Dhaka
PM inaugurates month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (January 21, 2024) inaugurated the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.
Five foreign countries -- Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Iran -- alongside local companies are taking part in the 28th edition of the fair where exhibitors will showcase products. Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, is also participating in it.
The Prime Minister also declared Handicrafts Products as the product of the year for 2024.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan were also present on dais.
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The fair will continue from January 21 to February 20. The Ministry of Commerce and the EPB have been organising trade fairs since 1995.
The DITF usually commences on 1 January each year. However, the EPB postponed the fair due to the 12th national elections held on January 7.
The trade fair will run from 10 am to 9 pm daily and to 10 pm on weekends. The entry fee is Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children. Freedom fighters and the physically challenged people need no fee.
BRTC buses have been arranged from Farmgate and Kuril Biswa Road to the fair premises for the convenience of general visitors.
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A total of 330 stalls have been allotted along with 23 pavilions and 27 mini pavilions.
There will also be 15 food stalls of different categories which can accommodate up to 500 people.
There are also a prayer room, children's playground, media corner, office rooms, medical rooms, guest-rooms for officials, and stores.
The parking area can provide facilities for 500 vehicles.
Read more: Month-long trade fair in Chattogram kicks off today
Remove rickety buses from Dhaka streets, says Jatri Kallyan Samiti
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers' welfare platform, on Saturday (January 20, 2024) demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government's management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital.
Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city's Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning.
In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026.
The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere.
Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS's secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital.
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There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said.
There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus.
However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added.
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He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said.
The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on.
The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors.
”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added.
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Dhaka, Delhi ties growing from strength to strength: Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday (January 20, 2024) said Bangladesh-India relations are growing from strength to strength.
"Look forward to receiving him (Dr Hasan Mahmud) in Delhi soon," he said as he met his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud on the sidelines of the 19th NAM Summit.
Jaishankar said he is glad to meet with his new Bangladesh counterpart, Hasan Mahmud in Kampala, Uganda.
"Congratulated him on his appointment and wished him all success," said the Indian External Affairs Minister.
Both the ministers discussed various issues of mutual interests and ways to carry forward the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They also discussed the upcoming visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister to New Delhi.
Hasan Mahmud led the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held on January 19-20.
He will also lead the third South Summit of the G77 and China scheduled to be held on January 21-22.
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Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Muhammad A Muhith and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya and Uganda, among others, are accompanying the Foreign Minister.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud is scheduled to leave for New Delhi, India on February 7 – the first bilateral visit by the minister after his appointment – to further strengthen Bangladesh-India relations.
“It’s likely to be a three-day visit,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 18, noting that the agenda of the visit is yet to be finalised.
The Foreign Minister said he will be visiting the country at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Asked whether he will have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit, Mahmud said, “It is too early to say.”
Jaishankar, earlier, invited his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud to visit New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended the invitation on behalf of the Indian External Affairs Minister on Monday.
The Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and told him that he would visit Delhi soon.
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Dhaka Metro Rail extends service hours on Uttara-Motijheel route; here are the timings
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced an expansion in the operational hours of the Metro Rail services on the Uttara North-Motijheel route.
Starting January 20, the services will be available from 7:10 am to 8:00 pm every day except Friday, as stated by MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL, during a press conference at the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban on Thursday.
The morning service will commence with two metro trains departing from Uttara North Metro Rail Station at 7:10 am and 7:20 am, heading towards Motijheel. These trains will make stops at all stations and can only be accessed using MRT/Rapid Pass.
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From Motijheel, train services will start at 7:30 am and operate at designated intervals until 8:00 pm. The evening schedule includes four metro trains leaving Motijheel Metrorail Station at 8:10 pm, 8:20 pm, 8:30 pm, and 8:40 pm, traveling back to Uttara North, stopping at each station en route.
Passengers wishing to board these evening trains must have either an MRT Pass/Rapid Pass or a Single Journey Ticket, purchased before 7:45 pm on the day of travel. Post 7:45 pm, ticketing offices and sales machines will be closed.
Previously, Metro Rail services on the Agargaon-Motijheel route were operational from 7:00 am to 11:30 am at 10-minute intervals. This extension aims to offer greater convenience to commuters traveling between Uttara and Motijheel.
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Dhaka Metro Rail currently serves 16 stations: Uttara North, Uttara Center, Uttara South, Pallabi, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbag, Dhaka University, Bangladesh Secretariat, and Motijheel. An ongoing expansion project is set to include Kamalapur in the network soon.
The Dhaka Metro Rail began operating on the Uttara to Agargaon section on November 29, 2022, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurating the services a day prior. Similarly, the segment between Agargaon and Motijheel, which started serving passengers on November 5, 2023, was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister the day before its public launch.
With Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh Stations opening today, Dhaka Metro Rail ends 2023 with a milestone
'BNP agent’: Quader calls TIB
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (January 18, 2024) said that the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) is “one-sided and anti-government.”
“They (TIB) are agents of BNP,” he said at a press briefing at the Awami League president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi this afternoon.
“TIB speaks in the tune of BNP. History says that they were always against Awami League. They speak for BNP. We could not find impartiality of their research,” said the AL leader.
“There are some organisations that talk about accidents. If a hundred die, they say five hundred died. TIB is like them. TIB and CPD said Padma Bridge is impossible. Filing a case doesn’t solve everything. Some are said for public perception. They will be dealt with politically,” he said.
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TIB in its report on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary election was “not free and not inclusive.”
Quader acknowledged the existence of political tactics and conflicts within parties, asserting, “Conflicts are inherent in politics, and Awami League navigates through them under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party remains united in addressing challenges wherever they arise.”
Addressing upcoming local government elections, Quader said, “Decisions regarding local government elections, including upazilas, and the use of party symbols will be finalized in the Awami League board meeting.”
