Dear Visitors, Please Click here to see all new/updated information from the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC, USA. Press Rlease ; Notice on forthcoming Mobile Consular Service Latest  News-Video on Bangladesh ; Interview of H.E. the Ambassador by the Diplomat Magazine ; FaceBook ; Interview of H.E. the Ambassador by the Diplomatic Connections ; Bangladesh (an article published in the "WorldFolio"); News/Reports on Bangladesh (published in the...

A Message from the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh on "Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day" from Pakistan jail to independent Bangladesh is here

The ambassador was responding to different questions at a live Facebook chat on Thursday, after his meeting with foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali. He said the primary challenges to religious freedom were manifested “in the occasional violent acts against religious individuals, communities, and institutions that we have seen in recent years”. “On core issues of religious freedom is that can religious communities organize in accordance with their beliefs, build houses of worship and pray freely, celebrate their festivals - privately and...

07 November 2016 -  Speech on Bangladesh’s policy priorities and its relationship with the United States and the regional powers at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana 27 September 2016 - Welcome Remarks on the event of screening of a Documentary Film titled " Journey to Justice " by Shahriar Kabir   {global_content name='share button'}

Announcement for Seeking Applications from Foreign Students for Admission into the Medical Colleges and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Admission of Foreign students in the MBBS and BDS Courses in Medical Colleges, Dental Colleges, Institutes (Government/Private) in Bangladesh for the session 2016-2017 Admission of Foreign students in undergraduate programs in various Departments of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for the session 2016-2017

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Welcome to the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC, USA's  FaceBook . Bangaladesh Mission to the USA is currently headed by Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin. The Ambassador is assisted by officials of the Political, Economic, Press, Commercial, Consular and Defense Wings. The relationship with the United States of America is one Bangladesh's most durable and important bilateral partnerships. The two countries enjoy unique ties of culture and history. Economically, the USA has many direct investment, many US...

An Interview of Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA, H.E. Mohammad Ziauddin by the Diplomat Magazine. The published interview also published in Bangla by the Daily AmaderShomoy.Com

Published few reports in various media on the hunger strike of Bangladeshi detainees ends at El Paso Detention Center in Texas A six-day hunger strike by a total of 41 detainees including 35 Bangladeshis at El Paso detention center in Texas ended on October 20, 2015 after successful negotiations between the Consular Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Md. Shamsul Alam Chowdhury, Minister (Consular) of the Bangladesh Embassy led the...

Govt considering introduction of mandatory insurance for RMG workers: PM DHAKA, April 23, 2014 (BSS)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that the government is actively considering introduction of mandatory insurance system for garment workers. She said this when the deputy director general for field operations and partnerships of the International Labor Organisation (ILO), Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, raised the issue during a call on with the Prime Minister at her official residence Ganobhaban here this...

Dhaka concludes dialogue with US seeking intensified cooperation DHAKA, April 22, 2014 (BSS) - Bangladesh and the United States today concluded their third round of security dialogue in three years seeking intensified cooperation in a broader spectrum involving issues like counterterrorism, vulnerability to disasters, secured navigation system and internal and regional security issues. "It (dialogue) will now take the bilateral ties to a loftier height," US principal deputy assistant secretary Tom Kelly,...

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Bangladesh for better sharing of ideas among Southern Nations   DHAKA, April 17, 2014 (BSS) - Bangladesh has made a strong call for better sharing of ideas and information on development successes among the Southern nations at the first High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership that ended in Mexico on Wednesday. Finance Minister A M A Muhith who was leading the Bangladesh delegation at the global congregation on development cooperation, highlighted the benefits that South-South Cooperation...

25 Bangladeshi IT talents get international recognition DHAKA, April 17, 2014 (BSS) - Twenty-five Bangladeshi IT talents have received IT Engineers Examination (ITEE) certificates, an international standardized examination of the IT professionals, presently recognized in 12 Asian countries. The ITEE is basically a national standardized examination of Japan for IT professionals where five to six lakh IT students and IT professionals attend every year. Bangladesh was placed second among the...

