United News of Bangladesh

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Sara Bangla Krishak Society (SBKS), launched a project called Accelerating Economic and Social Inclusion through Strong Producers’ Organisations in Bangladesh (ACCESS) on Thursday. The project aims to strengthen rural livelihoods for over 25,000 smallholder farmers in climate hotspots. Members of the farming community, government organisations, the private sector, and development partners participated in the event. Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter joined the event as the chief guest. “In order to reach the last mile for the community who is struggling with the effects of climate change, we must innovate inclusive business model like the ACCESS project, which facilitates tangible collaboration among producer organizations, and the public and private sector, she said. Dia Sanou, FAO Representative in Bangladesh, said, “FAO works with smallholder producer organisations as our partners to strengthen rural livelihoods as part of ACCESS project. Together, we will focus on agribusiness clusters and support smallholders to transform their subsistence farms into successful businesses.” Participants from various organisations, including Bangladesh Krishi Bank, PKSF, Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, the Department of Agricultural Extension, and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, were also on the panel and discussed potential support that their organisations can provide. Rita Bramma, President of SBKS, said, “We are very grateful to all who have come together in support of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh. Your support ensures that we can continue our work to uplift those struggling with the effects of climate change.” Following the inaugural session, an informal working session took place between FAO, SBKS, and almost 100 members of the farming community from climate hotspots.

Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam MP stated that all types of waste from sacrificial animals must be removed and the sacrificial sites cleaned within 24 hours. He made this statement during a press briefing held on Thursday morning following a preparatory review meeting on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha 2024. The meeting focused on preparations at the National Eidgah, management of animal markets, designated places for animal sacrifices, and ensuring prompt waste removal. Upazila election with or without party symbol doesn’t conflict with law: LGRD Minister In response to a question about designated sacrificial sites, Tazul said that hygienic places must be designated for animal sacrifices and slaughtering. The local administration and local government institutions will widely publicise a list of area-based animal markets and designated sacrificial sites for public awareness. To prevent fraud, the minister added that fake currency detection machines must be installed in all animal markets across the country. This will be implemented by Bangladesh Bank and the Financial Institutions Division. Additionally, with the assistance of Bangladesh Bank and other banks, arrangements should be made for cashless transactions through ATM booths, point-of-sale (POS) machines, and mobile financial services (MFS). Development of Chattogram extremely important for achieving national goals: LGRD Minister The preparatory review meeting for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha included specific discussions and recommendations on the preparation of the National Eidgah grounds, management of animal markets, and waste management, among other topics. Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam; Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim' Mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, Zayeda Khatun, were present at the time, among others.

The business environment in Bangladesh has further deteriorated, according to a survey report. The Business Climate Index (BBX) survey for the financial year 2023-24 showed the score at 58.75 in fiscal year 2023-24, down from 61.95 in the FY2022-23. Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and research institute Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB) have conducted BBX survey for the third time. The report of the survey was released on Thursday at MCCI's Gulshan office. BBX 2023-2024 is the third iteration of Bangladesh’s first home-grown index that gauges the country’s business climate. This time the country's business environment index dropped at 58.75 from 61.95 in the previous fiscal year. That is 3.2 percentage points decreased in one year. The survey covered 12 sectors—agriculture and forestry, construction, electronics and light engineering, financial intermediaries, food and beverages, leather and tannery, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, housing, ready-made garments, textiles, transportation, retail and wholesale trade. MCCI president Kamran T Rahman presided over the event. He said, this survey has been done to understand the overall business environment of the country. This survey gives an idea about what kind of policy needs to be adopted in any sector. Policy makers and investors will also understand which way they should go. In his keynote presentation, Dr. M. Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO, PEB, mentioned that during 2023-2024, the BBX score has dropped to 58.75 from last year’s 61.95, showing that significant efforts are needed to address business environment challenges. “There were improvements in three pillars coupled with drops in seven pillars. Rajshahi was the best performing region while Barisal came last. To unlock the country’s potential, he emphasized improving infrastructure and logistics, strengthening financial systems, enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, bolstering institutional governance,” he pointed out. A dialogue was held between Zaved Akhtar, President, FICCI, and Yuji Ando, Country Representative, JETRO. Ando welcomed this latest BBX report and pointed out that 62 percent of Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh were expecting to expand as per a survey. Akhtar emphasized the credibility, capability, and consistency of policies and simplification of customs, tax, and VAT frameworks in Bangladesh. In the open forum, topics that came up for discussion include different ways of improving the pillar scores in the future and the need to focus more on improving access to finance, ease of paying taxes, and policy stability. The overall business environment index score for the fiscal year 2021-22 was 61.01 out of 100. In the next year FY 2022-23, that score increased marginally to 61.95. The main reason for the lack of significant improvement in index means that 4 out of 10 indicators worsened and the remaining 6 indicators were improving. Like 2022, Bangladesh has done the best in infrastructure sector in 2023 as well. The score on this index is 71.08 out of 100. In addition, the business start index is 62.74; 53.11 in land availability index; 68.04 in the access to information index; 70.04 in labor control; 62.38 in dispute resolution; 60.87 on trade facilitation; 54.74 in tax payment; 63.50 in technology adoption and 51.59 in environmental control. Salman Fazlur Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister and Lokman Hossain Miah, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) were also present in the event.

