United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman met Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)Chairperson Wang Huning in Beijing on Wednesday. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the Bangladesh-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister’s adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam were present.

Saying that his government’s main responsibility is to protect the interests of people and resolve their problems, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged citizens of all strata to stand by his government to help take Bangladesh forward and place it alongside developed nations. “This government is your government. You elected it and brought it to power. Its number one duty is to protect the interests of people and solve their problems,” he said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Basia River at Kashipur Union in Sylhet. Tarique sought support from people of all walks of life to carry forward development plans and address the challenges facing the country. “If you stand by us, we will be able to move Bangladesh forward and make it capable of standing alongside developed nations—if we all work together,” he said. The Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh voted in the election on the 12th February to install a government that will work for them. “Our only accountability is to the people of this country. That is why we want to carry out programmes and take actions that truly benefit the people.” He said local leaders told him that there are not enough mills and factories in Sylhet, leaving many young people unemployed. “We promised before the election that if BNP formed the government, we would reopen closed factories. Here with you is your own representative, Muktadir (Khandaker Abdul Muktadir), who is the Industries Minister. Soon after the election, within five to seven days, I sat down with him to review where factories are closed. Insha’Allah, we will reopen them gradually,” Tarique said. He also said the government is working to create employment opportunities for young people abroad. The Prime Minister said, “Less talk, more work. Now is the time to build the country.” Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad and Prime Minister’s adviser Humayun Kabir were present at the programme. The Basia River, which connects the Surma River and the Kushiyara River, has long suffered from loss of navigability and remained nearly defunct. The re-excavation initiative has been undertaken by the Ministry of Water Resources following demands from local residents. The Prime Minister earlier inaugurated the re-excavation work of the Basia River canal at Kashipur Union around 1:20pm by cutting soil with a spade. Addressing local residents, Tarique said the canal was originally excavated in 1977 by former president Ziaur Rahman but has since become silted up and nearly unusable. “We want to re-excavate this canal because around 80,000 farmers will benefit directly, while another 150,000 will benefit indirectly,” he said. Tarique, also the Chairman of BNP, said the project is expected to increase crop production by nearly 7,000 metric tonnes in nearby areas. The Prime Minister said similar canal re-excavation projects will be carried out across the country to support farmers. Highlighting the government’s pro-farmer approach, he said the distribution of farmers’ card has already begun in Tangail and will gradually reach farmers nationwide. “Through the farmers’ card, we will provide benefits such as access to loans, fertiliser, seeds and pesticides,” Tarique said adding that each farmer will receive Tk 2,500 annually to support their farming needs. He also said loans of up to Tk 10,000 for farmers have been waived. Tarique said canal excavation work has already started in around 60 places across the country and that the 23-kilometre stretch of the Basia canal will be completed over two dry seasons. Work will resume in November after the monsoon, with efforts to complete the project next year, he added. The Prime Minister also announced plans to plant around 50,000 trees along both sides of the canal to protect it and benefit local communities.

Speakers at a workshop on Wednesday called for urgent action to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh, linking the surge to excessive consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods. They said diets high in sugar, salt (sodium), saturated fats, and trans fats are contributing significantly to the increase in conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. The observations were made at a workshop titled “Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases in Bangladesh: The Role of Hypertension Control and Front-of-Package Labelling,” held at a hotel in the capital. The event was organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). Speakers highlighted that introducing Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) on packaged foods could be an effective strategy to reduce diet-related NCDs. They also stressed the importance of ensuring an uninterrupted supply of medicines to manage hypertension. They said nearly 97% of people in Bangladesh consume packaged foods regularly. However, nutritional information on the back of packages is often complex and difficult to understand, with key details on salt, sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat not always clearly presented. As a result, consumers frequently make food choices without fully understanding the associated health risks. Mandatory FOPL, featuring clear “Excess in” warning labels on the front of packages, would help consumers identify unhealthy products more easily and make informed dietary choices. Globally, 44 countries have introduced FOPL as a WHO-recommended public health measure, with 10 making it mandatory. These initiatives have led to improved consumer choices and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods, they said. Despite the high burden of NCDs, including hypertension, speakers noted that only 4.2% of Bangladesh’s total health budget is allocated to this sector. This has resulted in inconsistent supplies of anti-hypertensive medicines at community clinics, they said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by NCDs. They emphasised that increased budget allocation, along with a steady supply of medicines at community clinics and upazila health complexes, could significantly improve the control of hypertension and other NCDs. Among the speakers were Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute; Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead at GHAI and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA. A total of 28 senior journalists from print, television, and online media outlets took part in the workshop.