Mujibnagar Day observed in befitting manner DHAKA, April 17, 2014 (BSS)- The historic Mujibnagar Day commemorating the formation of provisional government of Bangladesh was observed in a befitting manner today. The first independent and sovereign government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh took oath of office at the mango grove at Baidyanathtala of Meherpur sub-division in Kushtia district on this day in 1971. Earlier, on April 10 of the same year, the provisional government of...

President for motivating young NRBs to contribute to development   DHAKA, April 17, 2014 (BSS)- President Abdul Hamid today laid emphasis on motivating younger generation of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to encourage themselves to contributing to the  country's development.  The President made the remarks while a delegation of UK Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its chairman Iqbal Ahmed called on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon.  During the meeting, the delegation...

PM extends Nabobarsho greetings to all Bangalees DHAKA, April 14, 2014 (BSS)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today extended her heartiest Bangla Nabobarsho greetings to all Bangalees across the globe on the occasion of Pahela Boishakh, as she expressed the hope that they would start a new journey through this celebration. "I hope that a new journey for the Bangalees at home and abroad would begin by throwing away the rubbish of the past," she said. The Prime Minister said this after...

Nation celebrates Pahela Boishakh amid festivity DHAKA, April 14, 2014(BSS) - Thousands of people thronged the streets and different popular places in the capital and elsewhere across the country as the nation today celebrated its most colourful and traditional festival Pahela Boishakh to welcome the Bangla New Year 1421.  Cultural and musical groups started off the first day of the Bangla year with songs and other performances at city parks while students of the Institute of Fine Arts of...

$20bn reserve record in April Chief Economics Correspondent,  bdnews24.com Published: 02 Apr 2014 22:04 BdST Updated: 02 Apr 2014 23:04 BdST   The Bangladesh Bank is optimistic that the forex reserves will cross the $20 billion mark within a month. The $ 1.27 billion remittance by expatriates in March, the third highest monthly remittance inflow so far, will help reach this milestone, it says. Bangladesh Bank’s Forex Reserve...

WB optimistic about Bangladesh’s future Staff Correspondent,  bdnews24.com Published: 02 Apr 2014 19:04 BdST Updated: 02 Apr 2014 20:04 BdST Visiting World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Philippe Le Houérou, has said that he is optimistic about Bangladesh’s prospects of ending poverty and achieving shared prosperity. He also emphasised the World Bank’s strong support for the people of Bangladesh. Le Houérou made the observation on Wednesday after...

Bangladesh declared polio-free Nurul Islam Hasib,               bdnews24.com Published: 2014-03-27 15:30:35.0 BdST                         Updated: 2014-03-27 18:26:49.0 BdST Bangladesh is one of the 11 South Asian countries declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) The WHO regional office in New Delhi stamped the region as polio-free on Thursday. It was a ‘public health milestone’ for the region, Prof Mahmudur Rahman, a member of the regional certification...

A NEW BANGLADESH Bangladesh's ICT sector is a glaring example of what can be achieved if the government's goodwill and a skilled workforce work together Md Sahahnawaz Khan Chandan Photo Courtesy: Multimedia Content And Communication For more than half a decade “Digital Bangladesh” has become the new mantra of development. The widespread use of the term clearly signals the government's emphasis on the development of the information and communication technology. Accordingly, the government has formed a...

EU to work closely with government in Bangladesh DHAKA, March 24, 2014 (BSS) - European Union today reiterated its plans for close cooperation with the incumbent government in Bangladesh as a high-level EU delegation today held talks with foreign minister Mahmud Ali here. "European Union will continue to work closely with the government of Bangladesh," a foreign office statement quoted chair of the EU parliamentary delegation Jean Lambert as saying during the meeting. Lambert also praised Bangladesh's...

