Bangladesh
Decision on raising petroleum prices soon: Finance Minister
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said a decision on raising the petroleum prices will come soon.
“You will get informed whenever the decision is made,” he told reporters while virtually briefing on the outcomes of the two consecutive meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday.
He said the government always tries to bear the load when price of any product goes up in the international market.
“But when the cost goes up excessively, the government shares the load with people,” he said.
He, however, did not respond to an information that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has made a profit of about Tk 50,000 crore since 2015.
Mustafa Kamal said the government’s view is to give lesser pain to people.
Responding to another question, he said the country’s stock market will see the impacts of the steps announced in the recently unveiled national budget for 2022-23.
Read:CPD for reinstating previous fuel prices
The budget implementation will begin from the next month and then you will see the impacts, he adding, there are many things in the budget for the stock market.
He claimed that the country’s economy is in better position compared to the economies of other countries.
The finance minister admitted that a good amount of foreign exchange is being outflowed from the country due to employment of a huge number of foreign nationals in Bangladesh. But the accurate figure of the remittance-outflow is held by the departments concerned, he said.
Read: Fuel price hike a fresh blow to Covid-hit economy: Experts
Many of our garment industries have to employ foreign nationals to promote their export. “This is a vis-versa. But despite that our remittance inflow will continue to grow”.
Kamal again defended the government’s recent amnesty for the money laundereders and black money whitening steps saying that money becomes black due to the flawed system of the government.
Due to the flaws in the government system, people get the change to evade taxes, he added.
Cumilla city polls: 10 jailed for creating chaos
Local administration on Wednesday sentenced ten people to different terms of imprisonment for their alleged bid to create chaos during the Cumilla City Corporation polls.
Deputy Commissioner Quamrul Hasan said Didar Hossain under no 23 ward was sentenced to seven-day jail, another in Sadar Dakkhin upazila got three-day jail, two people in No 3 ward three-day jail, three others under No 10 ward three-day jail, two people in Boropukur area 7-day jail and another at Hossamia Girl’s School 7-day jail.
The punitive action was taken against them as they were involved in trying to make a chaotic situation during the election, said Quamrul.
Read: Voting underway in Cumilla City polls
Balloting in Cumilla City Corporation, which began on Wednesday morning, is progressing peacefully amid reports of technical fault in voting machines in a couple of centres and slow voting.
Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process
Welcoming the resumption of talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday reiterated Dhaka’s call to expedite the verification process of the Rohingyas to begin their repatriation to their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
“It’s good news that they (Myanmar) have started discussion,” he said, adding that there have been three meetings at various levels recently.
While taking to reporters in a city hotel, Momen said the Bangladesh side handed over a list of 8.30 lakh individuals containing biometric data but they have only verified 58000.
He said Bangladesh wants to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas but no date has been fixed yet to make that happen.
Momen, however, said the two sides had a good meeting on Tuesday in which Bangladesh laid emphasis on expediting the verification process and begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas as soon as possible.
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday held “substantive discussions” on all issues related to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
Also read: Pursuing economic diplomacy to contribute to timely attainment of SDGs: FM
At a meeting held virtually, Bangladesh stressed on the need for early commencement of repatriation to lessen the colossal burden of hosting the displaced people, expeditious verification of eligibility for return, and security, livelihood and wellbeing of the returnees.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Chan Aye led the respective sides at the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on the repatriation of the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Five years have passed since the Rohingyas fled home in one of the largest exoduses in recent history.
The promise of safe return remains unfulfilled, says Bangladesh, noting that not a single Rohingya has been able to return home.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Both sides agreed to work on addressing verification related problems and holding regular meetings of the JWG and technical working group for early commencement of repatriation.
JCC with India
Asked about the next round of Joint Consultation Commission (JCC) meeting between Bangladesh and India, the foreign minister said all the issues including border management, issues related to joint rivers and energy security will be discussed.
