Ambassador Lee Jang-keun paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban. While highly appreciating vibrant the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under visionary leadership of Primes Minister Sheikh Hasina, outgoing Ambassador Lee expressed deep appreciation for extensive cooperation and hospitality by Prime Minister and Bangladesh people during his tenure in Bangladesh.    Ambassador Lee shared with Prime Minister recent milestone development in relations between Korea and Bangladesh in the multiple areas such as trade, official development assistance, expatriate workers and investment in the year of 50th anniversary of Korea-Bangladesh diplomatic ties in 2023. Ambassador Lee explained that the trade between Korea and Bangladesh crossed the $3 billion mark in 2022 and $2 billion in 2021 for the first time, which was stagnant at around $1.5~1.8 billion over a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic. He further elaborated Korean government has decided to provide Bangladesh government with $3 billion under the EDCF (Economic Development Cooperation Fund), soft loan program, in the period of 2023 and 2027. Korea’s previous commitment stood at $500 million for 3 years when Ambassador Lee arrived in Bangladesh in June 2020.  Expatriate workers are the other arena where we see meaningful development over one or two years, Ambassador Lee said. While only around 1,500 Bangladeshi workers were dispatched to Korea under Employment Permit System (EPS) until 2021, the number increased significantly to 5,891 in 2022 and Korean government plans to receive 10,000 Bangladeshi expatriate workers this year. He also added, Korea became the largest foreign direct investor to Bangladesh in the year of 2022 with a gross volume of 662 million dollars. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh and thanked Ambassador Lee for his efforts to further boost Korea-Bangladesh relations. She also wished Korea’s continuous cooperation with Korea in the course of the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

A 5-member parliamentary delegation from the UK visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 here yesterday to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The delegation placed a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had a tour of the museum, and signed the Visitors’ Book. The parliamentary delegation comprises of Ms Jane Hunt MP (Conservative), Mr. Paul Bristow MP (Conservative), Ms. Paulette Hamilton MP (Labour), Mr. Antony Higginbotham MP (Conservative), and Mr. Tom Hunt (Conservative). The delegation was also accompanied by, among others, Mr. Zillur Hussain MBE, Founder of ZI Foundation, UK. The parliamentary delegation along with the founders of ZI Foundation is on a 4-day visit to Bangladesh.

Over 2022-23, India's growth will average 7 percent, the strongest among the largest economies, contributing 28 percent and 22 percent to Asian and global growth, Morgan Stanley, an American multinational investment management and financial services company, published in a report. India is best positioned within Asia to deliver domestic demand alpha. Its cyclical recovery will be sustained by structural factors. The recent strong run of data increases our confidence that India is well positioned to deliver domestic demand alpha, which will be particularly important as developed markets growth weakness percolates into Asia's external demand, says Morgan Stanley. Some observers argue that while the Russia-Ukraine war has definitely contributed to the misery of the west, this was set into motion during Covid-19 when the governments in these countries went on a massive spending spree to give economic stimulus, pushing inflation at a time when growth was slowing. These observers argue that the so-called economists were "pushing" India to follow the same path that these western countries took. They remind that some were glorifying USA's $3200 to everyone, Germany's stimulus and UK's furlough scheme -- trying to create dissatisfaction among Indian public and pushing the Indians to demand something similar. Eminent international economists were putting pressure on Indian government to spend 5, 10 or even 15 percent of entire GDP as stimulus. Other economists provided other varying and large amounts to be distributed without worrying for inflation. Despite repeated pressures from "fancy economists", intelligentsia, freeloaders, the government was fiscally prudent and knew the dangers that uncontrolled inflation can wreak on Indian economy and public. It repeatedly prioritized very careful spending and targeted stimulus only to those sections that desperately required it. Observers argue that today, India is the only large country which is not just at the minimum risk of inflation, but also exhibited a growth of 13 percent this quarter. The Central government under the economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal repeatedly maintained the stand of fiscal prudence and providing stimulus to boost