President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday received credentials from the new ambassadors of Turkey and the Philippines to Bangladesh in the evening. Press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.  Ramis Sen of the Republic of Turkey and Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines presented their credentials. Appreciating Bangladesh's ties with the two countries, Hamid urged them to play an important role as envoys particularly to enhance trade and economic relations for mutual benefit. Hamid also hoped that the bilateral relations with the countries will further be expanded during their respective assignments here. Also Read: Prevent corruption in every sector: President to ACC Referring to the losses in the recent earthquakes in Turkey, the President again conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members and said Bangladesh would always stay beside the government and people of Turkey at all regional and international platforms as very faithful and old friends in days to come. On the Rohingya issue, the President expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government and its people for their support in this connection. Later, during the meeting with the Philippines ambassador, the President mentioned that the Philippines government and its people provided heartfelt support to the 1971 Liberation War and subsequently it is one of the countries which recognized Bangladesh after the Liberation War at the beginning stage. Terming the bilateral relations between the two countries very excellent, Hamid urged the Philippines government to explore the untapped potential areas in bilateral trade and investment, including pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, light engineering and jute products etc. The two sides can also explore cooperation in disaster management, health care and IT sectors, the President added.  President Hamid also requested the Philippines government to support Bangladesh’s application for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.  He assured the envoys of his all-out cooperation in discharging their duties in Bangladesh in cementing further Bangladesh relations with the countries. Praising the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, the ambassadors told the President that they would provide their possible all-out cooperation to Bangladesh government during their respective assignments here. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, secretaries concerned and high officials to the President, among others, were present. Earlier on their arrival at Bangabhaban, a contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) offered the ambassadors guards of honour as part of the ceremony. The national anthems of the respective countries were also played by the army band and the Ambassadors made a round of inspection of the guard of honour.    

Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening. The ambassador handed over two greeting letters to the president on the occasion of "Bangladesh Independence and National Day" from King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB that they wished for continued development and progress of the government and people of Bangladesh in a letter. The president said Bangladesh's relationship with Saudi Arabia is very excellent. This relationship is expanding in several areas, he added. About Saudi Arabian commerce minister's visit to Bangladesh recently, the President said this visit has opened a door of novel possibilities in the field of bilateral ties between the two countries.He said there is ample opportunity to increase trade and investment between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. Expressing gratitude to Saudi Arabia for providing assistance to Rohingyas, taken shelter in Bangladesh earlier forcibly displaced from Myanmar, Hamid hopedthis cooperation Saudi Arabia will continue in the future and Saudi Arabia would continue to exert pressure on Myanmar to ensure a safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.  

 President Abdul Hamid on Saturday urged poets, writers, dramatists, makers, collectors, researchers and other individuals and institutions to spread the various elements of culture. "We should not allow all culture. Through the proper use of information technology, cultural elements should be collected and spread across the country and abroad. And only then will our cultural heritage emerge in the outside world," he said. He made this call as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Greater Mymensingh Cultural Festival held at National Museum auditorium. He said information technology has now affected everyone's life, regardless of village or city. The world has become a village due to the free flow of information. As a result sky culture is now a reality. He also that its influence on the culture of different countries and nations is also spreading rapidly. Cultural thoughts and mindsets are also changing at the same pace. Mentioning that 'It is our responsibility to make the new generation aware of history and tradition', Hamid said that besides socio-economic development, creative and talented manpower is essential for balanced development including art, literature and culture. Enlightened people can bring positive changes in society. "If we don't introduce our children to history, heritage, pains and prides, they won't grow up to be conscious citizens with self respect," he added. He also urged them to trace their roots along with conventional education and also tell about the glorious past.