When asked who would be the opposition party in the parliament, Quader responded, “Clarity on the opposition party will emerge once the session commences.”
Regarding commodity prices, Quader noted, “Sheikh Hasina has provided instructions on commodity prices. Ministries are formulating action plans based on the ground reality, including price control measures.”
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The press briefing was attended by AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, among other leaders.
Weather forecast for 72 hrs: What BMD is saying about rain in Dhaka, other places
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted a dynamic weather pattern for the coming 72 hours, starting at 9 am today (January 18, 2024), impacting various regions of the country including Dhaka.
According to a recent BMD bulletin, “Rain or thundershowers are expected in several areas, with Khulna and Barishal divisions likely to experience scattered showers. Isolated rain or thundershowers may occur in Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions. Meanwhile, other regions can expect mainly dry conditions with temporary partly cloudy skies.”
The bulletin also warns of moderate to thick fog affecting many areas from midnight to morning. A mild cold wave is currently sweeping through the Rangpur division, as well as the districts of Kishoreganj and Noagaon, with potential to persist.
Dinajpur recorded the country’s lowest temperature today at 8 degrees Celsius.
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Transport sectors, including air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication, face potential disruptions due to foggy conditions.
Temperatures are expected to fall slightly in the north-northeastern regions, while remaining relatively stable in other parts of Bangladesh.
Furthermore, the BMD anticipates “cold day conditions” in certain areas, highlighting the need for residents to prepare for a range of weather scenarios.
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Worst Air Quality: Along with Dhaka, South Asian cities in top 5
As city life continues to be impacted by the cold weather, Dhaka's air quality remained in the 'unhealthy' zone this morning (January 18, 2024).With an air quality index (AQI) score of 175 at 9:06 am, Dhaka ranked fifth on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.India’s Kolkata, Pakistan’s Karachi and Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first four spots on the list, with AQI scores of 240, 211, 183 and 179, respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning amid bone-chilling coldWhen the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Dhaka’s air quality again world's worstAs per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka, Washington agree to deepen ties to expand trade, strengthen anti-militancy efforts
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said Bangladesh has agreed to deepen ties with the United States through expansion of trade and strengthening efforts to combat “militancy and fanaticism.”
"We have expressed our commitment to work together," he told reporters after his separate meetings with US Ambassador Peter Haas and European Union Ambassador Charles Whiteley at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister said the rise of fanaticism is a problem worldwide.
Responding to a question, he also said there has been exploration of oil offshore.
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The Foreign Minister said there are oil reserves as discovered by a US company.
He said Bangladesh and the US have cooperation in the defence area and they have discussed the issue.
The Foreign Minister said he has discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue with both the ambassadors.
He said Bangladesh wants Rohingyas to return to their homeland with full rights.
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Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh is now hosting around 15 lakh Rohingyas, and the number is growing . "It's a burden for us."
Talking to reporters, US Ambassador Peter Haas said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.
He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.
"I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest," said Ambassador Haas.
Referring to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, he said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.
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Regarding his meeting with EU Ambassador Whiteley, the Foreign Minister said they discussed the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) so that both sides can reach a fruitful position through negotiations.
Weather Update: Will it rain in Dhaka?
Amidst the ongoing mild cold wave, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted rainfall in various regions, including Dhaka.
Over the next 24 hours – starting from 9 am today (January 17, 2024)– rain is anticipated in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions. The Met office has highlighted a likelihood of rain in one or two places within these areas.
Meanwhile, rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions on Thursday, according to the forecast of BMD.
BMD predicts this is how long current cold wave will continue
The forecast also includes the possibility of moderate to thick fog covering the country from night through to morning, potentially persisting until noon in some areas. This foggy condition may lead to temporary disruptions in air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication.
Wednesday witnessed the country’s lowest temperature at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Bandarban. As the country experiences this cold wave, the weather in other parts of Bangladesh is expected to remain mainly dry, with temporary partly cloudy skies.
Temperature fluctuations are also predicted, with the night temperature likely to increase by 1-2 degrees Celsius, and a slight rise in the daytime temperature across the country.
As cold weather continues, Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’
The prevailing foggy conditions might also contribute to cold day scenarios in various places throughout Bangladesh. Citizens are advised to stay updated with the latest weather reports and plan their activities accordingly.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway to be completed in 2024, says Obaidul Quader
In a significant development for Bangladesh’s infrastructure, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (January 16, 2024) announced that the construction of Dhaka Elevated Expressway is set to be completed within this year. This statement was made during a press briefing at the Setu Bhaban earlier today, signaling a major stride in the country’s infrastructure network.
Minister Quader informed that 50% of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway’s construction work has already been completed. With traffic flow already operational from the Dhaka Airport to Farmgate, the project is progressing swiftly. The remaining construction work is anticipated to be finished by 2024.
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In an impressive revelation about the Padma Bridge, Minister Quader stated that it is generating a daily toll revenue of Tk 2 crore. The total toll collection so far has reached a substantial amount of Tk 1,252 crore. This income stream signifies the bridge’s crucial role in the nation’s economic activities.
Furthermore, Quader expressed optimism regarding the completion of the BRTA project in Gazipur by June of this year, marking another milestone in enhancing Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure.
Responding to queries from journalists, the General Secretary of Awami League addressed political rhetoric, criticizing BNP leaders for their “nonsensical” statements. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the government’s efforts in national development instead of harboring envy over the country’s prosperity.
Earlier in the day, Minister Quader engaged in discussions with officials of the Bridge Building and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. He reviewed the progress of various projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to ongoing infrastructure development across the country.
PM Hasina to open 3 mega projects inc. Elevated Expressway in Ctg tomorrow