News from Bangladesh-Updates and Discussion

[bongbang]

Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar to hold painting exhibition in Yangon

Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon is going to organize a painting exhibition- cum- workshop in the Yangon Gallery from 19-25 June 2015 in close collaboration with the National University of Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Culture of Myanmar, a press release said Saturday.

Renowned artists from both countries would participate in the exposition.

The likes of Hashem Khan, Mahmudul Haque, Farida Zaman, Mohammad Eunus, Nasreen Begum, Rokeya Sultana, Bipasha Hayat and BishwajitGoswami will participate in the exhibition from Bangladesh, while artists from the National University of Arts and Culture are expected to work together and exchange views with artists from Bangladesh during the workshop.

Encouraged by the support from the host government, the exhibition has been planned in several stages. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 19th June at The Yangon Gallery. While the exhibition continues in The Yangon Gallery, a workshop from 21-23 June will be held at the prestigious Chin Chaung Culture Center, Yangon. The Yangon Gallery will display art works generated from the workshop towards the later part of the exhibition. The second stage of the exhibition will then begin in the National Museum, Yangon which will continue for another week from 25th June 2015 onward. In addition, an interaction of Bangladesh artists with the budding artists of the National University of Arts and Culture has also been planned to make the event more comprehensive.

The relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar are deeply rooted in shared history spanning over many centuries and in commonalities of our cultures and values. Often times, however, such closeness do not get enough focus in neither of the countries. As both governments have now recognized the need to develop multilayered relations and to add dynamism, Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon, in this context,views the merit of undertaking initiatives of public diplomacy to enhance people-to-people contact and to bring the peoples closer.

It is with this aim in mind, the Embassy has undertaken the initiative to offer Myanmar audience a glimpse of the glory and grandeur of Bangladesh culture, through the first-ever exhibition of Bangladesh paintings in Myanmar. Accordingly, the theme of the painting exposition has been chosen as “Confluence of Minds and Interplay of Colours”, with the aspiration of connecting the two peoples through a festivity of colours.

Art of Bangladesh embodies its rich culture, values, beliefs, norms and traditions. Its artists find strength from the diverse, rich traditions of the past, concomitant with the political changes. While doing so, they succeeded in retaining originality, distinguishable from the uniqueness of the subjects, use of indigenous methods and responsiveness to the social and political situations.

Bangladesh artists and art patrons have all along been contributing towards an inclusive and secular ambience and thus shaping our ethos and upholding pluralism and multiculturalism. It is hoped Myanmar audience will note the liberal ethos of our culture and respect for pluralism.

The Embassy would like to thank the Ministry of Culture, particularly the authorities in the National University of Arts and Culture for their unflinching support in organizing the exhibition cum workshop. The Embassy also appreciates the tireless efforts of Korrekt Marketing Services who handled bulk of the background work that has gone into successful holding of the exhibition. At the same time the Embassy would like to recognize the support of The Yangon Gallery, Chin ChaungCulture Center and the National Museum for hosting various parts of the events.

- See more at: Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar to hold painting exhibition in Yangon - prnewsbd.com

@Aung Zaya

 

[bongbang]

DUTCH MINISTERS VISITING BANGLADESH

The Dutch Ministers Lilianne Ploumen (International Trade and Development and Melanie Schultz van Haegen (Infrastructure and Environment) visit Bangladesh this week. Within the themes of textile and water management their visit aims to strengthen the trade- and development relation between the Netherlands and Bangladesh. They are accompanied by a multi-stakeholder mission of Dutch companies, trade unions, NGO’s and pension fund investors.

Source: Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh

 

[bongbang]

Workshop on 'Arms Trade Treaty' held

DHAKA, June 18, 2015 (BSS) - The two-day workshop on "Capacity Building for the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Arms Trade Treaty" was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 17-18.

The Workshop was organized in partnership with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) with funding support from the UN Office on Disarmament Affairs.

Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali inaugurated the workshop. United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert W. Watkins was also present.

A total of 40 officials from a number of relevant ministries, divisions and agencies attended the workshop. It was conducted by international experts on small arms control standards and technologies.

The workshop discussed, among others, enhancing Bangladesh's compliance and reporting on the UN Programme of Action and other relevant international instruments as well as adoption of some of the latest toolkits and technologies for regulating arms transfer, storage, tracing and record keeping.

The workshop also focused on effective prevention of illicit transfer of arms and ammunition, including in the hands of terrorists and organized criminal networks.

News Details



UN commanders visit permanent mission of Bangladesh

DHAKA, June 17, 2015 (BSS) - Seventeen Force Commanders of all the current UN Peacekeeping missions attended a reception on Tuesday at the permanent mission of Bangladesh, said a release received here today.

