United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday sought greater Australian cooperation in developing skilled human resources, skills training and energy security, including LNG supplies, while promoting investment and expanding economic partnership between Bangladesh and Australia. He made the call when Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the Australian envoy conveyed congratulations to President Mirza Fakhrul on behalf of Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn and handed over a formal letter of greetings. The President thanked the Governor-General for the greetings. He sought Australia’s cooperation in diversifying Bangladesh’s energy sources and proposed creating opportunities for importing LNG from Australia. Mirza Fakhrul also called for greater Australian investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, energy exploration, agro-processing, medical technology, logistics and manufacturing. He expressed hope that the meetings of senior officials and the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) scheduled for November in Canberra will play an important role in expanding bilateral trade and investment. The President welcomed opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi professionals to migrate to Australia, particularly in information technology, engineering and other technical fields. He also sought continued Australian support for scholarships and academic exchange programmes, as well as cooperation in establishing a campus of the University of Canberra in Dhaka. To develop job-oriented skills for Bangladesh’s growing workforce, Mirza Fakhrul proposed expanding cooperation between Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions and Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs). He emphasised technical training in various fields, including caregiver training. Referring to the Rohingya crisis, the President expressed gratitude for Australia’s continued humanitarian assistance and called for its continued support for a sustainable solution to the protracted crisis. He expressed hope that the Bangladesh-Australia partnership will place greater emphasis in the future on practical economic opportunities, skills development, investment and increased people-to-people connectivity and mobility. The Australian high commissioner stressed the need for strong foreign exchange reserves, tax reforms, judicial independence and a business-friendly regulatory framework to attract Australian investment. She also appreciated the banking reforms in Bangladesh and expressed Australia’s interest in further strengthening existing cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest. The President’s military secretary, secretary, press secretary and an additional secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. Australian Deputy High Commissioner Clinton Pobke also attended the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged Bangladeshi businesses and entrepreneurs to tap the vast opportunities in Saudi Arabia, particularly in skilled manpower export, healthcare, education and infrastructure development. The president made the call when a 7-member delegation of Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its President Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday afternoon. The delegation briefed the president on the opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses and entrepreneurs arising from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as well as the development activities, economic activities, infrastructure construction and growing demand for skilled manpower linked to the World Expo and the FIFA World Cup 2034. The president advised the delegation to make effective use of the huge opportunities and potential and assured them of his full cooperation. The  delegation said its businesspeople and entrepreneurs are working to promote Bangladeshi products, services and promising sectors in five major Saudi cities by engaging skilled manpower trained in technical and technological education. They are also working to project a positive image of Bangladesh and establish the country’s brand in Saudi Arabia, it said. The delegation also invited the president to attend as chief guest the inaugural ceremony of an upcoming international seminar in Dhaka which will bring together prominent Saudi investors, entrepreneurs and businesspeople. President Fakhrul assured the delegation that he would attend the event. Chamber Vice-President Sheikh Nasir Uddin and directors Priti Chakraborty, Md Jannatul Ferdous, ABM Siddiq, Md Sajjad-Un-Newaz, Zahirul Mahmud Mamun and Shamsul Alam Liton were present. The president’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said democracy must be institutionalised and local government must be strengthened to make democracy stronger. He made the remarks when administrators of 33 district councils met him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told UNB.  Describing local government the biggest strength of democracy, the President instructed the district council administrators to remain active and vigilant to break away from the corruption left behind by the fascist regime. During the meeting, the district council administrators placed various demands before the President, including enhancement of their status. Mirza Fakhrul assured them that steps will be taken promptly to resolve their problems, saying the present government is a government of the people. He also said the government is working with due importance to strengthen the local government system as part of its efforts to decentralise power. The President recalled with gratitude the active participation of the district council administrators in restoring democracy and in the long struggle against fascism. He also gave the administrators necessary directives to accelerate development activities of the district councils, ensure citizen services at the local level and maintain administrative transparency.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir arrived in Thakurgaon on Sunday afternoon on a two-day visit, his first tour to his home district since assuming office. A helicopter carrying the President landed at Thakurgaon Mohammad Ali Stadium at 1:00pm. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Huq, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rangpur Range) Mohammad Abdul Mabud, Superintendent of Police Md Belal Hossain, Thakurgaon district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin and General Secretary Paigam Ali welcomed the President at the helipad.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday visited ailing Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital in the capital. The President went to the hospital around 9:30am and spent some time at Tuku’s bedside, said his Assistant Private Secretary Mohammad Yunus Ali. “The doctors briefed the President about the Energy Minister’s physical condition. He also spoke to minister’s son Abed Hasan Mahmud,” Yunus said. State Minister for Energy Aninda Islam Amit, President’s Military Secretary Major General ASM Bahauuddin, President’s personal physician Colonel AKM Faizul Haque and Assistant Private Secretary Mohammad Yunus Ali were present. Tuku was admitted to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital around 10:30pm on Tuesday. His son Abed Hasan Mahmud said his father had been suffering from a high fever for the past few days. “Following the advice of specialist doctors, it was decided to admit him to the hospital for necessary medical tests and advanced treatment,” he said. Abed said his father is undergoing treatment under close observation by doctors.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is scheduled to visit his home district Thakurgaon on September 6-7. It will be his first visit to the district since assuming the presidency. On the first day of his visit, the President will attend a reception, organised by Nagorik committee at 3pm on September 6 at the field of Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School. Dr Abu Mohammad Khairul Kabir, convener of the Nagorik committee, said the president will arrive in Thakurgaon by a helicopter. After receiving a guard of honour at the Circuit House, President Mirza Fakhrul will visit Senua graveyard in the town to offer prayers at his father’s grave. He will then visit his family home before joining the reception. On September 7, the President will lay the foundation stone of Thakurgaon University at Jamalpur, about 15 kilometres from the town, beside the Thakurgaon-Pirganj road. Thakurgaon University Vice-Chancellor Dr Israfil Shaheen said a limited number of guests will attend the ceremony. President’s younger brother and Thakurgaon district BNP President Mirza Foysal Amin said the president will be accorded a civic reception. He said the president is now a neutral person and urged everyone to ensure that no BNP or sheaf-of-paddy symbols are displayed at the reception. Local people are eagerly awaiting the president’s arrival, with preparations underway across the town. Cleaning, renovation and repainting works are being carried out at several prominent locations ahead of his visit.