Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Hasina and Modi jointly inaugurate rail connectivity and power projects
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly opened the newly constructed Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link Project, setting a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity.
The important rail connection would contribute to boosting trade, business and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.The 12.24-km rail connection has linked Gangasagar Railway Station at Akhaura in Brahmanbaria to Nischintapur Railway Station at Agartala in India, connecting the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh.
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The railway link, with 6.78 km in Bangladesh’s part, was constructed under a joint venture of Bangladesh and India. The Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) railway line construction started in July 2018.
The two prime ministers unveiled the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, joining an event from Ganabhaban in Dhaka and New Delhi through a virtual platform.
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The two PMs also inaugurated two other Indian-aided projects --Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Construction Project and Unit-2 of Rampal Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat.
The 65-km railway from Khulna to Mongla port in Bagerhat would streamline goods transportation to the port. This railway will help transport Mongla port goods affordably within the country and support trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, contributing to regional economic growth. The Khulna-Mongla railway project began in September 2016.
The second unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Rampal would add 660 megawatt electricity to the national grid.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link with Indian grants.
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The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, known as Rampal thermal power plant, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW in two units was implemented under a joint venture of the two neighbouring countries.
Bangladesh moves towards cashless society: PM Hasina on launching Taka Pay card
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (November 01, 2023) said her government seeks to build a cashless society in a bid to reduce corruption, expedite development and ease revenue collection.
“When we will be able to build the cashless society it will curtail corruption. The development of the country will be expedited and the revenue collection will be eased,” she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating local currency card ‘Taka Pay’, first of its kind in the country, from her official residence Ganabhaban. She was connected virtually with headquaters of Sonali Bank, City Bank and Brac Bank.
Sheikh Hasina said that as an independent and sovereign country, Bangladesh’s financial system has to be independent and sovereign for reducing dependency on others.
PM Hasina launches Taka Pay, first-ever local currency card, to save costly dollars
She put emphasis on data security of every holder of the newly introduced debit card.
“I hope that the security system of this network will be well-protected. We have to pay special attention to this. Foolproof firewall has to be there,” she said.
She said that this Taka Pay card will be a groundbreaking step for building the cashless society in Bangladesh.
“We will not be dependent on others. We will use our money in our country, we will try to connect this system with otheir countries. We must not be dependent on any single hard currency,” she said.
"Today I'm very happy," said the prime minister terming the own currency card as a landmark step for the country.
She mentioned that the cards which are being used by the people are operated by the foreign companies.
“No more foreign currency spending after introduction of Taka Pay card”," she said.
Hasina spoke about her government’s plan to introduce international transactions through Taka Pay in future.
She also underscored the importance of bringing everyone under banking services towards establishment of a cashless society.
PM Hasina to launch 'Taka Pay' card Tuesday: BB
The premier said every citizen of the country should be brought under the banking service.
Directing the Bangladesh Bank to focus on establishing good governance in the banking sector, the PM said, the role of central bank is very important in establishing a cashless society.
“So, special attention should be given to ensure that the service in the banking sector is more fair alongside good governance,” she added.
PM Hasina asked the officials concerned to provide training and up to date information to the people so that they can use this Taka Pay card easily without any hassle in their daily payment.
The card is be issued by state-owned Sonali Bank and privately-owned City Bank and BRAC Bank in collaboration with the central bank.
'Taka Pay' will provide the same service nationally through the use of 'The National Payment Switch of Bangladesh', an electronic payment platform operated by the BB.
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PM Hasina launches Taka Pay, first-ever local currency card, to save costly dollars
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (November 01, 2023) launched local currency card Taka Pay to reduce dependency on international card schemes like Visa and Mastercard and save much-needed US dollars.
Bangladesh Bank introduced the card, first of its kind in the country.
PM Hasina inaugurated the card from her official residence Ganabhaban. She was connected virtually with the headquarters of state-owned Sonali Bank, private City Bank and Brac Bank.
The three banks have been given responsibility to issue the Taka Pay card in collaboration with the central bank.
'Taka Pay' will provide the same service nationally through the use of 'The National Payment Switch of Bangladesh', an electronic payment platform operated by the BB.
