United News of Bangladesh

Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday highlighted Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable practices and ethical manufacturing, aligning with global standards and consumer expectations. A high-level delegation comprising representatives of leading Chinese apparel and textile enterprises paid a visit to the BGMEA and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Chinese delegation was led by Xie Qing, Executive Vice President of the China National Garment Association (CNGA), while the BGMEA side was headed by President S. M. Mannan (Kochi) with BGMEA Senior Vice President Vice Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Vice President (Finance) Md. Nasir Uddin, Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib, Directors Md. Imranur Rahman, and Md. Nurul Islam present in the meeting. The meeting, held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka, aimed at exploring possible avenues of enhancing bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and China. In the meeting, both sides exchanged insights, discussed industry trends, and explored potential areas of collaboration that would bring mutual benefits. They also discussed potential joint ventures, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing competitiveness and facilitating sustainable growth in the apparel and textile sector. The delegation expressed keen interest in fostering partnerships with Bangladeshi counterparts to capitalize on mutual strengths and drive innovation and sustainability in the apparel industry, according to the BGMEA. During the meeting, the BGMEA leaders shared insights into Bangladesh's garment industry landscape, highlighting the country's robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and conducive business environment. The BGMEA leaders pointed to the growing demand for man-made fiber-based fabrics in Bangladesh’s garment industry, calling upon Chinese investors to consider investing in emerging sectors such as textile machinery, man-made fiber and technical textiles, and recycling industry. They emphasized the importance of exchanging best practices and technical know-how to support the development of Bangladeshi garment factories.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (May 13, 2024) said that issues related to visa policy and Dhaka’s call for withdrawal of sanctions may come up for discussion during Donald Lu’s visit. “These issues may naturally come up,” he said when a reporter wanted to know whether Bangladesh will raise these issues as US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is coming to Dhaka on May 14.   Lu will be here as part of his tri-nation tour of the region (May 10-15). He visited India and is now visiting Sri Lanka. Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Dhaka, where he will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss Bangladesh-US cooperation, including addressing the climate crisis and deepening economic ties, according to the US Department of State. Read more: France to provide assistance to Bangladesh in installing lightning prevention devices: State Minister The foreign minister said Bangladesh maintains excellent relations with the United States and they will work together to take the relations further. “Whoever visits Bangladesh from the US administration, we will work together to advance our relationship. There are economic relations and we have cooperation in various fields,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the January 7 national election, the US in a statement on January 8 said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties." In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh. "There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time. Read more: Hasan Mahmud for a strong cultural renaissance in favour of development, humanity

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has stressed the need for a united cultural renaissance in favour of development and humanity to take forward the country to turn it a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "I think there is a need for a strong cultural renaissance across the country against communalism and highlight patriotism, development, and humanity keeping people united. My request to you all, let’s come together," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a book and music video launching ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, eminent economist Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad and lyricist Hasanuzzaman Masum, among others spoke. France to provide assistance to Bangladesh in installing lightning prevention devices: State Minister They unveiled the book titled “Padma Bridge: An Epic Accomplishment” which was edited by Khaliquzzaman. They also launched a new music video with the singers Kishore Das, Joy Shahriar, Zakia S Kornia and Elita Karim.    The foreign minister said many newspapers made headlines and there were a lot of criticisms in TV talk-shows demonstrating that the Padma Bridge project is not going to be implemented. He said the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) came up with sharper criticism after World Bank’s scrapping of committed loans. “How could there be corruption where no funds were released? Luckily, the Canadian court concluded that no corruption was found,” Hasan said. Those who spoke wrong at that time did neither acknowledge their mistakes nor seek apology to the nation despite the Canadian court’s verdict, he observed. Shahriar Alam said the Padma Bridge is a shining example of Bangladeshi people’s resilience and walking against the tide. Now the entire world knows that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brings Bangladesh at this stage going against the tide, he said, adding that “We have many exemplary achievements.” “We will work together and build Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla overcoming the challenges ahead,” Shahriar said. BNP’s call for boycotting Indian products failed; people to reject fresh move: Hasan Mahmud Khaliquzzaman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to build the dream bridge with its own resources sent a strong message to the world that Bangladesh can march forward with its own capacity. “It shows the strong political and economic capability of Bangladesh,” he added.

