United News of Bangladesh

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Tuesday said the EU legislative developments are important for Bangladesh since Bangladeshi companies are important suppliers for EU companies and the European Union is the destination for 50% of exports of the country. “After two and a half years of political negotiation, the European Union has finally adopted the EU Due Diligence legislation,” he said, adding that this legislation marks a significant shift in corporate social responsibility, transitioning from voluntary to mandatory and horizontally applicable due diligence rules for European companies and their business partners in third countries. The ambassador made a presentation on EU Due Diligence at the second Bangladesh Circular Economy Summit. Earlier, Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak spoke as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the summit. Former BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany in Bangladesh Jan Janowski and founder and CEO, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange Mostafiz Uddin spoke as special guests. In short, the EU envoy said, the legislation aims to ensure social and environmental justice in global supply chains. It targets EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and a worldwide annual turnover exceeding €450 million, as well as non-EU companies meeting the same turnover thresholds within the EU. “These companies can be held legally accountable for any human rights and environmental violations occurring in their own operations, their subsidiaries, and their business partners,” said Ambassador Whiteley. The directive will have to be transposed in the national laws of our member states and will be enforced in different phases, and the first phase will begin from 2027, he said. The envoy said non-compliant companies will face potential reputational damage through "naming and shaming" and administrative fines of up to 5% of their net global turnover. “Moreover, victims, or civil society organizations and trade unions on their behalf, can file civil liability claims and seek reparations in a court of a Member State,” he said. The Ambassador highlighted two aspects of this legislation which are particularly significant for Bangladesh. Corporate Due Diligence Requirements EU companies must adopt a due diligence policy aimed at addressing human rights and environmental violations in their supply chain, Whiteley said. The EU legislation includes a comprehensive list of international instruments on human rights and the environment, which have a direct bearing on companies. “The prohibitions and obligations set out in those instruments must be respected. Notable examples include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ILO's core conventions, and environmental agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants,” he said. For many companies, from within the EU or elsewhere, corporate social responsibility is already an integral part of their business operations. These companies will have the certainty that they have their house in order, and have the procedures in place to identify and address environmental and human rights issues. For those companies operating in Bangladesh many practiced due diligence on factory safety in Bangladesh since the Rana Plaza tragedy through initiatives like the Accord and the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), said the EU envoy. The new EU directive will require them to expand their due diligence to cover human rights and environmental standards more broadly. Indirectly, the due diligence directive will also create an enabling environment for and improve compliance with national social and environmental regulations. Climate Change Transition Plan Another significant element of the EU due diligence legislation is the requirement for EU companies to adopt a climate transition plan, said Ambassador Whiteley. This plan aims to align companies’ business models with the Paris Agreement’s global warming limit of 1.5°C. The plan must include time-bound targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and strategies to decarbonize the value chain.  This requirement will significantly impact the supply chains of EU companies operating in Bangladesh, as supplying factories will need to adapt to buyers' climate mitigation strategies, said the envoy. “The EU focus on due diligence and more widely on circularity does not come out of the blue. Europe is serious about transitioning towards a circular economy. The earth simply cannot sustain the dominant linear economic model of "take, make, and dispose”,” said the ambassador. He said circular economy is a corner stone of the EU green deal, their strategy to ensure no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and to decouple economic growth from resource use. “To remain competitive amidst the growing demand for sustainability and circularity in the EU, it is crucial to embrace circular systems, facilitate green transitions in production processes, and elevate labour standards,” said Charles Whiteley. The EU and its member states support private sector and the government of Bangladesh in this journey towards innovation in sustainability. The ambassador shared a few examples. Overall support to circularity and circular economy The EU Switch to Circular Economy programme, a EUR 20 million, multi-country project, co-funded with Finland. This programme, also present here at this forum, aims to support the government of Bangladesh in developing a circular economy policy, and is working with private sector in piloting circular economy practices in the textile and garments. On the social dimension The EU and its Member States remain committed under the ‘‘Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work’’, having supported Bangladesh with over 47 programmes focused on decent work, social protection, and skills development, with EUR 685 million in funding. A recent example is the project "Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh (ADWIB) 2023-2027," co-funded by the European Union, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden (EUR 23 million). This project assists the Government with labour reforms and enhances preparedness for the due diligence legislation. Implementing the EU-Bangladesh National Action Plan on the Labour Sector will further contribute to Bangladesh’s readiness for the due diligence legislation. On the environment side The Safety Retrofitting and Environmental Upgrades Project (SREUP) co-financed by the EU, France, Germany and the Government of Bangladesh provides access to finance for innovation in safety and environmental performance of companies. In addition, the ambassador said, through the Team Europe Initiative on Green Energy Transition, the EU and its member states are actively supporting the Bangladeshi government in greening the power generation, transmission, and distribution systems with EUR 1.3 billion, including grants and soft loans. “This among others comprises of the Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF), an EU-guaranteed EUR 350 million EIB loan along with a EUR 45 million grant, aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy in Bangladesh’s energy mix,” he said.

Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud is visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to perform Hajj. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan saw the Foreign Minister off at the VIP lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as he left Dhaka on a Saudi Airlines flight Tuesday morning. Hasan Mahmud's wife Nuran Fatema Hasan is accompanying him. On the eve of his journey for performing Hajj, the Foreign Minister and MP of Chattogram 7 constituency, greeted the people of his constituency in advance for the holy Eid-ul-Azha and sought prayers for him and his family members. He will return to Dhaka on June 20.

The Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka and Business Sweden have jointly launched the “Sweden-Bangladesh Business Guide 2024-2025”.  The launch was a part of Sweden’s long-term ambition to strengthen and expand the business and trade relationship between Sweden and Bangladesh.  State Minister for Finance, Waseqa Ayesha Khan, attended the event held on June 10 as the chief guest. During her introductory remarks, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde said that Bangladesh is a growing trade partner for Sweden in South Asia.  "Over 50 Swedish companies are already present here," she said.  One of the main objectives of the Swedish government is to strengthen Sweden’s position as a prioritized partner for green and digital transition, said the Ambassador.  Bangladesh seeks greater support from Sweden for digital transformation, market access "This will also continue to remain highly prioritized in the future bilateral trade relations between our two nations,” she said.  The Sweden-Bangladesh Business Guide 2024-2025 aims at supporting both Swedish and Bangladeshi companies in doing business between the two countries.  The guide provides information about Swedish business priorities in Bangladesh, the overarching support systems and relevant entry points to doing business, as well as the latest business-profiles and product-lines of Swedish companies operating in the country.  For incoming Swedish companies, the business guide introduces Bangladesh as a new investment destination and potential market for cutting-edge Swedish products and services. During the event the Trade and Investment Commissioner of Sweden to India, Cecilia Oskarsson, also made digital remarks about the importance of the growing business relationship between Sweden and Bangladesh.  The event was held at the embassy premises with representatives from the Swedish business community, government representatives from both Sweden and Bangladesh, relevant business chambers, the diplomatic community, and other key stakeholders.  In line with the sustainable and inclusive ambition of Sweden, the Sweden-Bangladesh Business Guide is distributed mainly digitally, and can be accessed through the Swedish Embassy’s website.

In a significant marker of the bipartisan support or goodwill she enjoys within the Indian political firmament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with the three senior leaders of the Congress party - Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi - on the last day of her trip to participate at the swearing in ceremony of their BJP rival Narendra Modi on Monday . The meeting, held at the Bangladesh High Commission premises in New Delhi, brought together Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marking another chapter in the long-standing relationship between the Hasina and Gandhi families - going back to at least August 1975, when Indira Gandhi as Indian prime minister took in the two surviving daughters of Bangladesh's slain president, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at a time when all doors were closing on them. PM Hasina reiterates Dhaka's interest to import hydro electricity from Bhutan: FM Hasan The discussions covered a wide range of topics aimed at bolstering the India-Bangladesh relationship, emphasizing trust, cooperation, and a shared commitment to mutual growth. Both sides expressed their dedication to furthering the strong historical ties and working towards a prosperous future for both nations, according to Congress’ X handle. The Congress handle on X shared a short video of Hasina welcoming her guests, with warm embraces all around. The Gandhis are on a high after dragging Congress back into contention in election results announced last week, and here was an old and trusted friend to share in their sense of revival. PM Hasina meets veteran BJP leader Advani during official visit to India Prime Minister Hasina’s visit to India underscores the importance of the bilateral relationship, and her meeting with the Gandhi family highlights the personal connections that have long supported diplomatic ties. The Gandhi family has maintained a close relationship with Sheikh Hasina, reflecting a bond that transcends politics and speaks to a shared legacy of leadership and collaboration. As both countries continue to navigate regional and global challenges, the discussions today reaffirmed the importance of India-Bangladesh cooperation in achieving sustainable development and regional stability.

Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Charles Whiteley has highlighted the global importance of digital solutions for empowering youth and advancing society. He was inaugurating the NextCart app at the EMK Center in the capital on Monday. As the chief guest, Charles Whiteley stated that technologies like NextCart can simplify operations for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and facilitate business on digital platforms. He emphasized that such innovations can significantly contribute to the growth of digital businesses. Special guest Russell Ahmed, President of BASIS, discussed how businesses in retail automation and the SME sector can leverage modern technological solutions like NextCart to strengthen their competitive edge in the market. Bangladesh made strong progress towards transition to GSP plus: Charles Whiteley NextCart CEO Mustakim Hasan explained that the app will effectively support entrepreneurs by enabling seamless online and offline business operations, simplifying processes, enhancing digital presence, and ensuring growth. Nextcart Co-founder Samiur Rahman elaborated on how the app can efficiently manage various business activities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Speakers hoped that NextCart will pave the way for sustainable business practices and facilitate smooth operations for entrepreneurs.

Highly appreciating Bangladesh’s approach to new regulations, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said on Monday that Bangladesh has made very strong progress on anticipating its transition to GSP plus. “I'm very happy with the psychological approach of Bangladesh. They take these things seriously. And they look at it at a very early stage. So it's very impressive,” he said while responding to a question from UNB at DCAB Talk. The ambassador said he is approached by people who know more than him about given regulation and it is really impressive how business, the government authorities, civil society, they all have an eye on these things. The EU envoy said he wants to see more collaboration in the future, in particular, on security and defense. “I think this is an area where we can learn from each other. Now, Bangladesh has spent several years tackling the threat of Islamist extremism, the threat of terrorism. We all know what happened eight years ago on Holey Artisan Bakery. And we've seen how Bangladesh has got to grips with this phenomenon, just as many countries around the world have had to try to get to grips with it,” he said. “Every country is grappling with toxic underbelly of the internet”: EU Ambassador The outgoing envoy said he believes there will be a real value in talking more on these issues and learning from each other. “And I'm very happy that we're launching climate change and security project. It is quite a small project. But it will bring together many key actors, including from the intelligence agencies and different agencies in Bangladesh, to talk about how you are coping with the potential security impact of climate change, and how all countries including Europe, can anticipate the threats that will come to their security from climate change,” Whiteley said. He said they need to listen to Bangladesh more, including ahead of the next COP. “You need to know what LDC countries are thinking. And Bangladesh is, as I said earlier, one of the foremost advocates to make sure there's a fair settlement at all levels of the climate change debate.” The envoy said the voice of Bangladesh is increasingly heard on issues like safety and security in Europe. “We see the fact that Bangladesh is the major UN peacekeeping country. And the fact that Bangladesh brings a voice for peace-building and the United Nations, and so on that voice, again, is being heard increasingly in Europe.” Whiteley said Bangladesh has leadership role on climate change and the voice of Bangladesh needs to be heard. “And that voice is being heard, including through the climate vulnerable forum, and through the work that Bangladesh has done to advocate a fair settlement for these developed countries.” The ambassador said trade is key bedrock of the Bangladesh-EU relations and that bedrock is growing. “I'm very happy to see that after a difficult time, there are signs of growth and green shoots. In terms of exports to Europe, the perennial need to expand that the export base is still there. But the work is underway to show Bangladesh can showcase other sectors. And we're involved, for example, in the leather sector,” he added. Together, we’re building an inclusive, equitable environment: EU Ambassador Responding to a question, the envoy emphasized that Bangladesh is in a position to choose and it has a vision for its own future and it is articulated through many plans. “Bangladesh is in a position to choose because many countries want to do business with Bangladesh. It’s plain and simple. Countries are offering loans or grants to support the development of infrastructure. You have a relatively healthy debt to GDP ratio.  You've never defaulted on the debt,” Whiteley said. Responding to a question on Global Gateway, he said it very different creature and it is offering a different vision of support to connectivity, infrastructure and digitalization. Explaining why is it different; the envoy said this is about building genuine partnerships and it will always go through a fair competitive process. The Global Gateway stands for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet. It helps to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to improving health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains. “We work in genuine partnership with them, recognizing their status as an emerging power,” he said. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and its General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also spoke.

