United News of Bangladesh

The Japanese Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar and Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Yohei Sasakawa, is visiting Bangladesh. He arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a two-day visit. Chinese special envoy in town; discreet meetings held with MoFA The Additional Foreign Secretary, Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, welcomed him at the airport. After 20 years in the business sector, Sasakawa joined The Nippon Foundation in 1981. UN special envoy for Myanmar in Dhaka Sasakawa is known for bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to his work with entities from the political, governmental, academic, and private sectors in addressing issues in such diverse areas as health, education, food security, and maritime safety.. ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar warns on further executions

USAID and UNDP on Monday announced the unveiling of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity - Phase II (CHTWCA II) dedicated to preserving the biodiversity and natural resources of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). Implemented by UNDP in partnership with the government of Bangladesh, local government, and CHT communities, the new project builds on USAID’s decade-long conservation efforts and takes a collaborative approach to protecting forests, rivers, wetlands and water bodies while strengthening resilience to climate impacts throughout the region. “At USAID, one of our most pressing priorities is mitigating the impacts of climate change, protecting our environment, and ensuring long-term sustainable impact. This is an immense challenge that requires collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society, communities, and everyday people– an approach that has been very effective in the CHT,” said Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Asia Bureau, USAID. She hoped this new project will successfully build on their accomplishments in protecting the region while enabling its people to build brighter, more resilient and prosperous futures The unveiling of the second phase of this project comes ahead of World Environment Day 2024, which this year focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. The CHT region, constituting 10% of Bangladesh's land area, is rich in cultural and ecological diversity, housing 43% of the nation's forest land and vital rivers. The unveiling highlighted the collaboration between USAID, UNDP, the Ministry of CHT Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Hill District Councils, the Bangladesh Forest Department, as well as local communities who are working together to safeguard the region’s unique environment and foster sustainable development. “The achievements of previous phases have laid a strong foundation for our future work, with improvements in water access, agricultural practices, and social cohesion, and successes in watershed conservation and wildlife trafficking prevention,” said Senior Secretary Md. Mashiur Rahman, ndc from the Ministry of CHT Affairs. “As we launch Phase II, we aim to scale up our efforts, focusing on enhancing water access for health and agriculture, and prioritizing sustainable watershed conservation to safeguard the future for generations to come," he added. "We are committed to working with our partners to advance the goals of the second phase of this activity, ensuring that conservation efforts continue to be inclusive, community-driven, and sustainable," said Reed Aeschliman, USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh. "Renewing our efforts after a decade of dedicated work is vital to addressing ongoing environmental challenges in the CHT region," he added. UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller noted, “Building on past successes, the Watershed Co-Management Activity II program aims to enhance our work around watershed management, forest and biodiversity conservation, improving community water access, reducing disaster risks, and promoting social cohesion and gender equality through a community-driven approach that has already shown great promise in improving lives, livelihoods, and local ecosystems.” Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Forest Department emphasized the importance of collaboration: “We must work together to protect our forests and wildlife for future generations.” CHTWCA II aims to address climate change, illegal logging, and wildlife crimes while promoting climate-adaptive livelihood measures. The initiative focuses on reducing disaster risks, improving access to water and sanitation in remote areas, and promoting equity among stakeholders in forest and wetland management. Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Raja Debashish Roy; Dr. Muhammad Khan, Director Economic Growth, USAID Bangladesh; Prodip Kumar Mahottam ndc, Additional Secretary (Development), MoCHTA; and Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh also spoke at the unveiling event, among others.