United News of Bangladesh

Biman Bangladesh Airlines commenced its dedicated Hajj flights this morning, marking the beginning of its annual service to transport pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia for the holy Hajj. The inaugural flight, BG3301, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7 am, carrying 415 pilgrims directly to Jeddah. The event began with a ceremony at 5:30 am, attended by key figures including Md Faridul Haque Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs; Sajjadul Hassan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism; Air Vice Marshal Md Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; and Md Shahadat Hossain Taslim, President of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB). PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2024 This year, a record number of 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims will journey to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines handling approximately 50% of these travelers, totaling 42,629 pilgrims. To accommodate this massive undertaking, Biman has scheduled 116 pre-Hajj flights and 125 post-Hajj flights. Furthermore, the airline has expanded its service to include flights from Sylhet and Chattogram, enhancing access and convenience for pilgrims across Bangladesh. Biman Bangladesh Airlines continues to operate these flights exclusively with its own fleet, underscoring its capability and readiness to manage the logistical demands of Hajj travel. Read more: Visitors on Hajj visa prohibited from traveling outside Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca: Saudi Ministry

Jagannath University (JnU) assistant proctor Deen Islam,  who was arrested in connection with student Abantika's suicide, walked out of jail on bail on Wednesday (May 08, 2024). However, another accused, Abantika’s classmate Amman Siddiqui, is still behind the bar. Read more: Accused JnU teacher, student arrested over Abantika's suicide Deen Islam walked out of Cumilla jail on Wednesday afternoon, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cumilla Kotwali Police Station Md Feroz Hossain confirmed. OC Md Feroz Hossain said Deen Islam was released on bail today on the order of the High Court. Family members of Deen Islam received him at the jail gate after his release, he said. Earlier on March 16, police arrested the two accused following the death of Fairuz Abantika who committed suicide the previous day. Read more: Abantika’s death: JnU students place 6-point demand

Unilever Bangladesh and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) are collaborating on a pilot project titled ‘For People & Planet: Resilient, Healthy & Sustainable Food & Environment Systems’ to enhance the environmental sustainability and public health of Bangladesh's urban areas. The pilot project aims to improve the environmental and public health of Bangladeshi cities by targeting the critical generators of low-value plastic waste in fresh markets to reduce and recycle this waste by promoting alternative innovations in plastics used in food markets, according to a media statement. The project will train and engage cleaners, market vendors, youth, packaging suppliers, government officials, market committees, and customers, offering collaborative solutions and empowered action to reduce the use of one-time used polyethene in food markets and identify a sustainable plastic waste disposal solution. Dr. Rudaba Khondker, country director, GAIN Bangladesh, said, “Our collective effort aims to reduce plastic waste using human-centric design towards sustainable and resilient food systems transformation in Bangladesh. The initiative will contribute to food and nutrition security and food safety while making cities and wet markets consumer-friendly through game-changing initiatives and ownership by the vendors and market committee. We are striving and will contribute to creating a better future for all.” Zaved Akhtar, chairman and managing director, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, said. “As part of Unilever’s global sustainability strategy on plastics, our aim is to create and collaborate on innovative initiatives that support in reducing plastic waste from the environment. Our partnership with GAIN addresses the pressing issues of plastic waste and food hygiene in fresh markets and will not only improve public health but also raise awareness and contribute to the behaviour change of consumers and nurture a more environmentally conscious society." The collaboration between Unilever Bangladesh Ltd. and GAIN underscores a shared commitment to driving positive change and promoting sustainable development in Bangladesh. By tackling plastic waste and improving food hygiene standards, the partnership aims to create lasting impacts for both people and the planet, reads the release.