The commanders have been attending a four-day long heads of Military Component Conference titled "Performance: A Command Responsibly" that started yesterday at the UN headquarters to enhancing performance of the overall peacekeeping operations.

The permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr A K Abdul Momen said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attaches a very high priority in the UN peacekeeping efforts and had responded promptly and positively to the UN's call for more peacekeepers as a trusted partner of the UN in the field of peacekeeping.

The defence adviser of the permanent mission Brig. General AKM Akhtaruzzaman made a presentation at the inaugural day on "Troop Contributing Country's Perspective".

Defence advisors in the permanent missions of various countries including the US, India, Italy, the UK, Canada and Germany also attended the reception.

News Details


President parade held at BAF academy

JESSORE, June 17, 2015 (BSS)- President Parade of Summer Graduation-2015 marking the commissioning of 71 Flight Cadet Course and Direct Entry-2015 Officer Cadet Course of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was held at the BAF Academy here today.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar attended the ceremony as the chief guest. He reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the impressive march past. He handed over trophies, certificates and flying badges among the Flight Cadets and Officer Cadets.

Flight Cadet Wing under Officer Adeeb Adnan Neil was presented with the coveted "Sword of Honour" for his best all round performance in 71 Flight Cadet Course. He was also awarded with "Bir Sreshto Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Trophy" for his best performance in Flying Training.

Flight Cadet Md Imtiaz Ahmed received "Commandant's Trophy" for his best performance in General Service Training while Flight Cadet Saima Mosharof received "Chief of Air Staff's Trophy" for his best all round performance in 71 Flight Cadet Course (Ground Branch).

Two Officers of GD (N) Branch have also received Flying Badges on the occasion. Number one Squadron was adjudged the Champion Squadron for summer term and handed over with Academy Colour. Mentionable that in this ceremony two Naval Officers have also received flying badges on completion of flying training from BAF Academy.

Addressing on the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff said, "It is the demand of time to take Bangladesh to higher heights of development and prosperity by facing the challenges of the rapidly changing world and you would be the pioneer of that movement.

"Keeping the commitment and resoluteness of twenty first century, long term development plan of BAF 'Forces Goal-2030' has been composed with visionary guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."

"In that process, BAF has already inducted various modern aircraft, Air Defence Radar and other sophisticated technology," Air Marshal Abu Esrar said, adding that such inductions made BAF an effective, efficient and modern Air Force.

But to develop further maximum and judicious use and maintenance of those resources are to be ensured, he mentioned.



I do believe that the name and fame of this renowned Academy can be
maintained through true application of the training you have achieved from this academy, he added.

A total of 31 Flight Cadets including 13 female cadets were commissioned this time. Flight Cadet Wing Under Officer Adeeb Adnan Neil commanded the parade. On completion of parade a spectacular Fly Past involving different types of aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force Academy was displayed.

Earlier on his arrival at the ceremony, Chief of Air Staff was received by Air Commodore M Shafiqul Alam, Commandant Bangladesh Air Force Academy.

Among others, Diplomats from different countries, High officials of Army, Navy and Air Force, invited High Civil Officials and guardians of the graduating cadets were present on the occasion.

News Details


Bangladesh, Lanka media for multi-cultural harmony, political peace: Inu

DHAKA, June 18, 2015 (BSS) - Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, on the second day of his current visit to Sri Lanka met Minister for Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Rauf Hakeem of the host country and discussed issues of multi-cultural harmony and political peace, according to information received in Dhaka.

Hakeem is the president of the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress, while Inu is the president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASHOD), both are coalition partners in their respective countries.

They both agreed upon the need to confront religious extremism, militancy and terrorism, which they felt was a precondition for peace and development.

Earlier in the day the Bangladesh minister visited Sri Lanka's state-run television "Rupavani".

Yesterday (Wednesday), Inu met the Sri Lankan Minister for Mass Media and Information, Gayantha Karunathilaka, and both sides agreed to sign protocols regarding cooperation among the state-owned news agencies, radio and television of the two countries.

They also decided that the media must be kept free from religious bigotry.

The visit of Hasanul Haq Inu is the first by a Bangladesh minister after President Maithripala Sirisena was elected to office on January 8, this year.

News Details


Law Minister attends 'octopus conference' in France

DHAKA, June 17, 2015 (BSS) - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq attended Octopus Conference, the international event on cyber crime, held at Strasbourg, France.

Huq attended the 3-day conference that began today on an invitation from the Council of Europe, said an official release.

The Octopus conference 2015 is being held at the Council of Europe Building, Strasbourg, with a view to strengthening the rule of law in cyberspace and reinforcing international cooperation against cyber crime.

