United News of Bangladesh

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.

Chief of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harun-Or-Rashid requested journalists to cooperate with them by providing information regarding manufacturers of adulterated food. He made the request  while talking to journalists at his office at the DB office on Dhaka’s Mintoo road on Wednesday. Producing and selling adulterated products is a crime and the concerned organisations (consumer rights protection directorate, BSTI) will do their work while DB will do its work, he said. A citizen has the right to know whether those who manufacture baby food, saline have license or approval, the DB chief said. “It will also be helpful for us if residents  of those areas (where such products are produced) give us information. Then we can arrest them. That's why I would like to request all to prove information about those who are making fake drinks, juices and mixing salt and sugar to make fake saline, we will definitely take legal action against them,” he said. Recently, the DB arrested several gangs involved with manufacturing fake saline after conducting drives in parts of Dhaka.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said seven reputed international oil companies purchased bid documents to participate in the bidding round for offshore hydrocarbon exploration in Bangladesh. He said this while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the promotional seminar, "Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2024", at a city hotel. The state minister said that the impressive presence of international oil companies at the event proves that they have full confidence in the Bangladesh government. Fifteen other international companies are participating in the seminar with keen interest to invest in the offshore areas, said Nasrul. Nasrul Hamid said that  Bangladesh is confident about the success of the offshore bidding round as global oil majors are participating in it. He said that Bangladesh’s energy market is big and it's growing fast. That’s why the biggest companies are encouraged to participate in the bidding round, he added. He said the PSC has been updated in a modern way, protecting both the interests of the country and the investors. Nasrul noted that the bidding round will be concluded by September and the government has a target to award contracts shortly so that the investors can start their work by next year. He also said as per the plan, from exploration to production, the whole process will take 7-8 years in the offshore areas.     Nasrul Hamid said the government has been updating the Model PSC for onshore areas as well. Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury urged  international oil companies (IOCs) to invest in the country’s offshore areas for hydrocarbon exploration, terming the Bay of Bengal as “the most peaceful area in the region.” “Though there is instability prevailing at different places across the globe, South Asia, particularly the Bay of Bengal remains the most peaceful area. There is no flash-point in this area. If investors think of a long term investment, it will be less risky for them,” he said. As there is a big market here, the investors will have no risk in their business, he told reporters.  He also turned down any possible impact of the Myanmar situation in this case regarding their investment.    Petrobangla’s general manager (exploration) Farhana Shaon made a presentation on the “Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2024”. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said the model production sharing contract (PSC) was updated and redesigned with new features that will give more benefit and profit to the IOCs such as R-factor through which both the government and the IOCs will be sharing the profits in a rational manner. He noted that a multi-client survey was conducted in the offshore areas which will provide data to the investors about prospects and potentials of the gas blocks. “This basin is much richer compared to others in the world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership has created a confidence, for which we’re hopeful that this bidding round will be successful....So far we received a huge response,” he said.     “We’ve been pursuing a middle way in attracting the investment so that both the investors and the owners can have a win-win situation,” he added.    Meanwhile, the Petrobangla officials said the companies which are participating in the bidding round and the seminar include Petronas, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Inpex Corporation, Jogmec of Japan, CNOOC, ENI Spa of Italy, Kris Energy, ONGC and TGS and Schlumberger.   With Energy Secretary Md Nurul Alam in the chair, the event was also addressed by Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ziaur Rahman, Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker, Chevron Bangladesh president Eric M Walker and energy company TGS’s senior geologist Elisabeth Gillbard.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced Crawling Peg Exchange Rate System to make the exchange rate more flexible.Foreign Exchange Policy Department (FEPD) of the central bank issued a circular in this regard signed by its director Md Sarwar Hossain on Wednesday.According to the circular, it has been decided to introduce a Crawling Peg Exchange Rate System for spot purchases and sale of US dollar. Under this system, a Crawling Peg Mid Rate (CPMR), has been set at Tk 117.00 per dollar with immediate effect. DCCI seminar urges sustainable policy reforms for trillion dollar economyScheduled banks may purchase and sell US dollars freely around the CPMR with the customers and in interbank deals.Earlier, on Sunday (May 5), Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder said within a very short time the central bank will go for a market-based interest rate and apply a crawling peg system to fix the foreign exchange rate.He said the BB is working with prominent economists and bankers to prepare a contractionary monetary policy measure for curbing inflation and restoring macroeconomic stability.The crawling peg is a system of exchange rate adjustments in which a currency with a fixed exchange rate is allowed to fluctuate within a band of rates. The method fully uses the key attributes of the fixed exchange regime, as well as the flexibility of the floating exchange rate regime. BB introduces US dollar and currency (Taka) swap for commercial banksCurrently, the central bank is selling dollars to commercial banks at Tk110 per dollar.