Militancy, terrorism not teaching of Islam: PM DHAKA, March 22, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said militancy, terrorism and killing are not teaching of Islam and those believe in these misdeeds have no religion and boundary. Terming Islam as a religion of peace, the Prime Minister sought cooperation of alem-ulema (religious leaders) so that none can unleash terrorist acts like killing, hurling bombs, cutting tendons and gouging eyes in the country by using the religion. She also called...

OIC again welcomes Jan 5 elections result   DHAKA, March 9, 2014 (BSS) - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today welcomed the January 5 elections result and reiterated its commitment to work with democratically elected incumbent government as its newly elected secretary general Iyad Ameen Madani arrived here on a three-day visit.  "This (Bangladesh) is a free, democratic country and there were free elections," Madani told newsmen after talks with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and...

OIC to continue work with govt in Bangladesh Iyad Ameen Madani, secretary general, OIC Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani yesterday assured that the OIC would continue to work with the present government of Bangladesh, saying there were ‘free elections’ in the country on January 5. “Whoever is in power represents Bangladesh … the OIC looks forward to working with the officials of the government of Bangladesh,” he told  reporters in Dhaka. The OIC chief came...

Our window to the world Bangabandhu's birthday today Syed Badrul Ahsan The nation observes today the 94th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this occasion, we recall the remarkable statesman in the Father of the Nation. An early instance of it came in January 1972 as he addressed the world's media in London only hours after his arrival from incarceration in Pakistan. He bore no ill will toward Pakistan, he said, and he wished President Bhutto well. It was a sentiment he would restate in Dhaka a...

Bangabandhu's birthday tomorrow DHAKA, March 15, 2014 (BSS) - The grateful nation observes the 94th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day tomorrow. Different socio-political and cultural organizations including the ruling Awami League and its associated bodies have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the birthday of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all time, in a befitting manner. The day is a public holiday. National...

World T20: BD VS AFG Tigers seal biggest T20 win Shakib man of the match with 3.1-0-8-3 Star Online Report Sabbir Rahman's (not in picture) brilliant throw from short mid-wicket caught Afghan batsman Nawroz Mangal well short of his ground as Tigers routed Afghanistan for 72 at Mirpur Sunday. Photo: Firoz Ahmed Bangladesh picked up a comprehensive victory over Afghanistan in the first match of the World T20 at Mirpur today, beating them by nine wickets. The Tigers chased down the...

PM calls for working together to build 'Sonar Bangla' DHAKA, March 16, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged all to work together being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war and turn Bangladesh into ''Sonar Bangla'' as dreamt by Bangabandhu sinking all differences. In a message on the eve of the 94th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day, she paid her deep homage to the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the...

PM opens T20 World Cup   DHAKA, March 13, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today opened the fifth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup Cricket, seeking cooperation of all to make the tournament successful.  "I seek cooperation of all, including the youth community, to further brighten the country's image by making the T20 World Cup a grand success," she said.  The Prime Minister declared the meet open from a decorated dais set up on the VVIP Pavilion on the southwest side of the...

Tk 58,000 crore master plan adopted for agri-sector uplift in coastal districts: PM   SANGSAD BHABAN, March 12, 2014 (BSS)- Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina today said her government has undertaken a Taka 58,000 crore master plan for the development of agricultural sector in 14 coastal districts. "The Master Plan for Agricultural Development in Southern Region of Bangladesh" has been undertaken for ensuring food security, removing poverty and improving the living standard in...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs External Publicity Wing Dhaka   Press Release Date:11 March,2014 Bangladesh and the Philippines sign  visa waiver agreement for official and diplomatic passport holders. Bangladesh and the Philippines have signed a Visa Waiver agreement for official and diplomatic passport holders on 06 March 2014. Maj. Gen. John Gomes (rtd), Ambassador of  Bangladesh to Philippines and  Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary (Foreign Minister) of  Philippines signed the...

'National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilian' ends in Pabna Vow to remove communalism and promote secularism Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu, Pabna Published: 12:00 am Monday, March 10, 2014 Guests on stage on the final day of the conference. Photo: Star National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilian and annual conference of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilian Parishad (JRSSP) concluded in Pabna on Saturday with a resolution to remove communalism and nefarious elements from the nation. The three-day Rabindra...