Nearly 300 representatives from 80 countries around the world including France, Netherlands, UK, USA, German, Japan and Sri Lanka are attending the conference.

Cybercrime experts from all regions of the world will seek solutions to protect society and the rights of individuals in Cyberspace. They will specially examine the issue of protecting the children against online sexual violence.

Besides, they will also address capacity building on cybercrime and electronic evidence, radicalization on the internet and the protection of victims.

News Details


PM leaves London for home

LONDON, June 17, 2015 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left London this afternoon for home after wrapping up her six-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

Bangladesh Biman flight-BG-016 carrying the Prime Minister and members of her entourage left Heathrow International Airport at 7.20 pm local time (12.20 pm BST).

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Md Abdul Hannan, senior officials of Bangladesh Embassy in London and Europe Awami League leaders saw the Prime Minister off at the airport.

The flight is scheduled to reach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11.10 am (BST) via Osmani International Airport in Sylhet after one-hour stopover there.

During her stay in the British capital, the Prime Minister was accorded a civic reception by Awami League, UK chapter at the Park Lane Hotel on June 14. She also joined a reception hosted by Keith Vaz, chairman of All Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister visited the British Parliament on June 16 and enjoyed the maiden speech of her niece and Labour Party MP Tulip Rezwana Siddique in the House of Commons.

News Details

 

[bongbang]

Matarbarhi deep sea port work to start ‘next year’

Japan is set to start construction work at Matarbarhi, site of a proposed deep seaport in Cox’s Bazar district off the southeastern coast of Bangladesh, by ‘early next year’.

Sources at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) confirmed that the work will possibly start as early as January 2016 at Matarbarhi in Maheshkhali Upazila.

The port will have a draft of around 18 metres, more than two to three times that available in Bangladesh’s existing ports in Chittagong and Mongla.

The poor draft means bigger ships have to offload cargo in deep sea, which is then carried by lighterage vessels to the ports.

That means higher port handling expenditure and that plays into the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s exports.

JICA is already financing Tk 290 billion of the Tk 360 billion project to build a 1200 megawatt coal-based power plant at Maheshkhali—the country’s most expensive power project so far.

Bangladesh government okayed the 'Matarbarhi 2x600 Megawatt Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Project' in August last year.

In January this year, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) first confirmed the possibility of selecting Matarbarhi as an alternative site for the much-talked-about deep seaport project at Maheshkhali’s Sonadia.

China had earlier offered to built a deep sea port at Sonadia and an agreement was expected during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Beijing last year.

But that did not happen and there was much speculation that someone other than China may be in consideration for the project.

But after the PMO discussed considering another site for a deep seaport, officials quickly checked on Matarbarhi’s viability.

In February, chief executive officer of Deep Seaport Cell Captain Shariful Ahsan was accompanied by a secretary of Prime Minister’s Office on a visit to Matarbarhi to check on the viability of the proposed project.

During the visit, they also checked the land records of Matarbarhi.

In April, Finance Minister AMA Muhith announced Japan was “very much interested” to build the proposed deep seaport at Matarbarhi.

After Japan’s interest, China has decided not to compete with Japan in bidding process for the Matarbarhi port, he said.

“China is now not interested in the Matarbarhi project as Japan has shown the interest. The Chinese authorities do not want to take part in the bidding race against Japan,” Muhith told reporters after meeting Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang.

Muhith said the ambassador was “happy since China had got the construction work of Padma Bridge and are looking for investment opportunities in Bangladesh telecommunications sector".

“The winning of Karnaphuli tunnel construction work has also satisfied them,” Muhith commented.

Sonadia not given up

But officials at the Bangladesh planning ministry say the Sonadia project has not been given up.

“Discussions on the Sonadia project is on and have not been called off. But the Matarbarhi deep sea port project has picked up speed and work may start early next year,” said a planning ministry official.

But he did not wish to be named, on the grounds that he was not officially authorised to speak to the media.

But he said that global media reports projecting the Sonadia-Matarbarhi issue as China-Japan competition is ‘not quite correct’.

“One project may happen before another because there are less controversial issues involved. But it is not correct to say Bangladesh is just considering one deep sea port and that there is space for only one deep sea port,” the official said.

Matarbarhi and Sonadia are 25 kilometres apart and experts say two ports in these locations could well help Bangladesh save on transport and logistics infrastructure development to work them.

"Funding is the issue. If we have funding for two ports on our terms, why not," said the planning ministry official.

In June, Bangladesh Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan had cited ‘lack of funds’ for the delay in going ahead with the Sonadia project.

Bangladesh has not built a new seaport since it became an independent nation in 1971 by breaking away from Pakistan.

But its economy has grown sharply in recent years, recording an average annual GDP growth of 6 percent.

