Bangladesh
Banks can open during local lockdown, says central bank
Bangladesh Bank has said that banks can operate in the metropolitan city and district during lockdown imposed by local administration to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In a circular on Tuesday, the BB said the bank authorities can conduct their activities in discussion with the local administration.
“The bank authorities have to inform the local administration about the transportation of the bank staffs”, it said.
Currently, banks have been operating from 10 am to 2:30 pm for doing transactions as per instruction of the central bank.
They can also keep open offices until 4 pm to do their necessary activities.
Earlier, in an another circular the central bank said banks can keep one non-AD branch open within 2km radius in the city corporation areas and at upazila level one branch of each bank can remain open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday.
Read: Bangladesh banks on preferential trade terms to boost export earnings
Banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period.
The BB circular said during the banking transaction hours, banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, the release of remittance, encashment of different instruments and also receipt of the payments of bills of different utilities.
BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries and also the purchase of export bills, loan sanction and distribution.
Banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per the circular issued on August 5 last year, it said.
Banks have to operate with limited staff under a roster system.
They have to ensure operation of ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supplying adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular issued on April 13.
Russia ships equipment for Rooppur nuclear plant
Russia has shipped an equipment _ Separate tank _ for unit-2 of the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).
The Separate tank is designed to collect moisture separated in re-heater called MSR (1200), a press release from Rosatom, the Russian nuclear power agency, said on Tuesday.
The equipment weighs 41 tons and has a 50-year operating life, it added.
It has been manufactured by ZIO-Podolsk JSC , part of the machine building division of Rosatom - JSC Atomenergomash, according to Rosatom.
Atomenergomash JSC is a complete supplier of all the equipment for the reactor compartment and produces a significant part of the equipment for the turbine hall at Rooppur NPP with a VVER-1200-type reactor unit.
The division's enterprises create reactors, steam generators, pumping and heat exchange equipment.
Rooppur nuclear plant is designed and being built in the northern district of Pabna by Russia. The plant will have two power units with an electrical capacity of 1,200 MW each.
India, New Zealand pledge to enhance bilateral ties
India and New Zealand on Tuesday pledged to bolster bilateral ties, particularly in areas of defence, trade, space, counter-terrorism, cyber security and climate change, and also reiterated the need for a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
In a statement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said that the two sides comprehensively reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen coordination in multilateral and regional fora at a virtual meeting. The Indian side was led by Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), and former High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
"Both sides discussed the steps to be taken to enhance the depth and momentum of engagement in different areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, space, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, disarmament and climate change, and for strengthening people-to-people ties," the Ministry said.
It may be mentioned here that bilateral defence cooperation has been more limited, though both countries have carried out joint naval exercises and their militaries have served together in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and the African country of Sudan.
Read: Sputnik V production starts in India; 100 million doses to be produced annually
"Both sides exchanged views on various regional issues and reiterated the importance of closer cooperation for a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," it said, adding that issues concerning equitable access to Covid vaccines globally also came up during discussions.
Bilateral ties between India and New Zealand were established in 1952, some five years after this country gained independence from colonial Britain. Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian President to visit New Zealand in August 2016.
Process to procure vaccine from China at final stage: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh is at the final stage to procure vaccine doses from China.
“It’s at the final stage…all types of discussions are very positive,” he told reporters at Foreign Service Academy when asked about procuring 1.5 crore vaccine doses from China.
The government is in discussion to procure 1 crore to 1.5 crore doses of vaccine from China with an initial consignment of 50 lakh doses.
Dr Momen said China assured Bangladesh of providing vaccine jabs ensuring its steady flow of supply.
China said it will continue to support Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19 and is willing to facilitate the discussion of cooperation in "vaccine filling" between Chinese and Bangladeshi companies.
China also said as a "good neighbour, partner and friend" of South Asian countries, they are ready to stand with the people of all countries, including Bangladesh, until the pandemic is defeated.
"South Asia is currently facing the severe challenges of a new round of pandemic," said State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi when he had a phone conversation with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday evening.
After its request to the United States, Bangladesh also urged the United Kingdom (UK) to help it by providing vaccines to meet emergency needs as the second dose vaccination is disrupted in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh sought 1.6m AstraZeneca doses from the UK.
The Foreign Minister said the government had been able to handle the first wave of the Covid-19 very successfully.
All the three documents – on non-disclosure, letter of commitment and sales agreement – "smoothened out", he said.
Bangladesh has also approved “Emergency Use Authorisation” for another Chinese vaccine of Sinovac. A Chinese team will visit Bangladesh in a week or so to see the feasibility of vaccine co-production.
The Foreign Minister said the discussion with Russia is also at the final stage. "We’ll also get vaccine doses from the COVAX facility. So, we think there won’t be a problem with vaccine supply in the coming days," he said.
Bangladesh entered into a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to purchase 30 million doses of a potential vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca for Covid-19.
