United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged Vietnam to simplify its visa procedures for Bangladeshi businesspeople, workers, students and tourists. The President made the call when Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong paid a farewell courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President Fakhrul said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam which has existed for more than five decades. He said simplifying visa procedures would help increase people-to-people contacts and expand opportunities for cooperation and partnership among businesses and investors of the two countries, contributing to further strengthening bilateral relations and tapping their development potential. The Vietnamese Ambassador stressed the importance of establishing direct air connectivity between the two capitals, implementing a preferential trade agreement and exchanging high-level visits. He also conveyed an invitation from the President of Vietnam to the President to visit Vietnam. The President thanked him for the invitation. Recalling his visit to Vietnam in 2003 as part of the entourage of then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, President Fakhrul recalled the warm hospitality extended to him and expressed hope that the historical friendship between the peoples of the two countries would continue to strengthen bilateral relations. The President said opportunities should be created to increase Bangladesh’s exports to Vietnam to make bilateral trade more balanced and mutually beneficial. He urged Vietnam to increase imports of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products, leather and leather goods, ceramics, bicycles, jute and jute products, among other exportable items. During the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Manh Cuong congratulated President Mirza Fakhrul on assuming office. Thanking the outgoing Ambassador for his successful tenure and contributions to strengthening Bangladesh-Vietnam relations, the President expressed hope that he would continue to play a role in promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries after returning home. The President wished the Ambassador good health and wellbeing and conveyed his wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity for the people of Vietnam. Secretaries to the President’s Office and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy were present at the meeting.  

President and Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday stressed the need to further improve the quality and excellence of education and research at the university. He also said merit and qualifications must be given the highest priority in all areas including the recruitment of teachers. The President made the remarks when Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the VC briefed the President on the university’s overall academic, research and educational activities. Prof Kamrul Ahsan also formally invited the President, in his capacity as the university’s Chancellor, to attend the proposed convocation of Jahangirnagar University scheduled for April next year. President Falhrul accepted the invitation and assured the VC that he would attend the convocation. Relevant secretaries to the President’s Office were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called upon Bangladeshi businesspeople living abroad to invest in the country and bring in foreign investment. He made the call when a delegation of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the United Kingdom paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. Prominent UK-based Bangladeshi businessman Kamal Uddin led the delegation. They congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam on his election as president. The president recalled the significant contributions made by expatriate Bangladeshis including those living in the UK, through their money, labour and intellect to the movement for establishing justice, opposing fascism and restoring democracy in the country. “The country and its people will always remember the contributions and role of expatriates,” he said. During the meeting, the delegation sought the president’s cooperation in increasing various business and civic facilities including addressing harassment at airports and ensuring their right to vote. In response, the president said the government has already started working to address harassment at airports and expand voting opportunities and other civic facilities for expatriates. He said a ‘Probashi Card’ has been introduced to ensure comprehensive services and facilities for expatriate Bangladeshis. The president urged expatriates to become more actively involved in investment, employment generation, education, healthcare, technology, skills development and social welfare activities in the country. He particularly urged them to take advantage of the investment opportunities that have emerged in Bangladesh. Responding to the president’s call, the delegation expressed interest in investing in the country. The president also said, “You are representing Bangladesh in different countries around the world. You should project the country’s positive image abroad.” Noting that expatriates’ remittances are one of the main driving forces of the country’s economy, the president expressed his gratitude to them. President’s Military Secretary and Press Secretary were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called upon police officials to discharge their duties with honesty, dedication and professionalism to maintain law and order and curb crimes in the country. The President made the call when Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President’s press secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the President said police must be extremely tough in suppressing criminals while ensuring fair and humane treatment of law-abiding citizens. He instructed police personnel to take immediate and appropriate measures to establish the rule of law. The President also directed the police chief to take effective measures to combat the spread of disinformation, misinformation, rumours, cybercrime, mugging, extortion and drugs, as well as to ensure the safety and security of women and children. He stressed the importance of keeping people regularly informed and conducting extensive public awareness campaigns on these issues. Noting that the current government is working to uphold people's fundamental and democratic rights, the President directed police member to continue taking effective measures to prevent extrajudicial killings, harassment of citizens and filing of false cases. During the meeting, the IGP briefed the President on various measures taken to strengthen the morale of the police force and to modernise and digitalise the force. He sought the President's overall cooperation in discharging the responsibilities of the police. The President assured him of his full cooperation. President's Military Secretary and Press Secretary were present during the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called upon officials and