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday asked the concerned authorities to take proper preparation at the right time to reduce the risk of disasters and subsequent loss of lives and property to keep the country’s progress on track."If proper preparation is taken at the right time, it is possible to reduce the risk of these disasters and reduce the loss of lives and property," he said at the inauguration of the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Bangladesh Scouts at the Osmani memorial auditorium in the city. He said Bangladesh is prone to various natural disasters every year due to its geographical location. The negative effects of global warming and climate change have created a different reality globally today, he said.Thanking the scouts for their volunteer job in all disaster risk reduction initiatives in Bangladesh, he said the members of Bangladesh Scouts are making an important contribution to the country's disaster management by participating in rescue, relief and rehabilitation work with the local peopleHe said the government has set a target to make Bangladesh a developed, prosperous and smart country by 2041. As a result of formulation and implementation of contemporary plans of the government, Bangladesh has already been promoted from a less developed country to a developing country. He also asked the new generation to be developed as skilled and humane peopleto continue this progress of development. For this purpose, the government has extended its full cooperation to strengthen the scout movement in Bangladesh, he said.Hamid emphasised that the young should know the real history of the freedom struggle and liberation war. "We must learn to pay due respect to those who sacrificed their lives for independence. Bangladesh has a glorious history and tradition. You should also know them," he also said.He said it is possible to know many things about the world instantly at home. "But first of all, you have to know about your own country with the help of information technology,' he added. Chief Scouts of Bangladesh Hamid said construction of scout buildings and training centres in all districts and upazilas in the country, formation of two teams in each educational institution and the implementation of instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding providing scout training to all students should be taken.Scouting will help the next generation to become skilled human resources to lead the ongoing progress of Bangladesh, he added.A total of 626 scouts earned the President's Scout Award in 2022. The President also extended his congratulations to the recipients of the Silver Tiger and Silver Hilsa Awards and other awards in 2022 in recognition of their unique contribution to the development and expansion of Bangladesh Scouts. President of Bangladesh Scouts Abul Kalam Azad, Camp Chief and Chief National Commissioner Dr. Mozammel Haque Khan also spoke on the occasion.

President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday asked the students not to deviate from principles and ideals in life. The President said this during an exchange of views with the students of SSC and equivalent examination-2022 in the afternoon at Bangabhaban. He invited 45 best students from different parts of the country to Bangabhaban to encourage young students. Also Read: Find out the reasons why people rush to foreign countries for medical treatment : President Hamid During an exchange of views at the Cabinet Hall of Bangabhaban, President Hamid said that students should know the true history of the country's great liberation war and should respect those who sacrificed their lives for the country. Highlighting the development and progress of the country, Hamid hoped that the young students will make themselves qualified to continue this trend of development of the country.  

Innovation and technology hold immense potential for accelerating gender equality and women’s empowerment, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development in Bangladesh, said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA. “Digital technologies can offer solutions that can be used to meet women's needs and promote their empowerment. For example, digital literacy and skills help women move to superior and more complex positions in their workplaces,” he said. He also said digital transformation has paved the way for women to develop their skills. It’s encouraging to note that the participation of women at the management level in the RMG industry is increasing. He made the comments while speaking a dialogue on “innovation & technology for gender equality and minority rights” as a special guest. Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Shehela Pervin PPM, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, Gordon Shannon, Head of Programme Development and Funding Global, Christian Aid in Bangladesh, and Sara Hossain, Honorary Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) also spoke at the dialogue organized by Christian Aid and its partners in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on March 13. In his address, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garment industry had huge contributions to women empowerment in Bangladesh by creating their employment in the formal sector.“Their financial ability has earned them dignity in families, given them a voice in decision making and freedom to take their decision,” he said. “The RMG industry is a bright example of how digital technologies can make a difference to women’s empowerment and rights. Garment factories are now paying their workers in mobile financial services (MFS) accounts, enabling them to have full control of their money which they can now send to their families and save for the future,” Faruque Hassan said. In the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution, the manufacturing landscape is being hugely dominated by technologies with many automatic machines and software being integrated into production processes to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly, he said.  