France will provide assistance in setting up lightning protection devices, constructing infrastructure and providing training in addition to exchanging technical knowledge on it in Bangladesh. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief  Md Mohibbur Rahman said this while talking to reporters on Monday after a meeting with France Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy  at the secretariat. Dhaka wants commencement of Rohingya repatriation: Hasan Mahmud Voicing concern over the rising fatalities from lightning strikes recently, the state minister said the government is working to reduce the number of fatalities and losses caused by lightning strikes. Apart from raising awareness among people over lightning, effective measures will be taken to install lightning prevention devices,he said.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said they want to begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas, noting that Myanmar's internal conflict, which has always been there, cannot be an excuse for delaying the Rohingya repatriation. “We are always in engagement with Myanmar. We want to see the commencement of repatriation at least,” he said, adding that he even requested his Myanmar counterpart during his recent meeting abroad regarding the matter. Hasan said the Myanmar government needs to take a collective effort to begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas. BNP’s call for boycotting Indian products failed; people to reject fresh move: Hasan Mahmud He, however, said it is true that the current situation in Arakan creates a barrier to repatriation to some extent but conflict  is always there in Myanmar.  Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char with a growing number of Rohingya populations every year. "Look, we engage with the government. We are talking with the government of Myanmar. It is also right that Rohingya repatriation is delayed due to internal conflict there. But what we are talking about is that there has always been chaos in Myanmar," he told reporters in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday. Sharing the history of the last 70-80 years, Hasan said Myanmar has never been free from unrest, but that cannot be an excuse to not take back the Rohingyas who have been expelled from Myanmar. Referring to the visit of the members of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs to the Rohingya camp, the foreign minister said that various problems have arisen due to the presence of the Rohingyas for a long time. For example, he said, environmental problems caused by the Rohingyas, law and order problems, as well as many Rohingyas having been linked to Yaba and other drug trafficking and terrorist activities. Myanmar's internal conflict can't be an excuse to delay Rohingya repatriation: Hasan Mahmud Saying that terrorist and fanatic groups are recruiting members from Rohingya camps, he said that not only problems are being created in the country, but also in the neighboring countries due to the spread of terrorist networks. "I have spoken to the Foreign Minister of Myanmar about the repatriation of the Rohingyas and we are also in regular discussions with other countries, so as to put pressure on Myanmar to take back their citizens with full rights," Hasan said. JS Body Meeting Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has urged the UN agencies, international non-government organisations (INGOs) and NGOs involved in the Rohingya response to beef up their efforts to attract more support and keep the international community's attention on the Rohingya crisis. The UN agencies, international non-government organisations (INGOs), NGOs, district administration, and security agencies of Cox’s Bazar met the committee members on Sunday. The committee thanked them for their continued humanitarian support. They sought cooperation from all so that the Rohingyas could return to Rakhine State at the earliest possible time to attain the ultimate solution of the Rohingya crisis. The members of the standing committee had their second meeting in Cox's Bazar. Eight Members of Parliament, including the Chairman of the committee Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, joined the meeting. The committee members visited Rohingya camps and the Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project in Cox’s Bazar. In the camps, they visited WFP food distribution centre, learning centre, registration centre, repatriation centers, and office of the Camp in Charge. They also exchanged views with Rohingya representatives, where Rohingyas expressed a strong desire to return to Rakhine State. Acting Foreign Secretary, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Parliament attended the programme.

– Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday said people will reject it again if BNP comes up with the old and failed agenda of calling a boycott for Indian products. “Their efforts (call for boycotting Indian products) went unsuccessful. They know it, too. It will be refused by the people of the country again if BNP comes up with the agenda afresh,” the Awami League joint general secretary told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. He said BNP will further be isolated from people, nothing more than that if they call for a boycott of Indian products. The AL leader said there are Indian products in many of their (BNP leaders) houses. Hasan said it is essential to keep good relations with the country as the two countries share long borders. Myanmar's internal conflict can't be an excuse to delay Rohingya repatriation: Hasan Mahmud It is not possible to maintain peace and stability with uninterrupted development efforts in the country without good relations with the neighbor. The foreign minister said the key purpose of such a call from BNP was to create a crisis in the domestic market and cause price hikes of essentials in an effort to create instability in the market. Responding to a question, the AL leader said the BNP is part of such an alliance which gets smaller and sometimes bigger when within the alliance one party becomes three through further divisions.

Saudi Ambassador Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan has said that he is taking initiative to provide visas for the hajj pilgrims who are yet to get their visas. The assurance came today during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence, Ganabhaban. The visa initiative was a response to Prime Minister Hasina’s request to extend the visa approval timeframe, enabling the pilgrims to participate in the upcoming Hajj. More than 10,000 hajj pilgrims are yet to get visa from Saudi Arabia due to various complexities. PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the discussion, the ambassador presented a list of projects Saudi investors aim to implement in Bangladesh. The PM said that Bangladesh will review these proposals carefully, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation before moving forward. She assured that the concerned ministries and divisions will look into the matter. Read more: PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2024 The talks also touched on broader geopolitical issues, including support for Palestine. Prime Minister Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to aiding the Palestinian people, mentioning recent consignments of assistance. “The whole world is with Palestine except the US and few of its allies,” she said. Furthermore, with nearly 32 lakh Bangladeshis residing in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to both nations’ economies, Hasina urged the Saudi government to encourage the use of legal channels for remittances. This effort aims to secure economic benefits for Bangladesh while maintaining strong bilateral ties. The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, and PMO Secretary Mohammad Salauddin. Read more: Over 11,000 Hajj aspirants face visa uncertainty as deadline expires

