United News of Bangladesh

Three people including a policeman died in separate road accidents in Sylhet and Habiganj districts on Sunday. Masudul Amin, officer-in-charge of Golapganj Model Police Station, said a speeding bus crashed into cop Abul Hossain's motorbike in front of Dreamland Park in the upazila, leaving him dead on the spot. The constable, aged 27, came to his village home on leave. Masudul Amin said they recovered the body and sent it to Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Legal actions will be taken in this regard. In Habiganj, two more people died and other three were injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a CNG-run autorickshaw on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Nabiganj upazila of the district in the afternoon. The victims were Akib Mia, 62, and Surchan Begum, 36, both hailing from Mithamoin upazila of Kishoreganj. Parimal Chandra Dev, officer-in-charge of Sherpur Highway Police Station, said the head-on collision between the truck and the autorickshaw carrying the five left two dead on the spot and three others injured in Aushkandi Mithapur under the upazila in the afternoon. The injured were sent to Nabiganj Upazila Health Complex, said the OC. Vehicular movement on the highway remained suspended for around one hour following the accident, he added.

The Tumas-Innovate Joint Venture has been entrusted with providing consultancy services to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for the design review and construction supervision of ancillary facilities, including jetties at Mirorsarai and Sandwip in Chittagong, Sonadia Island in Cox's Bazar, and Sabrang and Jaliar Island in Teknaf. This joint venture comprises the renowned Innovate Engineering and Development (IED), a firm with domestic and international acclaim, and the Turkish-based consultant Tumas Turkis Engineering Consulting and Contracting Co. The official signing of the agreement between BIWTA and the Tumas-Innovate Joint Venture was held at the BIWTA office in Motijheel. In attendance were Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa (G), NUP, NDC, Chairman of BIWTA, along with three BIWTA members and officials from both organizations, including department heads. The contract was signed by Project Director Engr. ASM Ashrafuzzaman from BIWTA's Engineering Department, CEO Engr. Rana Masud representing Innovate Engineering and Development (IED), and Ayhan Kaya, the country manager for Thomas Turkis Engineering Consulting and Contracting Co. Project Director Engr. ASM Ashrafuzzaman emphasized the current demand for constructing these ancillary facilities, particularly the jetties, which play a pivotal role in the efficient handling of goods in these regions. He expressed optimism about the positive impact on tourism and the economy once these projects come to fruition. CEO Eng. Rana Masud from Innovate Engineering and Development (IED) expressed enthusiasm about collaborating on this significant project with BIWTA, one of Bangladesh's key institutions. With a proven track record of delivering international-quality services, IED aims to maintain this standard. They believe that their top-tier consultancy services will greatly benefit the people of Bangladesh and contribute positively to the nation's economy. This project, valued at approximately 1 thousand 913 crore taka, is set to be funded through the government of Bangladesh's annual development program.

Seeking cooperation of International Solar Alliance (ISA), State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the organisation can further contribute to promote widespread expansion of rooftop solar power. He made the call when ISA Director General Dr. Ajay Mathur called on the state minister on Saturday. Various issues related to their mutual interests were discussed in the meeting. Welcoming ISA director general, Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh has a bright potential for renewable energy sources. ”But it is essential to reduce the cost of solar power by using modern technology to cover the land scarcity problem. Potential locations for floating solar must be selected judiciously”, he added. He said that solar power would be further expanded to the isolated islands across the country. He offered to ISA to work together with Bangladesh to install solar power in Bhasanchar, a large island, where large solar projects could be implemented. The ISA Director General of ISA informed the state minister about the issues and decisions of the first steering committee meeting of his organisation on March 2. He said 9 projects will be implemented by December 2024. Of which 6 projects will cost $541,000. He, however, said the estimated cost of the floating solar project has not been determined. Among others, Nirod Chandra Mandal, Joint Secretary of Power Division and Ramesh Kumar Kuruppath, Head of Program and Project Implementation Unit of ISA were present during the meeting.

A delegation led by the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP’s) resident representative Stefan Liller made a courtesy call on State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu at his secretariat office on Sunday. UNDP Representative Stefan congratulated the Minister of State for Commerce Titu on his new position. He (Stefan) said that UNDP will play a supporting role in various activities for the development of Bangladesh, especially during the LDC graduation. “UNDP will extend cooperation in technical and training activities for Bangladesh to reach the target,” said Stefan. During the meeting, the state minister for commerce said that the government is working to create capable entrepreneurs and quality products from all over the country to the national and export markets. “The government is working across the country to focus on handicrafts. The products and manufacturer will be recognized with GI location,” Tutu said. He said that e-commerce is an important medium for the expansion of exports. Products will be linked to markets with e-commerce to increase exports. The government will provide technical and financial support to the entrepreneurs for this. During this time, Additional Secretary of Commerce Mohammad Naveed Shafiullah, UNDP’s assistant representatives Anwar Haque and Sardar M Asaduzzaman, and Joint Secretary of Commerce Nahid Afroz among others, were present.  

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Sunday said the economy is recovering and the prices of different commodities are decreasing. The people of the country are now better off compared to other times and the government is working to reduce inflation.   The finance minister said this to the reporters after the reception of the new state Minister for Finance Dr. Waseqa Ayesha Khan in the secretariat office on Sunday.   He said that it is good to have a new state minister. The work speed of the Ministry of Finance will rise further.   The minister said that the price of different essential goods is decreasing in the market, and it will decrease further.   Around 50 thousand metric tons of onions will be imported from India soon, then the price will reduce further, he hoped.  

