bangladesh
Bangladesh is a lucrative country for foreign investment: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that building partnerships in Bangladesh could be beneficial as the nation is a lucrative destination for foreign investment.
"With each of our partner countries, the ties and engagements have considerable mutuality of interest and benefit," he said.
The Foreign Minister was speaking on Saturday at a dinner programme in the city hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh to celebrate the 28th US Trade Show.
The engagements like the US Trade Show will indeed contribute to the fulfillment of Bangladesh's national and global desires for development, he said.
"We want to engage with friendly countries in a way that is mutually beneficial for national and global development ambitions," Momen said.
Describing Bangladesh as a land of opportunity, the Foreign Minister said, "I strongly believe that this event will significantly contribute in augmenting the economic relations, trade and business between these two friendly countries."
He said that Bangladesh is a country with a market of 165 million people and a country with great human potential because of the demographic dividend and its hardworking people. "These make Bangladesh a hotspot for investment."
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh president Syed Ershad Ahmed also spoke, among others.
Embezzlement charge: Ex-Standard Bank MD lands in jail
A Dhaka court on Sunday sent Mamun Ur Rashid, former managing director and CEO of Standard Bank, to jail in an embezzlement case.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Asaduzzaman passed the order after Mamun surrendered to the court seeking bail.
On February 4, 2021, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against eight people, including the former managing director (MD) of Standard Bank (SB), for embezzling Tk 4 crore.
The accused withdrew the money in the name of a non-existent NGO.
According to the ACC investigation, the defendants used their positions to embezzle Tk 4 crore in the name of a secured overdraft loan for a fictitious microcredit-disbursing NGO and laundered the money later.
The other defendants are - Socheton Sahajjo Sangstha's Executive Director Jesmin Rashid, its President Hasna Hena and Secretary Nasrin Akter, former manager of Standard Bank's Pragati Sarani branch (currently VP and Manager of Premier Bank's Nikunjo Branch) Shooiab Mahmud Tuhin, Senior Executive Officer Sheikh Mohammad Monsurul Karim, additional MD Tarikul Azam, former VP and ARCD of SB, main branch Md Aminul Islam.
Bangladesh’s interest lies in peaceful coexistence with Myanmar: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said various unintended incidents including mortar blasts and violation of airspace have occurred inside Bangladesh due to the ongoing conflict inside Myanmar between its army and the insurgent Arakan Army.
Momen said this while replying to a question from ruling Awami League MP Momtaz Begum in the Parliament.
However, he said that Bangladesh has so far shown patience in dealing with these provocative activities.
The foreign minister said that as a neighbouring country, Bangladesh is interested in peaceful coexistence with Myanmar.
“For this reason, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is trying to resolve the ongoing problems through diplomatic initiatives in view of the behaviour of Myanmar,” he said.
He also said that as part of the diplomatic initiative, Bangladesh has strongly protested these incidents by summoning the Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka four times, and organizing a briefing for ambassadors of ASEAN countries in Dhaka.
He mentioned that the Chinese Ambassador was separately briefed and the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon has informed the Myanmar government about Bangladesh's deep concern over the prevailing border situation.
In response to a question from Jatiya Party's Rustom Ali Farazi, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Bangladesh is not a drug producing country but is under the grip of drug problem due to geographical reasons.
“Illegal drugs enter our country from neighbouring countries,” he said.
He also said after preparing the list of godfathers and syndicates involved in drug business, actions have been taken against them.
The Home Minister said that in 2021, 93,190 cases were filed and 1. 22 lakh illegal drug dealers were arrested and brought under the law.
Meanwhile in 2022, the minister said that till August, 66,554 cases have been filed and 83,123 illegal drug dealers have been arrested and brought under the law.
Sajeda Chowdhury’s death is a great loss, PM tells JS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the death of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury is a great loss not only for Awami League but also for the country as she had significant contributions to the nation alongside the party.
“Her (Sajeda Chowdhury) death is a loss not only for the Awami League, but also for our country, the nation and me,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks, joining the discussion over a condolence motion placed in the Parliament to express profound grief at the demise of two sitting lawmakers --Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and lawmaker Sheikh Anee Rahman—as well as some noted personalities including Queen Elizabeth-II and five former MPs.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the beginning of the 20th session of the 11th Parliament. Later, the Parliament unanimously adopted a condolence motion following the discussion.
The Prime Minister said Sajeda Chowdhury took the helm of Awami League and took it forward during a very tough time after 1975.
“She used to follow the ideology and principle of the party and tried to keep the party organised in that tough time,” the PM said adding that Sajeda Chowdhury used to stay in the frontline in every movement and struggle.
She said AL was tortured in the hands of all–Ziaur Rahman, HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia—during their regimes.
The PM said Sajeda Chowdhury was a freedom fighter, social activist and cultural-minded person. “We, Bangladesh Awami League, truly lost a devoted soul with her demise,” she said.