economy at "right time" and to "appropriate groups". Even Arvind Panagariya was in favor of government policies to maintain fiscal prudence. Observers say that strategy has paid off in a huge way. The fancy economists and intellectuals were prescribing policies to India that have now spelled a doom for the west. Fortunately, the team of economists under the government of India assessed the situation much better and did not cave into the immense pressure. Experts say that with passing time, more and more evidence as well as consensus is emerging that mindless stimulus did more harm in the long run even in those large economies which were fiscally surplus before the pandemic or were highly advanced. Morgan Stanley said the key change in India's structural story lies in the clear shift in the policy focus towards lifting the productive capacity of the economy. Policymakers have taken up a series of reforms which will catalyze an upswing in the private capex cycle, helping to unleash a powerful productivity dynamic, leading to the onset of a virtuous cycle. Cyclically, the economy is lifting off after a prolonged period of adjustment. The backdrop of healthy balance sheets and rising corporate confidence bodes well for the outlook for business investment, the report said. The biggest challenge that was emerging to India's macro outlook was the sharp spike in oil / commodity prices weighing on macro stability. However, with the 23-37 percent decline in oil / commodity prices since the March-22 peak, we think that macro stability indicators will head back towards the comfort zone. Against this backdrop, we project that RBI does not need to lift rates deeply into restrictive territory. In other words, RBI will not need to slow domestic demand growth meaningfully to control macro stability indicators, the report said. Source: The Economic Times  

        Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi retained all the 112 valuables worth Rs142.02 million gifted by different countries, either for free or purchased at a throwaway price of Rs38 million. The official documents, available with APP, revealed that Imran and his wife retained 52 free gifts worth Rs800,200 "without paying a single penny". The list of Toshakhana gifts received by ex-PM Imran between August 2018 and December 2021 remained a secret during his tenure, making the situation scandalous to reports of hiding the information from the tax authorities.   Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division which maintains the record of the precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, and officials by heads of other governments, states, and foreign dignitaries as a goodwill gesture.   The then government had adopted the stance that the disclosure of any information related to Toshakhana would jeopardise international ties. The list of gifts showed that the other valuables were kept by the couple after paying a meagre amount than the assessed value.   From seven luxurious Rolex and other expensive watches to gold and diamond jewellery including multiple necklaces, bracelets, rings, multiple diamond chains, an expensive pen and cufflinks worth millions, dinner sets, perfumes, and Oud fragrance, the couple retained everything that different states of the world were gifting to Pakistan.   The most precious gift was presented by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman during the very first visit of Imran to the kingdom. However, to the irony, the Rs85 million Graff wristwatch was retained by the former prime minister by paying only Rs20 million.   Below is the detail of the gifts received and retained by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, their value, and the amount paid by the former premier to retain the presents:   One Watch Rolex Gent’s Rs900,000; a Rolex watch ladies Rs400,000; an IPhone Rs210,000; two gent's suites Rs30,000; one perfume Dolce&Gabba Rs35,000; two perfumes Bvlgari Rs30,000 and Rs26,000; One perfume Rubi Rs40,000; one wallet Samsonite Rs6,000; one wallet Aigner ladies Rs18,000; one ball pen Mont Blanc Rs28,000 received on 9-11-2018. All these items were retained against a payment of Rs338,600.   One watch (Graff) valued at Rs85,000,000; Pair of cuff links Rs5.67 million; one pen Rs1.5 million; one Ring Rs8.75 million received on 18-09-2018. For these, Imran Khan paid Rs20.278 million to retain these items.   One watch Rolex valued at Rs3.8 million was retained after paying Rs754,000 and another Rolex watch worth Rs1.5 million received on 1-10-2018 was retained after depositing Rs294,000 in the national kitty. Two kilogramme Oud Rs200,000, two bottles of Attar Rs180,000; one Tasbeeh (Mouward) Rs130,000 received on 19-06-2019. Imran Khan paid Rs240,000 to retain these items.   One watch worth Rs1,900,000 was received on 26-12-2019 and was retained against the payment of Rs935,000.   