Seven members of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) of Bangladesh Chapter have taken part in a weeklong enriching and transformative executive programme on Growth Strategy organized by London Business School in London. A total of 77 entrepreneurs from different countries across the globe joined the week-long educational programme. World-renowned professors including John Mullins conducted classroom sessions, case studies, and collaborative group studies during the programme, which provided invaluable insights into contemporary business dynamics and growth opportunities. This immersive experience not only elevated the participants' understanding of business excellence and growth strategies but also showcased the entrepreneurial prowess emanating from Bangladesh. The EO is a global network of entrepreneurs, dedicated to empowering business leaders to learn and grow through peer-to-peer experiences. The Bangladesh Chapter of EO comprises dynamic entrepreneurs committed to driving innovation and fostering economic growth in Bangladesh and beyond.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that green energy transition needs coordinated initiative and major investment. “The developed world, including Europe, is moving towards renewable energy. We also need to increase the use of renewable energy,” he said while addressing “2024 Policy Dialogue on Sweden-Bangladesh Partnership in Renewable Energy within the RMG Sector” at a Dhaka hotel today. The Swedish Embassy, Swedish Energy Agency and Sweden-Bangladesh Business Council jointly organised the event. The state minister said, in sync with the changing world, Bangladesh is also working to expand and increase the use of renewable energy. “Efforts to provide clean electricity to businesses are continuing through net metering systems, rooftop solar, import of hydropower, and increased use of energy efficient appliances,” he added. He said the Power Division has already developed a structure of draft on 'Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA)' to supply electricity generated from renewable energy to factories including the apparel industry. Initially such CPPA will be signed with some factories on a pilot basis. Under the CPPA, renewable energy will be used round the clock which will require high storage capacity, he said, adding, in that case, costs of electricity will go up due to the use of the storage facility. “Finally, we need to move to a smart grid. There should also be a policy on these additional costs and technology costs,” he observed. The State Minister also said that sustainable development is not a European agenda or a global agenda, to survive in the competitive world, we also have to live with sustainable development and green transition. He said that Vietnam and Sri Lanka are doing business focusing on efficiency, automation, business environment and Bangladesh also needs to compete more efficiently to survive. Nasrul Hamid mentioned that global apparel brand H&M showed in their presentation that Bangladesh exports products worth $3 billion dollars a year to three Swedish companies: H&M, LINDEX and IKEA. “Garments are supplied to the three companies through 200 suppliers, employing 5 lakh workers. The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030,” he said. Among others, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Ambassador Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde, Chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Md. Mahabubur Rahman and Country Manager of H&M Ziaur Rahman spoke on the occasion.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury on Wednesday emphasized Bangladesh’s commendable strides in various SDG-aligned sectors, highlighting successes in poverty reduction, gender equality, healthcare, and education.  She also underscored persistent challenges such as climate change impacts and the imperative for inclusive economic growth and robust institutions.  The Speaker urged all MPs to actively participate in the SDG process, suggesting the integration of SDG-related scopes into constituency areas during the upcoming budget session.  She proposed the formation of an SDG Caucus comprising selected MPs to strategize and execute action plans for SDG achievement. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under its ‘Strengthening Institutions, Policies, and Service (SIPS)’ programme, and the Bangladesh National Parliament jointly organized the leadership session titled "Parliamentarians' Engagement in Monitoring and Implementing SDGs: Progress and Priorities in Bangladesh" at the parliament.  The session aimed to galvanize efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering dialogue and catalyzing action among Members of Parliament. The session provided a platform for approximately 100 representatives, with 74 Members of Parliament, to discuss the link between national development priorities and the SDGs.  Key topics included the vital role of parliamentarians in policymaking, resource allocation, and monitoring progress towards SDG achievement. Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted the pivotal role of parliamentarians as bridges between the legislature and grassroots communities. Emphasizing effective resource utilization, she stressed the mandate of MPs in monitoring SDG implementation to ensure targets are met. Corine Henchoz Pignani, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, reiterated the partnership’s commitment to smooth SDG implementation, with a special focus on SDG 16. She expressed eagerness to sustain this collaboration to realize Agenda 2030. Earlier, K.M Abdus Salam, Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, gave the welcome remarks, followed by an overview of SDG Progress and Priorities in Bangladesh by Akhter Hossain, Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office. Md Abul Kalam Azad MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertaking, moderated the session on Parliamentarians' Role in Monitoring and Implementation of SDGs. As Bangladesh strides towards SDG fulfillment, such collaborative efforts between parliamentarians, international organizations, and government bodies are instrumental in accelerating progress and ensuring a sustainable future for all.  

