United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to open language training centres across the country to build a skilled workforce for overseas employment. The directive was given at a meeting of the committee formed to increase overseas employment and ensure the welfare of expatriates held at the Secretariat on Thursday, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said the Prime Minister asked the ministries concerned to take swift measures to prepare unemployed youths for overseas jobs. “The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to establish language training centres with the involvement of both local and foreign teachers so that unemployed youths can learn different languages and secure job opportunities abroad,” Rumon said. He said the meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat, discussed ways to quickly expand overseas employment opportunities and various related issues. PM urges frugal electricity use after switching off half the lights at office Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Nurul Haque Nur, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and secretaries and senior officials of the relevant ministries attended the meeting. The Additional Press Secretary said the Prime Minister also directed the authorities to introduce low-interest bank loans and simplify the loan process so that job seekers do not have to sell their property to go abroad for employment. Free WiFi at three international airports Rumon said the Prime Minister also asked the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister to introduce free WiFi at the terminals of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and MAG Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, similar to facilities available at airports in many developed countries. Renovation of temple in Dhaka-17 constituency The Additional Press Secretary said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also taken steps to fulfil a pledge made during the election campaign in his constituency, Dhaka-17. He said that during the campaign Tarique Rahman promised to renovate a temple belonging to the Hindu community located near the Mahakhali Cancer Hospital in the constituency. Education Minister orders introducing AI to stop lobbying in teacher transfers “The Prime Minister has instructed that renovation work of the temple begin on Saturday,” Rumon said. Administrators of the two Dhaka city corporations, Abdus Salam and Shafiqul Islam Milton, and Tarique Rahman’s election coordinator for Dhaka-17, Professor Farhad Halim Dona, will be present at the site at 11am on Saturday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended office at the Secretariat for the second consecutive day on Thursday, travelling from his Gulshan Avenue residence while complying with regular traffic signals. The journey took around 41 minutes, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said. He said the Prime Minister left his residence at 8:34am in his personal vehicle. The vehicle stopped at four traffic signals on the way from Gulshan to the Secretariat when the lights turned red, and he reached the Secretariat at 9:15am. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the Prime Minister on his arrival at his office. Rumon said pedestrians standing along the roadside applauded and welcomed the Prime Minister when his vehicle halted at traffic signals. The Prime Minister responded by waving at them. ‘Family Card’ to be launched on pilot basis before Eid: Minister Mintoo “In some cases, people came close to the vehicle to greet him, and some even took selfies on their mobile phones,” he said. After taking his seat, the Prime Minister enquired which ministers, secretaries and officials were present at their workplaces, Rumon added. The Prime Minister’s office is located in Building No. 1 of the Secretariat.