President visits rebuilt Buddhist temples in Ramu DHAKA, Mar 10, 2014 (BSS)- President Abdul Hamid today visited several rebuilt Buddhist temples and centers at Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar district.  During the visit, the President enquired about the wellbeing of local Buddhist community and distributed cheques to the affected members of the community, President's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS here. At first, the President visited U-maungrhee Bihar where four temples have been rebuilt. After...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs External Publicity Wing Dhaka Press Release OIC Secretary General meets Foreign Minister Dhaka, Sunday, 09 March 2014 The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani called on Foreign Minister A. H. Mahmood Ali at the Foreign Office in Dhaka today. The Foreign Minister welcomed the Secretary General on his first visit to Bangladesh. He remarked that, since joining OIC through the historic...

Bone-Marrow transplant in Bangladesh Published: 08 Mar 2014 23:03 BdST Doctors conducting first bone-marrow transplant in Bangladesh will start pushing back stem cells of a blood cancer patient on Monday at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. “It will take two to three weeks to complete the process,” the first-ever bone marrow transplant centre in-charge Prof MA Khan told bdnews24.com. He said they had started destroying cancer cells of the patient with “high-dose chemotherapy” on Saturday before starting pushing back his...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs External Publicity Wing Dhaka PRESS RELEASE Date: 08 March 2014 UNESCO DG praises Bangladesh PM’s role in promoting women empowerment and girls’ education UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, praised Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her commitment to women empowerment and girls’ education. She said this while speaking to journalists at the inauguration of the exhibition organized to celebrate International Women’s Day at the UNESCO...

PM pays homage to Bangabandhu on historic March 7 DHAKA, March 7, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city on the occasion of the historic March 7. She first laid a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu as the Prime Minister. After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to...

Bangladesh to become middle income country by 2021: MPs on thanks-giving motion SANGSAD BHABAN, Mar 05, 2014 (BSS)-With the general discussions on thanks-giving motion on the President’s address to House entering the 15 working day today, the treasury bench members hoped that Bangladesh would be a middle income country by 2021 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  Thanking the President for highlighting achievements of Awami League-led grand alliance government in different...

Govt. to show zero tolerance toward illegal drug traders: Asaduzzaman SANGSAD BHABAN, Mar 05, 2014 (BSS)-The government will continue showing zero tolerance toward illegal drug trading as the authorities have instructed the concerned agencies, including department of narcotics control, police and RAB, to take stern measures against traffickers to curb illegal trade and use of drugs in the country.  State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan told this while replying to a question from...

RMG workers' database, appointment of inspectors by March: Tofail DHAKA, Mar 5, 2014 (BSS) - Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today said the government has made significant progress in implementing the action plan in an effort to get back the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility in the US  Talking to reporters at his Secretariat office, Tofail said works on appointment of inspectors for factory inspection and making a database of garment workers would be completed by March 31. "I...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs External Publicity Wing Dhaka   Press Release Nay Pyi Taw, 04 March 2014 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calls for securing a BIMSTEC region of peace, stability and prosperity Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for “purposeful connectivity to allow for free movement of peoples, goods and services” in ensuring faster development of BIMSTEC Member States, overall well-being of their peoples and closer regional integration. In that context, she stressed on prioritizing the...

Garment orders on the rebound Bangladesh records 18th year-on-year increase in last 19 months Refayet Ullah Mirdha     Work orders from international buyers are picking up with the return of political stability in Bangladesh after the January 5 national elections, exporters said yesterday. Garment makers aim to achieve the export growth target at the end of the year, given there are no further political upheavals. Bangladesh, the second largest garment exporter after China, shipped knitwear items worth $7...

