or she could be safe from oppression, hunger, malnutrition, ignorance and hatred," said Dr Momen.
He was delivering a keynote speech at the prestigious Emirates Centre for Strategic and Security Studies at Abu Dhabi on the “Vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Global Peace and World Security”.
Read:Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM
The foreign minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an ardent campaigner for peace, justice, and humanity.
He said Bangabandhu gave precedence to the ‘rule of law’. “Even when those same rules and laws were institutionalised to oppose his vision and his political and economic objectives, Bangabandhu never adhered to violence or hatred as a countermeasure," said the Minister.
Momen noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of the world and of world peace is rooted in the vision of Bangabandhu.
During the 66th UN General Assembly in 2011, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the world a six-point multi-dimensional peace-centric development model for championing democracy and people's empowerment.
The six multipliers of her proposed model include eradication of poverty and hunger, reduction of inequality and gainful employment, mitigation of deprivation, inclusion of excluded people, acceleration of human development and including imparting education and technology and elimination of terrorism, Momen said.
bKash to bring payments to freelancers through Payoneer in real time
Freelancers in Bangladesh will now be able to receive payments instantly to their bKash account from all over the world through Payoneer.
Payoneer, a US-based commerce technology company powering payments and growth for the new global economy; Brac Bank, a leading private commercial bank of Bangladesh; and bKash, Bangladesh's largest mobile financial services provider jointly launched the service through a virtual event on Thursday.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak , state minister for information and communication technology (ICT), inaugurated the service as the chief guest.
Read: Magnito Digital partners with bKash
Russel T. Ahmed, President of BASIS; Rohit Kulkarni, Regional Senior Vice President of Payoneer and Robert Clarkson, Chief Revenue Officer of Payoneer; Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director & CEO of Brac Bank and Kamal Quadir, Chief Executive Officer of bKash along with senior officials of respective organizations also joined the event.
“I would like to thank bKash, Payoneer and BRAC Bank for making the process faster and secured for the freelancers," Palak said, adding that skilled human resources are their greatest strength.
He said aound 6,50,000 freelancers of the country have been contributing 16 percent to the world’s online outsourcing.
According to a study by Oxford Internet Institute, Bangladesh is the second largest destination for online outsourcing, Palak said.
During last 13 years, 2 million young technology based employment have been created with various initiatives and policies of the government, and we are working for further expansion, he added.
“Bangladesh is a key growth market for Payoneer globally,” said Robert Clarkson, Chief Revenue Officer of Payoneer.
Clarkson said they have always believed in the incredible potential of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and this partnership with bKash highlights their commitment to invest in and provide the best solutions for our local customers.
"Our mission is to be a partner of growth for digital businesses of all sizes, from all corners of the world. We are thrilled to team up with local leaders like bKash and BRAC Bank to empower Bangladeshi freelancers to expand their economic opportunities.”
Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, said they are delighted to be a partner of bKash and Payoneer in bringing earnings of the freelancers directly and instantly to bKash account.
"This service will give comfort and convenience to the freelancing professionals and enhance remittance inflow to the country in legal channel. Together we can play an enabling role in making Bangladesh a global freelancing hub and boost foreign exchange earnings.”
Kamal Quadir, CEO of bKash, said rding on the expanding digital infrastructure of Bangladesh, there is ample opportunity to take the country's freelancing sector to a stronger position in the global market.
"The easy method of getting payments in their bKash accounts through a regulated process will remove one of the key pain points of freelancers, which is to conveniently receive payment from their clients. This will surely encourage more people to start freelancing as well as help the existing ones dedicate more time and attention to their tasks.”
The 24/7 real-time payment service will bring more dynamism to the thriving freelancing sector and accelerate the flow of remittance through legal channels to the country.
As per the Oxford Internet Institute’s Online Labor Index, Bangladesh is a global powerhouse when it comes to ICT freelancing services.
Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi freelancers are currently providing services in this sector worldwide.
They are adding hundreds of millions of dollars a year in foreign exchange to the country's economy. Bangladesh is one of the top income generating sources from freelancing in the world.
With this new service tailored for local freelancers, bKash customers will be able to easily register a new Payoneer account, or link their existing account from the ‘Remittance’ icon of the bKash app.
Once linked, freelancers can check their Payoneer account balance, and instantly bring their payments to their bKash accounts.
These funds can be used for any purpose including ‘Send Money’ to other bKash accounts, ‘Pay Bill’, ‘Payment’ of shopping, ‘Cash Out’, etc.
Read: bKash to disburse Hindu Religious Welfare Trust allowances
Freelancers from every corner of the country no longer need to wait to receive remittance payments, addressing a key challenge to growth for these workers.
BRAC Bank will play a pivotal role in this service as the foreign currency management and international fund settlement bank, bKash said.
On the occasion of this launch, customers receiving the highest amount of payment each day will be given a mobile phone starting from February 10-16, 2022.
A customer can receive this prize only once during the campaign.
To be eligible, the amount of money coming from Payoneer to the bKash account should be more than Tk 15,000 in one or more transactions.
The prizes will be handed over to the winners at the end of the campaign.
In addition, bKash is offering 2% instant cashback on every Payoneer transaction from February 10 to March 10, 2022.