United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought Malaysia’s support in addressing the country’s gas supply challenge and cooperation with Malaysian state-owned energy company PETRONAS for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The request came during a telephone conversation between Tarique Rahman and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, according to a Facebook post by the Malaysian Prime Minister. “We touched on various issues related to efforts to strengthen Malaysia-Bangladesh relations, particularly in the energy and investment sectors for mutual benefit”, wrote the Malaysian PM. “Among the key issues raised was the challenge of gas supply that Bangladesh is facing, which is why he is seeking Malaysia's assistance, including through cooperation with PETRONAS to supply LNG to help meet the country's urgent needs,” he added. In the telephone conversation, economic cooperation, including the progress of investments involving Axiata, and the potential for strategic cooperation with MMC Port were also discussed to strengthen economic relations and open up more opportunities for both countries, said Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia will continue to be committed to strengthening the long-standing friendship with Bangladesh, based on a spirit of mutual respect, pragmatic cooperation, and a commitment to bring benefits to the people of both countries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday assured tea estate owners of the government's policy, financial and institutional support to help revive and expand Bangladesh's tea industry, directing the formation of a committee to identify the sector's problems and recommend effective solutions. The assurance came at a meeting on the development of the country's tea industry held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Owners of tea estates and representatives of the sector briefed the Prime Minister on the industry's current situation, highlighting rising production costs, financing constraints, higher energy costs and the challenge of remaining competitive in the international market. They also placed a number of proposals aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry. Tarique Rahman listened to their presentations and described the tea industry as an important sector of the national economy. He said the government will provide the necessary policy, financial and institutional support to help the industry grow. The Prime Minister also assured tea estate owners that the government will consider easing their existing loan liabilities and facilitating low-interest loans for the sector.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said promotions in the Bangladesh Army must be based solely on merit, professional competence, integrity, leadership qualities and professionalism rather than personal preferences or political considerations, to build a modern and professional force.  Addressing the inauguration of the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2026 at the Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment, he also said restoring discipline and professionalism in postings and promotions will strengthen the Army's institutional integrity and lay the foundation for visionary leadership. “I believe that by following certain clear principles in promotions and appointments, the Army Headquarters Selection Board can play a significant role in reinforcing professionalism within the Bangladesh Army,” the Prime Minister said. “In this regard, my first appeal is that honesty, integrity, professional competence, moral courage, farsightedness and leadership qualities must be given the highest priority in selecting the Army's future leaders, rising above political ideology and personal likes or dislikes,” he added.  

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday held an organisational meeting with grassroots leaders from Rangpur division as part of the party's ongoing efforts to further strengthen its organisational structure across the country. The meeting was held in the afternoon at the BNP Chairman’s political office in the capital's Gulshan. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the meeting was part of a series of organisational discussions being conducted by Tarique Rahman with party leaders from different regions. "This is part of a series of organisational meetings. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is holding these discussions to keep the party organisation strong at the grassroots level," Rumon said.  

Newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday. During the meeting, they exchanged views on maritime security, the modernisation of the Bangladesh Navy, enhancing its professional capabilities and other related issues. Tarique Rahman praised the professionalism of the Bangladesh Navy and its important role in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. He also wished the newly appointed Navy chief success in carrying out his responsibilities. Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called upon global investors to become long-term partners in Bangladesh's economic transformation, saying his government is committed to building a US$1 trillion economy by 2034 through investment-friendly reforms and private sector-led growth. He also invited local and foreign investors to expand their businesses in Bangladesh, pledging stronger legal protection, simpler regulations and a more business-friendly environment. “Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, when you invest in Bangladesh, our government will invest in you through our time, support, and policies. That is a commitment we will keep, InshaAllah,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the FICCI FDI Conference 2026: Driving Foreign Investment for Jobs and Prosperity in Bangladesh at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the capital. Addressing foreign investors, business leaders, diplomats and development partners, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh's future depends not only on attracting investment but also on building lasting partnerships. “I invite every business leader in this room to become part of that future. Together, we can build an economy that is stronger, equitable, and inclusive. I welcome all of you to invest and flourish in Bangladesh. Let us grow together, create jobs, and shape Bangladesh. Let us become partners in building a prosperous and globally connected Bangladesh,” he said. The Prime Minister said the government wants to build a rules-based, globally connected and private sector-driven economy and invited investors to become partners in implementing that vision. He said Bangladesh possesses significant strengths, including a large and rapidly growing domestic market, a young workforce, a strategic geographical location and an elected government with strong public support. “Together, these strengths position Bangladesh for sustained prosperity.” Recalling his own experience in business before entering politics, Tarique Rahman said successful businesses depend not only on entrepreneurship but also on supportive government policies. He thanked foreign investors for choosing Bangladesh and said their investments have created jobs, introduced new technologies, strengthened global supply chains and contributed significantly to the country's economic progress. “Our government has completed five months in office but our policy preparations began long before the election,” the Prime Minister said. He said the government consulted investors, entrepreneurs, economists, business associations and development partners before taking office.

Outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office at Secretariat in the afternoon, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the meeting, they discussed a range of issues related to safeguarding the country's sovereignty, maritime security, the modernisation of the Bangladesh Navy and other matters of national interest. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman praised Admiral Nazmul Hassan for his leadership and contributions to strengthening the Bangladesh Navy during his tenure. He commended the outgoing Navy chief's role in modernising the force, enhancing its operational capability and further developing it as a professional naval service. Admiral Nazmul Hassan, in turn, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his guidance, cooperation and support, the Deputy Press Secretary said.  

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) got underway on Wednesday morning with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting began at 10:00am at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to protecting workers' rights, improving workplace safety and implementing international labour standards during a meeting with International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. The courtesy meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Press Wing. During the meeting, Houngbo said Bangladesh's commitment to labour sector reforms and implementation of international labour standards has been receiving positive recognition internationally. The Prime Minister thanked the ILO for its continued support and said his government places the highest priority on protecting workers' rights, ensuring safe working condition and implementing international labour standards, the press release said. The ILO Director-General expressed his organisation's readiness to further expand cooperation with Bangladesh to support labour sector development. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including strengthening social protection for workers, enhancing skills development, creating more employment opportunities and building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving global labour market. They also exchanged views on the progress of Bangladesh's readymade garment sector, workplace safety, development of the informal labour market and the country's achievements in implementing international labour standards. Both sides stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the government and the ILO to advance ongoing labour sector reforms.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to intensify efforts to curb air and noise pollution, stressing the need for tougher enforcement against polluting vehicles, brick kilns and excessive use of vehicle horns. He gave the directives while chairing a meeting on environmental pollution at the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting discussed a range of measures to reduce air and noise pollution across the country, with particular focus on improving environmental condition in the capital, said a press release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take effective steps to curb air pollution caused by brick kilns and emphasised the use of environmentally friendly technologies in brick production. The meeting also reviewed ways to control the excessive use of vehicle horns in Dhaka. Tarique Rahman directed law enforcement agencies to strengthen enforcement to reduce unnecessary honking and discussed the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and control horn use, similar to the AI-based traffic camera system already being introduced for traffic management. He also laid emphasis on the swift removal of unfit, expired and highly polluting buses, trucks and other vehicles from the streets of the capital. The Prime Minister an instructed the authorities to install automatic traffic light systems at least 50 more locations in Dhaka as quickly as possible to improve traffic management and reduce congestion. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Saimum Parvez, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman and senior officials from different ministries and agencies attended the meeting.