Bangladesh was seeking the long-delayed meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission but it is not taking place before the JCC.
“We wanted to have the JRC meeting first,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh will discuss the rivers’ issues in the JCC.
The JCC is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on June 19 and the foreign minister is likely to leave here for Delhi on June 18 if there is no last minute change.
Foreign minister Momen and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar had a meeting while attending the third edition of Asian Confluence River Conclave-2022 (NADI) in Guwahati last month.
The JCC will be co-chaired by Momen and Jaishankar.
The two foreign ministers also met in Dhaka recently and stressed on following up the decisions taken at the highest level for their effective implementation for mutual benefit.
The sixth meeting of the JCC was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, the meeting was held on a virtual platform due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Bangladesh and India noted that 2021 was a landmark year for their relationship as the president and the prime minister of India visited Bangladesh in a single year. The countries celebrated the 50th years of diplomatic ties through the joint celebration of a number of landmark events across the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India this year.
Tahsinah Ahmed made BYLC executive director
Tahsinah Ahmed has been appointed as the new executive director of Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), the country’s first leadership institute.
The new appointment will be effective from Wednesday, said a press release of BYLC.
Tahsinah brings to BYLC nearly three decades of professional experience in the development sector. She has effectively led some of the most successful youth-serving and workforce focused institutions in Bangladesh, including UCEP Bangladesh where she served as its first female executive eirector and BRAC where she established and led the BRAC Skills Development Program.
Prior to UCEP Bangladesh and BRAC, Tahsinah worked for the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, Save the Children USA, Action Aid Bangladesh and UNESCO.
Read: BYLC Career Expo 2022: Learn Leadership Skills, Use Them, and Move Up in Your Career
Among other key roles, she served as an advisor of Generation Unlimited Bangladesh, a dynamic platform for the advancement of young people in the country.
“We conducted an extensive search for an executive director with the right kind of skills, values, and expertise to lead the next chapter of BYLC’s growth,” said Ejaj Ahmad, President and Founder of BYLC.
“I am confident that Tahsinah Ahmed, with her stellar track record of institution building and leadershipin nonprofit organizations, is the ideal executive eirector to lead BYLC into the future.”
“We are delighted to welcome Tahsinah Ahmed to BYLC. She is an outstanding choice as an executive director, bringing with her a wealth of management and leadership experience,” said Akhter Matin Chaudhury, Chairperson of BYLC’s Governing Board.
Also read: BYLC Ventures: Cohort 4 winners announced
“I am inspired by the work that BYLC does to build a better Bangladesh by training the next generation of leaders. I will do my best to take the institution to new heights as a Center for Excellence through which today’s youth become the change agents that the nation seeks,” said Tahsinah Ahmed.
Myanmar military junta continues its attempts to hide truth: UN expert
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, will conduct a mission to Malaysia from June 17 to 23.
“As conditions continue to deteriorate in Myanmar, and the military junta continues its attempts to hide the truth, I remain steadfast in pursuing my mandate to document and report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. I will continue to meet with people from Myanmar including those who have fled the country since the coup,” Andrews said.
The Special Rapporteur will visit Kuala Lumpur, where he will meet representatives of Government, Members of Parliament, UN officials, experts who work on Myanmar and ASEAN foreign policy, as well as representatives of civil society and community-based organisations.
Read: Myanmar Crisis: US, ASEAN urged to increase pressure on Myanmar military junta
“This visit is the beginning of a project of deeper regional engagement with the ASEAN region in relation to the crisis in Myanmar,” said the expert.
“Given the central role of ASEAN regarding Myanmar, I hope to visit a number of other ASEAN member states in the coming months.”
The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share his preliminary observations with the media on June 23 in Kuala Lumpur.
A former member of the US Congress from Maine, Andrews is a Robina Senior Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School and an Associate of Harvard University’s Asia Center.