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today criticized the recent Deutsche Welle (DW) documentary on UN peacekeepers, suggesting it was intentionally made to undermine the contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers. The documentary, titled “Torturers deployed as UN peacekeepers,” has sparked controversy and condemnation. “There is nothing substantial. It is very difficult to understand its essence because it was not made based on facts. It seems it was done intentionally to undermine our peacekeepers’ contributions to the UN missions,” the minister said today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He highlighted the global appreciation for the sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers over the years. “DW sometimes comes up with such anti-state efforts,” he added. No travel ban issued against Benazir anywhere: Foreign Minister The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) earlier condemned the documentary as “false” and “fallacious,” accusing it of presenting a misleading portrayal of Bangladesh Army personnel in UN Peacekeeping Missions. “Misrepresentation and insufficient diligence can lead to eroding the credibility and effectiveness of peacekeeping forces globally,” ISPR stated on May 25. The ISPR emphasized that the Bangladesh Army has a spotless record with no human rights violations while serving under the UN, a distinction shared by few countries. They noted that 131 Bangladesh Army personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice and 239 have sustained injuries while serving under the UN flag, embodying the spirit of selflessness and commitment to global peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Bangladesh’s contributions to international peace and security during a meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on May 30 at the UN Headquarters in New York. “Bangladesh makes a remarkable contribution to international peace and security, sustainable development, and the fight against climate change. That is why we consider Bangladesh a very important partner,” Guterres said. 2 countries working together to unearth mystery behind Anwarul’s murder: FM Guterres also expressed deep appreciation for Bangladesh’s generosity towards the Rohingyas and voiced concern over the forced conscription of Rohingya youth and children by the Myanmar military. He commended Bangladesh for its capacity to adapt and its resilience, expressing the UN’s full support for its transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Middle-Income Nation. “The UN is entirely on your side,” he added. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud thanked the Secretary-General for his leadership in addressing global challenges, including the conflict in Gaza. He solicited continued UN advocacy to keep the Rohingya crisis in the global spotlight and to improve conditions in Myanmar for the safe, sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas with dignity. Conducting negotiations instead of provocation to find ways for Rohingya repatriation: FM Hasan He also expressed gratitude for the strong partnership between Bangladesh and the UN over the past 50 years and for supporting Bangladesh’s transformative development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to sharing its expertise in climate adaptation, green energy transition, and disaster preparedness. The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Secretary-General Guterres to visit Bangladesh this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the UN.  

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today said that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed can travel anywhere in the world as no travel ban has been issued against him anywhere. “Look, there has been no travel ban against him – neither from any court nor from the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he told reporters while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his return from Antigua and Barbuda and New York, USA. According to media reports, Benazir, his wife, and their daughters left Dhaka on a Singapore Airlines flight on the night of May 4. Dhaka, Bangkok to work together to deal with Rohingya issue: FM The foreign minister said it remains to be seen whether the former police chief appears before the ACC on June 6. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said they summoned Benazir for questioning over allegations of accumulating illegal wealth on June 6. Additionally, the commission has summoned his wife and daughters for questioning on June 9. Brazilian FM Mauro Vieira pays tribute to Bangabandhu  On April 23, the ACC decided to investigate the allegations against Benazir and his family. Subsequently, the anti-corruption watchdog requested various financial institutions, including the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), to provide transaction records concerning Benazir and his family members. On May 23, a Dhaka court first ordered the confiscation of 345 bigha of land belonging to Benazir and his family members, and 33 bank accounts in their names in various public and private banks. Following this, last Sunday the court also ordered the seizure of several more immovable properties valued in crores and the freezing of additional movable assets in 119 documents. Responding to a separate question, the foreign minister said the government runs the country in a transparent manner and they have no influence over the ACC. “ACC is working independently and transparently.” The foreign minister also said the judiciary is working independently.    

Department of Tourism of Bhutan notified that it has revised its policy for Bangladeshi tourists. As per the new policy, Bangladeshi tourists will have to pay only USD 15 as Sustainable Development Fees (SDF). The amount is equivalent to the fees levied on Indian tourists, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Sabbir Ahmed appointed country manager of Visa Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Under the new policy, 15000 Bangladeshi tourists can travel Bhutan with the reduced fees of USD 15 per year. Bangladesh and Bhutan enjoy a special relationship, it said. The relationship has been further consolidated under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recent years. The visa policy has come into effect from June 2, 2024.

Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Indra Mani Pandey on Monday said a date has been proposed for the next Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year, awaiting approval from the member states. "The date for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will formally be announced soon. It will have some significant outcomes. It will set a direction for the future of the BIMSTEC," he told members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at its Secretariat. The BIMSTEC Secretary General hoped the upcoming Summit would add new vigour to regional cooperation within BIMSTEC. "I believe BIMSTEC has a bright future. All the members are truly committed to make sure BIMSTEC becomes a success story," he said while making a presentation on BIMSTEC activities. The Summit will adopt a Bangkok Vision 2030 which would be an overarching kind of document and give direction to the organisation, he said, adding that it would be one of the significant outcomes Responding to a question on maritime cooperation, the Secretary General said they will share details once the member States sign the document. "It (likely MoU) will deal with every aspect of maritime connectivity," he said. The BIMSTEC Secretary General said bilateral and regional cooperation are being reinforced. He said the member states want to see BIMSTEC successful and being able to deliver. Pandey said BIMSTEC is the only organization, which brings together five countries from South Asia and two countries from Southeast Asia BIMSTEC Summit: High-profile Bangladesh business delegation to visit Thailand in November BIMSTEC enjoys the requisite political support of its members, focuses on technical and economic cooperation and stays away from political issues, he said. Progress has been reported in the preparations for the upcoming BIMSTEC meeting, which will involve member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, the designated host. Thailand assumed the Chairmanship of BIMSTEC on March 30, 2022, underscoring its commitment to transforming this cooperation into a resilient organization capable of responding effectively to the evolving global landscape. Thailand prioritizes rapid and comprehensive adaptation, sustainable development, and enhancing the collective capabilities of all seven member nations. The BIMSTEC Secretary General underscored the significance of the entry into force of the BIMSTEC Charter, hoping that it would usher in a new era of cooperation in the region. "That was a historic occasion." The BIMSTEC Charter provides for admission of new members and observers and mentions specific criteria, he said. Interested countries may express their interest to the Secretary General of BIMSTEC through a letter of interest or an application. BIMSTEC wants to create an enabling environment for rapid economic development through identification and implementation of specific cooperation projects in the agreed areas of cooperation. It also wants to accelerate economic growth and social progress through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership. The BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking has entered into force since March 2021. The BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed in March 2022 at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit and is being ratified. 5th BIMSTEC Summit begins in Colombo: Leaders set to sign BIMSTEC Charter The text of the BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons has been finalized, said the Secretary General. Drafts of BIMSTEC Convention on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and BIMSTEC Convention on Extradition are under discussion, he said. BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control; Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking in the Bay of Bengal Region; Five Year Action Plan for BIMSTEC Cyber Security Cooperation; Action Plan to prevent Illicit Flow of Funds (IFF) are also under discussion, Pandey said. DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib was also present.

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu has said Bangladesh wants to move ahead with China to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) but wants to make sure that the partnership benefits mutually.  "We want to move ahead with FTA. There is no doubt about it. We have to make sure our partnership is mutually beneficial. We have to see what the elements and considerations we need to put in the negotiations," he said at an event late Sunday. The state minister said Bangladesh is now considering 26 countries to get into different types of trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), preferential trade agreement (PTA) and FTA.  PM Hasina's forthcoming China visit will be a game-changer in Dhaka-Beijing ties: Ambassador Yao Wen He was speaking at a seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice” held at the Embassy of China on Sunday night.  Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Secretary General of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) Al Mamun Mridha and President of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) Ke Changliang also spoke. Titu said "reciprocity" in some cases is not a favourable word when a developing country negotiates with a developed country. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's forthcoming visit to China will be "another historical" one opening up a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations. "It will be another historical one. It will be a game-changer. It will open a new chapter," Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen told reporters while responding to a question at a seminar on Sunday night. The ambassador made the remarks when a reporter sought to know about a date of PM's Hasina's proposed visit next month. "Let's wait and see," the envoy said.                                                                                                                                       Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is already in Beijing to have bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart on Monday. "He will have a meeting with Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, which is scheduled to take place on June 3," a senior official told UNB. Issues of mutual interest, including Hasina's proposed visit, are likely to be discussed. Meanwhile, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently. The two sides will discuss finding a convenient date for the PM's visit to China on Monday.  