Its exports, especially ready-made garments, have increased at great pace.

State Minister for Finance And Planning MA Mannan has been on record saying Bangladesh is game for both the Sonadia and the Matarbarhi ports.

"Matarbarhi would be used mostly for handling coal imports to supply power plants, while Sonadia would be a full-fledged deep-sea port,” he has said recently.

“Bangladesh needs new ports, not one but many, at the rate its economy is expanding. And all its new ports have to be deep-sea ports as otherwise they cannot take in huge container vessels and that means higher handling costs,” says Bikram Sarkar, former chairman of Calcutta Port Trust and a known expert on the subject.

“Chittagong is like Calcutta, both British time ports. Much as we are considering a deep seaport at Sagar Island, Bangladesh is considering deep sea ports off the Cox’s Bazar coast,” Sarkar told bdnews24.com.

Specially, if Bangladesh's ports are going to be used for transshipment of goods between India's mainland and its land-locked Northeast, he added.

Matarbarhi deep sea port work to start ‘next year’ -
bdnews24.com



Bangladesh-Russia political relations are on a ‘high trajectory’, says Putin’s deputy foreign minister

The Russian deputy foreign minister has said their current political relation with Bangladesh is on a ‘high trajectory’, as both sides have agreed to sign an agreement exempting visas for each other’s diplomats and officials.

Morgulov Igor Vladimirovich and his Bangladesh counterpart Md Shahriar Alam were holding bilateral meetings in Moscow on Tuesday.

The foreign ministry said both sides had agreed to sign an agreement waving visas for diplomatic and official passport holders “to strengthen the bilateral relations further”.

The bilateral meeting discussed a whole range of issues and stressed early signing of pending agreements on trade, economic, media, educational, scientific, technical, and defence cooperation.

Alam thanked Russia for its continued support to the government of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The deputy foreign minister said Hasina’s official visit to the Russian Federation in January 2013 greatly “boosted relations”.

Russia is also helping Bangladesh to set up a nuclear power plants at Rooppur.

Both ministers discussed the proposed ‘Intergovernmental Commission on Political, Economic, Trade and Science & Technology’.

The Bangladesh side conveyed the government’s decision, in principle, to sign the agreement.

The Russian side proposed that the Commission could be co-chaired by the Bangladesh foreign minister like the Russia-Japan Intergovernmental Commission, where the Japanese foreign minister is the co-chair.


President Vladimir Putin’s team pressed for an early signing of the same, and Bangladesh promised immediate steps.

Russia welcomed the proposed visit of the Bangladesh foreign secretary to Moscow and suggested a date to be fixed later in the year after September for foreign secretary-level talks.

It responded positively to Bangladesh’s proposal for reciprocal exchange of land for the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow.

The deputy minister underscored the historic value of the property, as Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had stayed at the present embassy residence during his maiden visit to the then Soviet Union in 1972.

Bangladesh allotted a suitable piece of land for the Russian Embassy premises in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone long ago.

They also exchanged ideas on the possibility of establishing direct Moscow-Dhaka flights to encourage more people-to-people contact for enhanced business, trade, cultural exchanges.

The state minister later led the Bangladesh delegation to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2015 (SPIEF 2015), known as Russian Davos, where a group of Bangladesh businessmen was included.


He also held meetings with leaders of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Association of Textile and Garments and Light Industries Manufacturers’ Association, and Importers of Jute/Jute Products.

The meetings heard that a large portion of Bangladesh apparel products entered the Russian market through third European countries like Germany and Italy.

Alam highlighted the payment arrangements constraints that are apparently hindering the targeted $ 1 billion two-way trade.

He asked for assistance from the Russian side to arrange an “Advising Office” to secure bank guarantee for transactions relating to bilateral trade.

The state minister hosted a lunch to pay tribute to the Russian Navy veterans at St Petersburg, who were engaged in demining the Chittagong Port from 1972-74 following the Liberation War.

The bilateral relations began in 1971 when the then Soviet Union stood by the side of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters in their struggle against Pakistan.

The Communist Russia extended its support to the newborn country at the United Nations in 1971 and helped to restore and develop its war-ravaged economy.


Alam promised to extend all cooperation for translating a memoire titled ‘Chittagong Port Comes into Life Again’, written by two of the veterans namely VP Kazurin and VA Malchanov, into English and Bangla.

He also hosted a dinner to celebrate the glory of a young Bangladesh-origin Russian gymnast Margarita Mamoon, who is currently the Russian National Champion as well as European Champion in the rhythmic gymnastics category.

She is currently ranked world number one in that category.

Her father Abdullah Al Mamoon Shipar is from Durgapur Upazilla in Rajshahi.