Initially, the card can be used within the country. Later the central bank will introduce Taka-Rupee card which can be used for shopping in neighbouring India.
Electronic transfer of taka is done through Visa and MasterCard payment networks of business institutions including banks and other financial institutions.
These entities offer branded payment processing services for credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Domestic card 'Taka Pay' will provide the same service, the BB sources said.
It can be used abroad once foreign banks and institutions partner with the platform. It will reduce the cost of foreign exchange. Because foreign companies have to spend a lot of money on service charges.
From the beginning, this card can be used at all ATMs, points of sales and online platforms in the country.
PM Hasina to launch 'Taka Pay' card Tuesday: BB
Initially it will be used as a debit card but in the future Taka Pay credit card will also come.
Magnetic strip is used for security of this card. But now the new EMV technology with added security has been introduced in all bank cards. Gradually Taka Pay card will also be introduced with EMV technology.
Paris-based consultancy Fime developed the card.
Bangladesh’s neighboring countries also have their currency cards. India has card 'Rupee', Pakistan 'Pakpay', Sri Lanka 'Lonkapay'. Saudi Arabia has 'Mada'.
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At the outset, a video documentary on the Taka Pay was screened.
Two freedom fighter customers of Sonali Bank withdrew money from City Bank's ATM using Taka Pay Card.
Central bank governor Abdur Rauf Talukder was present among others at Ganabhaban.
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah moderated the function, while BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder delivered welcome address. BB Executive Director Mezbaul Haque presented different aspects of the national card scheme “TakaPay”.Sonali Bank Managing Director Afzal Karim, Brac Bank Managing Director Selim RF Hossain and City Bank Managing Director Mashrur Arefin at their offices demonstrated the usage of TakaPay card, online payment and withdrawal of money from ATM where the users received the services.
PM Hasina describes as successful her visit to Belgium for Global Gateway Forum
‘Is Biden holding dialogue with Trump?’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (October 31, 2023) said she will have dialogue with the opposition if the US President Joe Biden does the same with former president and 2024 US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Is (US President) Biden holding dialogue with Mr Trump? If Biden sits with Trump for dialogue, then I will hold the dialogue (with opposition),” she said at a press conference referring to the US ambassador's call for dialogue with the opposition earlier today.
Also read: PM Hasina describes as successful her visit to Belgium for Global Gateway Forum
Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas expressed hope that all sides going forward will engage in a “dialogue” without preconditions to de-escalate tensions and find a path forward to free, fair and peaceful elections.
The prime minister also said that the people of Bangladesh “do not want any dialogue with killers.”
“No dialogue with the killers. This is Bangladesh. People of the country also do not want any dialogue with killers,” she told the press conference.
Election will be held and it will be in due time, she added.
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The prime minister accused the BNP of wanting to create an unusual situation ahead of the national election.
“BNP does not want an election; they want to create an unusual situation,” she said.
“BNP is a party of terrorists,” PM Hasina said.
Also read: Haas meets CEC, hopes all sides will engage in dialogue without preconditions
PM Hasina inaugurates 50 more model mosques
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday inaugurated 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the country as part of her government’s programme to spread true message of Islam.
She opened the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in the sixth phase during the National imam Conference and Prize Giving Ceremony-2023.
Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman Al-Bua'Yjan was with the prime minister during the event.
Religious Affairs Ministry organised the function at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Rupganj of Narayanganj. Three pandals have been set up at the venue.
After reaching the venue, the prime minister first visited the pandels along with the imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina.
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Both the premier and the imam spoke briefly to the imams gathered at the venue from different parts of the country.
She thanked the imams for coming to join National Imam Council and urged them to pray for wellbeing of the country and its people.
"Pray to Allah that the development of the country being carried out by the government goes on,” she said.
PM Hasina also thanked the custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Monday’s opening of the mosques raised the number of such model mosques to 300.
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The government has taken up a programme of building 564 model mosques and Islamic centres across the country.
The PM unveiled 50 mosques each in the first phase on 10 June, 2021, in the second phase on 16 January this year, in the third phase on 16 March, in the fourth phase on 17 April and in the fifth phase on July 30.
