Bangladesh and Cyprus have agreed to extend cooperation between the two countries on public safety. Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Cyprus Interior Minister Nicos Nouris expressed their optimism regarding this when they held a meeting at Taj Palace in New Delhi on Saturday, according to a message received in Dhaka. Khan was in the Indian capital for taking part in a two-day ministerial conference on “No Money for Terrors.” Md Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Public Security Division Joint Secretary Abu Hena and Minister (consular) Selim Jahangir were also present there. Representatives from 76 countries attended the conference, which was organised by India, to discuss terrorist financing and related issues. Read: Cyprus steps up dividing line patrols amid migrant influx Home ministers of about 20 countries including Russia, France, Australia, Indonesia and Singapore also joined the conference. The ministerial conference was aimed to progress the discussions on combating terrorist financing held by the international community in the previous two conferences in Paris in 2018 and Melbourne in 2019.

Bangladesh Police have signed an agreement with JSC Russian Helicopters to procure two MI-171A2 helicopters, to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the law enforcement agency and ensuring better public safety. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed and Director General of JSC Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginskiy signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations on Friday, according to a media release of Police headquarters. Read: Police receive final approval to procure 2 Russian helicopters Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan witnessed the signing ceremony as the chief guest, while Senior Secretary of Public Security Division Mustafa Kamal Uddin, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky, Additional IGPs, and other officials were present. On October 27, Bangladesh Police received the final approval from the cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) to procure two Russian helicopters. On October 6, the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) gave in principle its approval to the proposal. Read:Police to get 2 advanced helicopters As per the proposal, the Bangladesh Police Directorate will procure the Russian Mi-171A2 model helicopters from Russian firm JSC Russian Helicopters under a G2G contract at a cost of Euro 42.60 million, equivalent to Tk 428.12 crore. On February 10 this year, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Police and helicopter manufacturer JSC Russian Helicopters for the purchase of helicopters on a government-to-government (G2G) basis.

Two advanced helicopters will be added to Bangladesh Police to enhance the efficiency and capability of law enforcement to ensure better public safety.