United News of Bangladesh

The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday recommended two major proposals for policy approval, including the import of refined fuel oil through a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement for 2026 and the direct procurement of e-passport materials. The meeting of the committee, held at Bangladesh Secretariat, was virtually chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.  The proposals came from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and the Ministry of Home Affairs, respectively. Under the first proposal, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division sought policy approval for the purchase and import of refined fuel oil under the direct purchase method through G2G arrangements for the period of January to December 2026.  After reviewing the submission, the committee recommended the proposal for policy approval, recognising the importance of ensuring a stable supply of fuel to meet the country’s energy demands. Govt forms taskforce for national spatial planning The second agenda item, placed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, concerned the ongoing project titled ‘Introduction of E-Passport and Automated Border Control Management in Bangladesh’.  The proposal sought policy approval for the direct contracting method to procure one crore e-passport raw materials—extendable up to 50 lakh additional raw materials in emergencies—alongside 57 lakh e-passport booklets and associated training packages. After detailed discussions, the committee recommended the proposal for policy approval, citing the project’s strategic importance in maintaining the continuity of e-passport issuance and enhancing border management efficiency. Both recommendations will now move forward for final approval by the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase. Official sources said these approvals are part of the administration’s broader efforts to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and modernise national identification and border control systems.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (November 20, 2022) said fuel import from India through pipeline will start from next year. “Bangladesh wanted to import fuel from India through pipeline, and hopefully it will be done in the next year,” she said. The Prime Minister said this while Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. He was leading a four-member delegation. PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Read more: Govt working to revise renewable energy policy: Recent primary fuels crisis a reason The 130km India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) project aims to export oil products from the Siliguri Marketing Terminal in West Bengal state to Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina also said that the border haats between Bangladesh and India, in different parts of the border of the two countries, will resume function as those were stopped during the pandemic. Sheikh Hasina extended thanks to the Assam delegation for the visit and said Bangladesh always wants and promotes good relations with neighbours. Referring to exchange of enclaves with India, she said the two countries resolved many disputes through discussion. Putting emphasis on regional cooperation, she said Nepal, Bhutan and India’s north-eastern states including Assam and Tripura can use Chattogram port and airport, and Syedpur airport for mutual benefits. Sheikh Hasina also pointed out the connectivity routes which were closed during the 1965 India-Pakistan war and said, the routes are being opened in phases. The prime minister also recalled with gratitude the contribution of the north-eastern states of India and West Bengal for sheltering freedom fighters and refugees from Bangladesh during 1971. At the meeting, the Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker said, they had a great experience in Bangladesh and Assam will benefit from cooperation with Bangladesh. The delegation stressed the need for strengthening people to people contact as well as trade and commerce in the region. Biswajit Daimary said, Assam wants cooperation in agriculture sector from the experts of Bangladesh as the country has extensive experience in the sector. Read more: PM seeks Saudi fuel with deferred payment schedule He mentioned that peaceful environment is now prevailing in the north eastern region of India after Bangladesh extended cooperation to this end. The delegation also appreciated Bangladesh’s unprecedented development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kailuas was present.