United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Saturday stressed the urgency of structural reforms within government agencies, stating that the current pace of reform is too slow to meet the nation’s needs. “There is no long-term roadmap for key sectors, including industry, which is frustrating. Alongside institutional reforms, better coordination among government agencies is essential,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Bangladesh’s Import-Export Policy: Requirements and Challenges in the Post-LDC Era’ organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Highlighting the importance of seamless port operations, Siddiqi added that all ports are the lifelines of the economy and “the private sector is the main driver of our economy, so their [businesspeople] demands must be logically and effectively presented to the government.” DCCI President Taskin Ahmed said prolonged inflation, US tariff policies, export restrictions from India, the ongoing energy crisis, declining reserves, mismanagement in the financial sector and law and order issues have severely disrupted industrial operations and slowed export activities. NBR Reform Unity Council rejects compromise claims, announces strike “There is no alternative to reassessing our import-export policy to tackle the post-LDC graduation challenges expected in 2026,” Taskin said. He pointed out that export targets for sectors like leather, pharmaceuticals, jute, and agro-processed products have not been met. “Over 84% of our exports rely on ready-made garments and a few specific markets. To address import-side challenges, we need both stability in the financial sector and efficient tariff and customs management,” he added. Presenting the keynote paper at the event, Prof Selim Raihan of the University of Dhaka and Executive Director of SANEM, emphasised the gradual reduction of tariffs, modernisation of import policy, simplification of the customs system, improvement of trade facilitation, and automation.

Reviewing the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outlining the government's roadmap ahead, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Monday conveyed to the top Western nations ambassadors and high commissioners that they have made a ‘dramatic progress’. He held a high-level meeting with the envoys, including from the US, the UK, Canada, European Union and ILO at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon to review the past eight months of progress on labour reforms and outline the government's roadmap ahead. He was joined by technical experts and labour rights specialists. Lutfey delivered the first full summary of the government’s reform efforts since July 2024. “Over the past eight months, we’ve made dramatic progress,” Lutfey said. “The ILO roadmap is not just a guide — it’s a commitment. We’re investing time, energy and goodwill to get this right both in terms of process and outcome”. He commended the personal engagement and moral authority of Labour Adviser Dr Sakhawat Hossain who spent hours with tripartite stakeholders to bring them along. Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said, “We are targeting July 2025 for conclusion of Labour law amendments and other substantial milestones. The process is moving fast.” Govt committed to inclusive labour reforms, seeks global support: Adviser Sakhawat European Union Ambassador Michael Miller called the process “unprecedented,” adding, “We note that there’s been a lot of social dialogue and we appreciate the sense of urgency. We look forward to seeing the draft legislation soon and track tangible improvements on the ground. Resolution of this has implications for continued access to EU markets.” US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson said, “We welcome the momentum under the current government and would also like to see accountability for past violations.” Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh added, “We appreciate the work done so far and support the ILO roadmap. This is particularly important for Bangladesh in the context of LDC graduation.” British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said, “Bangladesh’s LDC graduation must be backed by strong labour standards. I echo others in expressing my appreciation for the seriousness with which the interim government of Bangladesh has approached this issue.” Labour Reform Commission submits report to CA ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen remarked, “We’re very close to shaping the updated Bangladesh Labour Act. What matters now is doing this in a way that stands the test of time and protects workers in the long run.” Legislative Secretary Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury said, “We’ve made substantial legal progress, and our team is working closely with stakeholders”. Lutfey also briefed the diplomats on earlier inter-ministerial meetings with the Home, Labour, and Public Administration Ministries to address politically motivated cases from the previous regime, better dispute resolution mechanisms to avert logjam in courts, and the issue of insufficient capacity in inspector roles. “This is not just a domestic issue. Labour rights are now tied to market access, global trade decisions, including the tariff agenda of President Trump. We must act accordingly,” Lutfey said. The diplomats agreed that labour reforms and accountability must remain a priority across all political contexts. Several reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s transition. Washington lauds labour reforms, expects more; stands by RMG “The July uprising provides a unique opportunity for the Bangladesh government to do the right thing. We are grateful for the support from everyone as we approach the final stretch towards closing the case at the ILO governing board,” Lutfey said.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi has said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has gifted tremendous "sift power" to the country and they should never let that gift go to waste. "Let’s be absolutely clear: This gentleman has gifted tremendous “soft power” to the country, which has a direct and unparalleled impact on what we are able to deliver for our citizens. We should never let that gift go to waste," he said, sharing his thoughts referring to the TIME magazine's recognition. Dr Yunus was named among Time magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2025. Given the extraordinary number of international awards to his name, Lutfey Siddiqi said, it is easy to think of these recognitions as “yet another one”. Dr Yunus named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people "If this was a political leader, any one of these awards would have triggered celebratory roadblocks around the country, endless hyperbolic speeches, huge posters and large newspaper ads taken out by those seeking to curry favour," said the Special Envoy in a post shared from his verified Facebook account. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a Time tribute praised Yunus for his leadership during this crucial time. "Now, Yunus has answered his country’s call once more. As he shepherds Bangladesh out of the shadows of oppression, he is restoring human rights, demanding accountability, and laying the foundations for a just and free society," she said. After a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh’s authoritarian Prime Minister last year, a known leader stepped up to guide the nation toward democracy: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, said Clinton, a Democrat and a former US Senator. Decades earlier, Yunus established the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to empower the most marginalised communities through small loans, helping millions—97% of them women—build businesses, sustain their families and reclaim their dignity. Pakistan's Engro CEO meets Dr Yunus; eyes business opportunities in Bangladesh "I first met Yunus when he traveled to Arkansas to help then governor Bill Clinton and me set up similar programs in the U.S. Since then, wherever I’ve traveled in the world, I have witnessed the extraordinary impact of his work—lives transformed, communities lifted, and hope reborn," she said.