Bangladesh-Russia political relations are on a ‘high trajectory’, says Putin’s deputy foreign minister -
bdnews24.com

 

[bongbang]

Dhaka, Bangkok to work to stop human trafficking

DHAKA, June 25, 2015 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Thailand will work together to stop human trafficking, smuggling and illegal migration and promote regional connectivity, culture and tourism for the benefit of the two Asian nations.

The views were expressed at the first ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held at State Guest House Padma between Bangladesh and Thailand this morning.

Foreign Secretary M. Shahidul Haque and his Thai counterpart Norachit Sinhaseni led their respective sides in the FOC where the entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international issues was discussed elaborately.

Later at a joint press briefing, Shahidul Haque said both the countries need some technical cooperation along with sharing of information to stop human trafficking, smuggling and illegal migration.

Describing the meeting as a "very fruitful, constructive and result-oriented one, he said trade, investment, market access of Bangladesh products to Thai market, road, air and seaports connectivity, employment, cooperation in defence, culture and sports and in regional fora like BIMSTEC, ARF, ASEM came up in the discussion prominently.

He said Bangladesh and Thailand are now thinking of linking BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) with other Asean countries to have greater connectivity with increased and smooth flow of trade ensuring benefits for all.

"Naturally, in the BCIM discussion, we haven't looked at those possibilities. But we thought it's time that we should also look for how to go beyond BCIM to get linked with other similar connectivity that already exist," he added.

The foreign secretary said that both the countries discussed the matter for the first time and decided to form a joint working group on connectivity to look at the possibilities on road connectivity.

Earlier, Norachit Sinhaseni described the East-West and North South corridors which end in Kunming, China.

"East West corridor and North South corridor are hub of Asean connectivity," he said adding that East West corridor runs from a deep seaport from Vietnam which passes through into Laos and from it connects with Thailand linking China. The second one runs through Singapore all the way to Malaysia and up to Kunming, China.

He said many of the agreements and MoUs discussed in the FOC will be signed at the 7th Joint Commission meeting at the Foreign Ministers level expected to be held in November this year.

The discussions on signing deals and MoUs on road, coastal shipping connecting Chittagong and Mongla ports and tourism are now in an advance stage, he said adding that draft MoUs have been exchanged.


Regarding trade cooperation, the Thai Foreign Secretary said that they have granted duty free, quota free market access for 6998 Bangladeshi products while 15 more are under consideration as they go for review in every two years.

The two countries also decided to exempt visa for diplomatic passport holders while exemption for official passport holders will be discussed further. "People-to-people contact is very important."

Responding to a query, Shahidul Haque said that in the meeting Bangladesh sought Thai investment in the country's food processing, energy, tourism and health sectors.

"We'll be hosting 1st joint working group on investment and back to back joint investment group on health sector in the later part of this year," he added.

In the meeting, both the sides, agreed to sign MoU between BSTI and Thai Industrial Standard Institute to facilitate trade cooperation and Thai investment to Bangladesh. About recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Thai labour market, the Thai Foreign Secretary said there is recognition from both sides and it is a question of demand and supply.

He said they have a plan to recruit Bangladeshi workers for two sectors - construction and fisheries-but their priority is now to complete legalization of 1.6 million migrants most from their neighboring countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, a nine-member Thai delegation led by Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Foreign Secretary) Norachit Sinhaseni arrived here to participate in the first ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Thailand.

News Details


Poland to reopen its mission in Dhaka

DHAKA, June 25, 2015 (BSS) - Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh for taking a very pragmatic decision to reopen the embassy in Warsaw and assured that the East European nation would reciprocate by reopening its embassy in Dhaka.

"It was only natural and obvious that Poland would reciprocate by reopening its embassy in Dhaka," he said while newly-appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to Poland presented his letter of credence to him at the Presidential Palace in the Polish capital of Warsaw.

Komorowski reiterated that the Polish government was reviewing its diplomatic representation abroad and it has already realized that there should be more representation in Asia, according to a message received here today. Ambassador Rahman conveyed the gratitude of the government and the people of Bangladesh to the Polish president for extending unwavering support during Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971.

He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had expressed her admiration to the present Polish leadership as Poland has amplified its global role to match its growing economic strength.

The Polish President expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh Prime Minister for her gracious comment. Immediately after the ceremony, Ambassador Rahman laid a floral wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldiers in Warsaw.

After the Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent of the Polish Military at the Presidential Courtyard, Ambassador Mahfuzur Rahman was received by the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski at the Raspberry Room of the Malinowa Hall of the Belvedere Palace.