It’s important to create opportunities for women to adapt to the changing trends through skilling and reskilling so that they can have equal space in the workplace, he added.  “As the government has envisioned for a developed Bangladesh, this vision cannot be achieved without leaving women behind and playing their active roles,” Faruque Hassan said.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was awarded a third five-year term as the nation's president Friday, putting him on track to stay in power for life at a time of severe economic challenges and rising tensions with the U.S. and others. The endorsement of Xi's appointment by the ceremonial National People's Congress was a foregone conclusion for a leader who has sidelined potential rivals and filled the top ranks of the ruling Communist Party with his supporters since taking power in 2012. The vote for Xi was 2,952 to 0 by the NPC, members of which are appointed by the ruling party. Xi, 69, had himself named to a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, breaking with a tradition under which Chinese leaders handed over power once a decade. A two-term limit on the figurehead presidency was deleted from the Chinese Constitution earlier, prompting suggestions he might stay in power for life. There was no indication that members of the National People's Congress had any option other than to endorse Xi and other officials picked by the Communist Party for other posts. When Xi was named to his first term as president in 2013, NPC members received a ballot with only his name on it and dropped it unchanged into a box. On Friday, reporters were kept at a distance and couldn’t see the four ballots that each delegate deposited into boxes placed around the vast auditorium of the Great Hall of the People. Xi was also unanimously named head of the Central Military Commission that commands the party's military wing, the 2 million-member People's Liberation Army, an appointment that has been automatic for the party leader for three decades. In other voting, the party's third-ranking official, Zhao Leji, was named head of the National People's Congress. The vast majority of the body's legislative work is headed by its Standing Committee, which meets year-round. Zhao, 67, a holdover from the previous party Politburo Standing Committee, the apex of political power in China headed by Xi, won Xi’s trust as head of the party’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, pursuing an anti-graft campaign that has frozen all potential opposition to Xi. Former Shanghai party boss and member of the last Politburo Standing Committee Han Zheng was named to the largely ceremonial post of state vice president. Xi, Zhao and Han then took the oath of office with one hand on a copy of the Chinese Constitution. The session also swore in 14 congress vice chairpersons. Read more: Iran, Saudi Arabia agree to resume relations after tensions Wang Huning, a holdover from the last Politburo Standing Committee, was later named head of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the NPC’s advisory body that, in coordination with the party’s United Front Department, works to build Xi’s influence and image abroad. Wang has been a top adviser to three Chinese leaders and has authored books critiquing Western politics and society. Xi's new term and the appointment of loyalists to top posts underscores his near-total monopoly on Chinese political power, eliminating any potential opposition to his hyper-nationalistic agenda of building China into the top political, military and economic rival to the U.S. and the chief authoritarian challenge to the Washington-led democratic world order. While six others serve with him on the Politburo Standing Committee, all have longstanding ties to Xi and can be counted on to see to his will on issues from party discipline to economic management. The standing committee has only men and the 24-member Politburo, which has had only four female members since the 1990s, also has no women after the departure of Vice Premier Sun Chunlan. Second-ranked Li Qiang is widely expected to take over as premier, nominally in charge of the Cabinet and caretaker of the economy. Li is best known for ruthlessly enforcing a brutal “zero-COVID” lockdown on Shanghai last spring as party boss of the Chinese financial hub, proving his loyalty to Xi in the face of complaints from residents over their lack of access to food, medical care and basic services. Former head of the manufacturing powerhouse of Guangdong province, seventh-ranked Li Xi has already been appointed to replace Zhao as head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The congress is also expected to pass a measures intensifying party control over national level government organs as part of Xi’s campaign of centralizing power under the party. At the opening of the annual congress session on Sunday, outgoing Premier Li Keqiang announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the struggling economy, setting this year’s growth target at “around 5%.” Last year’s growth in the world’s second-largest economy fell to 3%, the second-weakest level since at least the 1970s. Separately, the Ministry of Finance announced a 7.2% budget increase in the defense budget to 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion), marking a slight increase over 2022. China’s military spending is the world’s second highest after the United States. In the days then, Xi and his new Foreign Minister Qin Gang have set a highly combative tone for relations with the U.S., amid tensions over trade, technology, Taiwan, human rights and Beijing's refusal to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On Tuesday, Qin warned in unusually stark terms about the possibility of U.S.