President Abdul Hamid asked all concerned to come forward to protect the resources and environmental balance of the haor area. He said this while exchanging views with eminent persons of different classes and professions including the people's representatives of Itna upazila of Kishoreganj this evening. In an exchange of views held at the President Abdul Hamid Auditorium in Itna in the evening, the President said that the canals and rivers in the haor area are gradually filling up due to sand coming along the upstream slope. This is destroying the ecological balance of the haor area as well as the livelihood of the people. READ: President visits development projects in Kishoreganj Mentioning hoars as unique natural resources in Bangladesh, President Hamid said the environment issue should be given priority in any development project in the Haor area. Local MP Rezwan Ahmed Tawfiq was present at the time.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Tuesday welcomed the initiative to frame a unified code of conduct for the readymade garment sector, jointly by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). But the TIB suggested engagement of all stakeholders including RMG workers and labour bodies, researchers and social organisations in the process to formulate an effective code of conduct, said a press release. READ: Keep civil society, media people in DSA amendment process: TIB TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the country’s apparel sector has largely been able to overcome the image crisis created following the Rana Plaza tragedy by ensuring a safe work environment through joint ventures of local and foreign bodies. But still it needs to go far to accomplish the desired progress in this sector, he said. “In this context, the joint initiative of BGMEA and BKMEA, the two apex organisations in the sector, for formulation of a unified code of conduct is a timely step,” he said. READ: Formulate guideline to end anarchy in foreign workers’ recruitment: TIB The TIB chief said if an integrated code of conduct can be framed and implemented with the participation of all stakeholders, it will play a significant role in ensuring a decent work environment in this sector and simultaneously it will set an example in the world arena.

Stakeholders from both public and private sectors have urged the commerce ministry to include a proposal for setting up joint testing laboratories and introducing one-stop service for investors in the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India. They made the call at the 3rd stakeholder consultation meeting, organized by the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) on CEPA on Sunday through a physical and zoom platform. The meeting was solely focused on the trade in goods of the joint study, said a press release. All the stakeholders hoped that the proposed CEPA agreement will result in removing the trade barriers and enhance higher volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.  Addressing the meeting Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said Bangladesh’s export growth performance in the Indian market has more potential. He also highlighted that the country’s trade has been making a momentous contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh in terms of foreign exchange earnings, improving the balance of payments and faster creation of employment. Md Jafar Uddin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the BFTI chaired the event and emphasized that an effective CEPA between the two countries would not only benefit both the countries in terms of enhanced employment generation and export earnings but also would help Bangladesh identify its untapped potential for export to India. BFTI director Md. Obaidul Azam moderated the programme.  Dr Selim Raihan, lead consultant, CEPA joint feasibility study made his special remarks on the joint study at the beginning of the meeting. Mr Mahtab Uddin, sectoral consultant of the study presented the key-note presentation at the consultation meeting.High officials from public sector and private sector, business leaders, and academicians participated in the consultation meeting as stakeholders. Among others, A.H.M. Ahasan, vice-chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Md. Hafizur Rahman, additional Secretary of ministry of commerce, Hafizur Rahman, director general of WTO Cell of the commerce ministry, Dr Md. KhairuzzamanMozumder, additional secretary, finance division, Noor Md. Mahbubul Haq, Joint Secretary, Sha Md. Abu Raihan Alberuni, member, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, Mohammad Jahangeer Kobir, Joint Secretary and Member, Bangladesh Land Port Authority and representatives from associations and chambers attended the consultation meeting. The Centre for Regional Trade (CRT) under the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has been nominated to conduct the joint study from the Government of India.