Noting that she used to call Sajeda Chowdhury as aunt, Hasina said, “I always found her beside me in my way of life.”
The PM recalled her contribution to the nation including women empowerment, women leadership, forestation and environment.
About Queen Elizabeth-II, Hasina said she was a symbol of motherhood to the people of Great Britain.
Queen Elizabeth-II was also sincere to the commonwealth countries. “The Queen used to talk to me and enquire about me whenever I participated in the Commonwealth summit,” she said.
The Queen shared with her about her worry over the women leadership crisis in the commonwealth countries, environment and adverse impacts of climate change.
Recalling her memory, the PM said the Queen once took her to the balcony of Buckingham Palace and saw the plastic pollution at sea and told her that actions should be taken to prevent the pollution.
As per the tradition, the day’s business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence motion over the death of two sitting AL lawmakers.
League’s presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, who was elected MP from Faridpur-2 constituency, died on September 11 last, while another AL lawmaker Sheikh Anee Rahman, who was elected from the women seat-19, died on 11 October last.The five ex-lawmakers are former whip Prof Khaleda Khanam (Women Seat-23), Gias Uddin Ahmed (Mymensingh-10), former Deputy Prime Minister Shah Moazzem Hossain (Dhaka-5 and Rangpur-6), former minister Abul Hasnat (Dhaka-9) and Shahanara Begum (Women Seat-48).
The House also expressed deep shock at the death of noted personalities, including former caretaker government’s adviser Akbar Ali Khan, noted journalists Ranesh Maitra and Toab Khan, legendary lyricist, director and producer Gazi Mazharul Anwar, renowned artist Samarjit Roy Chowdhury and famous dramatist Masum Aziz.
Besides, the House also mourned the loss of lives in recent cyclone Sitrang, boat capsize in Korotoa River in Panchagarh, and different recent accidents at home and abroad.
Before the passage of the condolence motion, a one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered eternal peace to the departed souls.
AL lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Shajahan Khan, Muhammad Faruk Khan, SM Rezaul Karim, Jatiya Party MPs GM Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Mashiur Rahman Ranga, among others, also participated in the discussion.
Dhaka seeks proactive role from Thailand, ASEAN to repatriate Rohingya
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday sought a pro-active role from Thailand in particular, and from the ASEAN in general, for ensuring an expeditious and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya people to their homeland in Myanmar.
Momen also requested participation of the Thai Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting in Dhaka next month.
The issues were discussed when visiting Permanent Secretary-designate of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan met Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
During the meeting, they exchanged warm greetings on the occasion of the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Thailand, which is being celebrated on both sides with fervor and enthusiasm.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is firmly committed to maintaining cordial and friendly relations with all the neighboring countries in the spirit of its cardinal foreign policy objective of 'friendship to all, malice towards none.'
He stressed the importance of forging a stronger and more effective regional collaboration by facilitating greater connectivity in the region.
Momen called for mutually beneficial initiatives and cooperation to harness the complementarities existing between the two economies.
He requested more Thai support and expertise for improving the tourism sector of Bangladesh, which is endowed with immense potentials.
Momen also encouraged more Thai investment in the infrastructure development initiatives of Bangladesh, agro-processing sector, health and pharmaceutical sector, to further deepen the economic relations between the two countries.
The Thai permanent Secretary-designate lauded the high growth and massive developmental efforts going in Bangladesh currently, which is rapidly transforming the country.
He also emphasised on holding the Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient time at the earliest.
He suggested to conclude an FTA for further strengthening the bilateral trade and business.
Meeting with Foreign Secretary
The visiting Thai Permanent Secretary-designate highly praised the interfaith harmony in Bangladesh that he observed during his offering of the Royal Kathina Robe at a temple in Binajuri in Chattogram on Saturday.
He shared these views during his meeting with Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The visiting Thai dignitary also expressed his very positive impression of the huge development process going in the country.
Welcoming him on his maiden visit, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of strengthening a stronger regional approach to cope with the emerging challenges, particularly caused by the pandemic and the raging conflicts in Europe.
In view of the crises stemming from the food and energy insecurity, supply chain disruptions, the looming threats of recession, he called for more synergies and fruitful cooperation among the neighbours.
Expressing his satisfaction over the successful holding of the second Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Bangkok in March this year, the Foreign Secretary emphasised on continuing such mechanisms to maintain the desired momentum in the bilateral relations.
He invited the Thai Permanent Secretary-designate for the Third FOC to be held in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date.
The Foreign Secretary also sought a more proactive Thai support to repatriate Rohingya people to Myanmar.
2015 crude bomb attack: 54 BNP activists acquitted of killing truck helper in Barishal
A Barishal Court on Sunday acquitted 54 activists of BNP and affiliated organisations from charges of killing a truck driver’s assistant in 2015 by throwing a crude bomb.