Bangladesh was supposed to get five million doses of vaccine per month as the SII and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharma signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for priority delivery of the vaccine doses.
Bangladesh has so far received only 7 million of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
Foreign Minister dismisses Palestine envoy ‘s remarks
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday expressed displeasure over the Palestine ambassador’s disapproving comments regarding a change in Bangladesh e-passport.
“This is irrelevant to me, totally irrelevant,” he told reporters when his comment was sought on Palestine Ambassador Yousef SY Ramadan’s criticism of the removal of words – “except Israel”- from Bangladesh e-passports.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh maintains its foreign policy on its own way and it is totally irrelevant which ambassador says what.
“We’re a sovereign country. We’ll decide what we’ll do or not,” said the Foreign Minister after attending a programme at Foreign Service Academy.
Ambassador Ramadan earlier called Dhaka’s decision as “unacceptable.”
“I’m being frank with you about my feeling that it is unacceptable,” he told a small group of reporters at his office on Monday.
Bangladesh officials were surprised with Ramadan’s reaction even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified on Sunday that there has been no change in the country’s Israel policy and Bangladeshi citizens are still barred from visiting Israel.
The Ambassador, however, said they sincerely hope that Bangladesh will revise this decision and keep this sentence in the passport – “except Israel” - because this also represents a very good support to the people of Palestine.
The envoy said they can only request the government to revise the decision and they hope Bangladesh will do that.
Ambassador Ramadan said the change in passport was received by Israel like it was a reward to them.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen on Sunday told UNB that there has been no change in Bangladesh's position towards Israel as it still does not recognise Israel.
He said removing the words like valid for travelling except Israel in the new passport does not mean that there has been a change in Bangladesh’s position.
The ban on travel of Bangladeshi passport holders to Israel remains unchanged.
The confusion appears to have emanated from the new booklets of E-passports which do not contain the observation “all countries except Israel”.
The removal of the observation has been done to maintain international standards of Bangladeshi e-passports and does not imply any change of Bangladesh’s foreign policy towards the Middle East, the government said.
Bangladesh begins administering 1st dose of Chinese vaccine
Bangladesh on Tuesday began administering the first dose of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, marking a major turning point in its fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque inaugurated the inoculation programme at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
On May 12, Bangladesh received 5 lakh China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses, donated by the Chinese government.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, China and Bangladesh have been supporting and assisting each other in their fight against the pandemic.
China has donated and is donating vaccine doses to 80 developing countries with urgent needs, and has provided support under COVAX for the emergency use of vaccines in developing countries.
Also read: Process to procure vaccine from China at final stage: FM
China has fulfilled its commitment to make the Covid-19 vaccine a global public good with practical actions, promoted the fair distribution of global vaccines and made China’s contribution to the realisation of vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.
China says it will continue to make joint efforts with Bangladesh to make positive contributions to Bangladesh’s endeavour of protecting human lives and fight to win the battle against the pandemic, and together to build an even closer community of shared future and health for mankind.
Cyclone Yaas: Low-lying districts flooded as water level rises
The low-lying areas of the coastal regions in the country are being flooded as the rivers are inflating, causing three to four feet high tidal surges due to the effect of the impending cyclone Yaas.
At least 16 villages of Patuakhali district have been inundated as water is flowing through damaged embankments in Kalapara and Rangabali upazila of the district.
According to our local correspondent, water from the rivers in the district flowed 23cm above the danger level today during high tide.
Around eight thousand people are currently stranded at different villages of the district.
Local authorities including Rangabali UNO Masfakur Rahman and Kolapara UNO Abu Hasnat Md Shahidul Huq have assured UNB that necessary steps are being taken to rescue the stranded people.
Several villages in Satkhira including Gabura,Koikhali, Munshiganj and Padma Pukur Union of the district have already been flooded as water levels in the Chuna, Kholpetua, and Kopotakkho rivers adjacent to the Sundarbans have been on the rise since Tuesday morning,
The villagers are working very hard to repair the damaged embankments, reports our local correspondent.
Satkhira UNO ANM Abu Jafar Gibri told UNB that around 145 cyclone centres are ready to give place to 75,000 people in the district.
He said that necessary steps are being taken to bring people into the cyclone centers.
The district administration also decided to use 1,500 schools, colleges and madrasas to rehabilitate people if required.
Meanwhile in Bagerhat, the water level of rivers surrounding the district including Daratana and Posur at full tide was ranging from 2.60 -2.65 meters, which was significantly higher than normal times.
This resulted in flooding of lowland areas in the district leaving many families stranded at Chargram, Bargi, Sonatala and many other places, reports our local correspondent.
Bagerhat Additional Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Rizaul Karim said, “ We have build 344 cyclone shelters for the people in need. Besides, the district administration formed 85 medical teams, a group of 150 volunteers and established 10 control rooms across the district to coordinate rescue operations.”