International Chamber of Commerce gets 1st woman Chair
The 212th World Council of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has unanimously been elected first vice chair of ICC Maria Fernanda Garza as ICC Chair for a two years term from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.
The Council of the world business organization was held in Mexico on Tuesday.
ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, Vice President AK Azad and Secretary General Ataur Rahman attended the Council virtually, ICC,B said on Wednesday.
Read: Rokia, Azad re-elected Vice Presidents of ICC,B
Maria is the first woman Chair of ICC.
She is a Mexican businesswoman, CEO of Orestia, a manufacturing home improvement solutions company, with exports to USMCA region, Latin-America and Asia and was the Chair of ICC Mexico from 2014-2020.
The Council also elected Philippe Varin as first Vice Chair of ICC, who is the Chair of ICC France; and Prof. Dr. Nayla Comair-Obeid, Partner, Obeid Law Firm in Lebanon; and Harsh Pati Singhania, Vice Chair & Managing Director of J. K. Paper Ltd in India as Vice Chairs of ICC.
PM urges high alert to foil plot against Padma Bridge opening
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the security forces to be on alert saying that a quarter is targeting to thwart the much-awaited inauguration of Padma Bridge on June 25.
“We’ve completed the work (Padma Bridge construction) throwing a big challenge. Those who opposed it have a target. We’ve got some information as well (in this regard). They will make such an incident to happen so that we can’t hold the inaugural ceremony on June 25,” she said.
The premier was addressing a programme marking the 36th founding anniversary of the Special Security Force (SSF) at her office here.
She said when the World Bank stopped the funding to the Padma Bridge due to instigation from Dr Muhammad Yunus and his friend Hillary Clinton, her government announced that it would construct the bridge with own funding.
“At that time, many people thought that we could not do it. But we’ve done it,” said Hasina.
She asked the security forces particularly the law enforcement agencies to be careful and ensure security to import structures (KPI ones) of the country ahead of the opening of the country’s largest multipurpose road-rail bridge.
Read: Plant at least three trees each during monsoon, PM urges citizens
She said the fire incidents have already been seen on train, launch and ferry in recent times.
Suspecting foul play in the recent fire at BM Container Depot she wondered how the blaze could occur in several sites and not at a single place.
Noting that she saw a video footage of the train fire on Saturday, she said the fire started from the wheel. “How could it be possible? So, all these things are mysterious,” she said.
“So, I would like to ask all to remain alert, pay attention to our important establishments and ensure security to these,” said the PM.
Sheikh Hasina asked the SSF members to always maintain the firmness of character, discipline, honesty and other qualities alongside acquiring professional skills.
She also urged them to pay attention so that she would not be isolated from the people.
“We do politics for the people…. You’ve to ensure that we are not isolated from the people,” she added.
Hasina said her government has developed the country as ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and sent a satellite (Bangabandhu satellite) into space and introduced different digital systems.
The technology has opened the new door for socio-economic development, but it also has created scope for those who are engaged in terrorist activities to carry out their activities using the latest technology.
Read: Population Census gives right picture of country: Dipu
“The technology creates scopes for our socio-economic development, but the pattern of destructive activities changes due to the technology,” she said adding that keeping it in mind, her government has strengthened the SSF with the use of the latest technology so it could keep pace with the world.
Pointing to the chiefs of the three armed forces, police and other forces who were present at the function, Hasina asked them to continue to remain alert always against terrorism and militancy as some quarters are out to sabotages when the country get progress.
“We’ll have to remain conscious always. Keep it in mind whenever we go forward, some quarters try to make different types of incidents to happen. It is unfortunate for us,” she said.
In an oblique reference to the Gulshan Holey Artisan attack in 2016, the PM said every force -- from intelligences to army, navy, air forces, police, Rab, Ansar and VDB, and BGB-- has played an important role since the incident and thus the government has been able to curb the militancy and terrorism.