A Dhaka court on Thursday framed charges against five people, including Regent Hospital Chairman Mohammad Shahed, in a case over Regent Hospital’s fake Covid test scam. The trial in the case began formally through framing of the charges. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohona Alamgir passed the order after rejecting an appeal for excluding the names of the accused from the charges. The other accused are Dipayan Basu, 32, Anindya Dutta, 31, Masud Parvez, 40, and Md Mizanur Rahman, 39. Dipayan and Anindya have been on the run since the  filing  of the case. According to the prosecution, the accused issued fake COVID-19 certificates for 76 workers of Dhaka metro rail and thus embezzled Tk2.66 lakh. On 20 July 2020, Md Rezaul Karim, an administrative officer of AKSID Corporation Limited, filed the case with Uttara west police station. On 30 May 2021, Sub-Inspector Md Yadur Rahman of the police station submitted a charge sheet before the court.

Low-lying areas in five upazilas of Sylhet have been inundated amid incessant rains and onrush of water from upstream, leaving 3 lakh people stranded. The four flood-hit upazilas are Gowainighat, Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, and Companiganj. Flood water submerged the Sylhet-Tamabil highway near Bangla Bazaar, Ronpani, and Biraimara areas of Jaintapur on Thursday morning due to rise of water levels in different rivers, disrupting communication. The army, BGB, Jaintapur Model Police Station team, Fire Service, Ansar VDP, representatives from various unions, voluntary organisations, and social and political leaders were seen actively participating in the rescue operations. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Hasan and Additional Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Akhter Simul visited the flood-affected areas along with some local public representatives and government officials. The swelling of the Sari and Piain rivers have marooned people in various villages in Nijpat, Jaintapur, Darbast, and Charikata unions of Jakiganj upazila. The low-lying areas of Nijpat Lamapara, Bandarhati, Moynahhati, Jangalhati, Borkhela, Meghli, Tilkaipara, Fulbari, Noyabad, Horni, Bairakhel, Guaboari, Dibihaor haor, Ghilatali, Muktapur, Biraimara haor, Kharubil, Lamanigram, Katakhali, Bauerbhag, and Baon haor in the upazila went  under water. A total of 48 shelters and a control room have been opened across six unions in the upazila. Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Salika Rumaiya said army, BGB, fire service, and police are actively involved in rescue operations. All 48 shelters are prepared with necessary amenities, she said. Liaquat Ali, Chairman of the Jaintapur Upazila Parishad, said  rescue operation was hampered by darkness and strong currents on Wednesday night and it resumed on Thursday morning. On Thursday, the district administration distributed 1,000 sacks (200 sacks in each upazila) of dry food, 75 metric tons of rice (15 mts in each upazila), and relief materials worth Tk 2.5 lakh in five upazilas.

Additional Commissioner and Chief of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mohammad Harun or Rashid on Thursday said the investigation into MP Anwarul Azim Anar murder has seen notable progress. “Evidence was found and some digital data have been collected. It will be confirmed only after getting the forensic report,” he said while talking to reporters at Dhaka Airport after returning home from India in the afternoon. Replying to a question about the recovery of remains from the septic tank of Sanjeeva Gardens, DB chief said “Initially, it is believed that the body parts recovered belong to MP Anar. However, the whole matter can be confirmed once the forensic report is received. The mystery of the murder will be debunked soon.” “Our investigation in Kolkata has been successful as we have got information from there,” he said. The investigation into the case is being conducted by coordination of the intelligence information of the two countries and that’s why the results would be fruitful, he claimed. Mentioning that mastermind Akteruzzaman Shaheen is in the USA, another accused in the case is in Nepal now, he said and they will be brought back home through Interpol. “We have contacted with Nepal and we made a request to India to help us to bring back Shaheen from the USA through Interpol.” The motive behind the murder of MP Anar will be known once Shaheen is brought back home, said Harun. On May 26, a three-member DB team led by its chief went to Kolkata to unearth the mystery behind the murder of MP Anar.

