United News of Bangladesh

Effigies of several individuals were burned at Dhaka University on Thursday in protest against the government’s move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port to foreign entities, branding them as “economic hitmen.” The demonstration was held in the afternoon at the Raju Sculpture under the banner of “Aggrieved Student Community (Sangkhubdo Shikkarti Samaj).” Effigies of Shipping Ministry Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and Chattogram Port Authority Chairman S M Moniruzzaman were set ablaze during the programme. The protesters said the government must withdraw from any initiative to hand over control of Chattogram Port, described as a key pillar of Bangladesh’s national security, to foreign hands. Mohiuddin Rahat, a 2019–20 session student of the Department of Criminology at Dhaka University, said the government is making excessive efforts just ahead of the election to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World. “It appears as if the government believes its entire mission and vision will fail if it cannot hand over this port,” he said. NCP officially launches election campaign from Dhaka University He further alleged that four individuals within the Bangladesh government are attempting to lease the New Mooring Terminal to DP World in exchange for commissions from foreign companies, and that they have been lobbying extensively to hand over Chattogram Port to DP World.    

The government is working to create startup funds from budget allocation to encourage youth in entrepreneurship. Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury said this at a press briefing on Monday evening. He briefed reporters about the day's session of Bangladesh Startup Connect, an event being held at Hotel InterContinental as a flagship programme under the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 that opened on Monday. BIDA Chairman, CCECC President discuss potential 2nd Chinese economic zone in Mongla He said that Bangladesh Bank will release Tk800 crore from different banks’ startup funds. The central bank will also release another special fund of Tk500 crore to boost the startup sector. Besides, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd will arrange a fund of US$ $1.0 million for the startup sector of Bangladesh, which was announced on the first day of Bangladesh Startup Connect, said BIDA chairman. Doing business will be easier for investors in Bangladesh: BIDA chief He said the interim government has emphasised youth employment and entrepreneurs’ development. As part of this, the government is working with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the allocation funds under budgetary support to boost the startup economy. The BIDA chairman said that over 70 representatives of 25 countries arrived in Bangladesh on the occasion of the investment summit. Over 1500 startups participated in the event. Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Shish Haider Chowdhury, ndc, Secretary, ICT Division and Chairman, Startup Bangladesh Limited were present at the press briefing.