Hasina is likely to pay an official visit to China before July 15. In May 2023, the Chinese vice minister was in Bangladesh on a two-day official visit to discuss issues of mutual interest. He had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen during his stay in Dhaka. Recently, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Bangladesh and China should deepen their strategic partnership for cooperation and explore new growth points. "China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue exploring cooperation opportunities under the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilisation Initiative," he said. In particular, the ambassador said, they were willing to promote the upgrading of industries and digitalisation process in Bangladesh. The ambassador spoke at the seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice” held at the Embassy of China. State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu spoke at the seminar as the chief guest, highlighting various aspects of the bilateral relations. Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of RAPID, Al Mamun Mridha, Secretary General of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and Ke Changliang, President of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), among others, spoke.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said China stands ready to work together with Bangladesh to announce the conclusion of the feasibility study of the Bangladesh-China free trade agreement (FTA) in the near future. He said China is ready to strive to officially initiate negotiations within this year, so as to conclude the negotiations before 2026, commencing the building of a bilateral free trade zone. "I am convinced that the early signing of the China-Bangladesh FTA will undoubtedly open a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, ushering in a new golden era of economic and trade cooperation between China and Bangladesh," Ambassador Yao said. Signing FTAs with other countries is an inevitable choice for Bangladesh to achieve its Vision 2041, said the Chinese Ambassador. What China has experienced demonstrates that signing FTAs with other countries will definitely benefit Bangladesh in the long run, the envoy said. He was speaking at a seminar titled “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice” held at the Embassy of China in the evening. State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu spoke at the seminar as the chief guest, highlighting various aspects of the bilateral relations. Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of RAPID, Al Mamun Mridha, Secretary General of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and Ke Changliang, President of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), among others, spoke. PM Hasina's forthcoming China visit will be a game-changer in Dhaka-Beijing ties: Ambassador Yao Wen The FTA serves as a guarantee for the healthy and stable development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Bangladesh, said Ambassador Yao. The foundation of economic and trade cooperation between Bangladesh and China is solid, extensive, and diverse. In terms of trade, China has maintained its position as Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, with bilateral goods trade reaching $24 billion in 2023, said the envoy. In terms of investment, China's FDI stock in Bangladesh reached $3.2 billion by 2023, making China the second-largest investing country in Bangladesh, he added. In terms of contracting, Chinese enterprises have constructed 7 railways, 12 roads, 21 bridges and 31 power plants in Bangladesh. The China-Bangladesh FTA covers areas such as trade in goods, trade in service, investment, e-commerce and high-tech industry cooperation, providing a basic framework and solid guarantee for future bilateral economic and trade cooperation. "The China-Bangladesh FTA is imperative for the enhancement of bilateral economic and trade. China and Bangladesh are strategic partners, which will be further upgraded in the future," said Ambassador Yao. Scholars underscore Bangladesh’s commitment to One China principle, call for stronger trade relations However, he said, the only trade and investment agreement between the two countries, namely the Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments signed in 1996, does not align with the increasingly close relations and exchanges between our two countries. "What we need is a modernized agreement in line with the current state of bilateral cooperation and the global economic trends," he said, adding that with the China-Bangladesh FTA poised to provide a top-level framework for bilateral cooperation, the economic and trade relations are set to embrace a more sustainable, stable and healthy development momentum. The FTA will bring significant benefits to Bangladesh, he hoped. According to the feasibility study report, the overall tariff on goods imported from China to Bangladesh will significantly decrease after the signing of the FTA, leading to a reduction in import prices, said Ambassador Yao. This will have an immediate effect on alleviating inflation in Bangladesh, he mentioned. In the long term, the decrease in prices of raw materials for Bangladeshi products will definitely enhance their competitiveness in the international market, laying a solid foundation for Bangladesh to continuously increase its foreign exchange reserves. “We are one China and Taiwan is part of it”: Ambassador Yao Wen The FTA will also make China’s investment in Bangladesh more convenient and efficient, thus make further contribution in creating employment opportunities, upgrading industries and diversifying exports, Yao said. Earlier this year, Bangladesh successfully held its general election, the envoy said, adding the utmost priority for the new government is to achieve stable economic development and graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC). "Signing FTAs with other countries is therefore regarded as a crucial way to achieve these goals," said the envoy. Take China as an example, he said, China accelerated the signing of FTAs with other countries after joining the WTO in 2001. In spite of the fact that China's overall tariff has decreased from 15.3% in 2001 to 7.3% in 2023, Yao said, China's industries have developed rapidly, which had driven China's GDP from $1.3 trillion in 2001 to $18 trillion in 2023, tax revenue from $184.9 billion in 2001 to $2.6 trillion in 2023, and tariff revenue from $10.2 billion in 2001 to $42.5 billion in 2022. Right now, the envoy said, China is in a new era of advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese way to modernization, while Bangladesh is also at a critical stage of graduating from the LDCs and is working hard to realize its Vision 2041.

