Bangladesh
Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors.
He said Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India.
"We are in discussion to that end," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
He said Bhutan has a potential of producing 25,000 megawatts of hydropower.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will also import hydropower from Nepal and things are settled regarding that initiative.
Hasan said Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country’s capacity.
He also briefed about the visit of the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Three new MoUs will be signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan while another MoU on cultural exchange will be renewed, said the Foreign Minister.
The new MoUs will be on establishing a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, Specialized Economic Zone in Kurigram and technological cooperation consumers’ rights protection.
The King, along with Bhutanese Foreign, Health, Industry and Commerce Ministers and the Bhutanese Queen, is scheduled to arrive on Monday morning on a four-day visit demonstrating the strong relations that Bangladesh and Bhutan have developed steadily since 1971.
"We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," Minister Hasan said, adding that there is scope for boosting trade through transit and signing preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Bhutan.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the First Lady will receive the King amid gun salute and guard of honour.
The King is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10 am on Monday by a special flight, a senior official told UNB.
This is going to be the first VVIP visit to Bangladesh after the formation of new government following January 7 national election.
After the ceremony at the airport, he will go to Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On Monday afternoon, the Bhutanese King will have a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. They will have a one-to-one meeting.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will meet the King at his place of residence the same day before the meeting with the Prime Minister.
On Tuesday, the King will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar.
The King will also visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
He will visit Bangabhaban where he will be received by the president and the first lady.
The King will have a meeting with the president at 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
The president will host iftar and dinner in honour of the visiting royal.
On Wednesday morning, the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and selected Bhutanese delegation members will leave Bangladesh for Bhutan by a special flight.
Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will see them off at the airport.
The Bhutanese King will visit Padma Bridge and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
On Thursday, the King will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone.
He will leave Bangladesh territory for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port on Thursday afternoon.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, will see him off there.
The 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, sent a letter of congratulations to the prime minister recently saying under her dynamic and strong leadership, Bangladesh has enjoyed peace, stability and unprecedented economic development.
He also termed Bhutan as a "close friend" and rejoiced with the people of Bangladesh on this occasion.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.
Sotheby's auction of Zainul Abedin paintings breaks records for Bangladeshi artists
At a recent auction organised by renowned auction house Sotheby's in New York, two paintings by the Bangladeshi art maestro, revered as 'Shilpacharya' Zainul Abedin, fetched a record price, the highest on record for a Bangladeshi artist.
Sotheby's, which was founded in London close to 300 years ago but is now headquartered in New York, recently organised an auction titled "Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art", where these two paintings were auctioned at record prices.
According to the Sotheby's website, one of the two paintings, "Untitled (Couple)," which depicts a Santal couple (Oil on canvas, 1963), sold for $381,000, or around Tk 4,16,29,622 (Tk 4 crore 16 lakh 29 thousand 622) based on today's USD to BDT exchange rate ($1 = BDT 109.26).
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The other painting, also “Untitled” depicts a woman at rest, wearing a sky-blue saree and scarlet bangles, created between 1956 and 1963 using oil paints on board. This painting sold for USD 279,400, equivalent to approximately Tk 3,05,28,389 (3 crore 5 lakh 28 thousand 389).
The first painting, which measures 102 cm in width and 135.5 cm in length, was initially estimated to be valued between 100,000 and 150,000 USD, according to the Sotheby's website. The second one, which measures 80.4 cm in length and 60.4 cm in breadth, was initially estimated to be valued between 80,000 and 120,000 USD.
Both were from the Marker family collection, which the Sotheby's website referred to as “Property from The Estate of His Excellency Jamsheed K Marker and Diana J Marker.”
BBC reports that both of them were close friends of Zainul Abedin. The Shilpacharya often visited the Marker couple's house and at that time introduced several famous South Asian artists to them.
However, the website did not reveal the details of the buyers. Art collectors often prefer to remain anonymous.
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Art connoisseurs in the country opined that these two paintings are among the highest selling prices among Shilpacharya’s artworks.
In early 2018, Christie's, the famous New York-based auction house, auctioned off another artwork by Zainul Abedin from the Santal series for Tk 1.5 crore in Bangladeshi currency.
Bangladesh among 30 countries with the highest purchasing power parity in the world
Bangladesh has ranked 26th among 30 countries with the highest Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in the World.
According to finance website, Insider Monkey, Bangladesh has a per capita GDP of $9.41 thousand based on purchasing power parity. In 2021, the country's GDP was little more than $1 trillion. In three years, it has risen to $1.6 trillion, making Bangladesh one of the world's fastest-growing economies today. GDP (PPP): $1,573,205,815,650, as per Insider Monkey.