Judge TM Musa of the Barishal Tribunal for Suppression of Crime Endangering Public Safety passed the order.
Special prosecutor of the court Nurul Haque said the accused were acquitted as the witnesses didn’t give proper statements and there was not enough evidence against them.
All the accused were present at the court during the hearing, he said.
According to the case complaint, on January 18, 2015, some miscreants stopped a truck at Shahanur bus stand in Barishal and threw a crude bomb at it.
Read: Sitrang: Thousands marooned in Barishal city
The truck immediately caught fire, burning the truck driver’s sleeping assistant, a youth named Shohag, to death.
Police filed a case against 57 people over the incident for killing Sohag by use of explosive elements at the Ujirpur police station.
Nurul Islam, then Officer-in-Charge of the police station later submitted a charge sheet against 54 people in this case.
Bangladesh, Thailand keen to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic level
Bangladesh and Thailand on Sunday stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of the friendly and constructive bilateral engagements for raising the relations to a strategic level.
The two sides called for further exploring the untapped potentials for mutual benefits of the two countries.
Read more: Ted Kennedy Jr. meets PM Hasina along with his family
Bangladesh and Thailand are celebrating the 50 years of diplomatic relations in a befitting manner and with fervor through a series of events throughout this year.
As part of this celebration, an event to unveil a commemorative stamp and launching of an e-Book was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Read more: Bangladesh, Myanmar border guards meet Sunday to discuss tension
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and visiting Thai Permanent Secretary-designate Sarun Charoensuwan jointly unveiled the commemorative stamp and launched the e-Book.
The Foreign Secretary paid his tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to the martyrs of the great War of Liberation, and paid his homage to the late King Bhumibol of Thailand for his historic role in relation to the independence.
Both the Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Secretary expressed happiness at the friendly and multidimensional bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand that flourished over the last five decades and evolved from strength to strength.
Thailand recognised Bangladesh on October 5, 1972 being one of the few countries that extended recognition to an independent and sovereign Bangladesh very early into her independence, according to the MoFA.
PM Sheikh Hasina shocked at tragic loss of lives in Seoul stampede
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed her deep shock at the tragic loss of many lives in a stampede at Itaewon in Seoul during Halloween celebrations on the night of October 29, 2022.
In a letter sent to South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, she on behalf of the people and the government of Bangladesh conveyed deepest condolences to him and to the bereaved families, relatives, and friends of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
“As a longstanding friend of the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh profoundly sympathises at this tragedy and stands by the people of the Republic at this difficult hour.”
She prayed so that people and government of South Korea overcome this tragic loss with courage and fortitude.
Read: Ted Kennedy Jr. meets PM Hasina along with his family
Associated Press (AP) reported that the death toll from the stampede rose to 153 while 133 others were injured during the country’s worst disaster in years.
South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Sunday that the death count could further rise as 37 of the injured people were in serious conditions.
Cop among three arrested with heroin
Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested a cop with 500 gram heroin from Godagari upazila in Rajshahi on Saturday night.
The arrestee--Nur Nabi was attached to Chandrima police station under Rajshahi Metropolitan Police and hailed from Godagari upazila in the district.
Abdul Hai, officer-in-charge of the district DB police, said on information a team conducted a drive in Rail Gate area of the Godagari upazila and arrested him with 500 gram heroin on Saturday night.
Also read: Two including railway security staff arrested with marijuana in Ctg
With information received from him, two other people identified as Mithun Ali, 32 and Raibul Islam, 33, were also arrested with 500 gram more heroin from Sarengpur Policepara under the upazila, he said.
Chandrima police station’s OC Kamrul Islam said a case was filed against the trio under Narcotics Control Act in this connection.
Emran Ali, OC of Chandrima police station, said they learned about the arrest of the cop with the drug and subsequently he was suspended temporarily. The cop was on a seven-day leave.
20th JS session to continue till November 6
The 20th session of the current parliament that began Sunday will continue till November 6.
The session will start at 4:30pm during each working day.
The decisions came at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the current parliament held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka. It also decided that the speaker may extend or cut the working days of the current session.
Committee Chair and Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the meeting.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain Amu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Obaidul Quader, Hasanul Huq Inu, Deputy Speaker M Shamshul Huq Tuku, Anisul Huq, Golam Mohammad Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud, Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury and Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan attended the meeting.
A total of 1,047 questions including 44 questions for the Prime Minister and 1,003 questions for other ministers have been received in this session.
Read: JS goes into 20th session
Some 35 notices have been received under Rule-71.
No notices of private member's bill have been received by the secretariat so far.
Out of the 10 private bills that were previously pending, one bill was placed in the last seventeenth session and is under examination in the respective committee.
Among the 17 bills including 5 government bills had been received till October 30, 2022 and out of 12 pending bills of the last session, eight are under examination in the respective committees, two are awaiting passing and seven are waiting for placing before the Parliament.