Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited independent parliamentarians elected in the 12th national parliament election to Gonobhaban. This was announced in a press release signed by the office secretary of the party Biplab Barua on Wednesday (January 24). According to the press release, Bangladesh Awami League President PM Sheikh Hasina has invited all independent parliamentarians of the 12th National Parliament to her official residence Gonobhaban on next Sunday (January 28) at 6:30 pm.   It should be noted that in the 12th  national polls, the ruling Awami League won 222 seats, Jatiya Party 11, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bangladesh Kalyan Party one each, and independent candidates won 61 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited French universities to set up their campuses in India. "We invite French universities to set up their campuses in India," PM Modi said while addressing a press meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.  French President Macron said that they want to send 30,000 French students to India by 2030.  "We can't forget the youth...By 2030, we want to send 30,000 French students there (to India)...For the young Indians who want to pursue higher education in France, we want to make a conducive visa policy," Macron said.  PM Modi also expressed delight and said that India sees France as a natural partner.  While addressing the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday, PM Modi said that we will open a new Indian consulate in the city of Marseille in the south of France. PM Modi said, “We welcome the decision to grant long term visas to people of Indian origin studying in France.” PM Modi also congratulated France President Macron for successfully organizing Olympics which are going to be held next year in Paris and will see Indian athletes’ participation.  "Next year, all the Indian athletes are very keen for the Olympics to be held in Paris. I congratulate President Macron and his entire team for its successful event. I congratulate President Macron and his team for successfully organizing this," PM Modi said. "We are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. We are making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years. Bold and ambitious goals are being set for this. People of India have taken the resolve to make ourselves a developed nation. In this journey, we see France as a natural partner...," PM Modi added.  Furthermore, he said that there has been deep people to people contact between India and France for a long time. "Our discussions today will further strengthen this relationship," PM Modi said.  On the behalf of India, PM Modi further said, "I and all Indians are very eager to welcome you (President Macron) in India during the G20 summit this year.  Underlining the natural partnership between India and France, PM Modi highlighted the shared vision and goals that will shape the future trajectory of the bilateral relationship. “PM Modi attending July 14 Bastille Day celebrations as the guest of honour in Paris “is a sign that India and France's strategic partnership is very close. It is very strong and its role will increase in the coming times, not only for both of us, not only for Europe and India but also for the whole world,” the Indian Ambassador to France said. PM Modi, who is in France for a two-day visit, on Friday attended the lunch hosted by President of France's National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet in Paris.Earlier on Friday, PM Modi attended the military parade on France’s National Day as the Chief Guest. The Bastille Day Parade took place under bright and sunny skies at Champs-Élysées in Paris.PM Modi took the ceremonial salute from the Indian contingent as they marched at the Champs-Elysees. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met thought leaders and some prominent business people during the second day of his visit to France. He met prominent aerospace engineer and pilot Thomas Pesquet and Chanel CEO Leena Nair. He also met Charlotte Chopin, a yoga practitioner who will turn 100 soon. 

Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein while highlighting the vast potential and opportunities for investment in Arunachal Pradesh owing to its abundance in natural resources and favourable climate on June 10 urged the private companies to invest and establish industries in the state, especially in the agro-based industries, food processing units and other ventures. “There is immense scope for several industries in the state to flourish and scale beyond regional and national markets including agri-based, tourism and more. I urge the entrepreneurs and investors in varied fields to explore the potentials of the state including agro-based industries and be a partner in the journey towards compounding the economic growth of Arunachal Pradesh,” said DyCM Chowna Mein in a social media post after attending the C20 Summit Corporate meeting. The C20 Summit being held in Namsai has brought together foreign diplomats, resource persons, intellectuals and delegates from various civil society organizations from G20 countries. The event, organized by Vivekananda Kendra and G20 Secretariat of Arunachal Pradesh, hosted in the picturesque “Land of Pagodas” has opened up a platform to discuss the potentials for investments and challenges of Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing the meeting, the deputy CM stated that the state offers immense opportunities for cultural tourism, religious tourism, eco-tourism and adventure tourism covering activities like trekking, river rafting & mountaineering, as well as sports and research tourism, due to its rich bio and cultural diversity. The state’s numerous torrential & perennial rivers such as Siang, Dibang, Subansiri, Kameng, Lohit offer immense hydropower generation possibilities. Arunachal Pradesh alone has the capacity to generate 50,000 MW of hydro-electricity, positioning it as a powerhouse for the country, he said. While highlighting the state’s remarkable progress including in the connectivity sector, he however added that despite its tremendous potential, Arunachal Pradesh faces certain limitations in terms of marketing, agro-processing units, skilled manpower and in research & development which needs to be improved. In this regard, he sought the intervention of private companies to invest and establish industries such as agro-based industries, food processing units and other ventures and help to overcome these challenges, a statement from the DyCM’s office said. It added, the C20 Summit at Namsai is serving as a platform to highlight the untapped potential of Arunachal Pradesh and invite national and international industrialists to explore investment opportunities in the state. With the support and collaboration of stakeholders, Arunachal Pradesh aims to transform into a thriving hub of sustainable economic growth, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for its people. Source: thenewsmill.com

President Md Shahabuddin has invited investors from the United Kingdom to invest in various sectors in Bangladesh, including oil and gas.  Sarah Cooke, the newly appointed High Commissioner of United Kingdom-Designate to Bangladesh, presented her credentials to Bangladesh President at Bangabhaban on Thursday, june 08 and conveyed the invitation.  Upon her arrival at Bangabhaban, a guard of honor from the President's Guard Regiment was accorded to the High Commissioner. Welcoming the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Bangladesh, President Md. Shahabuddin said, "The United Kingdom is a steadfast friend of Banglafdesh. In economic and industrial development of Bangladesh, the United Kingdom plays an important role." Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after being released from Pakistani prison, first visited the United Kingdom and was given extensive respect. Recalling that memory, Bangladesh president expressed deep gratitude to the British people and the then British Prime Minister Edward Heath. President Shahabuddin remarked that the journey of cooperation between Bangladesh and United Kingdom began from that time and over the years this relationship has expanded in various fields. The Press Secretary to Bangladesh President, Md Joynal Abedin, informed that President Md Shahabuddin conveyed his congratulatory message to the new British King Charles III during the meeting. The High Commissioner stated that the partnership between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom is based on a strong foundation.  Praising Bangladesh's socio-economic development, she said, "My country will always stand by Bangladesh in its uninterrupted progress. In fulfilling her responsibilities as the High Commissioner, Sarah Cooke asked for President's cooperation."

Uzbekistan has invited India's Election Commission to witness a 'historic' referendum it is holding on April 30 on a series of amendments to the country's Constitution. Uzbekistan's ambassador to India, Dilshod Akhatov, said on Tuesday that the constitutions of 190 countries, including India, were studied to bring holistic and comprehensive changes to the constitution of the country. In an address at a seminar on constitutional reforms, Akhatov said his country has witnessed significant reforms in the last few years under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the changes to the Constitution have been part of the overall initiative. "The country has been going through historic transformations in the last few years. The draught constitution has been prepared after examining the various modern global laws, norms, and constitutions of 190 countries, including India," he said. "Our Constitution will be a holistic and comprehensive one that will take Uzbekistan on a new path of growth, development, and prosperity," Akhatov said. The ambassador said the referendum seeks to change about two-thirds of the existing constitution of Uzbekistan. Another official said India's Election Commission has been invited to witness the 'historic' referendum on the constitutional reforms on April 30. The ties between India and Uzbekistan have been on an upswing in the last few years. Both sides have shown keen interest in further expanding the ties in a number of areas, including trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. President Mirziyoyev had talked about the need for constitutional reform in November 2021 in his inaugural speech, specifying that the proposal has come from the people of the country. The envoy said more than 2,22,000 proposals from the general public were received during discussions on the constitutional reform. Beruniy Alimov, an assistant professor at the New Media Education Centre at the Uzbekistan State World Language University, said that some of the new provisions in the Constitution were focused on protecting the human rights of the citizens, enhancing their dignity, and ensuring their freedom. 'The Constitution provides that the state will assume a number of new obligations to reduce poverty, provide employment, and address social issues effectively. It shows that Uzbekistan is becoming a social state,' he said at the seminar. "The highest duty of the state is to ensure human rights and freedom. According to the new norms, the ambiguities arising in the legislation will be interpreted in favour of the citizens," he said. Alimov said the Constitution will strengthen guarantees of personal rights and freedoms of citizens in accordance with the most advanced international standards.