PM urges Myanmar for amicable solution of refugee issue NAY PYI TAW, March 3, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called the Myanmar government for an "amicable solution" to bring back the Myanmar refugees from Bangladesh. She came up with the request during her bilateral talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace here this afternoon. Sheikh Hasina is here on a two-day official visit to attend the third BIMSTEC Summit. After the meeting, PM's Special Assistant...

Myanmar could learn many things from Bangladesh: Suu Kyi NAY PYI TAW, March 3, 2014 (BSS)- Impressed with Bangladesh's stunning successes in different fields, Myanmar Opposition Leader Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi today said her country could learn many things from Bangladesh. "The programmes Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken for the poor, especially the women and children, are an inspiration for me," she said. Suu Kyi, Chairman of the National League for Democracy and Chairperson of the...

Govt giving priority to sports & games along with education: PM DHAKA, March 2, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has given priority to sports and games alongside education as it provides physical and mental strength for the children. "Sports and games also help to groom the children as worthy citizens," she said. The Prime Minister was distributing trophies among the winners of the 4th Bangabandhu Gold Cup Primary School Tournament -2013 and the 4th Bangamata...

"Amar Sonar Bangla" to recite simultaneously on March 26 DHAKA, Mar 2, 2014 (BSS) -Three lakh people will recite national anthem "Amar Sonar Bangla" on March 26, marking country's 43rd Independence Day, to make it as world record. The recitation will take place at National Parade Ground at 11am. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurated the function at 10.45am. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor made the announcement at a press conference at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy here. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu,...

US $600 Million to Improve Electricity Supply in Rural Bangladesh Benefitting 25 Million People WASHINGTON, February 27, 2014 — The World Bank Board approved today US$ 600 million in concessional financing  to improve the quality of electricity supply in the rural areas in the eastern part of Bangladesh. The Rural Electricity Transmission and Distribution Project aims to reduce system losses and enhance capacity in the electricity network in rural Bangladesh. The project will reduce technical losses in the rural grid electricity...

Eniter Bangladesh Potato seal used to issue permit in 1971 28 February 2014 He received from freedom fighters for entering the country during the Liberation War in 1971. The seal used for giving him the visa was carved out of a potato. The photo was taken at the Liberation War Museum where Alfonsi donated the passport. Photo: Palash Khan "Entry Bangladesh, 3/4/71" is handwritten on a page in a French passport that has been submitted to the Liberation War Museum to be preserved as a relic of the...

  Honourable Prime Minister hopes a developed Bangladesh before schedule DHAKA, Feb 26, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed her firm optimism that Bangladesh much earlier than 2041, a timeframe stipulated in the last election manifesto of her party, would be a developed nation by dint of hard labour of the people and country's geographical location. "We aimed making Bangladesh as a developed nation by 2041. But, keeping trust with the hard work, sincerity and ability of our people we would surely...

  All non machine readable passports (hand written passport) would be expired by 01 April, 2015 as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandate dated 02 November 2009. Accordingly, Bangladesh Embassy, Washington, DC is working with the guideline of 'no handwritten passport be allowed after January 31, 2015'. All Bangladeshi Nationals are requested to apply and make Machine Readable Passport ( MRP) as early as possible. Kindly contact this embassy office at +12022440183 ext 0/100 to set the time frame for appointment of MRP. ...

Ministry of Foreign Affairs External Publicity Wing Dhaka Press Release 23  February, 2014 Ministry’s attention has been drawn to the media reports and reaction of people particularly in the social networking sites on the Hindi film “Gunday” which has recently been released in India. The Ministry and the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi have been working on ascertaining the veracity of the reported derogatory remarks/distortion of historical facts in the film since it came to the notice of the...

Bangladesh achieves global recognition in combating money laundering DHAKA, Feb 17, 2014 (BSS) - Bangladesh has achieved global recognition in combating money laundering and terror financing, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith announced the achievement at a press conference at his office here today. The Paris-based international organisation, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), gave the recognition by delisting the name of the country from its "Grey List". The FATF, an inter-governmental body to combat money laundering,...