While the economic case for gender parity seems clear-cut, there has been a growing backlash against the push for women’s equal rights. This backlash could be explained by elements of tokenism, which have also failed to lead to sustainable change. Making real, lasting change will mean tackling things like deeply ingrained socio-cultural attitudes and gender roles. Time and time again, research shows that if men and women were to have the same opportunities — educational, professional, health, to name a few — it would pay off, quite literally. Dr Yunus engages with global leaders, seeks support to bring back stolen money Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief, Reuters, Canada; Anna Bjerde, Managing Director, Operations, World Bank, Washington DC; Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf International Bank Asset Management, United Kingdom; Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus; Michael Ensser, Chairman, Egon Zehnder, Switzerland; spoke in "Adding Trillions with Gender Parity" session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025. “If you had women participating as actively as men in the economy, the GDP of the world would be 20% higher,” pointed out Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, in a session at Davos. Case closed. Or, as another panellist in the session, Michael Ensser, Chairman of executive search firm Egon Zehnder, put it: the business argument for gender equality is “an absolute no-brainer.” And yet, what once seemed like a consensus view — that gender equality was something worth fighting for — has increasingly been called into question. For example, around the world, women’s access to sexual and reproductive healthcare has come under attack. Lutfey Siddiqi, a special envoy of the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has a theory. “One of the problems that we need to confront is that there have been elements of tokenism and virtue-signalling in the way we’ve approached this,” he argued, citing examples where companies have “tried to parachute people in from the top as opposed to building an inclusive culture from the bottom.” UN chief Guterres meets Dr Yunus in Davos Not only was this approach ineffective, it possibly accounts for the push-back we’ve been seeing in some countries when it comes to gender equality, Siddiqi said. “Some of the ESG scores are very reductionist, they look for a single score. And then in organizations it becomes adopted by HR and compliance, and all of a sudden you’ve defenestrated the manager who could have taken some ownership of this thing.” But Siddiqi emphasised  that even if this might offer an explanation for the backlash, it doesn’t justify that backlash. “We can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” he argued. “To say, well, because it was done in a tokenistic way in that instance, I’m going to give up on that altogether, that would be a silly way to go.” "It’s quite embarrassing that we are having this conversation in 2025,” Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chief Executive Officer at GIB Asset Management, said during the session. “I wonder if it’s that some people think it’s too hard?” UAE invites Dr Yunus to attend World Governments Summit in Dubai While specific solutions might not be obvious, one thing the session made clear: we should all agree that achieving gender parity is a priority. “We have a lot to learn from each other,” conceded Bjerde. “But let’s not abandon this topic.”  

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, at his office on Sunday and discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries. Bangladesh reaffirms support for Syrian people Special Envoy Siddiqi thanked the High Commissioner for the wide range of timely and relevant areas of assistance that the UK is currently providing to the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The areas of cooperation include technical assistance in the financial sector and convening relevant research in the implementation of governance reforms.  

Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister in Charge of Trade, has said many Singaporean companies have an interest in investing in Bangladesh.  Fu made the comments when Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Special Envoy for International Affairs, called on her at her office on Wednesday. “Despite the recent political changes, we believe in the long-term potential of Bangladesh,” FU said in a message posted on her verified Facebook page. “Many Singapore companies are operating or have interest to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure and logistics,” he said. ADB to lend USD 100 million to Bangladesh for infrastructure dev “The Singapore government will continue to support companies that wish to invest in Bangladesh. “I look forward to deepening our economic linkages, as well as to explore ways to bring our people closer together.” Bangladesh and Singapore share warm and longstanding bilateral ties built over 50 years of diplomatic relations since 1972.

Underscoring the importance of the RMG industry, Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi has expressed gratitude for the "constructive engagement and contribution" of the foreign buyers' community through a period of challenges and changes. Siddiqi welcomed representatives of global brands and buyers of readymade garments for a dialogue at his office on Thursday. He expressed cautious optimism in metrics such as export volumes, remittances and cargo handling that have defied expectations to show double-digit percentage growth versus the previous year. Other factors such as law and order, labour relations and liquidity appear to be improving but continue to require close monitoring. Beyond that, structural constraints such as our port infrastructure, energy infrastructure or gaps in skills will take longer to resolve but for which, reforms in our decision-making processes should enable us to move faster than before.        The buyers’ representatives pointed out that this is the first time that they have had an opportunity to engage directly in this manner with government at a ministerial level.  They brought up weak brand protection, restrictive credit facilities for imports, and lack of a dedicated green energy plan for this sector as additional issues for the government to focus on. They expressed full support for the government’s agenda around labour standards and rejected the suggestion that their pricing policies could stand in the way of better wages. It was also mentioned that global brands with their own observations on the ground are well-placed to help narrate and project the true story of Bangladesh, as it is evolving right now, to the international audience, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. Chief Justice calls for justice as a universal right at RULAA Council The Special Envoy thanked them for their support, especially on the backdrop of disinformation in certain arenas. Among others who were present in the meeting were Ziaur Rahman of H&M and Javier Santonja of Inditex.