The construction of the remaining mosques and Islamic cultural centres is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
The mosques and centres are being built under a programme to spread the true message of Islam following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The model mosques and Islamic cultural centres include separate places for ablution and namaj along with air-conditioning system.
There will also be registration and training arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, autism corner, ritual system before burial, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sale centre and boarding facility for local and foreign guests.
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In 2017, the government has taken a project with Taka 9,435 crore for constructing Islamic Cultural Centres and Model Mosque in every district and upazila as well as municipality of the country.
An audio-visual documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.
State Minister for religious affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the event addressed among others by President of Tarikat Foundation Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, Maulana Dr. Mohammad Kafiluddin Sarkar Salehi and Maulana Ehsanul Haq Al Mojaddedi.
Secretary for religious affairs ministry Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the address of welcome.
PM to hold press conference tomorrow on Belgium visit
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference on Tuesday afternoon on the outcome of her recent official visit to Belgium.
The press conference will start at 4 pm at her official residence Ganabhaban, Prime Minister’s Office press wing said.
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PM Hasina returned home on Friday morning after wrapping up her three-day official visit to Belgium.
In Brussels the PM attended the "Global Gateway Forum-2023" on October 25-26 at the invitation of the European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen.
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During her stay in Brussels, PM Hasina had a number of meetings with leaders of European countries, the European Commission (EC), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Parliament as well as attended a community reception on the sidelines of the Forum.
If you want to beat China, come with basket of money and affordable proposals: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (October 28, 2023) said other countries should also come up with baskets of money and affordable proposals, instead of intimidation and giving advice, if they want to beat China.
"If you want to beat China, you should come with basket of money and affordable proposals like the Chinese. Only advice does not satisfy us," he said while talking to reporters.
The foreign minister mentioned that he said this during both the recent US and Europe visits.
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Earlier, he spoke at a seminar on “Navigating Challenges: Bangladesh’s Response to the Current Global Situation” at the Foreign Service Academy as the chief guest.
Diplomats World, a diplomatic magazine, hosted the seminar.
Describing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Europe visit as “very successful,” Momen said the European countries listened to Bangladesh and they are now coming up with funds.
He said the European leaders highly appreciated Bangladesh’s leadership and development.
"This is a great achievement for Bangladesh," he said.
Momen said many countries want to sell their products while trying to put pressure in the name of human rights and democracy.
He said Bangladesh does not want to purchase military equipment now as the priority is to ensure people's welfare.
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The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.
Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen together with Prime Minister Hasina on Wednesday launched the negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to expand and develop the relationship between the EU and Bangladesh at the Global Gateway Forum.
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On this occasion, the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bangladesh signed agreements worth €400 million for renewable energy projects to contribute to a sustainable green transition of Bangladesh's power sector. It is also aimed at meeting the country's climate mitigation targets.
Five additional cooperation actions, worth €70 million, supporting education, decent work, green construction, e-governance and the prevention of gender-based violence were also launched.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The EU and Bangladesh have been reliable and trusted partners for 50 years. Now, we are taking this partnership even further, to reap the opportunities of the green transition under Global Gateway. The European Commission, the EIB and Bangladesh will join forces to support renewable energy and tackle climate change. This €400 million investment will make a difference for the people of Bangladesh and its economy.”
Salman F. Rahman, US Under Secretary Uzra Zeya acknowledge the only means to change govt is through elections
Prime Minister’s Adviser for Private Industries and Investment Salman F. Rahman and US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya have acknowledged that in a democracy, the only means to change the government is through elections.
Rahman reiterated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's firm commitment to ensure that the upcoming national election of Bangladesh is held in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
Under Secretary Zeya reaffirmed that the US does not support any particular political party, rather it is keen to see the continuation of democracy in Bangladesh.
They held a meeting on Friday (October 27, 2023) at the US Department of State in Washington DC.
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"Vital conversation with Salman F Rahman, MP on US-Bangladesh partnership. Looking forward to continued engagement on shared concerns, including delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza; free & fair elections in Bangladesh; and Rohingya refugee support," Uzra Zeya tweeted after the meeting.
They discussed a wide range of bilateral issues including further enhancing the existing economic partnership between Bangladesh and the USA.