In a move to combat inflation, Bangladesh Bank today announced an increase in policy interest rates by 50 basis points and the discontinuation of the SMART interest rate system, which previously helped set lending rates. The repo rate, a crucial interest rate benchmark, has been adjusted from 8.0% to 8.5%. This increase is expected to impact the interest rates on loans and deposits across the banking sector, potentially moderating credit growth and boosting bank deposits. Furthermore, the central bank has abolished the SMART system (Six Months Moving Average Rate of Treasury Bills), which was used to determine lending rates. The removal of this system is part of a broader effort to allow interest rates on loans to be more market-driven and enable banks to better respond to changing market conditions. The central bank explained that these measures are aimed at stabilizing inflation and strengthening the country's foreign exchange reserves by making the loan interest rates completely market-based. Moreover, the upper and lower limits of the policy interest corridor have been adjusted. The upper limit on the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) has risen from 9.50% to 10.00%, and the lower limit on the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) from 6.50% to 7.00%. These changes are set to take effect from tomorrow (May 9, 2024), positioning the central bank to better control money supply and inflation rates.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury today told the parliament that over the past 48 years, approximately 1.63 crore Bangladeshis have secured employment in 176 countries worldwide. He said this in response to a question from Awami League MP Shafiul Alam Chowdhury. "From 1976 to March 2024, a total of 1 crore 63 lakh 12 thousand and 324 workers have gone for work in different countries," Shofiqur explained. However, the State Minister acknowledged that his ministry lacks data on the number of Bangladeshi citizens residing illegally abroad without proper documentation. Addressing another query from independent MP Abdullah Nahid Nigar, Shofiqur attributed the recent revitalization of the foreign labor market to effective government measures following the Coronavirus pandemic. He highlighted that in the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, the number of workers who went abroad was 11.26 lakh. In a related discussion, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder responded to AL MP Morshed Alam from Noakhali-2 about the current food grain reserves. As of April 30, government warehouses held a total of 11 lakh 38 thousand 463 metric tons, comprising 7.86 lakh metric tons of rice and 3.52 lakh metric tons of wheat.

A training workshop for Livestock Service Providers (LSPs) was held focusing on fostering sustainable farming practices and promoting the production of quality, safe milk, and meat. ACME and SOJAG jointly arranged the programme held at SOJAG’s Training Center in Dhamrai on Sunday also to enhance the skills of Livestock Service Providers (LSPs). Dhamrai’s veterinary surgeon Delwar Hossain spoke at the workshop as the chief guest with Sojag's Chief Executive Abdul Matin in the chair. ACME’s AGM (veterinary) Rashidur Rahman Ronju, Manager (veterinary) Mukut Dash Sharma, Deputy Sales Manager Sayed Nowajish Ali and Assistant Manager Dr Mehediul Islam, among others, addressed the event. The speakers underscored the need to enhance the technological capabilities of LSPs for improving livestock services. The discussions revolved around strategies for ensuring profitability in livestock rearing and maintaining a high standard of milk and meat production. Veterinary surgeon Delwar Hossain highlighted the importance of environmentally friendly waste management practices in achieving these goals. He also discussed elaborately how to ensure profitable livestock rearing and quality safe milk and meat production through sustainable farming and environmentally friendly waste management. The speakers also highlighted the importance of enhancing social, economic, and environmental aspects within the livestock service sector. The workshop served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving, with participants actively engaging in dialogue to explore innovative solutions, said a press release on Wednesday. Overall, the event underscored the collective commitment of stakeholders towards fostering sustainable agriculture practices and enhancing the quality of livestock services in Bangladesh.

In protest against the recent ban on journalists’ access to Bangladesh Bank, journalists from print, electronic, and online media boycotted a press conference of the central bank scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The central bank issued a notice at a press conference on Tuesday, aiming to brief journalists over the recent visit of the IMF team and the launching of Crawling Peg System for fixing the exchange rate between the US dollar and Bangladeshi taka. Bangladesh Bank introduces Crawling Peg System; dollar rate set at Tk 117 with immediate effect However, journalists covering the banking and financial sectors boycotted the press conference held at the conference hall of the central bank. This action came in response to the central bank's refusal to lift the ban on journalists’ entry to its headquarters. The boycotting journalists staged a sit-in in front of the central bank building. General Secretary of the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) Abul Kashem and other senior reporters spoke out against the central bank's decision. Kashem said news gathering is a core responsibility of journalists and the central bank's ban directly hinders their scope to perform duty. The journalists expressed concern that the central bank’s action could create misunderstandings and instability among public regarding the financial sector. 7 reputed IOCs purchase bid documents for hydrocarbon exploration : Nasrul Journalists had been freely entering Bangladesh Bank for the past 50 years, they said and demanded an explanation for the sudden restriction on journalists’ access and their right to report on public interest. Several organizations, including Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), the Editors' Council, ERF, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (DUJ), have condemned the BB's decision. They argued that the ban on journalists’ access to the central bank violates the principles of independent journalism, democracy, and fundamental constitutional rights.