Dhaka has invited Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pay a bilateral visit in Bangladesh in September this year, foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said.  "We have invited him (Trudeau) ... he will visit India in September to join the G20 summit, if he manage to come here that time it will be a plus point for us,"  he told media after holding a meeting with Canadian International Development Minister Harjit S. Sajjan.  The foreign minister was speaking at a joint press briefing along with Sajjan at state guest house Padma in the capital this afternoon.  "Canadian PM visited Bangladesh when he was a kid ... now he became a household name in Bangladesh," Momen said referring Trudeau's huge popularity among the country's mass people.  Trudeau visited to Bangladesh as a child in 1983 with his father Pierre Trudeau, who was the then Prime Minister of Canada. Regarding the invitation, Harjit S. Sajjan said he would personally convey the Dhaka's invitation to his Prime Minister. 

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged Indian-Americans on Monday to invest and help India widen its reach in the global market during his tour to the United States. Speaking to the Indian diaspora in New Jersey's Edison, Goyal highlighted India’s rich story which has been paved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi During an interaction with the Indian community, Goyal, who is on a four-day visit to New York, New Jersey and Washington, highlighted the government’s bid to win over an influential and prosperous segment of the American economic life and prod them to invest in their homeland. The minister expressed a desire to have people of Indian heritage pitch India’s growth story. “I would invite you to help us shape the contours of a new India, a powerful India and India that will lead global growth and India that is destined to be a ‘Vishwaguru’,” said Goyal, in an address to the Indian diaspora. “As we take up the G-20 presidency this year, we are demonstrating to the world our abilities and our contributions as we see that in the next 25 years,” added Goyal. “In the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, not only are we reflecting on our achievements and glory but also focusing on ideas for this Kaal and I will ensure that each one of you contributes to these ideas and efforts. You stand to gain a lot and your families, and businesses have a huge opportunity (to prosper in India),” Goyal said. He added that India and US are natural partners having trade complementarities, long-standing strategic and economic relationships and a strong people to people contact. Both are vibrant democracies as well, the Union minister noted. “Both the US and India are vibrant democracies. We both have very strong linkages and bonds of friendship, very strong geopolitical ties, and huge interests in business and trade in the economic well-being of both countries,” Goyal added. Lauding India’s economy and how it bounced back after the Covid lockdown, Goyal said 2022 was a record trade year, with India’s exports growing to USD 670 billion. Goyal is in the United States to participate in the 13th Trade Policy Forum (TPF) ministerial meeting, a primary bilateral mechanism on trade, with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The top Indian official is also scheduled to call on US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. TPF is a premier forum to resolve trade and investment issues between India and the US. The TPF was established in July 2005 to discuss trade and investment issues. The objective of the forum is to facilitate trade and investment flow between the two countries, develop and implement trade policies through transparent procedures that comply with international obligations, foster a conducive environment for technological collaboration and innovation and promote inclusive economic growth and job creation in India and the US. The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and the trade representative of the US are the co-chairs of the Trade Policy Forum. The 12th TPF ministerial meeting was held on November 23, 2021 after a gap of four years, in New Delhi. The Union minister will also meet business leaders in New York, and Washington, apart from engaging with members of the diaspora. A Commerce ministry release said the forum is a “platform for continuous engagement between two countries in the area of trade and to further the trade and investment relations between the two countries”. The two countries are also collaborating under the QUAD, I2U2 (India-Israel/ UAE-USA) and IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework). Regular exchanges at the leadership level have been an integral element of the expanding bilateral engagement. The outcomes emerging from these visits have been instrumental in further strengthening the multifaceted ties between the two countries.  Source:ANI  