Govt. constructs 12-storied dormitory for garment workers at Ashulia: Meher Afroze SANGSAD BHABAN, Feb 17, 2014 (BSS) -State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Begum Meher Afroze today said the government is constructing a 12-storied dormitory at Ashulia in Savar upazila for the female garment workers to resolve their long- standing housing problems. Replying to a question of treasury bench member Nurunnabi Chowdhury in the Jatiya Sansgsad, she said the dormitory building would have 836 seats. The state...

18,000 govt offices of upazila, district to be brought under internet network DHAKA, Feb 14, 2014 (BSS) -- The government has decided to bring its 18,000 offices at upazila and district levels under a single internet network by June next year, using fibre optic and microwave connectivity of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). Officials said that the decision came at a meeting of the steering committee of Infosarkar project held at the conference room of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Division on...

Government initiates to sing national anthem for Guinness record DHAKA, Feb 13, 2014 (BSS)- The government has taken an initiative to assemble thousands of enthusiastic people at the National Parade Squad in the city on March 26 to sing the national anthem, aimed at including Bangladesh in the Guinness Book of World Record. A coordination meeting of Steering Committee was held at Dhaka Cantonment's Armed Forces Division with Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, MP in the chair, according to a handout. The meeting was...

Bangladesh won't be allowed to be playground of militancy, terrorism: Prime Minister Mentioning that Bangladesh had been a country of militancy, terrorism and corruption under the BNP-Jamaat rule, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the soil of Bangladesh will not be allowed to become a playground of militancy and terrorism again by any means. She directed all the law enforcing agencies including Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and also urged the countrymen to remain alert so that the anti-democratic and communal forces...

Month-long folk festival begins in Sonargaon on Feb 14 DHAKA, Feb 12, 2014 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor today said the government has undertaken various initiatives to protect country's folk art and heritage. "To this end, recommendations have been made to increase allocations for the cultural affairs ministry in the next financial year," he said at a press conference at Press Information Department (PID) on the occasion of Fine Arts Fair and Folk Festival 2014. Folk and Fine Arts Foundation will hold the...

Developing 34,000 world-class IT men suggested DHAKA, Feb 12, 2014 (BSS) - The Steering Committee on Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT) Project suggested 34,000 world-class IT professionals be developed to meet the demand for skilled manpower of local and international IT industries. The suggestion came at a meeting of the steering committee held at the conference room of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division on Tuesday with ICT Secretary N I Khan in the chair. LICT Project Director...

Economic growth remains impressive: BB report DHAKA, February 10, 2014 (BSS)- Showing resilience to internal and external crises, Bangladesh economy grew last year at an impressive rate, which was much above the global average, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) annual report for 2012-13 released here today. The report, a flagship public of the central bank on economy, showed that the economy grew by 6.0 percent in 2013, much higher than the world economy advanced on average. "Using the 1995-96 base year the Bangladesh economy...

Govt signs $535m deal with WB for improving urban services, education DHAKA, February 10, 2014 (BSS)- The government has signed two financing agreements totaling US$ 535 million with the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessional arm. WB country director Johannes Zutt and Economic Relations Division Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin signed the agreements at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city on Monday. Under the agreements, the WB will support two projects titled...

Plan to install 'Bio-Socket' in 35,000 biogas plants for electricity DHAKA, Feb 9, 2014 (BSS) - The SNV Netherlands Development Organization, a pioneer in promoting biogas plants in the world, plans to install 'Bio-Socket' in the country's 35,000 biogas plants to generate electricity for rural households. A source in the SNV said the organization is nearing completion to develop a prototype of the Bio-Socket, a new technical innovation where heat of a biogas flame is directly transformed into electricity and a socket can produce...

Vow for eradicating dowry in building flourishing char society RANGPUR, Feb 07, 2014 (BSS) - Hundreds of char people at a daylong community fair yesterday vowed for eradicating social curses like dowry, child marriage and making birth and marriage registration campaign successful to build a flourishing char society. They also committed to continue resisting dowry, child marriage, polygamy, divorce, violence, repression, rooting out gender discrimination, human trafficking and educating their...

