foreign-affairs
Guideline coming for IORA’s engagement, cooperation in Indo-Pacific
The Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have planned to "develop a statement" to help guide IORA how to engage in the Indo-Pacific Region and cooperate with other regional organisations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday issued the "Dhaka Communique" adopted at the recently held 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the IORA. The IORA states welcomed Bangladesh as the Chair, and Sri Lanka as the Vice Chair of the Association for the period of 2021 to 2023.
Read: Don't want to be dominated by any powerful nation: S Africa on IORA "We vow to work closely with Bangladesh in its quest to make IORA a more vibrant platform and to ensure inclusive development of the region through enhanced cooperation," reads the Dhaka Communique. The Member States reaffirmed their utmost solidarity and unwavering commitment to IORA to play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive development in the Indian Ocean through constructive dialogue and concerted efforts. "We endeavour to address challenges and key issues facing our region, including recovery from the unprecedented COVID-19 impact." They welcomed the Russian Federation as the 10th Dialogue Partner of IORA. "We believe that Russia will make noteworthy contributions towards bolstering IORA’s regional agenda in accordance with the IORA Charter’s principles and objectives," reads the Dhaka Communique. IORA welcomed Sheikh Fazle Fahim from Bangladesh as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORBF).
"We believe under his able and dynamic leadership, IORBF will facilitate the promotion of the trade and investment agenda in the Indian Ocean Rim region."
Read: Bangladesh assumes IORA chairmanship; eyes inclusive development IORA appreciated the Ministerial ‘Strategic Dialogue’ held between IORA member States and Dialogue Partners. IORA welcomed the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for promoting resilience of new and the existing infrastructures to reduce and eliminate climate and disaster risks within the Indian Ocean Region. The Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, French Republic on account of Reunion (henceforth France/Reunion), India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Republic of Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen met on the 17th of November 2021 for the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) which was convened in hybrid format and hosted by Bangladesh, the Chair.
ICCB chief leads delegation to ICC’s 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai
A nine-member delegation led by International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB) President Mahbubur Rahman is attending the ICC’s 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai.
Organised by the ICC World Chambers Federation, the World Chambers Congress is the international forum for chamber leaders and professionals to share best-practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world.
Read: Success of businesses drives growth, help creates jobs: ICCB
The three-day 12th World Chambers Congress of ICC and World Chambers Federation (WCF) began on Tuesday in Dubai.
The theme of the Congress is Generation Next: Chambers 4.0 to be jointly organized by Dubai Chamber.
Rizwan Rahman, President, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has been invited as a speaker in the Congress, said the ICCB on Tuesday.
Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman, Purbani Group; Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Managing Director, Evince Group; Mir Nasir Hossain, Managing Director, Akhter Hossain Limited; Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, BKMEA & Managing Director, MB Knit Fashion Ltd.; Matiur Rahman, Chairman & Managing Director, Uttara Group of Companies; Rizwan Rahman, President, DCCI, Md. Salauddin Yousuf, Member, CCCI & Director, Lub-rref (Bangladesh) Ltd. and Ataur Rahman, Secretary General, ICC Bangladesh are the delegation members.
Read: ICCB seeks climate change mitigation, role of private sector
The delegation is expected to return home on November 27.
Maritime connectivity: Maldives to establish direct shipping line with Chattogram
Bangladesh and the Maldives have agreed to establish a direct shipping line with Chattogram as Malé is keen to enhance connectivity and bilateral trade between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen discussed the issue when they had a meeting with visiting Vice President of the Maldives Faisal Naseem at a city hotel on Monday evening.
The Vice President of the Maldives is accompanied by two Cabinet Ministers and the Foreign Secretary of the Maldives.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also read: It’s enlightening to learn about Bangabandhu’s life: Maldives VP
Dr Momen assured the Maldives of extending necessary assistance in providing medical education, training and skill development in various areas of the Maldives.
He stated that Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the Maldives are diligently contributing to the host economy.
The Maldives side expressed keen interest to recruit specialized professionals and medical doctors from Bangladesh.
Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, discussed ways and means for further strengthening cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
Dr Momen stated that Bangladesh attaches high importance to the Maldives which are rooted in shared religion, culture and values.
He recalled that the state visit of the President of the Maldives on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh on 17-19 March 2021 had contributed to advancing Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations to a great extent.
Dr Momen thanked the government of the Maldives through the Vice President for the gift of 2,00,000 Covid-19 vaccines for the people of Bangladesh.
Also read: Bangladesh looks to export resort wear to Maldives
Earlier, Faisal paid tribute to the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhanmondi, Dhaka with a floral wreath.
Faisal Naseem arrived here on Monday on a three-day official visit.
He is expected to meet President Abdul Hamid and a few cabinet ministers during the visit.
Rajnath visits Delhi mission to pay tribute to country's Armed Forces
On the occasion of Bangladesh's Armed Forces Day, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and paid tribute to 1971 Liberation War heroes.
Record keepers said it was perhaps the first time since Indian independence that a defence minister visited a country’s mission in Delhi to pay tribute to that country’s armed forces.
"On behalf of the Armed Forces of India and the Government of India, I congratulate the Armed Forces of Bangladesh on the 50th anniversary and wish them the very best in their endeavour towards peace and security," he said.