“We’ll have to contain terrorism and militancy. Our every force is still alert and conscious in this regard,” she added.
SSF Director General Major General Md. Majibur Rahman, on behalf of all members of his force, presented a memento to the prime minister on the occasion of the 36th founding anniversary of the elite force.
Population Census gives right picture of country: Dipu
Population census plays an important role in the country’s development planning providing a right picture of the realities, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday.
“Through the population census, the accurate rate of education will be known and we will be able to get a true picture of the country,” she said while inaugurating the 6th population and housing census from her Chandpur residence on Wednesday.
Read: Don't react to provocations on social media: Dipu Moni
The 6th digital population and housing census in Bangladesh began on Wednesday across the country.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has launched the population census past midnight Tuesday.
How many people remain illiterate, how many people are educated and their financial-social status will be known from the census, which will help to make plans for different activities, she said.
This is the first time in Bangladesh that the government has conducted the population census digitally.
Earlier on Tuesday, State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam said around 3.70 lakh enumerators will collect the data countrywide from June 15 to 21, for planned development of the country.
Read: More institutions to come under MPO: Dipu Moni
The BBS has completed a trial of information collection process for the enumerators in several phases and constructed a census area for each 100 households.
The main objectives of census population and housing are- calculating the total population by counting the members of each house and families, determining the number of houses / dwellings in the country; collection of data for adoption of overall development plan, Provide information for determining constituencies in local and national elections; and provide information aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of national resources, said BBS.
The first population census in Bangladesh was conducted in 1974. Subsequently, the population and housing censuses were held again in 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2011.
Plant at least three trees each during monsoon, PM urges citizens
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the people to join a nationwide campaign of tree plantation during this monsoon to make the country greener.
She urged everyone, including members of her Awami League and its associate bodies, to each plant at least three saplings of fruit, wood and herbal during the rainy season.
The PM made the call while inaugurating the tree plantation campaign of Bangladesh Krishok League in a function at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina said that the Awami League took steps to undertake a nationwide tree planting programme from 1985 after her return from exile following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.
Padma Bridge symbol of dignity; future of Bangladesh hinges much on this bridge: Joy
Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said Padma Bridge is not just an engineering masterpiece but a symbol of pride and dignity of Bangladesh as well.
"All the people of this country equally share this glory. The future of Bangladesh hinges much on this bridge," he wrote while sharing a video from his verified Facebook account on the mega project.
Monsoon is around and the river Padma will be bulging soon, the most treacherous one only after the Amazon.
Since independence, people of the entire southern region have been required to risk life for crossing the river throughout the year.
Read: Padma Bridge gets final touches before the June 25 grand opening
"But that risky journey seems to end on June 26 as the Awami League government has bridged your dream with reality, building a bridge to make your journey safer, easier, faster and hassle-free," Joy said.
Padma Bridge stands majestically above the river marked with one of the strongest currents in the world.
Braving a spectrum of challenges, we have finally executed this self-funded project, he said.
"It's your and my hard-earned money that contributed to this success. Padma Bridge with my money, Padma Bridge for my country," he said.
It was beyond the imagination of the world that a developing country in South Asia could handle this masterpiece structure with its own fund, Joy said.
But, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's indomitable courage and vision made this happen, he added.
"Now this success story of Bangladesh is acclaimed all across the planet. Padma Bridge, awaiting an awe-inspiring inauguration on June 25, symbolizes the dignity of Bangladesh on the global stage," Joy mentioned in his Facebook post.
Read: Padma Bridge lights up the night ahead of opening
This bridge has connected around one-third of the country's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital.
Consequently, it will catalyze the local and international trades of Bangladesh.
"In addition to transforming the economic footing of around 50 million people of the South-west part of the country, it will also ensure a rise in the national income by at least 1.5%, a paradigm shift for the entire Bangladesh," Joy said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the Padma Bridge on June 25 while it will remain open for vehicular movement from June 26.