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Top 10 countries with the highest purchasing power parity in the world:
1 China
GDP (PPP): $35,102,468,294,640
2. United States
GDP (PPP): $28,212,584,701,080
3. India
GDP (PPP): $13,837,886,095,650
4. Japan
GDP (PPP): $6,693,210,775,800
5. Germany
GDP (PPP): $5,737,921,135,920
6. Russia
GDP (PPP): $5,180,512,624,880
7. Indonesia
GDP (PPP): $4,706,381,666,640
8. Brazil
GDP (PPP): $4,533,438,662,610
9. France
GDP (PPP): $4,161,339,481,020
10. United Kingdom
GDP (PPP): $3,967,703,923,320
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What is PPP?
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is a macroeconomic concept used to compare the relative value of currencies between different countries. Value refers to how much purchasing a currency can do compared to different countries. So, to find that out, economists apply PPP, which is the exchange rate at which one country’s currency would be converted into another to purchase an identical basket of goods and services. The PPP metric is usually used to measure economic productivity and standards of living between countries, according to Insider Monkey.
In other words, utilising purchasing power parity, GDP is translated to a common baseline currency (international dollars), allowing for more realistic comparisons of nations and their worldwide positions.
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Methodology
For its list of the ‘30 Countries with the Highest Purchasing Power Parity in the World’, Insider Monkey calculated the PPP using the GDP per capita by PPP of the 50 top countries with the largest economies in the world and their population. It then shortlisted the top 30 and compiled the list in ascending order. The base data for GDP per capita and population has been sourced from the International Monetary Fund and the CIA’s database and is accurate to 2024, the finance website said.
What you need to keep in mind during Bangladesh-Australia Women’s cricket series
The Australian women's cricket team has arrived in Dhaka, ready to take on the Bangladesh women's team in a historic series starting on March 21.
This marks Australia's first full tour of Bangladesh. Their previous visit was in 2014 for the ICC T20I World Cup, and they have never played an ODI in Bangladesh.
While the first ODI is on March 21, the other two are on March 24 and 27, respectively. After the ODI series, the teams will take on each other in a three-match T20I series, too, on March 31, April 2, and 4. All the matches will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The first match of the three-match ODI series will be Australia's first ODI in Bangladesh. In their only previous ODI encounter two years ago, Australia won by 65 runs.
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Bangladesh's inclusion in the ICC Women's Championship has created the opportunity for this series against Australia. Bangladesh recently won an ODI against South Africa, boosting their confidence for the upcoming challenge.
Their recent home success, including a win against Pakistan and a tied series with India, further strengthens Bangladesh's confidence.
Bangladesh's conditions may offer a unique challenge to the Australian players, many of whom are playing in Bangladesh for the first time. Only Captain Alyssa Healy and veteran Ellyse Perry have previous experience in Bangladesh, and that was a decade ago.
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However, some Australian players have recently participated in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India, where they experienced conditions similar to those in Bangladesh.
Australia squad for Bangladesh tour 2024: Alyssa Healy (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vice captain), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck
Bangladesh squad against Australia series 2024: Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akter (vice captain), Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas, Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi, Farzana Akter, Rabeya Khan
Rizvi says ‘India out’ campaign people’s protest against the country’s influence in Bangladesh’s political landscape
In a fervent critique of the ruling Awami League (AL), BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, charged the government with sacrificing the nation's independence and dignity in exchange for support from the Indian government. Rizvi’s allegations were made during a press briefing at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan on Wednesday (March 20, 2024).
Rizvi claimed that AL does not seek the mandate of the Bangladeshi people, instead “clinging to power through the backing of the Modi government and entering into bonds of subjugation.”
He further accused the AL of perceiving Bangladesh as a “dummy state,” alleging that the real power behind the AL is not the people of Bangladesh but India. By supporting the Awami League, India is exercising control over Bangladesh, infringing upon the rights of its citizens,” Rizvi added.
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Highlighting concerns over foreign influence, Rizvi said, “It is believed that India dictates the appointments of crucial positions like the chief of Bangladesh Police and BGB, undermining our sovereignty.”
Rizvi also pointed to statements made by Indian foreign ministry officials expressing support for the Awami League ahead of the January 7 national election. “The notion of our sovereignty is being compromised under the guise of stability under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership,” he stated.
The BNP leader criticized the Awami League’s acceptance of India’s alleged dominance, declaring that “people of Bangladesh will never accept the supremacy of India, even if the AL leaders have.” He clarified that the BNP's dispute lies not with the people of India but with the Indian government’s policies towards Bangladesh.