A Spanish national employed with the country’s embassy in Dhaka died on Sunday, reportedly jumping from the rooftop of a building near Pink City in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. Police identified him as Ismael Gil Serrano, 58, who used to live in a six storey building in Road 103 in posh Gulshan area. Sheikh Shahanoor, inspector (investigation) of Gulshan police station, told UNB that the Spanish national had been suffering from mental stress for the past few days and used to misbehave with others. Breaking open the lock of the building’s rooftop at 2 pm, he went there and jumped off and died on the spot, he said. However, police could not confirm his designation at the embassy.

China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee on Sunday held a press conference as its annual session is going to open on Monday.  Spokesperson for the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee Liu Jieyi briefed the press on the session and answered the questions of the journalists.  The press conference was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. Thousands of Chinese political elites and lawmakers started gathering in Beijing to kick off China’s annual legislative meetings, the “Two Sessions” or “lianghui" which traditionally offer a preview of the Chinese government’s policy agenda for the year. It will start with the annual meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on March 4 and be followed by the annual legislative session of China’s parliament on March 5, during which Chinese Prime minister Li Qiang will deliver his first government work report. Earlier on February 29, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met to discuss the draft government work report, which the State Council will submit at the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress for deliberation where Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. It was noted at the meeting that in the past year, in the face of an exceptionally complicated international environment and the arduous tasks of promoting reform, pursuing development, and maintaining stability, the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, brought together the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and led them in withstanding external pressure, overcoming internal difficulties and making strenuous efforts.  As a result, the country achieved a smooth transition in its COVID response, its economy rebounded for the better, and the people’s well-being was effectively ensured. The country successfully delivered the main goals and tasks for its economic and social development during the year, made tangible progress in high-quality development, and took solid strides in building itself into a modern socialist country in all respects. The year of 2024 also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the founding of the CPPCC. Second session of the 14th of the National People's Congress ( NPC) will open on March 5 while the second session of the 14th CPPCC will open on March 4.  NPC is the highest organ of State power and China's top legislative body while its permanent body is the Standing Committee. Each congress is elected for a 5-year term. It deliberates and passes major laws, decides on major issues, and supervises the work of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. There are nearly 3,000 NPC deputies, among which females account for nearly a quarter. Every ethnic group has its NPC deputy or deputies. NPC deputies submit motions and are the voice of the people they represent. On the other hand, CPPCC is China's top political advisory body which is considered as an important institution of multiparty co-operation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China. It is elected for a 5-year term.  It has more than 2000 members including Communist Party of China (CPC) representatives, members of other political parties, and all walks of life.  

Shahin Howlader, a Staff Reporter of the Business Post, has received an honorary award in New York for his special contribution to business journalism in Bangladesh. The Consul General of the Bangladesh Consulate General in New York, Md Nazmul Huda handed over the award at an event organised by the America-Bangladesh Press Club (ABPC) at Gulshan Terrace, Woodside, near Jackson Heights, New York, on February 28. Md Showeb Abdullah Head of Chancery of the Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations, Engineer Abubakar Hanip, Chancellor of Washington University of Science and Technology, Poet and Columnist Fakir Ilias, Representative of New Hampshire State Aboul Bashar Khan, Mayor of Millbourne City Mahbubul Alam Taiyab, Freedom Fighter and singer of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Kaderi Kibria, Editor of the Weekly Ajkal  Shahnewaz, Executive Editor (North America Edition) of Bangladesh Protidin Lavlu Ansar, among others, were present with ABPC President and freedom fighter Rashed Ahammed in the chair. Shahin Howlader was recently honoured with the 'Mother Teresa Golden Award 2023' for his significant contributions to business journalism. Besides, he also received the Global Youth Leadership Award 2023 from the GlobalYouth Parliament which is one of the largest youth organisations in the world. Shahin Howlader has chosen the journalism profession seriously from the beginning of his career. He worked for various national newspapers and weekly magazines before transitioning to data journalism. He has already gained recognition among the general public for his outstanding contributions to investigative journalism, particularly in the field of economic reporting, showcasing his creativity and intellect. He is also the author of the book titled 'Banking Reporter Kala-kausal' (Techniques of Banking Reports), which serves as a valuable resource for journalists aspiring to specialize in banking journalism.  Shahin Howlader is a member of The National Press Club, a Washington-based organisation, as well as a permanent member of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), the largest professional journalist organisation in Bangladesh. He is associated with various social and regional journalist organisations.

Bangladesh reported 37 more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,048,588, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,491 as no new fatalities were reported during this period. The daily case test positivity rate stood at 6.22 percent as 595 samples were tested, said the DGHS. The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.39 per cent and 1.44 percent, respectively.

In an update from the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been adjusted upwards by Tk 0.66, setting the new rate at Tk 123.52 per kg, up from the previous Tk 122.86. This price change is effective from 6 pm on Sunday (March 03, 2024), indicating a slight increase in household and commercial expenses. BERC, at a press briefing today, detailed the adjustment, noting that the price for a standard 12 kg LPG cylinder will now be Tk 1482, inclusive of VAT, marking an increase from the previous Tk 1474. This adjustment follows a rational scale across various LPG cylinder sizes, ranging from 5.5 kg to 45 kg, addressing the need for a proportional price revision across different consumer segments. Read more: Gas shortage hits many areas in capital city Furthermore, the price for “auto gas,” the LPG variant used in motor vehicles, has also seen a revision, now priced at Tk 68.05 per litre, including VAT, a slight increase from Tk 67.68. This adjustment reflects the broader impact of LPG price changes on transportation and related costs. Notably, LPG prices marketed by the state-owned LP Gas Company will remain unchanged. This exception is attributed to its local production and the company’s minimal market share, which is less than 5 percent. The decision to adjust LPG prices comes in the wake of rising costs in the international market, specifically tied to the increase in the Saudi CP (contract price), which serves as a benchmark for local operators importing LPG primarily from the Middle East. Read more: LPG price hiked again; 12 kg cylinder to cost Tk 1433