The European Union (EU) on Sunday transferred a grant of EUR 45 million to the government of Bangladesh (GoB) following its successful implementation of several social protection reforms, in line with the 2015 National Social Security Strategy and its action plans. This substantial payment is part of the EU's broader commitment to support Bangladesh's social protection system under an ongoing budget support operation of EUR 247 million. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said: “I commend the Government of Bangladesh for its efforts to enhance its social protection system, emphasizing its significance within the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Decent Work, co-chaired by the EU, Denmark, and the Netherlands." Over the past three years, he said, the EU and Member States have implemented more than 40 active programmes in decent work, social protection, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Bangladesh, totalling over EUR 500 million. In particular, he said, the EU, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands are collectively funding the new flagship program ‘Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh’ with a budget of EUR 23 million, aimed at expediting labour reforms aligned with international standards. "This effort is crucial for Bangladesh's future application to the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and sustaining duty-free access to the EU market beyond 2029," said Ambassador Whiteley. The Team Europe approach contributes to the EU Global Gateway Initiative, reinforcing engagement with global partners for growth and stability. Bangladesh's strategic location in South Asia, coupled with its economic growth and vibrant society, positions it as a key partner in promoting sustainable development in the region, observed the ambassador. He also underscored that “in the global challenging economic context, the fight against poverty and inequality has become paramount. Social protection is a powerful tool in this battle, safeguarding the most vulnerable segments of the society. It is essential that investments in social protection not only remain steadfast but are boosted. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to supporting Bangladesh in this endeavour and in leaving no one behind.” Through this partnership, the GoB has committed itself to implementing crucial actions to improve social protection institutions and programmes and, ultimately, help poor and vulnerable people to weather unforeseen shocks. Successful implementation triggers the release of EU funds, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka. In fiscal year 2022/2023, the GoB upgraded digital governance institutions such as the Single Registry Management Information System and the Government to People digital payment platform. This infrastructure enables policymakers to make informed decisions for those most in need and facilitates the direct delivery of benefits to beneficiaries, mitigating the risk of pilferage and leakages. Additionally, the GoB improved the central Grievance Redress System, allowing all Bangladeshi citizens to file complaints against specific schemes, if they believe their rights have been violated. This system promotes transparency, empowers citizens to exercise their rights, and holds institutions accountable. Moreover, the Mother and Child Benefit Programme saw a rise in beneficiaries, ensuring that more families can provide nutritious food for their children during their critical first 1,000 days. Additionally, the GoB initiated the implementation of the Employment Injury Scheme pilot in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector. This pilot offers income replacement for permanently disabled workers and dependents of deceased workers, covering all factories within the export-oriented RMG sector. The GoB is also developing a digital workers’ database to further streamline the delivery of social benefits to the working age population. The disbursement of this payment comes after a positive decision of the Budget Support Steering Committee of the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships in May 2024.