Rizvi also said the “India out” campaign is gaining momentum in Bangladesh, saying that it is people’s protest against the country’s influence.
Addressing the Awami League’s reaction to the campaign, Rizvi mentioned that AL leader Obaidul Quader found the social media movement “not expedient,” implying discomfort within the ruling party regarding the public’s dissent towards India’s role in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
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FDC ramp of Dhaka Elevated Expressway opens to traffic, Quader calls it ‘PM’s Eid gift’
The exit ramp of Dhaka Elevated Expressway's Karwan Bazar section, in front of FDC, opened to traffic on Wednesday (March 20, 2024).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader formally opened the ramp in the morning.
With this, 16 ramps of the Elevated Expressway have been opened so far.
On September 3 last year, the 11.5 km Airport-Farmgate stretch of Dhaka Elevated Expressway was opened to traffic and today the FDC gate ramp was opened. “This is an Eid gift from the Prime Minister for the people,” Quader said.
“We will be able to fully open it by the beginning of next year. Hatirjheel ramp will be opened and progress is on following that direction,” he added.
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Asked about the increased traffic congestion in Dhaka during the month of Ramadan, the minister said, “People go to shopping malls during Ramadan and there will be some traffic jam. However, there is no traffic jam from Uttara to Motijheel. People can easily reach their destinations.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2, 2023 inaugurated the Airport-Farmgate segment of Dhaka Elevated Expressway.
The total length of the expressway is 19.73 km and people can enter and exit the expressway through ramps in 31 points.
The project director said 72.51 percent work of the expressway has been completed and the work at Hatirjheel and Panthakunja points is underway.
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The Dhaka Elevated Expressway project was undertaken in 2011. On December 15, 2013, Bangladesh Bridge Authority signed a revised agreement with First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited, the investment company of the project.
HC orders MP Salam Murshedy to hand over Gulshan house to govt
The High Court on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) ordered Khulna-4 MP and vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Abdus Salam Murshedy to hand over his residence in Gulshan to the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain passed the order and asked Murshedy to complete the process within three months after receiving the copy of the verdict.
The court also said that the residence in Gulshan where Salam Murshedy is living is an abandoned property of the government.
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Senior Advocate Mohammad Syed Ahmed stood for Murshedy, Senior Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) while deputy attorney general Saifuddin Khaled represented the state and Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the petitioner.
Advocate Syed said they will file an appeal petition challenging the verdict.
On October 30, 2022, Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the BFF official.
According to the writ petition, the house located in Gulshan-2 was listed as the abandoned house under the gazette in 1986. But Murshedy is living there after occupying it.
Three letters of the Housing and Public Works Ministry to the chairman of Rajuk issued on April 13, 2015, January 20, 2016 and July 4, 2022 were attached to the writ petition.
The Housing and Public Works Ministry sought explanation from Rajuk Chairman over the occupation of the house by Murshedy .
On November 1, 2022, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the inaction of the authorities concerned in taking legal steps against the AL lawmaker for occupying the house illegally, should not be declared beyond legal authority.
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It also asked the authorities concerned to submit all documents regarding the house to the court.
On February 8 this year, the ACC in its investigation found the allegations of forgery and fraud over the house true and on the basis of information of witnesses and documents, the ACC filed a case against five people including Murshedy.
Abontika’s death: Teacher Din Islam sent to jail after remand
A court here on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) sent Jagannath University teacher Din Islam, who was relieved from assist proctor post of the university,to jail after completion of his one-day remand in a case over the death of Law Department student Fairuz Abontika by suicide.
Judge of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Abu Bakar Siddique passed the order when he was produced before the court after remand.
A Cumilla court on Monday placed Jagannath University’s suspended student Raihan Siddique Amman and teacher Din Islam on a two and one-day remand respectively in the case.
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The court also ordered the investigation officer of the case filed to submit a report within seven days.
Abontika, a student of the 2017-18 academic year of the JnU Law Department, hanged herself at her Cumilla residence after accusing her classmate Amman and relieved assistant proctor Din Islam in a Facebook post around 10 pm on Friday.
In the Facebook post before committing suicide, Abantika said that Amman Siddique and Din Islam would be responsible for her suicide.
Hours after death of Abontika by suicide, massive protest broke out and continued till Saturday morning, demanding justice for the student.
In the face of student movement, the university authorities were compelled to relieve the assistant proctor and suspend the student to assuage the movement.
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Besides, the university administration formed a four-member probe committee.