Some 21 winners have received different gifts by taking part in the country’s biggest transactions campaign – initiated by Nagad, a popular mobile financial service provider Recently, Nagad’s Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer Sadat Adnan Ahmad and Executive Vice-President and Deputy Chief Marketing Officer Muhammad Solaiman handed over the gifts to the winners at Nagad’s head office in the capital’s Banani area, said a press release issued on Wednesday. Nagad partners with Pran-RFL Group to foster greater operational efficiency Earlier, under this Tk 20 crore-campaign named “Nagad e Jomi”, three winning teams received their respective plots in Dhaka’s Purbachal Probashi Palli. Every year, Nagad dangles a plethora of exciting gifts on the occasion of Eid. Last year Nagad’s BMW mega campaign generated a significant buzz within the country. Besides, customers grabbed sedan cars, motorcycles, and many other gifts through Nagad payments, the release adds. This year, Nagad has gone a step ahead as it has launched the country’s biggest campaign, giving an opportunity for its users to win dream plots in Dhaka by following three easy steps. Moreover, customers can enjoy 100 percent cash back alongside an opportunity to win mega gifts, including sedan car, motorbikes, TVs, refrigerators, smartphones, and many more on individual transactions. During the campaign, there is also a chance to win “Viewers’ Awards” by giving correct answers to quizzes asked in Nagad’s special TV show. Nagad hands over promised Tk 20 lakh to BPL champions Barishal So far, the gifts have been handed over to 21 people. The winners who got televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and smartphones either by making transactions or by receiving remittance are – Siddiqur Rahman Shubh, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Islam, Nayim Khan Joy, Abu Nayim, Manjurul Islam, Josna Akter, HM Elias, Asadur Rahman, Mohammad Kefayet Ullah, Robiul Islam, Farhana Begum, Selim Ahmed, Al Mamun, Abu Hannan Sumon, Sayeed Hossain, and Kauser Ibne Hafiz. Additionally, Hridoy Ahmed Redowan, Ikramul Haque, Lucky Akter Seema, and Sumon Devnath have received the Viewers’ Awards. The gifts under the mega campaign will be distributed among next winners in phases. Md Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, deputy managing director of Nagad Ltd., said, “We always want people to be more accustomed to digital transactions and enjoy rewards. Owning a piece of land in Dhaka is a big dream for many. So, we want people to fulfill their dream during this festival initiated by Nagad. Besides, there are opportunities to win many other gifts. We have started handing over gifts to winners. All winners will receive their gifts in phases.”  

River ports in 11 districts have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no. 1 due to possible inclement weather. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary west/north-westerly gusty or squally wind (at 45-60 kph speed) are likely to occur over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mymensingh and Sylhet. River ports asked to hoist signal 1 The warning will be valid till 6 pm this evening.      

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicts rain of thundershower in eight divisions including Dhaka, starting from 9 am today. “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind are likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at a few places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with hailing at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Rains may drench parts of Dhaka, six other divisions Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.  

Export-import activities between Bangladesh and India through Hili land port have been suspended since this morning due to Upazila Parishad election in Hakimpur under Dinajpur district. However, the movement of travelers with valid passports and visas between the two countries through the Hili immigration check post will continue. Upazila Election: Voting underway amid festive atmosphere in Bagerhat General Secretary of Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, said that export and import activities between the two countries will remain suspended till this evening due to voting in Hakimpur Upazila Parishad election. The matter has been informed through letters to Indian businessmen. Upazila Election: Heavy rains lead to low voter turnout in Natore Import-export will resume from Thursday, he added. Sheikh Ashraful, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hili Immigration Check Post, confirmed the matter.