The Polish Chief of Protocol, the Foreign Secretary and the Undersecretary of the President's Office were present during the ceremony. Later, Ambassador Rahman called on Polish Foreign Secretary Katarzyna Kacperczyk and discussed the possible areas of cooperation between the two countries including higher studies, ICT, shipbuilding and enhancing people-to-people contact.

Kacperczyk said that there should be exchange of high level visits between the two countries in order to give prominence to the growing relationship.

News Details

 

[bongbang]

Deal signed with Chinese firm to construct Karnaphuli tunnel

The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry on Tuesday signed a US$ 705 million deal with a Chinese firm to implement the multi-lane dream tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong.

Road Transport and Bridges Secretary MAN Siddique and Chairman of China Communication Construction Company Ltd (CCCCL) Liu Qitao inked the deal in Beijing, said an official here.

Road Transport and Bridges Ministerof Bangladesh Obaidul Quader, Chinese Transport Minister Yang Chuantag, Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry Dipu Moni were present at the signing ceremony.

Before the signing, a bilateral meeting was held between the two countries with the two ministers leading their respective side.

At the meeting, Obaidul Quader said Karnaphuli Tunnel is a dream project for the people of Chittagong region. The economy of Chittagong as well as the economy of the country would have a boost once the project is implemented.

He thanked the Chinese government for their investment and finance in various sectors, including road, bridge, power and agriculture in Bangladesh.

On 9 June last year, Bangladesh and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on construction of a tunnel under the Karnaphuli River.

Bangladesh expects that the tunnel, once implemented, would to give a boost to the national economy helping the country fetch a high volume of investment.

It is expected that it would create new avenues of economic activities over tourism industry, industrial parks, special economic zones, deep seaport, new power plants, LNG terminal and Asian Highway.

The construction of the tunnel would begin by December this year and is likely to be completed in four years.


Deal signed with Chinese firm to construct Karnaphuli tunnel



BCIM getting momentum

China and India are adding fresh momentum to the establishment of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, which is expected to develop gradually before more ambitious goals are achieved, says The Hindu.

Reportedly, Chinese officials acknowledge that unlike in the past, when it was perceived to be dragging its feet, India is now showing enthusiasm over the project, which will link Kolkata with Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, passing through Myanmar and Bangladesh, with Mandalay and Dhaka among the focal points.

“The focus on linking provinces and States - in this case, Yunnan and West Bengal - seems to have given a new impulse to galvanising the plan,” wrote the Indian newspaper.

The Hindu report titled “China, India fast-track BCIM economic corridor project” said the main artery of the 2,800-km, K (Kolkata)-2-K (Kunming) corridor is nearly ready. A stretch of less than 200 km, from Kalewa to Monywa in Myanmar, needs to be upgraded as an all-weather road, it added.

The corridor is said to be providing access to sea for India’s north-eastern states.

The report quoted, deputy director-general at the International Regional Cooperation Office of Yunnan, Jin Cheng as saying that the main artery of the 2,800-km, K (Kolkata)-2-K (Kunming) corridor is nearly ready.

“The second is the segment between Silchar in Assam and Imphal in Manipur, which India is upgrading,” he was quoted to have said.

The Hindu report said from the West Bengal capital, the corridor will head towards Benapole, a border crossing town in Bangladesh. After passing through Dhaka and Sylhet, it is said to be re-entering the Indian territory near Silchar in Assam.

The rest of the passage will be connected with Imphal and then pass through the India-built Tamu-Kalewa friendship road in Myanmar, according to the report.

“Mandalay will be the next focal point of the corridor before the road enters Yunnan, after crossing Lashio and Muse in Myanmar,” it said.

The Chinese stretch extends from Ruili before reaching Kunming through Longling and Dali, the report listed.

It added that the central corridor can be connected with two supplementary passages to the north and the south.

However, the report pointed out, this route is problematic because it enters a small portion of Arunachal Pradesh over which India and China have a territorial dispute.

A part of this stretch is also described as insurgency-prone, and therefore unsafe.

The Chinese official reportedly acknowledged that one of the strategic factors driving the corridor was reduction of reliance on the Straits of Malacca, militarily dominated by the US

BCIM getting momentum

 

[Bilal9]

I think that BCIM should go through Cox's Bazaar and then via Sittwe, Meiktila, Mandalay in Myanmar on to Kunming.

Routing BCIM through NW India (Silchar, Manipur, Aizawl) will only benefit Indian Transit needs to develop NW Indian economy and help Indian military logistics - from which Bangladesh gains nothing. Typical of Bhartiya Kutneeti.

Going through Cox's Bazaar, Sittwe and then Mandalay to Kunming is a lot more convenient and faster. See below.

This is what Indians are suggesting and promoting.

