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Meeting with Chief Advisor:
US Pledges Support for Bangladesh’s Inclusive Future
Rtv News
15 Sep 2024, 12:58
Photo: Collected
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh's journey toward a just and inclusive future. This message was shared on the embassy's Facebook page following a meeting between the US delegation and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Yamuna on Sunday morning.
The post highlighted that during the meeting, the US delegation, led by Brent Neiman, Deputy Under Secretary of the US Department of Revenue, assured their support for inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development cooperation aimed at benefiting the people of Bangladesh.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu also attended the meeting, reinforcing the US commitment to aiding Bangladesh's progress.
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Hilsa not to Export in India During Durga Puja: Farida Akhter
Farida Akhter, advisor on fisheries and livestock to the interim government said, "We apologize, but we cannot send any hilsa to India."
In an interview given to Indian media on Friday (September 13), the advisor said, "We have seen even people in our country can't eat hilsa." Because all are sent to India. Those remains are too expensive. We also celebrate Durga Puja. Our people will also enjoy to eat hilsa.
Advisor Farida Akhter said it will be ensured that Hindus and other citizens of Bangladesh can eat hilsa during this year's Durga Festival. The people of the country will be given priority over India.
Every year, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used to send 4000 tons of hilsa to India during Durga Puja. Criticizing her initiative, advisor Farida Akhter said there was no need to send fish to India. It was not her right to send fish because of good relations with India. She ignored the needs of the people of Bangladesh.
The fisheries advisor said India does not need to create any issues with Hilsa. If they want good relations with Bangladesh, they should resolve the issue of Teesta water sharing.
Earlier, on September 3, Farida Akhter, while exchanging greetings with the Fisheries and Livestock Journalists Forum (FLJF), an organization of fisheries and livestock journalists, said that no hilsa fish will go from Bangladesh to India on the occasion of Durga Puja. Apart from this, we do not want to import any meat. Now lakhs of farmers are involved in cattle rearing.
The advisor said, "Hilsa will be exported abroad after satisfying the needs of the people of the country. The people of Bangladesh will not get hilsa, and it will be exported, that cannot happen. As a result, I have asked the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that no hilsa goes to India even during Durga Puja."
US pvt sector can help unlock Bangladesh's growth potential
The United States (US) private sector can help unlock Bangladesh's growth potential through trade and investment with the right economic reforms in place, the US Embassy in Dhaka said here today.
"From energy security to data centers to transportation, US businesses play a positive role in many facets of Bangladesh's economy," said the Embassy after a trade and investment-related discussion in the capital.
Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman, its Director Jerrod Mason, Chargé d'affaires (ad interim), US Embassy Dhaka Helen LaFave, its Political/Economic Counselor Eric Geelan and Mission Director of US Agency for International Development (USAID) Reed Aeschliman joined the meeting representing the US side.
American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Syed Ershad Ahmed, Vice-President Eric M Walker, MetLife in Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Uddin Ahmad, Country Manager Mastercard Syed Mohammad Kamal and
Country Manager of GE Nowshad Ali were also present.
Earlier this morning, Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman arrived in Dhaka to lead a US delegation to discuss issues pertaining to bilateral relations.
He was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by foreign ministry's Director General (North America) Khandker Masudul Alam, in the capital, foreign ministry's sources said here.
Dhaka has taken prepared for a comprehensive and multi-faceted discussion as it welcomed the first US high-level delegation following the formation of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu also joined the delegation this afternoon after wrapping up his India tour.
The US delegation is scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in addition to engaging in other official meetings.
Foreign Secretary Jashim will also host a working lunch which will be attended by representatives from relevant ministries.
The discussions will cover a wide range of topics, not just a single issue, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin told media regarding the visit.
According to a spokesperson from the US Department of State, the discussions will focus on how the United States can contribute to Bangladesh's economic growth, financial stability, and development priorities.
During his visit, the State Department earlier said Assistant Secretary Lu will reaffirm the United States' commitment to fostering economic growth and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: BSS
Discussions Held Seeking US Help to Recover Smuggled Money
Finance and Trade Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that discussions were held seeking US assistance to recover money smuggled out of the country. He shared this information while speaking to reporters after a meeting with the US delegation at the State Guest House 'Padma' on Sunday, September 15, at 11:00 am.
Dr. Ahmed stated, "Today, we engaged with the US delegation, primarily focusing on discussions with their Treasury Department and USAID. Key topics included financial reform and the necessary cooperation for the financial sector. We also explored export diversification and various technical assistance or market opportunities in trade. We will proceed with an action plan, and they have assured us of their cooperation."
Regarding the development cooperation agreement, he noted that an additional $200 million had been added to the previous agreement. "This means they will contribute extra funding," he explained.
When asked about the request for help in recovering smuggled money, Dr. Ahmed said, "All these matters were discussed, and further details will be addressed later."
He also confirmed that tax reform was part of the discussions.
HSC Results to be Generated by Subject Mapping Method
The HSC exam result of this year will be prepared by combining 25 percent marks of JSC and 75 percent marks of SSC following the subject mapping system.
For this, the education board has collected some information and documents required by the candidates. If all goes well, the result may be declared in the first week of next month.
According to education board sources, a possible proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Education on how to publish the results. According to the instructions given by the ministry, the results will be prepared and published.
In this regard, a meeting has been called with the examination controllers of the education boards next Wednesday (September 18). The method of publishing the results of HSC or equivalent examination may be finalized in the meeting.