Besides, our correspondent also reported that many areas of the Sundarbans have been inundated due to water level going up in rivers surrounding it.
However, no incidents of wild animals being affected have been reported so far.
The forest department has instructed the evacuation of its personnel, working in eight highly risky patrol outposts in Bagerhat in the Sundarbans .
The coastal residents adjacent to the Sundarbans in Khulna have started taking preparation to go into shelters .
Low lands in Barguna have also been flooded due to the impact of cyclone Yaas.
According to Barguna Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman, “ The concerned authorities have already started to repair damaged embankments. The district administration has prepared around 642 cyclone shelters ahead of the storm.’
Meanwhile, residents of the lowlands in Bhola of Barishal are also facing waterlogging over the same reasons.
Saiful Islam Badal, the Divisional Commissioner of Barishal has said that around 4,915 shelters are ready to provide shelter to 20 lakh residents of the district.
Cyclone Yaas: Maritime ports in Bangladesh asked to hoist signal No 3
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra were advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three on Monday evening instead of distant warning signal number 2 as the depression over the Southeast Bay and adjoining Andaman Sea intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’.
The severe cyclone storm ‘Yaas’ over Northwest bay and adjoining area moved north-westwards further and now lies over the same area.
In a special weather bulletin, the Met Office said at 3 pm today, it was centered about 520 kms Southwest of Chattogram port, 520 km Southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 425 km South-southwest of Mongla port and 420 km South-southwest of Payra port.
Read: Severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' lies over northwest Bay, adjoining area
It is likely to move northwestward further and may cross Odisha-West Bengal coast by Wednesday noon (26 may 2021).
Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the severe cyclone centre is about 89 kph Rising to 117 kph in gusts/squalls or squalls, the bulletin said.
Sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.
All the fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution. They were also advised not to venture into the deep sea.
LGRD Minister urges all to be ready to tackle cyclone 'Yaas'
Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday directed the local government department to open a control room to tackle cyclone 'Yaas'. He also instructed the people's representatives and all government officials at the field level to be fully prepared.
He made the directives while addressing an emergency preparatory virtual meeting organized by the local government department to deal with cyclone 'Yaas' on Tuesday.
The minister said district councils, upazila councils, municipalities, union councils, people's representatives and other institutions of the local government department and other government institutions including district administrations play an important role in providing mental strength to the people in case of any calamity.
In this context, the Minister said, the people's representatives have a close relation with people of all classes and professions of the society. That is why public representatives play an important role in making people aware of disasters. It is possible to deal with any disaster if the people's representatives at all levels, the district administration and other government institutions sit together and prepare mentally.
Md. Tajul Islam said a control room has been opened in the local government department to take precautionary measures to deal with cyclone 'Yaas', to supervise and coordinate the preparations of the departments / agencies and local government institutions under the local government department (control room phone number- 9545415).
He directed the concerned authorities to keep in constant touch with this control room and other locally opened control rooms in the coastal areas to deal with any situation and cooperate.
Furthermore, he said there will be a severe water crisis in the coastal areas due to sudden tidal surges. Emergency water is to be supplied and the sanitation system is to be set ready in this regard. These activities are done generally by WASA, Local Government Engineering Department and Public Health Engineering Department. Therefore, these institutions have been asked to be ready to deal with the overall situation. Because these institutions play an effective role up to the grassroots.
The Minister also said the Department of Public Health Engineering has already prepared the necessary activities including a mobile water treatment plant, water purification tablets, and a sanitation system.
At the same time, he expressed hope that the country would reach the peak of development by tackling any disaster including cyclone 'Yaas'.
Senior secretary of local government department Helaluddin Ahmed, senior officials of local government department, mayors of Khulna, Chittagong and Barisal city corporations, deputy commissioners of coastal districts, chief engineer of local government engineering department and public health engineering department and managing director of Khulna WASA were present at the meeting and informed the minister about their preparations.
Huge fake drinks, beverages seized in Ashulia
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) in a drive on Tuesday seized a huge quantity of counterfeit fruit drinks and carbonated beverages from Ashulia in Dhaka.
The BSTI conducted a mobile court at Group 50 Agro Foods and Beverage for manufacturing and marketing different items including fruit drinks and carbonated beverages without taking license from BSTI and using BSTI sign illegally.
The court also fined the manager of the company Tk 100,000 , in default, to suffer six months in jail.
The company has been manufacturing and marketing various products including lychee flavoured drinks, mango flavoured drinks, puffed rice, soybean oil, chili powder and chocolate, though it is mandatorily required to obtain BSTI license for all the items.
It didn’t take any quality certificate from BSTI for manufacturing and marketing the products and even didn’t apply for the certificate.
During the drive, the BSTI seized a huge quantity of packages and empty bottles of these products.
The company’s owner was fined and sued under the BSTI Act 2018. The mobile court also sealed off the factory, said a BSTI release.