The Indian Minister said this year is of "extraordinary significance" for Bangladesh-India relations, as the two countries commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation of Bangladesh, the fifty years of India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangaandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
READ: Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Bangabandhu
"In this momentous time, I salute the valiant struggle of the Muktibahini in the Muktijuddha – War of Liberation - in 1971. Spirit of Muktijuddha forms the core of today’s Armed Forces of Bangladesh," he said.
The Indian Minister also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces, who stood steadfast with their Bangladeshi brothers and sisters during the epic War of Liberation of Bangladesh.
"On this day, I also remember the extraordinary leadership in India, which rose to the occasion against all odds and limitations in 1971, in support of a struggling nation fighting against the injustice and unspeakable atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani Army."
British PM’s Special Envoy Helen Grant in city to meet girls
British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls Education Helen Grant is now visiting Bangladesh to learn about the experiences of girls and the challenges they have faced in accessing quality education.
Helen, who is here for the first time, will be visiting Sylhet on Tuesday as part of her three-day visit.
"I’m here to meet civil society partners, education leaders, and most importantly Bangladeshi women and girls to learn about their experiences and the challenges they’ve faced in accessing quality education," Helen tweeted.
Also read: Inclusive politics essential for every country’s prosperity: British Minister
S Korea to provide $ 100mn loan to help Bangladesh’s economic recovery
The government of South Korea has approved US$ 100 million in concessional loan from Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to help the recovery of Bangladesh’s economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new concessional loan of US$ 100 million will be used to implement several projects aimed at advancing public finance management system and improving small and medium-sized businesses struggling from the repercussion of the pandemic.
The amount would be released as soon as the loan agreement is signed between the Korea EXIM Bank and the Bangladesh Government which is expected to be done within the year.
Also read: Korea promotes young entrepreneurs’ development through business curriculum at universities
EDCF is a Korea’s development financing program for assisting the socio-economic development of developing countries.
The Republic of Korea has already provided US$ 50 million of EDCF loan as budgetary support in December 2020 to to help Bangladesh’s efforts for fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the second provision of this type of concessional loan.
It will be the first EDCF loan to be implemented under the new EDCF Framework Agreement for the years 2021 through 2025 which was signed between the two Governments on 24 October 2021, said the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.
Also read: S Korean envoy Lee for diversifying collaboration with Bangladesh
According to the agreement, the Korean government will provide up to US$ 700 million of concessional loans to the government of Bangladesh for the five year period.
Bangladesh is the second largest recipient of the EDCF loans worldwide in aggregate amount.
So far, the Republic of Korea has funded 24 development projects of Bangladesh with total amount of USD$ 1.2 billion US dollars through the EDCF.
EU envoy hosts special school children at his residence
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Monday hosted special children with different abilities at his residence and enjoyed their cultural performances putting emphasis on their inclusion in society.
A new book titled “Amar Nam Runa” (My Name is Runa) was also launched at the event and reading of the book is expected to lead to more inclusive and open society.
The book tells the real life story of Runa depicting how she grew up and what are the difficulties she faced and what is the current way of living life for her.
Also read: Will follow next polls very closely amid Bangladesh’s growing importance globally: EU
“The book is about the life experience of a girl with disabilities and of appeal for new school building,” said EU Ambassador Whiteley.
It’s enlightening to learn about Bangabandhu’s life: Maldives VP
Visiting Vice President of the Maldives Faisal Naseem on Monday visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“It was enlightening to learn about the life and deeds of Bangabandhu, whose selfless efforts paved the way for the country to become an independent nation,” he said
The Vice President of the Maldives signed the visitors’ book after placing a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
Read:UNSDCF to contribute to more resilient recovery, achieving 2030 Agenda
He was accompanied by Maldives Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and Maldives High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shiruzimath Sameer.
UNSDCF to contribute to more resilient recovery, achieving 2030 Agenda
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 was launched Sunday to contribute to a more resilient recovery from the pandemic and to the acceleration towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
The UNSDCF was launched by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and Planning Minister MA Mannan attended the online launch event.
The finance minister said the UN has been Bangladesh's longstanding and trusted partner since the country's independence and significantly contributed to its overall development achievements.
The planning minister said: "We are about to graduate out of least developed countries (LDC) status. It is our responsibility to ensure that at the threshold of graduation – as a developing country, and one that is aiming to become a developed country by 2041 – that the benefits of development are shared equitably."
Maldives Vice President due Monday
Faisal Naseem, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives, is scheduled to arrive here on Monday on a three-day official visit to take forward the bilateral relations and discuss potential areas of cooperation.
Cooperation in the areas of health, education, manpower export will be discussed during his visit apart from other bilateral issues.
Asked whether the Vice President will meet President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a diplomat told UNB that they are working on it.
Read: Bangladesh looks to export resort wear to Maldives
The Vice President is likely to have meetings with a number of Ministers, including Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni.
Dr Momen will receive the Vice President of the Maldives upon his arrival around 9:15am, said a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Vice President would be accompanied by, among others, two Cabinet Ministers and the Foreign Secretary of the Maldives.
Read: Maldives govt comes down heavily on “India Out” slogan, reaffirms ties with Delhi
Faisal Naseem was sworn into office on 17 November 2018 for a 5-year term.
Earlier, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited Bangladesh in March and joined Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary celebrations and Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of independence.