The Customs Intelligence has found that four companies have smuggled Tk382 crore out of the country by forging goods export permits, an official said on Tuesday. The companies did not return their foreign exchange earned from the exported products, Mohammad Fakhrul Alam, Director General of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), told a news conference in the capital. According to the CIID, four companies are Sabiha Saiki Fashion, Asia Trading Corporation, Emu Trading Corporation, and Ilham Trading Corporation. These companies have exported various products including t-shirts, tops, ladies' dresses, trousers, baby sets, bags, polo shirts, jackets, pants, and hoodies to the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, UK, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. The DG said that after receiving complaints involving exports of goods by forging documents evidence of money laundering was found in the investigation. Also Read: Intelligence agencies working to prevent militants’ rise: Home Minister Referring to the information found in the investigation, he said that Sabiha Saiki Fashion exported 86 consignments of goods at different times. The exchange value of the products exported by them is Tk18.45 crore. On scrutiny of the documents of the consignments of the goods, it was found that the Export Permits (EXPs) issued by them were in the names of different companies. A permit cannot be used for more than one export shipment. As a result, these EXPs are not functional. There is no opportunity to bring foreign currency back to the country in a legal way, Alam said. The DG said the investigation revealed that in addition to Sabiha Saiki Fashion, three other companies have committed similar fraud for exporting products. “Four companies have committed such fraud in shipments of 1,780 products using the same tactics. Against these shipments, 18,265 tonnes of goods have been exported, the declared value of which is around Tk 382 crores,” Alam added. Sabiha Saiki Fashion exported Tk 21 crore, Asia Trading Corporation Tk 282 crore, Emu Trading Corporation Tk 62 crore, and Ilham Corporation Tk 17 crore.      

Six documents including BIMSTEC Charter are likely to be adopted and signed at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 30, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday.  Five other documents are BIMSTEC convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; memorandum of association on the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) in Colombo; memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual cooperation between diplomatic academies/training institutions of BIMSTEC Member States; rationalization and reorganization of sectors and sub-sectors of BIMSTEC and BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other heads of government will join the Summit virtually while ministers-level and foreign secretaries-level delegations will join in person, Momen said while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams and Additional Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC) Md. Shamsul Haque were present. READ: PM to attend BIMSTEC Summit virtually: FM Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will formally inaugurate the Summit. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) consists of seven member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.  The theme of the 5th BIMSTEC Summit is “BIMSTEC-Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies and Healthy Peoples.” Asked whether Rohingya issue will be discussed in the BIMSTEC Summit, the foreign minister said Bangladesh raises the issue in all the forums.   Responding to a question, he said Bangladesh is now a hub of connectivity as it believes that connectivity is productivity. “That’s why we’ve given lot of emphasis on connectivity.” Momen highlighted the importance of connectivity with the countries like India, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.  State Minister Shahriar said the rail connectivity through Cox's Bazar-Ghumdhum is also part of BIMSTEC connectivity initiative. He also mentioned about maritime connectivity between Chattogram port of Bangladesh and Ranong port of Thailand. Foreign Minister Momen said a “Summit Declaration” will be issued after the BIMSTEC Summit and Sri Lanka will hand over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC to Thailand. Before the key Summit, FM-level meeting will be held on March 29 while FS-level meeting on March 28. Bangladesh will join the meetings in person.  The 5th BIMSTEC Summit will be an opportunity to review and reflect what had worked and what did not, said the state minister. “It will be an opportunity to refresh and renew their commitment to strengthen the BIMSTEC Process in all respects,” he said.

The High Court has fixed Wednesday (December 15) for a hearing on the rule issued regarding the validity of Khaleda Zia's birthday being celebrated on August 15. The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman fixed the date for the hearing on Tuesday. Read: ‘No land, no job policy’ irks HC as topper Meem fails to get a police job Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi appeared for the writ petition in the court assisted by Advocate Shakila Raushan and Advocate Sagufta Ahmed. Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state. Earlier in the morning, all the documents regarding the birthday of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, including forms of passport office, Election Commission, marriage certificate, Evercare hospital admission form and educational certificate, were submitted to the High Court, said Advocate Nahid Sultana Juthi. On May 31, Juba League leader Mamunur Rashid filed a writ petition challenging the validity of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's birthday celebration on August 15, also National Mourning Day. Read: Why putting alcohol under drug category should not be declared illegal: HC After a primary hearing of the writ petition, the HC summoned all the relevant documents including Khaleda Zia’s birth certificate, educational certificate, passport and documents regarding birth date. The court asked the authorities concerned to submit these documents within 60 days.

The High Court on Monday sought all documents about the arrest and sentencing of Kurigram journalist Ariful Islam Rigan by a mobile court at midnight.

A motion to allow subpoenas for witnesses and documents in the Senate trial of U.S. President Donald Trump's impeachment failed to pass the Republican-controlled upper chamber on Friday, suggesting a quick end to the proceeding.