United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday sought greater US investment and stronger economic engagement with Bangladesh during talks with visiting US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, as the two sides discussed bilateral relations, trade, the Rohingya crisis and other issues of mutual interest. The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon, beginning at 9:30am, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin. During the meeting, Sergio Gor praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, saying stability is returning to Bangladesh under his leadership. As an indication of that progress, he said, the United States has positively revised its travel advisory for Bangladesh, which would send an important message to American investors that the country is ready for investment. The two sides also discussed a planned visit by a delegation of the US-Bangladesh Business Council to Bangladesh next month. They also discussed expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on Saturday said “great opportunities” exist between Bangladesh and the United States and the two countries can achieve real results by working together, stressing that the United States holds Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the highest regard. “The United States holds the Prime Minister in the highest regard….. The message that we want to make sure gets out there between our two sides is that there's incredible potential,” he told reporters after the meeting with the Prime Minister. Gor who paid a “familiarisation and exploratory” visit to Bangladesh from July 30 to August 1, laid emphasis on strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing partnership between the two countries. He discussed the “great opportunities” between the US and Bangladesh to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance our partnership.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the two-day National Semiconductor Symposium and the Biotechnology, Electronics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (BEAR) Conference 2026, highlighting the government's commitment to building Bangladesh's high-tech ecosystem. The Prime Minister opened the conference at 10:00 am at the Novo Theatre in Tejgaon, organised by the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Silicon River Bangladesh programme. The event, themed "Building Bangladesh's Semiconductor Future through Global Partnership," brought together policymakers, global semiconductor industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, academics, investors and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora to discuss the country's long-term strategy for developing the semiconductor sector. According to the organisers, the conference aims to promote Bangladesh's semiconductor industry and strengthen the country's position in emerging technologies. The event features 11 technical sessions and seven strategic dialogue sessions focusing on semiconductor industry development, global technology leadership, technology convergence, the future of high-tech industries, entrepreneurship, engagement of Bangladeshi technology professionals living abroad and advanced manufacturing. Participants included representatives from Texas Instruments, Purdue University, GlobalFoundries, NXP, Applied Materials, SanDisk, CREDO and the Vietnam Semiconductor Alliance and Partnership, among others.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) got underway on Wednesday morning with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting began at 10:00am at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to intensify efforts to curb air and noise pollution, stressing the need for tougher enforcement against polluting vehicles, brick kilns and excessive use of vehicle horns. He gave the directives while chairing a meeting on environmental pollution at the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting discussed a range of measures to reduce air and noise pollution across the country, with particular focus on improving environmental condition in the capital, said a press release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take effective steps to curb air pollution caused by brick kilns and emphasised the use of environmentally friendly technologies in brick production. The meeting also reviewed ways to control the excessive use of vehicle horns in Dhaka. Tarique Rahman directed law enforcement agencies to strengthen enforcement to reduce unnecessary honking and discussed the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and control horn use, similar to the AI-based traffic camera system already being introduced for traffic management. He also laid emphasis on the swift removal of unfit, expired and highly polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from the streets of the capital. The Prime Minister an instructed the authorities to install automatic traffic light systems at least 50 more locations in Dhaka as quickly as possible to improve traffic management and reduce congestion. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Saimum Parvez, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman and senior officials from different ministries and agencies attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday visited stalls set up by government primary schools under the 'Green School' programme, where he urged children to keep their schools clean and continue helping one another through small acts of kindness. The Prime Minister toured the exhibition after inaugurating the Green School programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre by planting a tree, where students and teachers from 60 districts showcased innovative educational activities, local heritage, handicrafts, environmental initiatives and creative learning projects. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education organised the programme, which featured the presentation of the Primary Education Medal 2026, the inauguration of the nationwide Green School tree plantation campaign and exhibitions showcasing innovative primary education initiatives from across the country. During the visit, Tarique interacted warmly with children, teachers and school authorities, praising their creativity and encouraging them to continue their innovative initiatives. "Assalamu Alaikum. How are you all?" the Prime Minister asked as he entered different stalls, where students proudly displayed handicrafts, models and learning materials they had prepared. When he asked whether they had made the exhibits themselves, the children replied in unison, "Yes, Honourable Prime Minister." Tarique thanked both the students and teachers for their efforts. Teachers briefed the Prime Minister on students' attendance, playground facilities and various educational activities under the "Joyful Learning" and "Digital Education" programmes. He also asked students what games they usually played and listened attentively to explanations about different learning activities. At one stall, students told the Prime Minister that they regularly save part of their tiffin money to support classmates from underprivileged families and share meals together. "You are doing a very good job," Tarique told them. The students also explained their daily class routines, tiffin breaks and extracurricular activities. After learning about one educational game, the Prime Minister remarked, "The game is excellent." Visiting another stall, Tarique shook hands with young students and urged them to keep their schools clean. "Keep your school clean. Whenever you see litter, pick it up and throw it into the proper bin. All right?" he told the children. The students enthusiastically responded, "Yes, Sir."  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged schoolchildren to plant at least one tree every year and take care of it, saying the younger generation must lead the effort to build a greener and healthier Bangladesh. "Wherever you think a tree can be planted—whether at your school or near your home—I request every one of you to plant at least one tree every year," he said after inaugurating a nationwide tree plantation programme at government primary schools by planting a sapling at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon. Tarique Rahman inaugurated the nationwide tree plantation programme as part of the ‘Green School’ initiative. Addressing students and teachers connected virtually from schools across the country, the Prime Minister encouraged children not only to plant trees but also to learn about them. He asked students to find out what species of tree they have planted, how long it would live, how much oxygen it would produce and how it benefit people by using the internet and other learning resources. "You will learn something new about a tree every year. And when the trees grow, you will enjoy their shade at school after playing with your friends or the cool breeze around your home," Tarique said.  

