United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is eyeing a stronger economic cooperation with Qatar as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to leave for Doha this (Monday) evening to attend the Earthna Summit 2025 and discuss the issues of mutual interest with the leadership of the gas-rich Gulf kingdom. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in the afternoon, noting that the Chief Adviser will have a series of engagements during the visit. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad were also present. Prof Yunus and his entourage members will leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7pm, Alam said. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others, will accompany the Chief Adviser during the visit. Want to be good, close neighbours, says Prof Yunus seeking stronger Dhaka-Beijing ties  The Chief Adviser will pay the four-day official visit at the invitation of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Dr Yunus is likely to have meetings with both the Amir of Qatar and the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed in addition to other engagements. Since there is a long-term agreement with Qatar on LNG import, Press Secretary Alam said Bangladesh will have a discussion on greater energy sector cooperation. He said there will be an investment Summit on April 23 from which Bangladesh expects a positive response. Bangladesh stressed the need for a deepening trade and investment relationship with Qatar. Press Secretary Alam said the visa issues will also be discussed. He said there will be a long event on the Rohingya issue where global stakeholders will participate. He hoped that the Rohingya issue would be brought back to global attention as there are efforts from the interim government. Quick national consensus possible through dialogue: Ali Riaz   In a historic first, four national women athletes from Bangladesh will accompany the Chief Adviser during his upcoming four-day visit to Qatar, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The delegation includes footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana. This is the first time a group of female athletes will travel as part of an official state delegation with a head of government of Bangladesh. The Qatar Foundation extended the invitation to the athletes through the Chief Adviser’s office. On Thursday evening, the four athletes met Professor Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where they discussed their goals for the visit and expressed their excitement. "We are thrilled to be part of this visit. It's not just a personal honour but also a proud moment for our teammates and the sports community in Bangladesh," the footballers were quoted by the press wing as saying. They added that they hoped to invite the Qatari women's football team for a friendly match and were eager to explore Qatar's sports facilities and professional training methods. The cricketers expressed their desire to spark interest in cricket in Qatar, where the sport is not yet widely followed. "We've prepared a presentation to introduce both our men's and women's cricket journeys." During the meeting, the athletes also shared their personal struggles and thanked the Chief Adviser for giving them the opportunity to represent the country abroad. Dr Yunus praised the athletes for their resilience and passion. "You are Bangladesh's sports ambassadors. Share your real stories. Represent our country's spirit and progress through sports," he said. He assured full support from his office to ensure the success of their trip. Earthna Summit The second edition of the Earthna Summit under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge” highlights Qatar’s commitment to advancing sustainability in hot and arid environments, by drawing on its rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems. Dr Yunus urges quick implementation of Women Affairs Commission’s recommendations. The Summit serves as a platform for exploring how both traditional knowledge and innovation approaches can inform modern sustainability, shaping a more resilient and inclusive future. During the two days – April 22-23 -- the Earthna Summit will explore a wide range of topics through presentations, interactive panel discussions, workshops and roundtables. Besides, the Earthna Village in Barahat Msheireb will host a series of inspiring talks and discussions led by various experts and innovators to foster dialogue and inspiration. A number of side events by partners will host a series of networking activations and discussions lead by local stakeholders. Dr Yunus relentlessly devotes his time and energy to inspire people into creating a world of 3 Zeros - zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration for ending poverty once for all and zero unemployment by unleashing entrepreneurship in everyone. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to return home on April 25.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Professor Yunus Monday called for enhanced regional cooperation to tackle climate and urban challenges, and urged nations to harness youth potential and innovations to shape a sustainable future. Dr Yunus leaves for Qatar Monday to attend Earthna Summit Speaking at the eighty-first session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), he highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to inclusive and climate-resilient urban development, emphasising the country’s reform journey. In the inaugural session, the Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus addressed the participants through a video message.  He also highlighted his ‘Three Zero Vision’ — zero wealth concentration, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions. The eighty-first session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) commenced at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.  Guided by “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific," the session brings together 53 member states and 9 associate members, said the Chief Adviser's press wing. Dr Yunus urges quick implementation of Women Affairs Commission’s recommendations The Bangladesh delegation is led by Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. The ESCAP session provides Bangladesh with a strategic platform to share its experiences, deepen cooperation, and reaffirm its resolve to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through inclusive and transformative urban solutions.  The delegation is expected to contribute meaningful insights and forge valuable partnerships during the week-long event.  