DHAKA, Feb 07, 2014 (BSS) - The government is going to start selection of educated youths for developing them as First Track Future IT Leaders (FTFLs) from the last week of February aiming to provide them job in the country's Information Technology (IT) industry, official source said. They said Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT) Project under the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has decided to select 4,000 educated youths in phases with science and commerce background through online competitive...

Relatives of Rana Plaza victims get financial help from PM office GAIBANDHA, Feb 07, 2014 (BSS) - Relatives of two more Rana Plaza victims of Sadullapur upazila got financial assistance of Taka four lakh from the Prime Minister's office on Thursday. UNO Ahsan Habib handed over the cheques of financial assistance to the close relatives of the victims at a function held at his office. Tazul Islam, husband of deceased Bulbuli Begum of Zamudanga village, got Tk 2 lakh while Sumela Begum, mother of Bulbuli Begum of the village and...

PM inaugurates first-ever light and sound show at Lalbagh Fort DHAKA, Feb 7, 2014 (BSS)-The country entered a new era of technology today as a light and sound show was launched at Lalbagh Fort, an archaeological site, in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the show this evening through a function expressing the hope that it would be a new attraction for the visitors and tourists coming to the historic Lalbagh Fort.  With the technology, she said, the visitors could know the continuation of the...

  Official list of martyred intellectuals by June Liberation war affairs minister tells JS; says monthly allowance of freedom fighters increased The government will publish a comprehensive list of all martyred intellectuals of 1971 by June, and has increased the monthly allowance for freedom fighters to Tk 5,000 from existing Tk 2,000, with effect from January, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told parliament yesterday. He made the announcements following a query by Awami League lawmaker M Abdul Latif...

Govt to finalise deal for construction of Dhaka-Mawa expressway DHAKA, Feb 03, 2014 (BSS) - Finance Minister AMA Muhith today said the government will finalise deal for the construction of Dhaka-Mawa expressway within the current fiscal year and the cost for this project will be US$150 million.  "The probable outlay for the construction of expressway from zero-point of Dhaka to Mawa would be around US$150 million where the government will finance about US$100 million," the finance minister told the DCCI's board of members when they called on...

Remittance inflow rebounds in January DHAKA, Feb 3, 2014 (BSS) - Shedding the negative trend in the previous two months, the remittance inflow rebounded in January, comforting the central bank in marinating its higher reserve. Data released by Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday showed the rebounding trend in remittance - the life blood for the country's foreign exchange reserve. The country in January received US$1250.03 million, up from the figures of November and December when the remittance inflow became unstable amidst political unrest....

Branding Bangladesh: India's Neighbor Is Becoming A Major Startup Hub Anushay Hossain Posted on: 28 January 2014   Poverty, natural disasters, and cheap labor may be what you would normally associate with Bangladesh, but India's neighbor could be Asia's next major startup hub. "Bangladesh is becoming a land of opportunity," says Samad Miraly, a Canadian-Bangladeshi angel investor based in Dhaka. "It's a place where extraordinary people are doing extraordinary things, and no one really knows about it." And that's...

New parliament goes into session tomorrow DHAKA, Jan 28, 2014 (BSS)- The 1st session of the 10th parliament will begin at 6 pm tomorrow at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban. President M Abdul Hamid summoned the session on 13 January as per Article 72 (1) of the constitution. As per the constitution, President Abdul Hamid will address the first session of the parliament. The cabinet has already approved the speech of the President. Besides, as per the rules, the speaker and deputy speaker of the parliament will be elected in the first...

Biman's New York-Ticket sale from feb Staff correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2014-01-27 Biman Bangladesh Airlines will start selling tickets for its New York flight from the next month. “We are planning to start sale of tickets for our New York flights sometimes during first half of February,” Kevin Steele, Managing Director of the flag carrier said at a press briefing on Monday. Biman stopped flying to New York after Bangladesh was banned by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of US in 1996. A country...