This (link below) is what is actually more beneficial to Bangladesh because it provides a much shorter route to connect to Mandalay via Sittwe south of Cox's Bazaar. Once the Rakhine problems subside (Indian Govt. conspiracy) then we can easily bypass India to connect to China.
Google Maps

 

[Bilal9]

Further - the Chinese have already approached Bangladesh Govt. with CTG to CXB 4-lane highway proposal sometime ago and it maybe close to being implemented. With the implementation of DAC-CTG 4 Lane highway, we will have 4 lane all the way from DAC to CXB (in effect all the way to BD-Myanmar border.

Also - CXB airport is being upgraded to Int'l standard.

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladeshi Physicist Leads Discovery of Massless Particle with Promise for Next-Gen Electronics​

M Zahid Hasan (pictured) and his research group researched and simulated dozens of crystal structures before finding the one suitable for holding Weyl fermions. Once fashioned, the crystals were loaded into this two-story device known as a scanning tunneling spectromicroscope to ensure that they matched theoretical specifications. Located in the Laboratory for Topological Quantum Matter and Spectroscopy in Princeton's Jadwin Hall, the spectromicroscope is cooled to near absolute zero and suspended from the ceiling to prevent even atom-sized vibrations. Photo by Danielle Alio/ Office of Communications, Princeton University

A Bangladeshi physicist of Princeton University led an international team to the discovery of an elusive massless particle theorised 85 years ago.

The particle could give rise to faster and more efficient electronics because of its unusual ability to behave as matter and antimatter inside a crystal, quoting a new research a report was published on the university website.

"The physics of the Weyl fermion are so strange, there could be many things that arise from this particle that we're just not capable of imagining now," said corresponding author M Zahid Hasan, a Princeton professor of physics who led the research team.

Among two sons and a daughter, Hasan is the eldest of parents Rahmat Ali and Nadira Begum. His father is a lawyer and mother, a housewife.

He did his SSC and HSC from Dhanmondi Government Boys High School and Dhaka College respectively. His bright results put him on the merit list, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

Hasan studied in The University of Texas at Austin, United States, got his PhD from Stanford University. After completing his degree there he joined Princeton University as a lecturer. At present he is a Professor of Physics with a specific interest on the field of Quantum Condensed Matter Physics at the university, the Bangla daily said.

The researchers reported in the journal 'Science' (July 16) - the first observation of Weyl fermions, which, if applied to next-generation electronics, could allow for a nearly free and efficient flow of electricity in electronics, and thus greater power, especially for computers, the researchers suggest.

More here.

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh Ahead of both India and Pakistan in Global Peace Index Ranking - news report by 'The Independent'.

Optimistic rating in the Global Peace Index

That Bangladesh is the third most peaceful country in South Asia is a heartening piece of information. A report on this appeared in the media on June 27. Bhutan and Nepal secured the first and second positions in the regional rating. But Bangladesh is found ahead of Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the peace ranking. Bangladesh is even ahead of the United States as its overall ranking is 94 while Bangladesh’s is 84. The people of Bangladesh can take pride from this rating both in regional and global contexts.

The annual report of the Australia-based global organization Institute for Economics and Peace ‘Global Peace Index’ (GPI) revealed this piece of information. The index shows that the world is becoming increasingly divided with some countries enjoying unprecedented levels of peace and prosperity while others have become hotbeds of violence and conflict.

Brutal killings of people in droves in bomb attacks by extremist and intolerant elements, even in mosques, in Pakistan make newspaper headlines very often. The situation in Afghanistan is worse. Atrocities by Taliban there is a never-ending menace.

Taking all these into consideration, Bangladeshis have reason to feel gratified. Religious extremism in Bangladesh has been kept within control. Credit goes to the government for its tough stand against militancy and terrorism. Over the past few years Bangladesh witnessed remarkable economic growth. All these are positive aspects. Utilizing the peaceful conditions our country can take greater strides toward economic development.

Vigilance should be maintained so that under no circumstances extremist forces and terrorists can raise their ugly heads to destroy prevailing peace and stability in our country. A national consensus must be forged for protecting the core interests of the country at all costs and particularly with the aim of maintaining the present peaceful conditions.

The major political parties can come forward with a unity of views in this regard.

Vision of Humanity

 

[Bilal9]

CEO of Magnito Digital Limited awarded one of
'Asia’s Most Influential Digital Media Professionals'​

Riyad Shahir Ahmed Husain, CEO of Magnito Digital Limited, one of the country’s leading digital advertising agencies, has recently been awarded the citation, one of “Asia’s Most Influential Digital Media Professionals” at the 24th Edition of the World Brand Congress, held at the Pan Pacific, Singapore on August 11 and 12.