A Rolex watch Rs 4,408,000; pair of cuff links Rs255,000; one ring Rs230,000; unstitched cloth Rs7,000; one necklace Rs10,970,000; one bracelet Rs2,430,000; one ring Rs2,836,000 and a pair of ear rings Rs1,856,000 were received by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi on 29-09-2020 and retained against a payment of Rs9.031 million.   One locket with chain (gold and diamond) Rs269,350; one pair of ear tops (gold and diamond) Rs111,800; two rings gold and diamond Rs149,400 and Rs272,350 each; two bracelets gold Rs235,500. These gifts were presented to the prime minister’s wife on 11-10-2019. A sum of Rs544,000 was deposited in the government account against these items.   Noritake Dinner set (26 pieces) Rs110,000 received on 4-3-21 was retained after paying Rs40,000.   Another Noritake dinner set (34 pieces) Rs100,000 and a pair of cufflinks Rs20,000 were received on 4-3-2021 and were retained after paying a sum of Rs45,000.   Bushra Bibi on 21-05-2021 also received a necklace Rs1,359,000; earrings Rs275,000; ring Rs225,000; bracelet Rs4,000,000. She retained all this against Rs2,914,500.   Olive oil and coffee worth Rs104,000 and Ajwa date worth Rs17,000 were received on 15-11-2021 and were retained for Rs193,000. One decoration piece Rs15,000 and eight books received on 14-11-2018; one wall hanging Rs15,000; two decoration pieces Rs25,000 and Rs30,000 each; one frame Rs20,000 and one flower vase Rs30,000 received on 9-1-2019; one carpet Rs20,000 received on 16-01-2019; one frame received on 15-03-2019; table watch, card holder and paper weight Rs3500 received on 11-04-2019; a gown, oud and two small perfumes Rs30,000 received on 17-04-2019; one carpet Rs30,000, one calligraphy Rs5,000 received on 26-04-2019; one flower vase Rs30,000, one carpet Rs30,000; wall hanging Rs30,000 and a model of truck received on 2-5-2019; one paper wall hanging Rs5,000 received on 16-06-2019;   One decoration piece of Rs23,000 received on 28-06-2019; two decoration pieces worth Rs30,000 were received on 7-10-2019; two boxes of dates, two Jai-e-Nimaz, two Tasbeeh, six bottles of honey worth Rs29,700 were received, and retained on 14-10-2019; a piece of carpet and a decoration piece worth Rs22,000 received on 18-10-2019; one wool carpet received and retained on 13-12-2019 was valued at Rs28,000; a ladies handbag gifted to Bushra Bibi worth Rs5,000 was retained on 11-02-2020; one carpet Rs3,000 and a wall hanging Rs20,000 were received on 26-10-2020.   Another wall hanging worth Rs15,000 was received on 10-11-2020. A decoration piece of Rs20,000 was received on 4-12-2020; a carpet Rs32,000 received on 18-01-2021 and another carpet Rs22,000 on 22-02-2021; gemstones of Sri Lanka Rs5,000 and a Tasbeeh Rs2,500 was received on 4-3-2021. A chessboard was gifted on 30-07-2021 worth Rs27,000; a model door of Khana Kaaba was Rs20,000.   One Onyx bowl of Rs22,000 and a model of the key of Kaaba Rs6,000 were received on 17-08-2021 and retained. Oud wood Rs250,000; two bottles of oud (oil) (Taif Rose Bridge Rate) Rs36,000; three robes Rs9,000. Source : THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A high-level symposium was organised to commemorate the 20th death anniversary of Afghanistan’s guerrilla commander Ahmed Shah Massoud in Rome, Italy. The event was organised on Friday by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Rome, in collaboration with several other groups. The event titled “Afghanistan, Taliban and the Future” was attended by several people including Yara Ehm, Member of the Italian Parliament and Commission on Foreign Affairs, Gabriela Colarusso, La Repubblica’s foreign affairs correspondent, Gaja Pellegrini, Margherita Stancati from the Wall Street Journal and other representatives of the international and local media. The Diplomatic Missions of Ireland and the Czech Republic were represented by their Deputy Heads of Mission. Khalid Zekriya, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Italy spoke about the need for the International community to recognise that Afghanistan today is in the hands of a government of rebels who did not represent the Afghan hopes and dreams which were sown by the blood of “martyrs like Ahmad Shah Massoud.” “Massoud’s sacrifice was important because it laid the basis for the modern state of Afghanistan; something that Pakistan backed Taliban government will try and destroy in the days to come. Afghans, however, are resilient people and the scenes today of women protesting will be more common in the coming days and months,” said Khalid Zekriya. Honouring the sacrifice of the Italian soldiers he also remembers that thousands of Afghan soldiers have laid down their lives for defending their homeland. Khalid Zekriya said, “The narrative that the Afghan defence forces just collapsed was a terrible propaganda, as since 2012 most of the fighting was being done by Afghan soldiers.” Zakariya even mentioned that there is more to what meets the eye. Without direct orders from above, the Afghan defence forces would not have folded, he added. Laura Harth, the human rights activist, spoke of the importance of a global alliance to protect freedom and democracy. She recounted their