In a historic first, four national women athletes from Bangladesh will accompany Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on his upcoming four-day state visit to Qatar, scheduled to begin on Monday. The delegation includes footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa, and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana, the press wing of the Chief Adviser confirmed on Thursday. Women's World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh’s World Cup berth delayed conceding first defeat in 4th match losing to West Indies by three wickets This is the first time a group of female athletes will travel as part of an official state delegation with a head of government of Bangladesh.  The Qatar Foundation extended the invitation to the athletes through the Office of the Chief Adviser. On Thursday evening, the four athletes met with Professor Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where they discussed their goals for the visit and expressed their excitement. “We are thrilled to be part of this visit. It’s not just a personal honour but also a proud moment for our teammates and the sports community in Bangladesh,” the footballers were quoted as saying in a press release of the press wing.  They added that they hoped to invite the Qatari women’s football team for a friendly match and were eager to explore Qatar’s sports facilities and professional training methods. The cricketers said their desire to spark interest in cricket in Qatar, where the sport is not yet widely followed. “We’ve prepared a presentation to introduce both our men’s and women’s cricket journeys,” they said.  During the meeting, the athletes also shared their personal struggles and thanked the Chief Adviser for giving them the opportunity to represent the country abroad. Professor Yunus praised the athletes for their resilience and passion. “You are Bangladesh’s sports ambassadors. Share your real stories. Represent our country’s spirit and progress through sports,” he said. He assured full support from his office to ensure the success of their trip. The chief adviser is expected to attend the Earthna Summit and hold several high-level meetings during his visit from April 21 to 24, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 on February 1. Commemorating the memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, the traditional festivity of Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 is all set to begin with this year’s theme “July Gono Obbhuthyan: Notun Bangladesh Binirman” (The July Uprising: Rebuilding a New Bangladesh”). Amar Ekushey Book Fair Organising Committee members disclosed the details of this year's fair at a press conference on Thursday at the academy's Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad (AKSB) auditorium. Committee members including the Bangla Academy Director General and committee President Dr Mohammad Azam, Bangla Academy Secretary Dr Md Selim Reza, and Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee Secretary Dr Sarkar Amin were present. 3-day non-fiction book fair begins at Dhaka University A total of 708 publishers will participate in the fair with 99 stalls at the Bangla Academy and 609 at Suhrawardy Udyan. Some 642 publishers participated in the last year’s fair. The fair will feature 37 pavilions- one at Bangla Academy and 36 at Suhrawardy Udyan. A dedicated space for little magazines has been allocated near the open stage of Suhrawardy Udyan, hosting around 130 stalls. The Children’s Corner, with 74 publishers and 120 units (up from 68 publishers and 109 units last year), will be expanded near the Ramna temple gate to ensure easy access for children. The layout of the book fair will remain similar to last year, with some adjustments. Islamic Book Fair inaugurated by religious affairs adviser Due to the proximity of the metro rail station, the exit gate has been moved closer to the temple gate. Four entry and exit points will be available at TSC, Doyel Chattar, the MRT basing plant, and the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). Food stalls will be organised along the IEB boundary, while 30 washrooms have been installed across the fair venue this year, the highest number in the fair’s history, the organisers said at the press conference. Security will be ensured by police, RAB, Ansar, and intelligence agencies, with over 300 CCTV cameras installed across the venue, while archways will be set up at all entry and exit points. Daily seminars will take place at 4 pm on the main stage, followed by cultural performances in the evening. Book launch ceremonies will also be held at Suhrawardy Udyan. A special “Children’s Hour” will run from 11 am to 1 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding February 8 and 15. Like previous editions, several recreational activities including art, recitation, and music competitions for children and teenagers will be organised as part of the fair’s activities. This year, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair aims to be eco-friendly and zero-waste, according to the organisers. All participants and book fair stakeholders are encouraged and requested to use sustainable materials like jute, fabric, and paper instead of single-use plastics. Dhaka University hosts three-day Winter Book Fair at TSC Bangla Academy is publishing 43 new titles and reprinting 41 books, which will be available at three dedicated pavilions and a children’s stall. Books from Bangla Academy and participating publishers will be sold at a 25% discount. The fair will remain open from 3 to 9 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 9 pm on holidays, except for February 8 and 15. Marking the International Mother Language Day on February 21, the fair will begin at 8 am and run until 9 pm. Following its previous traditions, several awards will be handed over to outstanding publications from 2024, including the Chittaranjan Saha Memorial Award for quality publications, the Munier Chowdhury Memorial Award for artistic excellence, Rokonuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Memorial Award for children’s literature, and the Qayyum Chowdhury Memorial Award for aesthetic stall design. The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 is sponsored by Rocket (Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC), with Ama Tea and Savoy Ice Cream as co-sponsors while Dreamer Donkey is the event management partner for this year's fair.