The World Brand Congress is an annual event to celebrate and explore the power of brand building. It is a meeting place for business leaders and influential marketing organisations from across the globe. The theme for this year’s World Brand Congress was, “If not now, when?”

The keynote speaker at the event was Frederique Covington, international marketing director of Twitter Asia Pacific. Some of the other speakers included Damien Cummings, global head of digital marketing, Standard Chartered Bank, Aseem Puri, brand director, Unilever Asia and Nilesh Shah, chief marketing officer, GE Healthcare.

- See more at: CEO of Magnito Digital Limited awarded one of 'Asia’s Most Influential Digital Media Professionals' | Dhaka Tribune

 

[Bilal9]

Students make fuel-efficient cars

In a first for Bangladesh, engineering students competed in designing and manufacturing fuel-efficient cars in a unique competition in Dhaka on Friday.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) jointly organised the ‘ECORUN 2013’ to promote the fuel efficient cars in Bangladesh.

The BUET team MARCUS stood first, in the three-wheeler category, followed by the Rajshahi University of Engineering Technology’s (RUET) AVENGERS while Chittagong University of Engineering Technology’s (CUET) XR WAGON came out third.

In the four-wheeler category, BUET’s NYPTA 8 stood first while CUET’s PROTOTYPE became second and RUET’s GRAFINGE third.

According to a JICA media release, 15 teams from six engineering universities and colleges contested in the event aimed to promote vehicles that do not emit pollutants.

Commerce Minister Ghulam Muhammed Quader distributed prizes among the winners.

“It must continue. It (eco-friendly cars) is very necessary for our environment,” he said encouraging participants to organise such events on their own interest as well.

ECORUN is a Japanese concept of fuel-efficient car design that focuses on ‘distance per liter fuel, not speed’.

JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer Toshiya Okawara first introduced the concept in Bangladesh in 2011, helping Barisal Technical School and College students to make two cars.

JICA Chief Representative Takao Toda has witnessed a lot of improvements since then.

He expected that by improving bit by bit, all the teams that ‘failed or succeeded’ will create their own success stories and inspire others.

He was hopeful that young engineers will take their own initiative next time and continue this ‘noble and creative’ event.

The Convener of ECORUN 2013 National Steering Committee Professor Md Ehsan said they would try to organize such ‘ECORUN’ every year considering both fuel efficiency and market needs of Bangladesh.

“Someday cars made in Bangladesh will rule the vehicle world and ECORUN will be the first step towards that road,” he said.

Organizers say the contest enabled students as well as engineers to become part of an instant workforce for the car-making industries as they designed and made the vehicles all by themselves.

WALTON sponsored 150 CC engines for the competition.

 

[bongbang]

OIC secy gen meets FM

DHAKA: The visiting secretary general of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani meet foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali in foreign affairs ministry Sunday afternoon.

The foreign minister welcomed the secretary general on his second visit to Bangladesh.

He referred to the historic decision of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to join the organization and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to the fundamental principles of the OIC both in pursuing political solidarity of Muslim Ummah and in promoting cooperation among member states in economic, social, cultural, educational and other vital fields of activities.

The minister expressed the hope that the secretary general would play a proactive role in addressing the developmental and environmental challenges of OIC member states and that OIC should evolve into an effective mouthpiece for articulating the concerns of the member states and stronger voice on such issues in various global forums.

During the call, the secretary general paid tribute to Bangladesh for her constructive role in OIC endeavors for peace and development in the Muslim world.

He expressed particular appreciation for Bangladesh’s consistent support for the cause of Palestine that lies at the core of OIC agenda.

Madani pledged all-out efforts for further enhancement of the existing cooperation between Bangladesh and OIC in various fields.

He also exchanged views with the FM on developments in the regional and international arena, particularly in the Muslim world.

Madani took the opportunity of the meeting to brief Mahmood Ali on the recent developments within the Islamic Ummah and had consultations with him on the Secretary General's initiatives, projects and steps.

The meeting also gave them the occasion to discuss implementation of various resolutions of OIC and holding of various summit-level meetings.

However, Madani is leading a six-member delegation on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh from August 22. He also visited ICDDRB and appreciated the work of the centre of excellence that Bangladesh has developed over the years.

OIC is the second largest international organization (after the UN) that groups together 57 Muslim-majority countries spread over four Continents.

The Organization’s main objective is to protect and promote the interests of the Islamic Ummah in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various peoples of the world.

OIC secy gen meets FM

 

[Bilal9]

Local Bilingual Search Engine launched,

Resumeet.com - Information Directory and Local Search of Bangladesh

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh arranges first cruise line for cruises to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, a relative novelty in the subcontinent. Video is hard to download at times - getting a lot of hits locally

Probably going to be the Superstar Gemini - but don't quote me.