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged party leaders and activists to remain united as they had over the past 17 years, warning that internal division will only benefit "fascist forces" and infiltrators ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Addressing an organisational meeting of local BNP leaders and activists at the Barishal Shilpakala Academy, he said differences of opinion are natural but should never be allowed to weaken the party and destroy the unity. "You remained united during the last 17 years and brought the party to victory in the parliamentary election. You must maintain that same unity in the local government elections. If we remain united, no fascist force or infiltrator will be able to enter or take advantage. They will benefit only if our unity breaks,” the Prime Minister said. Recalling the party's years in opposition, he praised grassroots leaders and activists for keeping BNP afloat despite repression. "You suffered enforced disappearances, killings and persecution, yet you stood together and protected the party…You gave more time to the party than to your own family. You spent your own money and endured anxiety and suffering for the party. Now that fear no longer exists. If you could remain united then, why cannot you remain united now?" the BNP chief said. He warned party members to remain vigilant against "hybrid" politicians and infiltrators, saying there were many conspiracies before the election, and those conspiracies have not stopped. “Some people are still plotting inside the country, while another group is conspiring from abroad…We must further organise the party, but while doing so we must ensure that hybrids and infiltrators do not enter the party leadership,” Tarique Rahman said. He said the BNP came to power because of the sacrifices of its leaders and activists, making it essential to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots. "If you want your party to remain in government, the grassroots must remain united and strong. It is because of you that BNP has come to power," the Prime Minister said. Referring to the planned local government elections, he said the party first needs to prepare organisationally. "You say you want local government elections. Are you prepared? Without preparation, can you win? And if you cannot win, how will the government function?" Tarique Rahman asked. "We will certainly hold local government elections. We will discuss the timing after the monsoon. Before that, you must unite and decide among yourselves who will contest for chairman, who will contest for member and who will lead the organisation,” he said. The Prime Minister urged party workers not to make unrealistic promises merely to gain popularity. "I will not promise what I cannot deliver," he said, adding that the responsibilities of government requires difficult but realistic decisions rather than populism,” he said. Tarique Rahman expressed confidence that BNP leaders and activists will remain united and repeat their organisational success in the upcoming local government elections. He also instructed party leaders to ensure peaceful celebrations of the upcoming major Hindu religious festival. "I am telling everyone here, and those who are absent should also be informed, that the festival must be held peacefully at any cost. No one should be allowed to create any untoward incident or exploit the occasion," the Prime Minister said, referring to Rath Yatra.  

Banners and festoons at Thursday's official inauguration of the World Environment Day programme and National Tree Fair carried no photograph of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, reflecting the government's new directive banning the use of his image at official events. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised the programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the World Environment Day, Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and National Tree Fair 2026. Instead of photographs of the Prime Minister, around 20 banners and festoons displayed messages on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, tree plantation and the proper care of trees. Many visitors said the absence of the Prime Minister's photograph immediately caught their attention.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and National Tree Fair 2026, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment, expanding forest cover and encouraging greater public participation in tackling climate change. The Prime Minister opened the programmes at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital around 11:30am under the theme, "Let's Beautify the Country through Tree Plantation; Bangladesh First." The programme began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by readings from other holy scriptures. The Prime Minister also distributed the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, the National Tree Plantation Award 2025, and profit-sharing cheques among the best beneficiaries of the Social Forestry Programme. He presented the National Environment Award 2025 to selected individuals and organisations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation. The award was presented in six categories—three for individuals and three for institutions. Each recipient received a cash award equivalent to the market value of two tolas of 22-carat gold, a cheque for Tk 50,000, a crest and a certificate. A documentary highlighting the government's achievements in environment, forestry and climate change was also screened. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister planted saplings of olive, jarul and neem trees on the premises of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. He later visited different stalls at the National Tree Fair being held at the former Dhaka International Trade Fair ground. The fair has been organised to encourage greater public participation in environmental conservation, afforestation and efforts to address the impacts of climate change. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam and the Prime Minister's Special Assistant Saimum Parvez, among others, addressed the programme.   Alongside the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in Dhaka, tree fairs are being held for 15 days in all divisional headquarters, seven days in 56 district headquarters and three days in 29 upazilas. The national fair in Dhaka features 120 stalls. The government has adopted a five-year master plan to plant 25 crore trees across the country and ensure their proper care and maintenance as part of implementing its election manifesto. On June 13, the Prime Minister launched the nationwide five-year tree plantation programme at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar to strengthen environmental protection and tackle the impacts of climate change. So far, the Forest Department has planted 8.332 million saplings, achieving nearly 17 percent of this year's target.