United News of Bangladesh

A red carpet was rolled out as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night on his maiden overseas visit after assuming office, at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim. A special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the Prime Minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and the accompanying delegation landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 8:45pm local time (6:45pm Bangladesh time). At the exclusive VVIP terminal Bunga Raya Complex, the Prime Minister was received by Malaysia's Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan and his wife. A little girl presented a bouquet to Zubaida Rahman at that time. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury and Deputy High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica were also present. A red-carpet reception and a static guard of honour were accorded to the Prime Minister at the airport. A ceremonial motorcade with a 50-minute ride on road is taking him to Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, where he will stay during the visit.  

Bangladesh and China are expected to sign 15-17 bilateral instruments during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to the East Asian country, as the leaders of the two nations plan to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues and elevate their ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ to a new height. The instruments may include 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), two agreements, one action plan and one protocol, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. There is likely to be a certain level of financial support allocated for projects in Bangladesh during the visit, a diplomatic source told UNB. The Prime Minister will visit China from June 23 to 26 at the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. The bilateral instruments will be signed in the presence of the two leaders following their bilateral meeting on June 25 in Beijing.The Prime Minister will also attend a state banquet hosted in his honour by his Chinese counterpart. Apart from the bilateral meeting with the Chinese Premier on June 25, Prime Minister Tarique will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 26. He is scheduled to return home on Friday night. There will be discussions on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), the Foreign Secretary said. Four Global Initiatives Asked about Dhaka’s position on the four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh is considering the initiatives positively and that further decisions may become clear following the visit. The Chinese President has put forward four global initiatives - the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and Global Governance Initiative (GGI) - as responses to contemporary global challenges. The Foreign Secretary said the size of the Prime Minister’s delegation to China has been kept relatively small, comprising 28 members. “We tried to keep it at a logical level,” he said. He said the current government is pursuing an independent and balanced foreign policy guided by the principle of ‘Bangladesh First’. Since assuming office, the Prime Minister has maintained close contact with heads of state and government from various countries and has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to safeguard Bangladesh’s interests, the Foreign Secretary said. “As part of these efforts, the Prime Minister will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 and China on June 23-26,” the Foreign Secretary said. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is organising an investment summit titled ‘Bangladesh Investment Forum’, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver a speech highlighting Bangladesh’s investment climate and potential before Chinese business leaders and invite greater investment in the country. “The visit is expected to take the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ to a new height and open new horizons of cooperation between the two countries,” the Foreign Secretary said. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s twin visits to Malaysia and China, beginning on Sunday, represent a strategic diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s economic partnerships, attracting foreign investment and enhancing connectivity. The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday afternoon at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Foreign Secretary said. From Kuala Lumpur, he will depart for China on Monday afternoon. This will be the first overseas visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman since his government assumed office in February this year. Summer Davos Forum During his official visit to China, the Prime Minister will attend the World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the 2026 Summer Davos Forum.The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be held in the port city of Dalian, in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, from June 23 to 25, organisers announced earlier this week. More than 1,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions are expected to attend the meeting, and preparations for the event are largely complete, according to an event spokesperson. This year’s meeting, themed “Innovating at Scale,” will feature discussions on topics including the next phase of China’s economic trajectory and ways to translate technological advances into tangible economic benefits. Additional Foreign Secretary (Public Diplomacy and Other Priority Matters) AKM Shahidul Karim and other senior officials of the ministry were present at the media briefing.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government will make all possible efforts to lower or rationalise the Hajj package prices for 2027 as part of its plan to develop an affordable Hajj system. “The government has a plan to reduce the cost of Hajj in the future. In our election manifesto it has been pledged to develop an affordable, accessible, humane and expatriate-friendly Hajj system for religious citizens. State and diplomatic initiatives will be taken to reduce the cost of performing Hajj,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while replying to a starred question from opposition lawmaker Salah Uddin (Gazipur-4) in Parliament. He said Hajj is managed through a bilateral arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh government with expenses divided into two components. Tarique Rahman said the three-fourths of the total cost is  determined by the Saudi authorities, while the remaining one-fourth of the expenditure is incurred in Bangladesh, mainly covering airfares and other local expenses. He said the minimum Hajj package for 2026 was fixed at Tk 467,167, including the cost of Qurbani. Of the amount, Tk 300,797 was spent on the Saudi Arabia portion while the rest was spent in Bangladesh  including Tk 154,830 for airfare. The PM said the minimum Hajj package in 2025 was Tk 478,242, but it was reduced by Tk 11,075 for 2026, allowing pilgrims to benefit from the decrease. “Considering the global situation and the expenses announced for the Saudi segment, the government will make every effort to reduce or rationalise the Hajj package prices for 2027 for the benefit of common religious Muslims,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Sreemangal in Moulvibazar on Wednesday afternoon to distribute Family Cards among local residents. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman reached the Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal at 1:03pm. Earlier, he left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhak at around 9:38am and arrived at Sylhet Osmani International Airport at approximately 10:20am. Political leaders from the Sylhet division and senior government officials welcomed the Prime Minister at Osmani International Airport. After exchanging greetings with the leaders present, he travelled by road to Moulvibazar. At the Victoria High School ground, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a Family Cards distribution programme. Under the initiative, 155 families from Ward No. 1 of Mirzapur Union in Sreemangal upazila will receive family cards. At 2:30pm, he will attend another Family Cards distribution programme at the Moulvibazar Government High School ground. Later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister will visit DuSai Resort to join a meeting with party leaders before travelling to Sylhet and returning to Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Moulvibazar on Wednesday morning to attend two family card distribution programmes and a political meeting. He arrived at Sylhet Osmani International Airport from Dhaka at around 10:20am as part of his visit to Moulvibazar, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony. Political leaders from Sylhet division and senior government officials stationed in Sylhet received the Prime Minister at the airport. After a brief exchange of greetings with the leaders present, he left for Moulvibazar by road, Rony said. According to the programme schedule, Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a family card distribution programme at the historic Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal at 1:00pm. Under the programme, family cards will be distributed among 155 families in Ward No. 1 of Mirzapur Union in Sreemangal upazila. At 2:30pm, the Prime Minister will attend another family card distribution programme at Moulvibazar Government High School ground, where 152 families in Ward No. 7 of Tengra Union in Rajnagar upazila will receive family cards. Later in the afternoon, he will travel to DuSai Resort to attend a meeting with party leaders before leaving for Sylhet for his return journey to Dhaka. After spending more than one and a half decades in London, Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 last year. He previously visited Moulvibazar during the election campaign on January 22. This is his first visit to the district as Prime Minister since the BNP secured a majority in the national election.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday sought cooperation from the media in building a humane state and fostering human values among people. Speaking at a view-exchange meeting with executives and heads of news at electronic media outlets at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat, the Prime Minister called on the media to play a constructive role in nation-building, said his Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. “We do not want to talk about politics all the time, everywhere. Apart from politics, there are important issues concerning the economy, society and human values that also deserve attention,” he quoted the Prime Minister as saying at the meeting. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Shibly said Tarique Rahman also highlighted the need to revive social consciousness and compassion in society. “He referred to incidents where people record videos while a dog is being beaten or a person is being assaulted instead of coming forward to help. He said human feelings, values and social awareness need to be strengthened, and emphasised the important role journalists can play in this regard,” the press secretary said. He said the Prime Minister listened to the concerns and suggestions of media representatives and expressed his intention to continue engaging with the media through regular interactions in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged every citizen of the country to plant at least one tree to help ensure that future generations can breathe clean air and live in a healthier environment. “I would like to request everyone in the country, keeping in mind the future of your children so that they can breathe in a clean and healthy environment, please plant a sapling wherever it is possible for you,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while formally inaugurating a nationwide programme in Cox’s Bazar to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years, aiming to strengthen environmental protection and address the impacts of climate change. “I am formally announcing the launch of this tree plantation campaign. We are inaugurating it. We hope that, Insha’Allah, we will be able to create an environment where our future generations can breathe freely and live in a clean environment,” he said. Tarique Rahman said if the tree plantation campaign could be made successful, it could be assumed that future generations would be able to breathe clean, pollution-free air in the days ahead. “Let us ensure a guarantee for our future generations that they will be able to live in a clean and pollution-free environment,” Tarique said. The Prime Minister also recalled the BNP’s election pledge to launch a nationwide afforestation programme. “Before the election, we had promised the people that if we were able to form the government with the mercy of Almighty Allah, we would launch a tree plantation programme in the country. Our target is to plant at least five crore saplings every year and 25 crore saplings over the next five years,” he said. “Let us all work together so that we can transform Bangladesh’s air into a much cleaner and purer one in the coming days,” he added. Calling upon district administrations, the Prime Minister said, “Today, particularly Deputy Commissioners from various parts of the country are connected here. I would like to instruct you all to take initiatives to turn your respective districts into green sanctuaries.” The Prime Minister inaugurated the programme by planting a sapling of Garjan tree at Malumghat Reserved Forest in Dulahazara under Pmkhali Union of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila at around 2:55pm. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and other ministers and lawmakers also planted saplings of 11 different species during the event. PM inaugurates nationwide programme to plant 25 crore saplings Upon reaching the tree plantation venue, the Prime Minister greeted hundreds of people assembled there by waving at them. Officials said a total of 1,180 saplings of indigenous tree species will be planted in the forest in the first phase of the programme. The ruling BNP had pledged in its election manifesto to plant 25 crore trees across the country within five years after coming to power. Saturday’s inauguration marked the formal start of implementing that commitment. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo presided over the event. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Md Helal Uddin, State Minister for Jute and Textiles Shariful Alam, and Environment Secretary Raihan Kawser, among others, were present.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 at a special meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other ministers and state ministers attended the meeting that began at about 10:00am and ended around 1:00pm. The finance minister is scheduled to place the proposed budget in Parliament at 3:00pm after it receives presidential authentication. The proposed budget, the first under the current government, has an outlay of Tk 9.38 lakh crore. This year’s budget is expected to focus on controlling inflation, generating employment, encouraging investment, strengthening economic stability and supporting lower-income and disadvantaged groups, according to the finance minister and government officials. The government has set an overall revenue mobilisation target of Tk 6.95 lakh crore to finance the expenditure programme. Of the total revenue target, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is expected to collect Tk 6.04 lakh crore. Another Tk 25,000 crore is projected to come from non-NBR tax sources, while non-tax revenue receipts are estimated at Tk 66,000 crore. A significant portion of the budget will be spent on debt servicing. The government has allocated Tk 1.27 lakh crore for interest payments, including Tk 1.05 lakh crore for domestic debt and Tk 22,500 crore for foreign loans. The proposed budget projects an overall deficit of Tk 2.43 lakh crore. To finance the deficit, the government plans to borrow Tk 1.09 lakh crore from external sources and Tk 1.12 lakh crore from the banking system. The remaining Tk 15,000 crore is expected to be mobilised through national savings certificates. With this, the BNP government is going to present a national budget in Parliament after for 20 years following its return to power with a majority in the 13th parliamentary election.

Warning against past attempts to tarnish their image at home and abroad, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged armed forces members to uphold professionalism, unity, discipline and chain of command to preserve the force’s honour and dignity. “The main message for uniformed forces is that it is difficult to maintain honour and dignity without professionalism, unity, discipline and chain of command,” he said at a programme marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. The government is working to gradually modernise the armed forces and police for UN peacekeeping missions and international duties, the Prime Minister. Addressing members of the armed forces, he said the military is a symbol of the country’s independence, honour and courage. “A major of the army declared the independence of Bangladesh. I believe this glory and pride will remain an eternal source of inspiration for our armed forces. So, it is the duty of the armed forces to ensure that this honour is never diminished in any way,” Tarique Rahman said. He said Bangladesh’s armed forces have earned global recognition through their role in UN peacekeeping missions though attempts were made at different times to create confusion and damage the image of the forces at home and abroad. “There have also been attempts, both at home and abroad, to tarnish the image of the armed forces. Overcoming all such conspiracies and challenges, the Armed Forces united under the leadership of the Proclaimer of Independence and regained their footing on November 7, 1975,” Tarique said. Despite that, he said attempts to undermine the unity of the Armed Forces continued at different times through various incidents. The Prime Minister referred to the “major blow” suffered by the armed forces during the BDR mutiny in February 2009, saying the consequences of the incident were well known to the nation. He said instead of merely reflecting on the past, a scope has now been created for the state to establish itself with dignity and full integrity by learning from past experiences in a fascism-free Bangladesh. “Those serving in the armed forces, government, or public administration are all citizens of Bangladesh. This country belongs to all of us. Wherever we serve, at home or abroad, let it be our commitment today to perform our duties properly and responsibly,” Tarique Rahman said. Highlighting global challenges, he said the world is now passing through a complex situation where peacekeeping missions have become more risky and multidimensional due to changing geopolitical realities and rapid technological advancement. “Besides conventional warfare, cyber warfare, misuse of artificial intelligence, media propaganda and climate-induced security threats have emerged as new obstacles to global peace,” the Prime Minister said adding that future peacekeeping missions must be more modern, visionary and technology-based. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to peace, global stability and humanity on the international stage. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh firmly believes in the principles of independence, sovereignty and mutual respect among nations.“As an independent and self-respecting nation, Bangladesh will always remain committed to peace, global stability and humanity in the international arena.”

Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh Stefan Liller met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday and discussed issues related to sustainable development, education, healthcare and employment. They also discussed ways to strengthen ongoing cooperation between Bangladesh and the UN agency, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. He said the meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the morning. During the meeting, Shiplu said, both sides exchanged views on a range of development issues and stressed the importance of making Bangladesh’s development efforts more inclusive, effective and sustainable. Stefan Liller congratulated the Prime Minister on forming the government after his party secured an overwhelming majority in the election. He said the national parliament is now vibrant and active and noted that democracy in Bangladesh has become stronger. The Prime Minister highlighted various steps taken by his government to implement the pledges made by his party before the election. He referred to the Family Card and Farmers’ Card programmes and said the initiatives are aimed at improving the living standards of people across the country. Tarique Rahman also sought continued support from development partners for Bangladesh’s overall development and sustainable progress. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Labour Mahdi Amin was present at the meeting. UNDP Strategic Communications and External Relations Specialist Kirtijai Pahari, and Head of Governance Anowarul Haq were also present.