Members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested the teacher and student from Dhaka on Saturday night.
Van driver Humayun from Cumilla becomes millionaire after buying Walton fridge
Humayun Sarker, a van driver from Debidwar upazila of Cumilla, has become a millionaire after purchasing a Walton refrigerator under the “Nonstop millionaire” offer, announced by the company as part of its ongoing nationwide ‘Digital Campaign Season-20.’
Earlier, a total of 31 customers became millionaires through the campaign, according to a media release. With the slogan “Best product, best offer”, the country’s electronics giant Walton has launched the campaign’s season-20 with the offer of “Nonstop Millionaire”.
In season-20, customers are offered “nonstop millionaire” on the purchase of Walton fridge, television, air conditioner, washing machine or fan from any Walton Plaza, distributor outlet or online sales platform ‘E-plaza’ across the country. In addition, crores worth of cashback are also available.
On Saturday, popular film actor Amin Khan handed over a cheque of Tk10 lakh to Humayun Sarker at a program held in front of the Chowdhury Electronics, one of the distributors’ showrooms of Walton, at the New Market area in Cumilla city.
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The function was also attended, among others, by Municipal Mayor Saiful Islam Shamim, local politician Mamunur Rashid Mamun, Upazila Awami League President Abul Kashem, Walton’s Executive Director Monirul Haque Mona, Divisional Sales Manager Sohel Rana, Regional Sales Manager Rakibul Hasan, Chowdhury Electronics' Proprietor Saiful Islam Chowdhury.
Hailing from Gunaighor village of the upazila, Humayun Sarker bought a fridge worth Tk 45,200 from Chowdhury Electronics on March 9, 2024. His name, mobile number and the model number of the purchased fridge are digitally registered. Later, he received a message from Walton on his mobile with the notification that he was awarded Tk 10 lakh.
Thanking Walton authorities, Humayun Sarker said: “I never imagined that I would get Tk 10 lakh just for buying a fridge. This has changed my life. Walton proves that it keeps the promises given to customers.”
Calling upon all to purchase and use local products, film actor Amin Khan said, “We should buy local products to strengthen the country’s economy and create employment.”
Following the upcoming Eid festivals, Walton has targeted to meet about 80 percent of the total demands of refrigerators in the local market. To achieve the target, Walton released more than 300 models and designs of refrigerators, freezers and beverage coolers in the market. The price of these refrigerators is set between Tk 14,990 taka and Tk 2 lakh.
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Using AIOT based smart technology, intelligent inverter, Nano health care and anti-fungal door gasket technology in Walton refrigerators, along with easy installment facility for maximum 36 months, 12-year warranty on compressor with 1-year replacement facility, 5-year free after-sales service, and swift after-sales service from the nationwide ISO certified service centers are resulted in turning into the most loved brand in the local refrigerator market.
Crackdown on teen gangs in Dhaka: 35 including key leaders arrested
In a decisive move against gang violence, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have apprehended 35 operatives including two masterminds behind several notorious teen gangs, across key areas of Dhaka. From March 11 to 18, focused operations spanned Mohammadpur, Adabar, Nakhalpara, Tejgaon, and surrounding locales, marking a significant stride in curbing urban crime.
The arrest announcement came today via a statement from RAB-2’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP-media), Shihab Karim. Among those detained were Md. Akash, Md. Farid, and Md. Imam Hossain, alongside figures like Md. Arif alias Rasel Mia and Md. Mosharraf, pinpointing a wide net cast by law enforcement to dismantle these criminal networks.
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This crackdown follows reports of rampant robbery, mugging, and extortion, leading to a targeted response from several RAB teams in areas under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jurisdiction. Notably, operations led to the capture of leaders from the FDC Munna and King Jamal Group, including Md Ismail alias “FDC Munna” and Md Jamal Hossain, as well as heads of the King Mosharraf and Apna Bhai Groups.
Authorities also seized locally-made weapons used in these gangs’ criminal endeavours. The arrests reveal a disturbing trend of violence, snatchings, and extortion, with teen gangs frequently clashing over territory and influence. Preliminary interrogations have unearthed admissions of past crimes and plans for future violence, indicating a deep-rooted issue within Dhaka’s underbelly.
The arrestees engaged in criminal activities under the guise of everyday professions, from transport workers to vegetable vendors, making their operations not only diverse but challenging to dismantle, said the RAB statement, highlighting the deceptive methods employed by these groups to evade law enforcement.
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Following their arrest, the teen gang members have been transferred to various police stations across the DMP area for further legal proceedings, signifying the beginning of a lengthy process to bring these individuals to justice.