employees of Bangabhaban to discharge their duties with sincerity, integrity and professionalism. Addressing a special durbar at Bangabhaban, the President said he has resigned from all political positions before assuming the office of the President and has now become a completely non-partisan person. “You know that I resigned from the positions and memberships I held before assuming the office of the President. I am now a completely non-partisan person,” he said. He said his sole objective after becoming President is to serve the country and its people. “I have only one objective and one goal — my country and its people,” he said, urging all officials to work together for the welfare of the country. The President recalled the Liberation War in 1971 and paid deep respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh’s independence. He also recalled the contributions of the country’s founding leaders and successive presidents who served from Bangabhaban. Describing Bangabhaban as one of the most important places in the country, he said the institution carries a great responsibility for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and independence. “Our responsibility will be to work together so that we can further strengthen the country’s independence, sovereignty and democratic institutions,” he said. The President urged officials and employees to uphold love, respect and loyalty towards the country and its people, and to perform their respective responsibilities with sincerity, dedication and integrity. He also stressed the need to earn and maintain public confidence through professional conduct. “Bangabhaban’s day-to-day activities and all matters related to important state decisions must be kept strictly confidential so that national security is not compromised in any way,” he said. The President also called for responsible and transparent use of public money and government resources. “All government expenditure must be made carefully and responsibly. We must remain conscious so that public money is not wasted,” he said. He urged officials to use government resources and facilities properly, responsibly, transparently and accountably. The President also called upon government employees to maintain personal discipline, uphold moral values and strive to build good character. He said that while fulfilling important state responsibilities, officials should also devote sufficient time to their families and loved ones to maintain a healthy balance between professional and family life. The President thanked the officials and employees for their cooperation in organising his oath-taking ceremony and other programmes in a smooth and dignified manner. He also expressed gratitude to those involved in organising the durbar. “We are one family here. We will have opportunities to work together, discuss issues and try to resolve the problems that may arise,” he said.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Wednesday as the Bhutanese monarch made a stopover in Dhaka while travelling from Singapore to Bhutan. The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King landed in Dhaka in the early hours and stayed at the airport for around an hour. During his stay, President Mirza Fakhrul held a courtesy meeting with the King at the VVIP Lounge. The two exchanged views in a cordial atmosphere on various issues of mutual interest. The President invited the Bhutanese King and members of the royal family to make a state visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. In response, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck invited the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at their convenience. The Bhutanese King congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and extended his best wishes to him on assuming office as President. The President conveyed warm greetings from the people and government of Bangladesh to the King and members of the Bhutanese royal family. The Bhutanese monarch, in turn, extended his best wishes to the people and government of Bangladesh. During the meeting, President Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh and Bhutan share deep and historic ties. “Bhutan has always held a special place in our hearts, as it was the first country in the world to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971,” he said. The President also recalled with deep respect the special affection and goodwill shown towards Bangladesh by the father of the present Bhutanese King, late King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Highlighting the shared aspirations of Bangladesh and Bhutan for development and prosperity, the Bhutanese King stressed the need to further expand bilateral cooperation in various areas, including education, trade and investment. King Jigme Khesar also briefed the President on his visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City project and sought Bangladesh’s participation and cooperation in the initiative. The President expressed keen interest in the project and appreciated the initiative. He said Bangladesh was ready to work closely with Bhutan to advance transformative initiatives in the region aimed at promoting mutual wellbeing, prosperity and sustainable development. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, the Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh and senior officials of the Bangladesh government were present during the courtesy meeting. The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King departed Dhaka for Bhutan at around 6:30am.  

Four new faces – BNP Standing Committee member and Narsingdi-2 lawmaker Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, BJP chairman and Bhola-1 MP Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Bandarban MP Saching Prue and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat-- were sworn in as new ministers on Friday. Besides, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln were sworn in as new state ministers. New President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir administered the oath to them at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7:45pm. With this, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expanded his cabinet six months after forming the government, bringing five more members into the Council of Ministers. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani conducted the oath-taking ceremony. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took the oath as prime minister on February 17 following the victory of his party in the February 12 election. Tarique Rahman formed the incumbent government with a 49‑member cabinet, including himself as 25 other ministers and 23 state ministers took oath on the same day. Later on June 1, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan resigned from his post, citing health reasons. With Mirza Fakhrul becoming President, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives will also fall vacant. With the induction of five new faces, the number of cabinet members now stands at 52, which include 27 ministers and 24 state ministers.