recent battles to assist democracy in Hong Kong against Chinese oppression and feared that the violence would be much more in Afghanistan against women, journalists and minorities. Emilio Ciarlo of the Italian Agency for cooperation and development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke of the need for national building. He underlined the risks of an unstable Afghanistan for the world. “The failure of the West to assist democracy will reverberate in the Balkans as well as North Africa and will be a danger to Europe, with the increase in the flow of narcotics as well as weapons.” Fausto Biloslavo, a veteran journalist, who just returned from Panjshir to Kabul joined virtually. He underlined the suspension of rights of journalists and the fear of the local population currently. Biloslavo stated that the people are gathering to vent out their disaffection with the Taliban and their morale is high and the resistance will expand its support and reach. “It was all like a castle of sand which collapsed in a few days,” said FawziaKoofi, Parliamentarian in the previous government, describing the fall of Kabul. She requested the world community to support the rights and freedom for women and children. Ahmed Wali Massoud, the brother of the slain leader 20 years ago, who joined virtually summarised the evening, paying tribute to his brother and his vision for Afghanistan. He stated that it is important that the world carefully follow the alleged Pakistani involvement in the country as this will only lead to further destabilization. Afghanistan needs to be inclusive and a country for all, beyond ethnic and religious lines. Source: ANI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday assured the people that the government has paid special attention to keeping them safe from coronavirus amid apprehensions of worsening virus situation in winter months. She said the government will procure a vaccine as soon as it is available and has already given advance money for booking a vaccine which is about to be invented. "We’ve given special attention to how to secure people (from coronavirus) putting aside other issues … So, the people of the country don’t need to be anxious," she said while opening various development projects, including three bridges, in Magura, Narayanganj, Jashore and Pabna through a video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban. Sheikh Hasina said that another wave of coronavirus is coming worldwide and the government is taking its preparations from now to face that. She again urged everyone to follow health instructions. "Keep yourself protected and keep others protected," she said, adding that it is a shared responsibility. The Prime Minister said the government and the people now have the experience of facing COVID-19. "We firmly believe that we’ll be able to do that (successfully tackling a second wave)," she said. Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. Although the Prime Minister has been warning of a second wave, the people still appear reluctant to follow health guidelines. The government has recently adopted a ‘no mask, no service’ policy and recently, launched a drive to ensure the use of masks by people. Bridges to spur growth Talking about the newly-constructed bridges in Magura, Narayanganj and Jashore, Sheikh Hasina said that the socio-economic condition of the people will improve with the developed communication system. She said that after coming to power, the Awami League government has built a huge communication network in the country. "As a result, today our economy is very much active, we’ve started so many projects, Inshallah we’ll complete them," she said. Sheikh Hasina said that the newly-constructed bridges in Jashore, Magura and Narayanganj would make the economy stronger, while communication and transportation of goods would be easier. These will also play a very significant role for the socio-economic development of the respective areas and alleviating poverty from the region, she opined. The Prime Minister said the Padma Bridge would make communication networks easier with other parts of the country as the newly-constructed bridges were open to traffic today. Besides, every region, particularly the southern part of the country, would be more developed once the construction of the mega project is completed. Sheikh Hasina said that as a political party, Awami League always worked with a farsighted economic plan and it implemented all the plans undertaken in light of the directives in the Constitution. As a result, the people get good results of the initiatives of the Awami League government, she said. Sheikh Hasina said her government could not implement all of its development plans due to the coronavirus pandemic this year. But, the coordinated efforts of all including administration, police, BGB, RAB, and the Armed Forces, made it possible to keep the economy running, she said and extended her sincere thanks to all concerned for their efforts. LGRD Minister M Tajul Islam and LGRD Secretary Helaluddin Ahmad also spoke joining the event through video conference from the Cabinet division at Bangladesh Secretariat while businessmen Anjan Chowdhury also spoke at the programme from Pabna. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated a number of newly-constructed development projects through video conferencing from Ganobhaban. The projects include newly-constructed 600.7-metre Sheikh Hasina Bridge over Madhumati River at Angkhali Ghat of Mohammad Upazila under Magura district, 576.21m Muktijodhha Golam Dastogir Gazi (Bir Protik) Bridge over Shitaloksha River under Narayanganj, 702.55m bridge over Bhairab River on Amtola Jisivia Moricha-Nauli Bazar road from Jashore-Khulna Highway and Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Islam Bakul Shadhinota Square at Pabna. Source: UNB AH

The nation is observing the historic March 7 commemorating the landmark speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which was touted as indirect declaration of the country’s independence in 1971. Different socio-cultural and political organizations, student and professional bodies chalked out elaborate programs including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies to mark the day. The ruling Awami League hoisted national and party flags atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices on the occasion. Party leaders and workers placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi this morning. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city this morning on the occasion of the historic March 7. After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence. Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), placed another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party. AL Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu, Presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Faruk Khan, Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Shahjahan Khan, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Mirza Azam and Afjal Hossain and Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil were present on the occasion, among others. Later, the leaders and workers of Awami League’s associate bodies, including Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mahila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Jubo Mohila League and Swechchhasebok League, also paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on the occasion. Besides, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Muktijoddha Kendrio Command Council, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Tanti League, Bangabandhu Soinik League, Sheikh Russel Shishu Sangha, Awami Sangskritik Forum, Dhaka Bar Association and Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad also paid homage to Bangabandhu. Awami League and associated bodies also arranged rallies highlighting the significance of the day in all wards, unions, pourasabhas, upazilas and districts as the Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech is being played with loud speaker. The Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programs while national dailies brought out special supplements marking the auspicious occasion. The landmark speech inspired the Bangalees to prepare for a war of independence. The Liberation War began 18 days later, when the Pakistan Army launched “Operation Searchlight” against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians and armed personnel. On October 30 in 2017, the UNESCO recognized the historic speech as a part of the world’s documentary heritage. It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Source: BSS AH

In this year’s budget allocation for education sector was met according to the demand. Expressing her satisfaction Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said, not only qualitative development of education rather emphasis was also paid in infrastructural development. The minister said these while exchanging views with the local newsmen on this year’s budget at Chandpur Circuit House on Friday. She said, allocation has increased in education sector in a proportionate rate in the annual budget than the past. For that reason works can be done hopefully for qualitative development in education. The Education Minister said, steps will be taken to advance the education curriculum and training for teachers keeping pace with the time. We are at the backstage on the matter of training. Many of our teachers have not got any training. About GPA 5 she said, the matter of GPA is scaled out of 4 throughout the world. In our country it is scaled out of 4 in the higher education also. But only up to HSC it is scaled out of 5. So we have a plan to adjust it with our higher education and with abroad. But no decision is yet to be taken. Deputy Commissioner of Chandpur Md. Mazedur Rahman Khan, Police Super Zihadul Kabir, Chandpur district Awami League president municipal mayor Nasir Uddin Ahmed, general secretary Abu Nayeem Patwary among others were present at that time. AH