Education board officials said six HSC and equivalent examinations, which were suspended after the quota reform movement and later the formation of the interim government, were canceled. Subject mapping of JSC and SSC exams will be done to facilitate the evaluation of canceled subjects. That is, the result will be prepared by averaging the marks obtained in JSC and SSC and equivalent examinations.
In this case, 25 percent of the marks obtained in JSC and 75 percent of the marks obtained in SSC will be given to the students in the respective subject. For example, if a student gets 100 marks in JSC in one subject, 25 marks will be taken from it and if get 100 marks in SSC in the same subject, 75 marks will be taken.
In this regard, the coordinator of the inter-education board and the chairman of the Dhaka education board, Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar told the media that a proposal has been sent to the education ministry seeking instructions to publish the results. Now the results will be published as the ministry says.
Incidentally, the HSC exam started on June 30 this year. Then the examination was completed properly till 16th July. Due to the quota movement, exams on July 18, July 21, 23, and 25 were postponed. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina's government was ousted on August 5 in the face of a popular uprising led by the anti-discrimination student movement.
The dates of the remaining exams are changed several times based on the overall situation. Meanwhile, the candidates started a movement demanding cancellation of the postponed exams. They protested under the building of the Ministry of Education at the secretariat on August 20.
A total of 14 lakh 50 thousand 790 people participated in this year's HSC examination under 9 General Education Boards, Technical Boards and Madrasa Boards
WB to Provide $1 Billion to Bangladesh
The World Bank has announced to provide about 1 billion dollars in loan assistance to Bangladesh for financial sector reform.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Husne Ara Shikha revealed this information on Sunday (September 15).
Out of 1 billion (1000 million) dollars, 750 million dollars will be provided as a Policy Loan and 250 million dollars as an Investment Loan and Guarantee Facility.
This loan is supposed to be approved by the World Bank board by December.
Bangladesh has to fulfill three conditions to get the loan. They are-
1. Formation of asset management companies in the private sector.
2. New definition of defaulted loans in international standards.
3. Presenting the report of the audit firm of the newly constituted Task Force to the World Bank.
Meanwhile, the United States will provide 200 million dollars in assistance to the priority sectors of the interim government for the development of Bangladesh. Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of USAID, who is visiting Dhaka, said that this money will be given under the Development Cooperation Agreement.
She said that it is good to be a part of the US delegation for the first time during the new interim government of Bangladesh. We have signed an agreement with the government. Under this, 200 million dollars will be given to the priority sectors of the government. We want to work with the interim government.
Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta Arrested
Mozammel Haque Babu, CEO of Ekattor Television, and Shyamal Dutta, Editor of Dainik Bhorer Kagaz, were detained along with Ekattor TV’s senior reporter Mahbubur Rahman and their driver while attempting to cross the border into India illegally through Dhobaura Upazila of Mymensingh. The group was stopped by locals in the border area late on Sunday, September 15, and subsequently handed over to the Dhobaura police.
The four are currently in police custody, according to authorities.
Speaking about the incident, Ekattor TV’s senior reporter Mahbubur Rahman recounted, "My home is in Mymensingh Sadar. My superior, Mozammel Haque Babu, asked me to come to the border area. Suddenly, we were blocked by ten motorcycles. We were arrested, assaulted, and all the money we had was taken from us. I don't fully understand what’s happening."
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhobaura Thana, Chan Mia, confirmed the incident, stating that the group was apprehended by locals near the border and handed over to police around 6 a.m. on Monday.
This arrest follows earlier allegations against Mozammel Babu and several other prominent journalists, including Shyamal Dutta, for incitement related to the anti-discrimination student movement. A total of 53 individuals, including 30 journalists, were named in a case submitted by Abdur Razzak, father of Rian, a student killed during the movement on August 29. The complaint, filed with the International Criminal Tribunal's investigation agency, accuses them of inciting murder, genocide, and torture.
Dr Yunus to Address in UNGA on September 27: Foreign Advisor
The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government Dr. Muhammad Yunus is going to New York on September 24 to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session. He will address the General Assembly on September 27.
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain revealed this information in a press conference on Saturday (September 21) about the Chief Advisor's participation in the United Nations General Assembly session.
Generally during the period of political government, the head of the government has a large entourage during the session of the General Assembly. But Dr. Yunus' interim government will be an exception in this regard. A delegation of 57 people from Bangladesh including Chief Advisor and Protocol will go to New York next Tuesday (September 24). The Chief Advisor will leave New York for Dhaka on September 27 night after completing the tour.
It is known that according to the local time of New York, on the morning of September 27, Dr. Yunus will give a scheduled speech at the United Nations General Assembly. The Chief Advisor's speech will reflect the vision of the people and government of Bangladesh after the political upheaval in Bangladesh on August 5. The chief advisor will tell the international community how Bangladesh will present itself in the world as a proud and dignified nation, especially in changing circumstances. Referring to the country's future aspirations, he will rise above geopolitics and call upon the international community to join hands with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, on the evening of September 24, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government Dr. Muhammad Yunus will speak as the chief guest.
The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in New York has invited the heads of delegations of various countries to participate in the UN session. Bangladesh Mission expects the heads of government of 50 countries or their representatives to attend the event.
Meanwhile, according to diplomatic sources, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session held in New York, Dr. Yunus has a courtesy call with the top leaders of several countries.
The list includes Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoff, Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and World Bank President Ajay Banga.
Besides, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and heads of several UN organizations will meet with the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