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a virtual meeting with Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa on Saturday. This interaction follows Rajapaksa’s visit to India last month. Both Ministers positively noted the extension of $ 400 million to Sri Lanka under the SAARC currency swap arrangement and deferral of A.C.U. settlement of $ 515.2 million by two months, which would assist Sri Lanka. The two Ministers reviewed the progress in extending the Indian credit facility of $ 1 billion for importing food, essential items and medicine and $500 million for importing fuel from India. The Lankan Minister welcomed Indian investments in Sri Lanka in a number of important spheres including ports, infrastructure, energy, renewable energy, power and manufacturing and assured that conducive environment will be provided to encourage such investments   "Jaishankar conveyed that India has always stood with Sri Lanka, and will continue to support Sri Lanka in all possible ways for overcoming the economic and other challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic. As close friends and maritime neighbors, both India and Sri Lanka stand to gain from closer economic interlinkages," according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. Rajapaksa recalled India’s longstanding cooperation with Sri Lanka and deeply appreciated the gestures of support. In this context, both Ministers noted that the recent steps taken by Lanka for jointly modernizing Trincomalee Oil Tank Farms will boost confidence of investors, apart from enhancing Sri Lanka’s energy security. Jaishankar brought up the issue of Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka. He urged the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure early release of the detained fishermen on humanitarian considerations.   Source: The Economic Times

If they accept, this will be the first time all five central Asian leaders would attend Republic Day parade together. India invited leaders of five Central Asian nations to attend as chief guests of Republic Day 2022, and now is waiting for responses of the   leaders. And the details of the visits expected to be finalized during the ministerial level meeting of the India-Central Asia foreign minister’s dialogue, which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will host this weekend in Delhi. Government Officials confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reached out to governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to confirm their attendance, as is the protocol for Republic Day guests before a formal invitation is handed over. According to the officials, uncertainty over the COVID-19 situation, as well as the extra coordination required for multiple invitations, has created the delay in the invitation process, which is normally wrapped up by December each year. If the central Asian leaders accept the invitation, this will be the first time all five countries would attend the Republic Day parade together, although Kazakhstan’s former President Nursultan Nazarbayez was the chief guest in 2009. The confirmation and details of the leaders visit will be set and fixed collectively in the upcoming 3rd India-Central Asia Dialogue. Diplomats said the invitation was part of India’s relation building with the former Soviet States that has intensified since 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited all five capitals. India also joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2017, which all Central Asian States other than Turkmenistan are members of. And The India-Central Asia dialogue was launched in 2019, and in July this year, Mr. Jaishankar attended the Central Asia-South Asia connectivity conference in Uzbekistan. Last month, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval also held a regional security dialogue on Afghan issues. It included the NSAs and Secretaries of Security Councils in the five Central Asian States, along with Russia and Iran. Maritime connectivity “The invitation also indicates that India wants to increase its connections to the region, where land connectivity has been difficult due to Pakistan’s [obstructive] position,” former Ambassador to Tashkent Vinod Kumar told The Hindu. “Maritime connectivity remains important and game changing, and the Republic Day meeting will help strengthen India’s initiatives through Chabahar and through the International North South Transport Corridor,” he added.   The initiatives to invite Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, is also part of the Modi government’s attempts to bring together immediate neighbours and “far neighbours” in a group format on multiple occasions. Prime Minister Modi invited SAARC and BIMSTEC group leaders to his swearing in ceremonies in 2014 and 2019 respectively, and invited 10 leaders of the ASEAN as Republic Day guests in 2018. Government personals also said the reconstruction of the Central Vista, as well as worries about another wave of COVID-19 has meant that the Republic Day parade may need to be amended or truncated in 2022. In January 2021, the government decided to reduce the parade size and attendees even after the confirmed Chief Guest, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pulled out a few weeks prior to Republic Day because of  a high rise in COVID-19 cases. Source: The Hindu