US Special Envoy for Best Future Generations Charles J. Harder has met senior government officials and stakeholders to expand partnerships that support Bangladesh's next generation. He paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh from April 18 to strengthen Bangladesh-US strategic cooperation on education and the well-being of children. Special Envoy Harder and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen had a 'productive meeting' with Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Monday. They discussed how American educational expertise can equip Bangladeshi youth with skills that drive economic growth and prosperity. Special Envoy Harder and Ambassador Christensen also met Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam to advance bilateral cooperation and work together on partnerships that benefit future generations in both countries. Earlier, Special Envoy Harder and Ambassador Christensen visited the Surovi school and health camp. Their discussion with founder Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu focused on the school's integrated approach to education, nutrition, and health—and how this model is critical for helping future generations thrive, said the US Embassy in Dhaka. Special Envoy Charles Harder and Deputy Chief of Mission Megan Bouldin visited Lalbagh Fort, hosted by Bangladesh's Department of Archaeology. The Special Envoy toured the Mughal-era Hammam Khana, which the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation helped restore—demonstrating U.S. dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations. The US Special Envoy arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to advance the 'strategic cooperation' on education and the well-being of children. The mission of Special Envoy Harder’s office is to protect and promote the interests and well-being of children (0-17) throughout the world. The focus of his office is the protection and well-being of children throughout the world, with particular focus on food security, education, healthcare, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), and ending child labor, trafficking, and recruitment into gangs and armed conflict.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the schedules for two upcoming home series on Friday, confirming a two-match Test series against Pakistan in May followed by a six-match white-ball series against Australia in June. The Pakistan squad is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on May 3. The first Test will commence on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital. The teams will then travel to Sylhet for the second Test, which begins on May 16 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Both matches are part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Following Pakistan's departure, Australia will arrive on June 5 for three One-Day Internationals and three T20Is.. The ODI series is set to begin on June 9, with the second and third matches scheduled for June 11 and June 14. All ODI fixtures will start at 11 a.m. local time. The T20I leg of the Australian tour will start on June 17, followed by matches on June 19 and June 21, featuring 2 p.m. starts. The board has not yet confirmed the host venues for the Australia series.