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whitely has highlighted the importance of regulations in stopping violence and hate crime through social media and allowing legitimate free speech. “We’ve regulated (this) in Europe through our Digital Services Act, which puts an onus on companies like Meta and so on. For example, if they don't take hate speech down very quickly from the internet, there will be consequences in the European market,” he said while responding to a question at DCAB Talk. Together, we’re building an inclusive, equitable environment: EU Ambassador Referring to inaction of the platforms to stop the spread of violence, the EU envoy said, “Every country is grappling with the toxic underbelly of the internet and the impact it is having on society.”  The ambassador said there is also discussion about how further steps can be taken and the same debates are happening in Bangladesh. “So, of course, you’ve had the DSA, you’ve had the Cyber Security Act, and you’re talking about how to address disinformation. But the key point underpinning everything is you have to do it in a way that preserves and respects the right to freedom of speech, the right to freedom of expression,” Whiteley said. He said a responsible government has to navigate this very fine line between stopping violence, stopping hate crime, and allowing legitimate free speech. “And I think we can all learn from each other. And that's what we're doing. Some of our member states have different traditions in this respect in the EU. Certainly, America has a different approach. You know, far different levels of tolerance for certain forms of speech than you'd see in European legislation. So, we have our traditions, but the key thing is we all need to have freedom of speech. Or we also need security and safety in our societies. And it's a tricky conundrum,” the ambassador said. Terminal 3 will transform Bangladesh's passenger and cargo handling capabilities: EU Ambassador There have been frequent complaints from minority leaders, civil society members, anti-war crimes campaigners, families of war heroes and martyrs that Facebook failed to stop the tide of hate speech or incitement of communal violence in Bangladesh. The latest report of FB on Bangladesh has also drawn flaks from the same community members. The ALBD Web Team has called Meta’s latest report “biased and flawed.” Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and its General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also spoke at the event. 

Expressing gratitude to foreign dignitaries who joined the swearing-in ceremony, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India will always work closely with their valued partners in pursuit of human progress. "I am grateful to all the foreign dignitaries who joined the swearing in ceremony. India will always work closely with our valued partners in pursuit of human progress," he said. Modi conveyed the message through his verified social media handle X, formerly known as Twitter. The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers took place in Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9. Leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region participated in the ceremony as honoured guests. The leaders who attended the ceremony included President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth accompanied by his spouse; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay. Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by Ministers. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the visiting leaders in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The leaders congratulated him for taking oath as the Prime Minister of India for the historic third consecutive term. Thanking them for gracing the occasion, Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR Vision’. Prime Minister emphasized that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of VIKSIT BHARAT by 2047. In this context, he called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena. The leaders also attended a Banquet hosted by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to Prime Minister Modi in the service of the nation, stated that India’s democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people, but an inspiration to millions around the world. The participation of leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region on the momentous occasion of swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Minister, underlines India’s deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the the countries. The President of India appointed Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India. As advised by the Indian Prime Minister, the President also appointed the members of the Council of Ministers. The President administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the Members of the Council of Ministers at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday evening. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday set foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers. As the first “distinguished” guest, PM Hasina was warmly received by a high-level Indian delegation and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman at the airport when she arrived in New Delhi. "This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen Bangladesh-India close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday. The visit of the leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision, said MEA. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave New Delhi for home on Monday, and she is scheduled to reach Dhaka at 8pm.  

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori on Saturday expressed his country’s willingness to invest more in the manufacturing sector in Bangladesh. The envoy expressed this interest in a bilateral meeting with Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury in the National Parliament on Sunday. The Japanese government is also willing to increase the connection and collaboration of Bangladeshi universities with Japanese universities. He has expressed interest in retraining Bangladeshi students to employ them in Japanese industrial factories in the fields of robotics and manufacturing in Japan. Education Minister Mohibul assured to support any initiative of the Japanese government in all fields of education starting from the university level to increase the skills of Bangladeshi students through information technology and technical and vocational training. He expressed his interest in teaching the Japanese language in universities and introducing a teacher exchange program aimed at improving the skills of secondary-level teachers in Bangladesh through Japanese-trained teachers.  

The government has decided to appoint Ambassador Tareque Muhammad, the serving Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya, as the next Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kingdom of the Netherlands. He will be replacing Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah in this capacity, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Tareque Muhammad, a career diplomat belonging to the 18th batch of BCS (Foreign Affairs) cadre, joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1999. Japan keen to invest more in manufacturing sector in Bangladesh Since February 2022, he has been serving as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya with concurrent accreditation to Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Rwanda. In this capacity, he is also accredited as Bangladesh’s Representative to UN Environment Programme and UN Habitat. During his diplomatic career, Tareque has served in Bangladesh missions in Madrid, New Delhi, Kathmandu and Yangon in different capacities. In Yangon, he was Deputy Chief of Bangladesh Mission. Before arriving in Nairobi, he was serving as Consul General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles. Rokebul Haque designated as next Ambassador to Italy Tareque has also experience of working as a Director at the Secretariat of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Kathmandu. In the ministry, he held several important positions including that of the Director General of South Asia and South East Asia Wings. Ambassador Tareque obtained a Master's Degree in International Studies from Leeds University, UK as a Chevening Scholar. Earlier, he had obtained an MBA from Dhaka University’s Institute of Business Administration. His first University degree was in Forestry and Environmental Science from the University of Chittagong. Ambassador Tareque is married and blessed with two children. In his spare time, he likes to read, travel and spend time with family.