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) invited the investors of the United Kingdom (UK) to be part of the developmental journey of Bangladesh by investing in a host of lucrative sectors. "… energy, renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile, light engineering, agro-processing, blue economy, tourism, knowledge based hi-tech industries, ICT are awaiting foreign investment, and British investors can choose any of these and beyond,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also urged the expatriate Bangladeshi to come in Bangladesh partnering with British Investors, saying, " You will get all opportunities, and if any barrier, I will be there to see it." The premier was addressing the inauguration ceremony of “Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021: Building Sustainable Growth Partnerships and Roadshow” at Churchill Hall, Queen Elizabeth Center in London. She joined the event virtually from her place of residence in London. Besides, prerecorded video messages of Prince Charles and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson were played at the event. British Minister of State for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt also spoke at the programme. Sheikh Hasina also offered exclusive economic zones where companies of a specific country can invest, adding, “ the UK investors can take one such a zone for themselves." As many as 100 Economic Zones and 28 High-Tech Parks are being made ready for overseas and domestic investments, she said.  Referring to demographic dividend, she said they focus on developing skilled manpower so that the investors get skilled human resources at competitive wages. “Let me assure you that our government agencies, including the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, will do their best to ensure a congenial business environment for you,” she added. The Prime Minister said her government will provide the British investors with ample opportunities for the best possible returns on their investment. Mentioning that quite a few major business organizations are operating successfully in Bangladesh, she said, “I would thus like to welcome more companies to come forward and invest in the capital market of Bangladesh.” Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and UK have been enjoying the best of relations since the birth of the new nation in 1971, and in fact, the UK was a leading country to lend a generous hand in rebuilding war-ravaged Bangladesh. “And thus today, the United Kingdom is the 3rd largest export destination of Bangladesh, and the 2nd largest investor in Bangladesh," she said, mentioning that the relationship has been growing from strength to strength. She expected that Bangladesh Investment Summit will make two countries business relations even more fruitful. The premier said, “The Roadshow would, of course, get impetus by displaying Bangladesh’s potentialities with rewards of high returns from business and investments.” Narrating that Bangladesh today is a changed  country, she said it has undergone huge transformations on socio-economic fronts in last one decade and the UN declared Bangladesh eligible for graduation from LDC to a developing country due to governments efforts in realizing “Vision 2021”, and moving forward to be a developed country by fulfilling “Vision 2041”. According to ADB Outlook 2019, she said, Bangladesh is the fastest growing economy in the Asia-Pacific region. She mentioned that ADB attributes this to the strong leadership, good governance, stable government, political stability, sound macro-economic policy and right development priorities. Already Bangladesh is the 31st largest economy in the world based on PPP, she said. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has become an attractive investment destination recently due to rapid urbanization, increasing consumption of electricity, rapid growth of middle class consumers with increasing purchasing power; growing connectivity with massive markets in South and South East Asia. “We have been heavily investing in development of infrastructures, including energy and power, and road and railway communication,” she added. She mentioned that the government is, with its own fund, constructing the Padma Bridge having railway track connecting the untapped southern Bangladesh with the rest of the country. “Bangladesh is entering into the era of Metro-rail shortly,” she said. To feed the current and future growth of industries and overall development, she said, electricity production capacity has reached over 24,000 Megawatts (MW) with the target of 40,000 MW by 2030 and 60,000 MW by 2041. “We are also constantly improving our legal and financial infrastructures. Bangladesh has already become the most liberal investment regime in South Asia. And foreign investment is protected by Acts of Parliament, and bilateral treaties,” she said. She also mentioned that Bangladesh’s ICT sector is growing fast now with a billion-dollar export to 60 countries.  “The ICT industry is expected to grow nearly five folds to reach five-billion dollar mark by 2025.With more than 600 thousand free-lance IT professionals, Bangladesh is the right place to invest in ICT sector,” she said. The Prime Minister added Bangladesh now stands in the world as the 2nd largest RMG exporter; 3rd largest producer of vegetables; 3rd largest producer of inland fisheries; 3rd largest in internet freelancing; and 4th largest producer of rice. Source: BSS AH