-China frictions leading to something more dire. “If the United States does not hit the brake, but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing and there surely will be conflict and confrontation,” Qin said in his first news conference since taking up his post last year. That echoed comments at a small group meeting of delegates from Xi on Monday, in which he said that “Western countries led by the United States have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression of China, which has brought unprecedented grave challenges to our nation’s development.” Xi followed up on Wednesday by calling for “more quickly elevating the armed forces to world-class standards.” China must maximize its “national strategic capabilities” in a bid to “systematically upgrade the country’s overall strength to cope with strategic risks, safeguard strategic interests and realize strategic objectives,” Xi was quoted as saying to a meeting of delegates by the official Xinhua News Agency. Asked about China's future foreign relations under Xi, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning struck a relatively mild tone. Beijing maintains an “independent foreign policy of peace” and will “continue to view and develop China-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” Mao said at a daily briefing. "We hope the U.S. side can also meet us halfway and push China-U.S. relations back on the track of sound and stable development," she said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom Xi has formed close ties, issued his congratulations, saying Xi's new term is an "acknowledgement of your achievements as the head of state, as well as wide support of your policy focused on China’s socioeconomic development and protection of its national interests on the global stage.” Under Xi, China and Russia announced a “no limits” relationship and China has pointedly refused to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine while echoing Moscow’s claim that the U.S. and NATO were to blame for provoking the Kremlin. Beijing has also blasted sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine, while Russia has staunchly supported China amid tensions with the U.S. over Taiwan. “We will continue to coordinate our joint work related to the most important issues on the regional and international agenda,” Putin said, according to the Kremlin. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, head of the ruling Worker's Party, also sent congratulations, saying “the two parties and the two countries are defending and advancing socialism, the common cause, while supporting and closely cooperating with each other.” China is the impoverished and isolated North's most important political ally and source of food and fuel aid.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on Tuesday served with 16 dishes of sweet water haor fish at a lunch hosted by President Abdul Hamid at his residence at Mithamain village of Kishoreganj.  The president’s family sources said the prime minister’s choice was highly considered in choosing the menu that also included local desserts.   Hasina went to the president’s ancestral home for the lunch after opening “Beer Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment’ at around 11:05 a.m.   Also Read: Vote for boat in next election for continued national development: PM Hasina The fish items included curry, bhuna and dopeyeja dishes of  Rui, Katol, Chital , Pabda, Golsa Tengra, Kalibaush, Shol, Bain bhuna, Chingri, Boal, Grass carp, Bacha, Ritha, Pangas- with Rata Boro rice. This was PM’s first visit to Mithamain in more than two decades.  After the lunch she went to Mithamain Helipad field to address rally held by local Awami League.    

President Abdul Hamid on Monday reached his ancestral land to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she is coming to Mithamain upazila of Kishoreganj's Haor on Tuesday. A helicopter carrying the President landed at Mithamain upazila at 3 pm on Monday. After getting off the helicopter, President Abdul Hamid spoke to reporters on the road in front of his house. The Prime Minister will be served with local traditional food including Haor fish, Ashtagram cheese at the President's village house. Abdul Hamid told reporters that he is very happy that the Prime Minister is coming to his house. "Everyone in our family is very happy,"he added. "I cannot say how many times I have been to Tungipara. Every time I went, Bangabandhu's daughter received me. I am not in politics now. He will come to my house, I am here to receive her," he said. Sheikh Hasina is coming to his home in Kishoreganj for the first time. Abdul Hamid said there was no way for me to come home in 1998. Now I will drive to the gate of the house, earlier the launch used to be crowded here. Read more: Apply innovative power, talents to build Bangladesh: PM to BCS officers He said that in 1998, Sheikh Hasina saw the President's house from distance when she visited Kishoreganj. But she did not come. Bangabandhu came for my campaign in the 1970 election. He also saw the house from the market but could not come. Earlier, President's eldest son Rezwan Ahmed Taufiq, Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-4 (Itna-Mithamain-Ashtagram) Constituency, spoke to reporters here. Prime Minister Hasina will be served with almost all kinds of fish from Haor, the president's son said, "I will try to entertain the Prime Minister with all kinds of fish available in Haor, including Ruhu, Katal, Baim, Chital, Prawns, Pabdas." Besides receiving hospitality at the President's house, the PM will inaugurate the freedom fighter Abdul Hamid cantonment near President Abdul Hamid's house and will attend Awami League's public meeting at Mithamain helipad ground in the afternoon. Hamid reached his home district Kishoreganj on a five-day official visit from February 27 to March 3. After a guard of honor, the President left for his residence in Kamalpur, where he will spend the night. During his visit, the President will also visit Mithamain, Karimganj, and Sadar upazilas. On March 3, the President will be present at the circuit house and will leave for the helipad after a guard of honor. He will then depart Kishoreganj for Dhaka by an air force helicopter, scheduled to arrive at Bangabhaban at 5:30 pm.