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of former army chief and valiant freedom fighter KM Shafiullah. In a condolence message, Dr Yunus said Shafiullah played important role as sector commander during 1971 Liberation War and performed duty as second head at the Second East Bengal Regiment in Joydebpur. Ex-army chief KM Shafiullah passes away He led the ‘S’ Force and earned the ‘Bir Uttam’ title for his role during the Liberation War, the Chief Adviser recalled.   "We remember with gratitude his contribution to the country and its people. People from all walks of life in Bangladesh will remember his heroic life forever with gratitude," he said. Eminent economist and Tagore exponent Prof Anisur Rahman passes away Dr Yunus prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members. Shafiullah breathed his last at 8:45am while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 91.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday arrived in Dhaka from Switzerland after attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos where he was hailed as a "beacon, hero and an amazing image of stability." A commercial flight of the Emirates Airlines carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:06pm. Dr Yunus departed the Zurich International Airport at 9:50 pm (Swiss time) on Friday night (January 24). Saudi firm interested to transform Matarbari into regional mega port Top private companies are "convinced" about the country's "potentials and its stability" in the post revolution months, said Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, adding that they are impressed with the latest economic numbers. "One thing was quite clear that the biggest decision the students made just after the fall of Hasina was to persuade Prof Yunus to head the interim government. And that has made all the difference," Alam said. Bangladesh's Davos mission concluded on a high note, said the Press Secretary, adding that the Chief Adviser and his small Davos team is back home "with their heads held high". Prof Yunus held 47 meetings with heads of states, CEOs and dignitaries. Top European leaders are firmly backing the interim government and its reform agenda to restore democracy, Alam said. AsiaNet Forum 2025: Shaping the Future of Asia’s Media and PR Industry Top journalists from some of the world's best news outlets have queued to take Prof Yunus' interviews. "Nobody seems to be bothered by the propaganda campaign by the Indian outlets. They are very much aware of the dirty jobs that Indian media does for their political masters," said the Press Secretary. "The Tulip Siddiq saga in the UK added some extra layers to Hasina's "Highway Robbery" story. The Western press now know the kind of plunder and looting that took place during the Sheikh Hasina dictatorship," Alam said. Prof Yunus also spoke about the data manipulation, blaming the world for being blind during the "dictatorship". The Chief Adviser is scheduled to land in Dhaka on Saturday evening by an Emirates flight. Dr Yunus, who reached Davos on January 21, had four meetings with Heads of Government/State, four meetings with Minister-level dignitaries and ten meetings with heads/top executives of UN or similar organisations, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. The Chief Adviser had 10 meetings with CEOs/high-level business persons, attended nine WEF-hosted programs and four formal dinner and lunch events. WTO to support Bangladesh's LDC graduation, its DG tells Dr Yunus  Dr Yunus also had eight media engagements on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting in addition to joining two other events. Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs (Senior Secretary) Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Secretary (West) M Riaz Hamidullah, among others, accompanied Dr Yunus. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting in Davos brought together world leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These included responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding just and inclusive energy transition. This year's meeting convened under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age' and the programme will be oriented around five distinct but highly interconnected thematic priorities: Some 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, and 350 governmental leaders, including 60 heads of states and governments, from all key regions attended the event.