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Adviser Rahman and Under Secretary Zeya also discussed recent conflicts in the Middle East, Rohingya issue and general election in Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
Uzra Zeya praised Bangladesh’s generosity for hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya population and assured continued US support for them.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Afreen Akhter and senior officials of Bangladesh Embassy and US State Department were present at the meeting.
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Bangladesh can support EU’s efforts to diversify production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines: PM tells EIB President
European Investment Bank (EIB) President Dr Werner Hoyer has appreciated the use of Euro 1 billion loan portfolio for Bangladesh since 2000 in areas of shared priorities.
He noted, in particular, progress in projects – under implementation – under water treatment and rail link upgradation.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with the EIB President recently at her hotel suite in Brussels.
The prime minister referred to the achievements made so far in ensuring safe water and sanitation for nearly 97 percent of the population in Bangladesh.
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She requested EIB to consider supporting river dredging, water conservation, and surface irrigation.
PM Hasina also mentioned the initiatives taken by her government to develop dual-track railway, to promote cost-effective passenger and container traffic.
She appreciated the interest of multilateral development banks in financing such impactful connectivity projects.
The EIB president referred to the loan package of Euro 250 million signed in 2021, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (October 26, 2023).
He shared that the disbursement of the amount would commence soon for the purpose of health system strengthening.
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The EIB president observed that Bangladesh was in an ideal situation to roll out vaccine production.
The prime minister informed him about the measures taken by the government to develop a vaccine production facility and a molecular testing laboratory.
She suggested that EIB extend support for necessary infrastructure development for these initiatives.
She reiterated that Bangladesh could support EU’s efforts to diversify production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical equipment.
She also discussed possible support measures for combating dengue outbreaks, including through vaccines.
The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world.
In 2022 it financed around Euro 10.8 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the bank created that year for activities beyond Europe.
Since the beginning of its operations in Bangladesh in 2000, the EIB has supported six projects in the country and has invested more than Euro 670 million in water, transport and health projects.
Also read: PM Hasina asks EU to extend GSP+ facilities for 6yrs to graduating LDCs like Bangladesh
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Make a mini Switzerland in Bangladesh, PM Hasina urges Swiss investors
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (October 23, 2023) urged Swiss entrepreneurs to make investments in Bangladesh to create a mini Switzerland in the South Asian country.
Swiss businesses can invest in Bangladesh in the special economic zones (SEZs), she said, adding "We will provide lands (in SEZs) and they can make a mini Switzerland here,” she said.
The premier made this call when Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Siegfried Renggli paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Read: Some Western powers seek to install a puppet government in Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells ALPP meeting
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on.
In response the ambassador said Swiss companies are interested to invest in Bangladesh, said the press secretary.
The envoy said the volume of trade between Bangladesh and Switzerland should be increased.
He said he will continue to work for further strengthening the bilateral relations and cooperation.
The envoy appreciated the economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of PM Hasina in the last one decade.
Read: All enjoy equal religious rights in Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells Hindus celebrating Durga Puja
He said that Switzerland would work together with Bangladesh to fight the adverse impact of climate change.
PM Hasina said the focus of her government is on the development of rural people of Bangladesh. “The backbone of development is middle class people,” she added.
“We are taking many programmes to reduce the extreme poverty rate to zero, at least to one percent,” she added.
The prime minister mentioned that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a vision to “make Bangladesh as the Switzerland of the East”.
She recalled that she was with Bangabandhu when he visited Switzerland at the invitation of Swiss government after undergoing surgery in London.
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Talking about connectivity, she said Bangladesh can be a bridge between the East and the West. So, the government is now developing the airports to this end.
"We look forward to transforming Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral relations into a broad-based partnership," she said.The prime minister assured the ambassador of extending all cooperation in discharging his duty in Dhaka.
The Swiss envoy handed over the copy of a letter to Sheikh Hasina, which Bangabandhu sent to the Switzerland government in replying to Swiss recognition to Bangladesh as an independent country.
Receiving the letter, the prime minister said that the letter will be displayed in the museum.
PM's Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah And Deputy Head of Swiss Mission in Bangladesh Corinne Henchoz Pignani were present.