Dhaka, Feb 25 (UNB)- President Abdul Hamid on Saturday said common people are not responsible for even one percent of defaulted loans from banks while big businessmen and industrialists willfully take loans with an intention of not paying back.  "They take loans (with an intention) not to pay.  Of course, some bankers are also involved with it," he said at the sixth convocation of Jahangirnagar University. At present, the country’s banks and other lending institutions have more than Tk 1.34 lakh crore in defaulted loan, which is 9.36 percent of the total debt. This is the highest number of defaulted loans so far in the country. According to Bangladesh Bank, the total debt status of the banking sector at the end of September 2022 stood at Tk 14.36 lakh crore. Saying that students are the future of the country, Hamid said some will become politicians, some will become businessmen or industrialists, and some bureaucrats. "Remember that a country moves forward on the path of development and progress only with the coordinated efforts of politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. Any failure to do so brings extreme danger to the country and the nation,” the President said. Read: Step up vigilance against militancy, drugs and terrorism: PM Hasina Referring to news reports of a SAARC country’s bankrupt economy, he said, “Syndicates of bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen have been blamed for this economic bankruptcy. The sinister nexus of this syndicate can spell danger for any country.” He, however, did not name the country. Calling every student to be educated with ethics, values, patriotism and nationalism in addition to institutional education, he said that a university is the main field of these educations. “But the sad thing is that in today's politics, power and money play a role as the controlling force in many cases. These evil shadows have spread widely in student politics,” he added. "Because of encroachment and extortion, student politics is now viewed negatively rather than respected like before. This is not good for our future generations," he said. Criticising the businessmen, Hamid said that by starting a business, they think how to become rich overnight leaving aside ethics. Hamid said that the same is equally applicable to the government employees. They are also worried about how to quickly own a car and house after having a job. "They forget that they are the employees of the republic and servants of the people. For their own small interests, they sometimes do not hesitate to undermine the big interests of the country and the nation,” he said. Saying that corruption is one of the biggest obstacles in the way of the country’s development and progress, he said that everyone should be aware of corruption, and teachers should keep themselves free from corruption and nepotism. Hamid said that some vice-chancellors and teachers are busy with attaining their privileges and benefits by misusing law. Read: President for designing demand-based curriculum "Each university is governed by its own laws. But sadly, in most universities, a section that misuses law is too busy to obtain their privileges and benefits. They don't hesitate to use universities and students to retain power," he said.  He said that education cannot be compromised in any way and students can do politics, social service, cultural  activities after maintaining all academic activities. "It is unfortunate, but it is true that in most of the universities of the country, more time is being given to non-academic activities by compromising education. That is why the country's universities are not found in the first 1000 universities in the world ranking. The development of the country is not possible with only certificate-based education," he said. A total of 15,219 of the 31,716 eligible graduates from the 39th to the 47th batch of the university have registered under honours, master’s, M phil, PhD, MBA degrees and weekend courses. The university awarded 15 graduates with Asadul Kabir Gold Medal and Sharafuddin Gold Medal in the convocation for their outstanding academic results. The first convocation of Jahangirnagar University was held in 1997, the second in 2001, the third in 2006, the fourth in 2010 and the fifth convocation of the university was held on February 5, 2015