The 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder and ex-president of the country Ziaur Rahman was observed with various programmes across the country on Thursday. Black flags were hoisted while party flags were kept at half-mast atop the party’s central offices and chairperson’s Gulshan office at 6:00 am as part of its programme to mark the day. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir together with party senior leaders paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave on the occasion. They also participated in a milad and doa mahfil and a munjajt seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Zia and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The leaders and workers of BNP’s different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia’s grave on the occasion. Apart from Fakhrul, BNP Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice Chairman AZM Zahid Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were, among others, present. Earlier in the morning, the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged a free medical camp on the ground floor of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, where specialist doctors provided the distressed patients with prescriptions and medicine free of cost. Fakhrul and the party's standing committee members distributed cooked food among the destitute at various locations in the capital, organized by the Dhaka South and North City units of BNP. The party and its different associate bodies chalked out a 15-day programme, including discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions, wearing black badges, publishing supplements in newspapers and distributing food, to observe the death anniversary nationwide with due respect. The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began on Tuesday through a discussion programme arranged by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, freedom fighters' wing of the party, at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). The party organised a discussion meeting on Wednesday at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of Zia. A milad mahfil was also arranged at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan residence seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Zia. BNP and its associate bodies and the party’s city, district, upazila, and municipality units also observed the day with due reverence by arranging different programmes. Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May, 1981.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman Fazlur Rahman on Thursday hoped that inflation will come down from July. “Due to hike in dollar price, prices of everything have shot up. At the same time pressure has been created on the reserve. All the problems related to the dollar will go away. And hopefully inflation will come down from July next,” he said. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of 'Bangladesh Business Climate Index 2023-24' organised by Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange of Bangladesh (PEB) in Gulshan . Stating that the tax rate should be reduced to boost the revenue, this advisor to the Prime Minister said that NBR is still a big challenge to ease the business environment. "We need to widen the tax net and lower the tax rates; this is the only way to increase revenue.” But what NBR is doing? They are imposing more tax on those who are paying tax. Actually, everyone should be brought under tax net, he said. “We need a strong and big capital market compared to such a big economy. The Prime Minister also wants to strengthen our capital market. We are talking to Bangladesh Bank, NBR, Exchange Commission.” Initiatives are being taken to reform the capital market as it is very important for us, Rahman stated. Salman F Rahman said new reforms will be seen in the next budget. Our tax-GDP ratio has come down compared to last year. “This is a problem for us and it must be dealt with.” Expressing optimism about many local and foreign investments in the near future, Rahman said adding that “Bangladesh has a favourable business environment and we have to work on this.”

Ninety-seven percent work of the 3rd terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been completed, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan on Thursday. “I am satisfied at the progress of the work. 97% work has been finished while the remaining three percent  including co-ordination and testing remained incomplete ,” he said while visiting the terminal. Replying to a question about the opening date of the terminal, the minister said it is highly technical work and it is impossible to implement it within the fixed time. “However, I am hopeful about the timely launch of the terminal.” Talking about the facilities of the terminal, Faruk said there are 54 immigration counters and  people are expected to get desired  services there. Responding to a question about the construction of a second runway, the minister said "The ILS (Instrument of Landing System) system of our existing runway is being upgraded. Radars are being upgraded. However, we have plans for the second runway. As there are so many buildings around the airport, we are looking how we can built a second runway. ” In a query about the plane fare of Malaysia-bound passengers, the minister said “The plane fare depends on supply and demand. Those who are involved in sending workers to Malaysia, knew it one month ago that May 31 was the last date to send workers. However, neither the recruiting agency nor other suppliers took action in this regard.” Currently, Biman operates three to four flights to Malaysia every day. Some Malaysian people on Wednesday sought permission to operate a chartered flight from Dhaka to Malaysia with an Air Cambodia aircraft and the permission was given, he said.

Power supply to 97 percent consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) was restored while it was cent percent for consumers of West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC) till 12 noon on Thursday. Cyclone Remal: BREB restores power supply to 93% affected consumers, West Zone Power to 87% The Power Division, referring to an updated information, said that the BREB restored the electricity supply to 2.93 crore consumers, which is 97 percent of its total affected consumers. Some 3.03 crore consumers of the BREB got disconnected from the electricity supply network after cyclone Remal hit the country on Sunday. BREB to procure 1.26 lakh SPC poles, 140 km underground cables for Dhaka-Mymensingh power distribution project Still electricity supply could not be restored to some 9.22 lakh consumers, which is 3 percent of the total BREB consumers. BREB hopes that they will be able to restore electricity to 99 percent of its affected consumers by 6 pm on Thursday while 1 percent will remain without electricity as they need door- to- door service.The WZPDC has restored electricity supply to all of its affected consumers during the same period. The total affected consumers of WZPDC were 4.53 lakh who were without electricity due to the cyclone. BREB bill payments now more convenient through Nagad The Power Division said that about 21,000 workforce from BREB are currently working at the field level, while the WZPDC has also engaged its manpower to repair damaged power lines.