Chief Adviser's press wing on Sunday said Bangladesh has made no decision to acquire Turkish tanks. Quoting a Defence Ministry spokesperson, CA's press wing (fact-checking wing) confirmed this. "While such news is totally baseless and unwarranted, our country reserves the right to possess capabilities to defend itself,” said the spokesperson. Dr Yunus urges Malysia to issue multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday urged Malaysia to issue multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers employed in the country to facilitate their return home as and when required. The Chief Adviser raised the issue when Mohd Shuhada Othman, Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. The Chief Adviser also urged the High Commissioner to facilitate the entry of 18,000 Bangladeshi workers who missed the deadline to join their work in the Southeast Asian country in May last year. Denmark, AUW to promote women´s climate leadership The High Commissioner said that a joint technical committee featuring the officials of Malaysia and Bangladesh held a meeting in this regard in Kuala Lumpur on December 31, and a similar meeting was planned on Tuesday. Recalling his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Dhaka in October, the Chief Adviser hoped that Malaysia would expedite the process so that the next batch of Bangladeshi workers can plan for migrating to the country for work. The Chief Adviser congratulated Malaysia for taking over as the chair of ASEAN from 1 January 2025 and also sought the country’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and in turn become a full member. Make Bangladesh a distribution hub for Asia: CA urges Norway He also conveyed to the High Commissioner that Bangladesh seeks support from ASEAN in the upcoming International Conference on the Rohingya Crisis to be convened by the UN in 2025 in line with the UNGA Resolution 79/182. The Chief Adviser urged the new Malaysian High Commissioner, who was appointed in December 2024, to work on bringing more Malaysian investment to Bangladesh and relocating Malaysian factories to Bangladesh to take the benefit of Bangladesh’s youth forces.  “I hope that during your stay in Bangladesh, the relationship between Bangladesh and Malaysia will reach a new level of closeness on economic and business levels,” said Professor Yunus. The Chief Adviser said that Bangladesh looks forward to a convenient date from the Malaysian side to attend the 4th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in Kuala Lumpur. Dutch and EU delegates champion tiger conservation in Sundarbans He added that Bangladesh is also prepared to hold Foreign Minister level ‘5th Joint Commission’ meeting in Dhaka, preferably by mid-2025. Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary to SDG affairs, was also present on the occasion.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday asked Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to promote Bangladesh abroad and bring more investments to the country’s industrial sectors. "Create a team for economic diplomacy and promote Bangladesh abroad," Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder quoted Dr Yunus as conveying to the BEPZA officials, asking the body to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose. The Chief Adviser issued the directive when BEPZA submitted its annual report for the 2023-24 financial years to him at his office at Tejgaon, Dhaka. He also asked BEPZA officials to engage Bangladeshi students studying abroad, especially in China and Japan, to help investors overcome language barriers before making investment choices. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman said that they are already receiving positive responses from investors following the July-August uprising in Bangladesh and the repeatedly changing global political landscape.  "In the past three weeks, we have received a USD $135 million investment proposal from the Chinese investors. Talks are underway for more investments," he told the Chief Adviser.    CA's DPS: Bangladesh lived under shadow of a regime that turned "elections into farces" He said that currently eight export processing zones are operational in Bangladesh, housing 452 factories. There are 136 more factories currently under construction in the zones. Among the operational factories, over 100 are owned by the local investors, and the rest are mostly joint ventures. Of the factories, 52 percent produce ready-made garment items, textile items, and garment accessories. The remaining factories are multifarious, producing miscellaneous items such as coffins and toys.  Major General Zia informed the Chief Adviser of some of the demands of the investors, including uninterrupted gas and power supply, bonded warehouse facilities in the BEPZA areas, Chattogram-Sanghai direct air connectivity, and visa counsellor service in the Chinese city of Shanghai.  Chief Adviser Dr Yunus asked the authorities to explore the possibility of setting up solar power plants in export processing zones and work on gas exploration and develop a distribution system. He also asked the authorities to see if Bangladesh can benefit from importing energy from neighbouring countries. No arrest in plain clothes: Home Adviser Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who was present on the occasion, put an emphasis on targeted economic diplomacy. He said that the government will work on developing an integrated power distribution system to enable industries to receive more power from existing plants in the countries. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said that Bangladesh should incentivise the investors investing in export processing zones. European countries: CA's press wing shares progress on visa issues "We should make BEPZA and BEZA more attractive and promote the facilities available in the area across the globe to bring more investments," he said. Principal Secretary to Chief Adviser Md Siraj Uddin Miah was also present in the meeting.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Sunday shared the progress made following Bangladesh's request to European countries to relocate their visa centers from Delhi to Dhaka or another nearby country. He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus made a request to the European countries to bring their visa centers from Delhi to Dhaka or to a nearby country and there has been some progress in this regard. Briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy, Azad informed that Bulgaria has already notified Bangladesh of its decision to move its visa processing operations to Indonesia and Vietnam. July Declaration to be discussed with political parties: Press Secretary As a result, he said, 122 Bangladeshi students have been issued visas from these two countries. Furthermore, Azad mentioned that Romania has engaged in discussions with Bangladesh and plans are underway for issuing student visas to Bangladeshi nationals from Vietnam and Thailand. Romania has officially communicated this decision to its embassy in Bangkok, he said. Additionally, Azad said, Kazakhstan has also expressed its intention to issue visas to Bangladeshi nationals from Bangkok. “Discussions are underway between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and both Eastern and Western European countries, with the possibility of more countries making similar arrangements in the future,” he added.