Bangla New Year-1431 (Pohela Boishakh) has been celebrated in Myanmar through diverse cultural activities and festivity on May 11 at the Embassy. On the occasion, the Embassy organised a Mongol Shovajatra, brief cultural programme, different games and funfair activities, and a display of traditional Bangladeshi cuisine. Chief Minister of Yangon Region Soe Thein and spouse, Mayor of Yangon Bo Htay and spouse, Heads of Diplomatic missions, other diplomats, eminent persons and friends of Bangladesh in Myanmar, members of Bangladesh Community and Embassy officials attended the programme. Bangladesh Ambassador Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain said that Bangladesh is a land of cultural diversity, communal harmony, and rich history. He said that Pahela Baishakh is not just a festival; it is a celebration of hope, renewal, and the spirit of togetherness that transcends borders and cultures. "This is an integral part of our heritage. He added that the Pohela Boishakh is our cultural expression of the inherent, rich, and friendly mentality of the people of Bangladesh that we share with the international community." Referring to the Mongol Shovajatra, Ambassador said that it is an expression of our unity and harmony, which is the driving force of our nation. Mongol Shovajatra is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. He called upon all to come together, in the spirit of Pahela Baishakh, with open hearts and minds, ready to embrace the diversity that enriches our world. The cultural segment started with the famous song "esho hey boishakh". A wide variety of cultural heritage of Bangladesh, including puppet show, snake dance, magic show, and bingo, were arranged. Besides, fun games, such as shooting ballon, dart throw also amused the guests. Guests were entertained with different types of Bangladeshi cuisine related to Pohela Boishakh celebration, namely panta-ilish, different types of pithas, chatpati, sweetmeats, kulfi, Naru, various fresh drinks and many others. The Embassy was decorated with colourful umbrellas, lighting, and alpona (street painting).

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Myanmar's internal conflict, which was always there, cannot be an excuse for delaying the Rohingya repatriation. Asked whether Rohingya repatriation is being delayed due to the conflict in Rakhine state, and whether the Arakan Army will play a role here, the foreign minister said, "Look, we engage with the government. We are talking with the government of Myanmar. It is also correct that Rohingya repatriation is delayed due to internal conflict there. But what we are talking about is that there has always been chaos in Myanmar," he told reporters. Sharing the history of the last 70-80 years, Hasan said Myanmar has never been free from unrest, but that cannot be an excuse to not take back the Rohingyas who have been expelled from Myanmar. "They are citizens of Myanmar and have been there for hundreds of years," he said. Referring to the visit of the members of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs to the Rohingya camp, the foreign minister said that various problems have arisen due to the presence of the Rohingyas for a long time. For example, he said, environmental problems caused by the Rohingyas, law and order problems, as well as many Rohingyas having been linked to Yaba and other drug trafficking and terrorist activities. Saying that terrorist and fanatic groups are recruiting members from Rohingya camps, he said that not only problems are being created in the country, but also in the neighboring countries due to the spread of terrorist networks. "I have spoken to the Foreign Minister of Myanmar about the repatriation of the Rohingyas and we are also in regular discussions with other countries, so as to apply pressure on Myanmar to take back their citizens with full rights," Hasan said. The foreign minister said, "We are noticing that Myanmar always says they will take them back, but they have not taken back even one Rohingya in the last seven years." In addition, he said, they see a new problem due to the internal conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Around 500 members of the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) and the country’s army personnel had fled to Bangladesh. "We sent them back after talks with Myanmar, but 138 more have now fled to Bangladesh, including an army lieutenant colonel and two majors," said the foreign minister. Regarding the next process involving them, the minister said they hope to be able to send them back in the same process, and Myanmar is also interested in taking them back. Hasan said US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu is coming to further advance the relationship between the two countries. Asked about Donald Lu's visit, the foreign minister said that Bangladesh's relationship with the US is stronger than at any time in the past. US President Joe Biden said the same in his letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the last national election, Hasan said. US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu is coming to Bangladesh to take this relationship to a higher level, he said. "We will try to strengthen this relationship."

The Saudi Ministry of Interior is implementing the Makkah Route Initiative as part of the “Pilgrim Experience Programme,” one of the programmes of the Saudi Vision 2030, for the sixth year. This initiative involves dedicated lounges at 11 airports in seven countries – Bangladesh, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Côte d'Ivoire. The Makkah Route Initiative aims to provide high-quality transportation services for pilgrims from beneficiary countries to the Kingdom, said the Saudi press agency. 80 Saudi companies keen to invest in Bangladesh: Salman F Rahman The first group of Bangladeshi pilgrims benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on May 9. Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary and several other officials welcomed the pilgrims to the Kingdom. The Makkah Route Initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior, is part of the wider Pilgrim Experience Program within Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at enhancing the Hajj journey for pilgrims. The initiative streamlines the Hajj process for participants by allowing them to complete key procedures from their home country. This includes electronic visa issuance, biometric data collection, and airport departure checks after verifying health requirements. Saudi crown prince to visit Bangladesh this year: Ambassador Luggage is coded and sorted based on pre-arranged transportation and accommodation in Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, pilgrims are whisked away on dedicated buses to their residences in Makkah and Madinah, with their luggage delivered by service agencies.