Transparent automation, easy regulations, access to finance, inter-ministerial coordination, easy tax structure, cross border digital commerce trade facilitation are key to foster e-commerce in Bangladesh, stakeholders said at a discussion on Saturday.  The discussion titled “Building a Sustainable Ecosystem for E-commerce” was organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI). Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh joined the discussion as the chief guest.  DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said the e-commerce ecosystem saw a massive vibe in recent past.  Also read: Muted response to e-commerce SOP reflects recent troubles in the industry "Despite we have seen some challenges the sector is facing recently, but with the intervention of the government, regulators and stakeholders a sustainable development will come in the sector," he said.  According to an estimated data, in 2020 transaction in the e-commerce business was about USD2 billion, which may increase up to USD2.5 billion in the current year.  In 2020 transaction in only f-commerce sector was about 320 crore taka.  He also said that 15% VAT imposed on e-commerce sector may hamper the growth of small investors in this sector. Moreover if international market leaders like Amazon comes in our market, it may create opportunity for local CMSME traders and manufacturers, he said.        Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said private sector is playing the dominant role in the economy.  Also read: Digital Commerce Policy, Lockdown, Eid: Perfect storm for e-commerce? In the e-commerce, reliability is the key issue to help this sector to grow, he said. "Government does not want to impose strong regulations upon the sector so that small entrepreneurs can come on board easily. Recently the Escrow system to see the compliance has been introduced but the number of transactions fell down." He suggested for a coordinated platform to overview the compliance and said that government is working hard to create a congenial regulatory atmosphere for e-commerce business.  Barrister K. M. Tanjib-ul-Alam, Head of the Chamber, Tanjib Alam and Associates also underscored importance of reliability for a sustainable market.  He urged for a proper policy and guidelines with a scope of reward and punishment.  "Government should come forward to safeguard the ecosystem, he added. Government should upgrade the national postal system so that ecommerce platform can utilize this trusted system," he said.  Fahim Ahmed, President, Pathao said policy and regulatory guidelines are needed for a sustainable ecosystem.  "Unsuccessful ecommerce platforms with a huge liability and discounting method cannot sustain in the market as it is not economically viable. Based on short term investment and huge discount-giving model may create a bad name to the industries. For creating infrastructure, technological assistance and to create confidence of consumers long term investment is needed," he said.    Khorshed Anwar, Deputy Managing Director, Eastern Bank Limited said small e-commerce, start-ups or f-commerce entrepreneurs are sometimes deprived of access to finance due to lack of documentation. We are working on the issue and do training programmes for the small start-ups.  Khondoker Tasfin Alam, Chief Operating Officer, Daraz Bangladesh said excessive discounting model is not sustainable.  Customer readiness as well as seller’s readiness is equally important. Sometimes wrong model can become famous for the time being but it is not sustainable but will hamper the ecosystem.  He also said that Daraz Bangladesh has already invested BDT 500 crore in last two years in logistic infrastructure. He lastly emphasized on improving products quality for sustainability. Ashish Chakraborty, Chief Information Officer, Nagad said Mobile Financial service plays a vital role in ecommerce.  Customers from rural area can get products from anywhere in the country using mobile wallet. Bangladesh Bank now allows small investors having NID to be on board which is a good move, he said. For the growth, he emphasized on full automation of this sector and this system will ensure service delivery information.    Muhammed Abdul Wahed Tomal, General Secretary, e-CAB said that the ecommerce sector in Bangladesh has got a tremendous growth right at this moment which was supposed to come in 2030.  "The growth momentum came at a faster rate due to Covid, he informed. E-commerce is an integrated sector where agencies like Bangladesh Bank, NBR, LGRD, Commerce Ministry, ICT Division all are involved. Regarding Escrow service he suggested to make it more automated and easy functioning." Khairul Majid Mahmud, Director, DCCI, Sameer Sattar, former Director, DCCI and Riyadh Hossain, former Vice President, DCCI also spoke on the occasion. DCCI Senior Vice President N.K.A. Mobin, FCS, FCA gave vote of thanks.

Stakeholders at a meeting on Saturday suggested that the existing conflicting regulatory issues should be addressed before setting a price for liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Planning Minister MA Mannan on Saturday stressed the need for better coordination among public, private stakeholders and experts for the sake of the country’s youth development as they are key force of economic development.

Speakers at a webinar on Sunday underscored the need for coordination among relevant ministries, NGOs, researchers and stakeholders to tackle the impact of climate change and create a sound environment in the country.   They also called upon the people not to dump face masks, gloves and other equipment used to protect from coronavirus here and there.   The observations came at the virtual dialogue titled ‘Bangladesh Climate Budget FY 2020-2021: A Civil Society Response’.   Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said coordination among ministries and stakeholders is needed to tackle the impact of climate disaster.   “The issues of waste management, environment and gender hardly got priority in the budget. These could have gotten more priority. Coordination is needed among ministries and stakeholders,” she said.   Dr Saleemul Huq, Director of International Center for Climate Change and Development, said a task force can be formed with people of ministries, NGOs and researchers to prevent the possible impact of climate problems and create a healthy environment.   “The government allocated a fund every year in the budget. I think the allocation should be monitored properly. Journalists can observe the matter accurately to curb corruptions. Then the funds will be utilised properly,” he added.   ‘Awareness is the key’   Climate expert Dr SM Munjurul Hannan Khan suggested the government to provide funds maintaining a consistency in the country’s coastal areas.   Md Ziaul Haque, Director of the department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said they tried to address climate change issue in the proposed budget for 2020-21 amid the COVID-19 fallout.   “We need more funds to address climate change problems. However, we have to implement the budget. So we need cooperation from all,” he said.   Describing face masks, hands gloves and others coronavirus wastes are polluting the environment, Ziaul Haque urged all to be more conscious about the waste and not to dispose of them here and there.   “Around 14,500 tonnes additional waste went up in the last two months. There are lots of policies in the country but these have to be implemented. We have also released several letters on our website. Everyone has to be aware to protect our environment,” he said.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) must be owned by all stakeholders at their respective levels of engagements globally.

Dhaka, Sept 19 (UNB) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said all the stakeholders should work together to achieve the anticipated outcomes in terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as there is a long way to go despite some progress.