The visiting delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) participated in the 6th Guangzhou Sourcing Fair on Wednesday, seeking to expand trade and investment linkages between Bangladesh and China. The delegation, led by DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, held B2B matchmaking sessions with around 150 Chinese supplier companies representing sectors, including hardware and tools, automobiles, motorcycles and spare parts, home appliances, and building and construction materials. Speaking at a bilateral discussion on supply chain issues held on the sidelines of the fair, Razeev highlighted the depth of the bilateral relationship, noting that Bangladesh and China share a long-standing multidimensional partnership spanning trade, investment, infrastructure, education, and human resource development. He said total bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 18.89 billion in FY2025, with Bangladesh's imports from China amounting to USD 18.20 billion against exports of USD 694.49 million, pointing to a significant trade imbalance that both sides acknowledged needs to be addressed. Razeev also extended an invitation to Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh, citing textiles and textile products, machinery, chemicals, metals, plastics, minerals, and agro-based products as priority sectors. Nicole Fan, Director of Poly Jinhan Exhibition (Poly Events), which organises the fair, said the platform will serve as an important bridge between entrepreneurs of the two countries. She expressed optimism that greater Bangladeshi participation in future editions of the fair will open new avenues of collaboration with China's vast supplier network. The Guangzhou Sourcing Fair, now in its sixth edition, has emerged as a key platform for connecting South and Southeast Asian buyers with Chinese manufacturers and exporters across a wide range of industrial and consumer goods sectors. The 22-member DCCI delegation went to on Wednesday on a five-day visit aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-China economic engagement and expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said Bangladesh has to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) at nearly double the earlier price and crude oil at sharply higher rates due to volatility in the global energy market triggered by the Middle East conflict. “Under G2G contracts, we used to buy LNG at $10 per unit, which now has to be purchased at $20. On the other hand, crude oil was priced at $50-60 per barrel, which has now crossed $110. Soon after the formation of the government, fuel prices doubled due to the Middle East war,” he told a seminar organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at a city hotel. The sudden outbreak of war created an unexpected havoc that no one had planned for, and managing this situation has now become a major challenge, the minister said. He also noted that fertiliser is being purchased at nearly double the price amid the volatile situation. “We require around 2.6 million tonnes of urea annually. A bulk portion has to be imported because for many years we have not been able to keep our fertiliser factories running throughout the year due to gas shortages. The gas we cannot use to run fertiliser plants has to be imported again using foreign currency. Gas that we used to buy at $456 now has to be purchased in excess of $800.” Muktadir said bearing the high cost of fuel has become “difficult” for the government. “The government’s manoeuvring capability, its financial cushion to prioritise spending has become very limited. The ability to allocate expenditures according to priorities has become extremely difficult for this government.” Highlighting the lack of fuel storage capacity in Bangladesh, he said the country will not have faced the current double cost burden if adequate reserves were available. “Bangladesh does not have proper fuel storage facilities. If we had the capacity to store LNG for two months, we would not have to buy LNG from the spot market at $20 instead of $10.” The minister also said the government plans to expand the tax net rather than increasing taxes. “To bring fiscal discipline, we need to widen the tax base. We are not increasing individual taxes; rather we are expanding the tax net. I believe the NBR and the finance ministry are working with that goal and intention.” He said the government will try its best in the upcoming budget to avoid additional pressure on people, while ensuring industries remain operational despite the energy crisis. Muktadir noted that subsidy pressure remains high in the budget. He said revenue collection as a share of GDP has remained low for a long time, while expenditure, particularly subsidies, continues to rise. Due to international price volatility in power and energy, the government has to provide large subsidies, while agricultural subsidies for fertiliser, electricity and other inputs also continue. As a result, financing development projects is becoming difficult, the minister said, adding that investment in major infrastructure projects, social safety net programmes and human resource development is being constrained. “To meet regular budget deficits, the government has to rely on domestic and foreign borrowing. This increases the debt burden and interest payments, which may create fiscal risks in the future,” he warned. Muktadir emphasised modernising the tax system and expanding the tax net, expressing hope that strengthening digital tax collection platforms will increase revenue and help manage subsidy pressures.

Indian High Commisioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday reiterated India’s willingness to work with the government and the people of Bangladesh to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains based on mutual interest and benefit. He paid a courtesy call on Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and discussed issues of mutual interest. They discussed wide-ranging cooperation in information and broadcasting domain including engagements between media and broadcasting institutions of the two countries.  They agreed to enhance exchange visits of media delegations between the two countries to strengthen people-to-people relations and promote mutual understanding. The High Commissioner proposed various capacity building initiatives for journalists and media professionals under ITEC programme of Government of India. As part of these initiatives, a special training course for women journalists from Bangladesh will soon be organised in India. They also exchanged views on cooperation in films, including organization of film screening and film festivals in each other’s country, as well as collaboration in production and post-production technological support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the pre-piloting activities of  ‘Farmer Card’ distribution programme on April 14 (Tuesday) at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail Sadar. The pre-pilot phase of the Farmer Card distribution will be launched simultaneously in 10 upazilas across the country, said PID handout. The selected upazilas are Shibganj, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda, Islampur, Shailkupa, Nesarabad, Juri, Cumilla Adarsha Sadar, Goalanda and Teknaf. Govt opens first ‘Farmers’ Market’ in Sylhet to cut middlemen, ensure fair prices The programme is being introduced as part of initial implementation efforts ahead of a wider rollout of the Farmer Card initiative, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman joined a joint meeting with Prime Minister of Nepal Balendra Shah, along with other ambassadors based in Kathmandu. Taking the floor during the interaction, the Bangladesh envoy extended warm greetings and felicitations to the Prime Minister on the assumption of his responsibilities, on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. He emphasised the excellent relationship between Bangladesh and Nepal, premised on mutual respect, trust, and shared collaboration in various areas, stemming from common cultural and societal values, beliefs, and long-standing civilisational links marked by strong people-to-people contact.