  Muslims flocks to Bangladesh for festival Millions attend Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest event for Muslims after the Hajj to Mecca Date: 25 January 2014   One of the largest gathering of Muslims, Bishwa Ijtema, is under way in Bangladesh. Millions from around the world congregate for prayer and religious discussions just north of the capital Dakha. For retailers in the area, the gathering also means big business. Bishwa ljtema is only second to the Hajj to Mecca in the number of people it...

No place for terrorism, militancy in Bangladesh: PM                   GAIBANDHA, Jan 25, 2014 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here today that the wrath of the BNP-Jamaat-Shibir cronies would not continue further as they would have to answer to the people one day for their acts of violence including felling of tress, cutting roads, damaging educational institutions in their bid to foil the last parliament elections. Reaffirming her government's strong commitment, she said that...

RMG buyers are back Shaikh Abdullah,  bdnews24.com Published: 2014-01-24 Apparel exporters are now breathing easy as foreign buyers are beginning to return, with Bangladesh getting down to business after a spell of political upheaval. Upset over deadly factory fires, collapsing buildings, raging worker unrest over wages, and relentless political violence, many buyers had turned their backs on the country's readymade garment industry, factory owners say. ...

Tk 4.32b project to boost agricultural production Posted : 25 Jan, 2014 In a bid to boost agricultural production and increase income of the countries rural farmers, an initiative has been taken to impart training to around 1.0 million male and female farmers on integrated farm management to create employment opportunities through establishing some 20,000 farmers' field schools, reports UNB. The initiative is also aimed at creating farmers organisations as well as links among different service providing agencies, market...

Govt to launch smart device for reading textbooks Posted : 25 Jan, 2014 The school students could read the books on a smart device soon as the government has taken initiative to make available multimedia version of national curriculum and text books on smart device, reports BSS. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT) and mobile phone company Symphony have reached an understanding on January 23 to launch an educational smart device for the school students to read curriculum and the textbooks. The...

Investment up 26.0 %, export 16 % in EPZs Published: 24 January 2014 Bangladesh Export Pro-cessing Zones Authority (BEPZA) made a remarkable growth both in investment and export in the first half of the current fiscal (2013-14) despite political unrest. According to data released by the BEPZA, investment in the country’s eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) posted a 26.50 per cent growth in the first half of current fiscal compared to those during the same period in the previous fiscal. Exports from the eight EPZs also moved...

  Attackers of Hindues to be punished PM reassures people in Abhaynagar Bss, Abhaynagar Published: January 24, 2014 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would not tolerate any sort of terrorism and militancy in the country."For this, we will take whatever stringent action is required. We will ensure people's safety and security," she said while addressing a public rally at Noapara Shankarpasha High School ground in Abhaynagar of Jessore. ...

  Buffalo Genome Decoded Joint venture feat to boost meat, dairy supply Published: 12:00 am Friday, January 24, 2014 Reaz Ahmed A Bangladeshi company, Lal Teer Livestock Limited, and Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) have jointly unravelled the complete genome of water buffalo, opening up a new horizon in developing better breeds of the animal that is vital for milk and meat. Lal Teer Livestock, an associate of the country's largest private sector seed company Lal Teer Seed, and BGI, the world's largest genomics...

Bangladesh reclaims 110 acres after 40 years Created on January 24, 2014 at 02:24 The land, known as Muhuri Char, on the bank of river Muhuri in Feni, has already been handed over to the Bangladesh border authorities Bangladesh has reclaimed 110 acres of land from India, 40 years after the Mujib-Indira Land Boundary Agreement was signed in 1974. The land, known as Muhuri Char, on the bank of river Muhuri in Feni, has already been handed over to the Bangladesh border authorities. Abul Kashem, an official of the Survey of...

  Bangladesh beats India in garment exports     DHAKA, January 19, 2014 (BSS) - The country's apparel industry has overtaken India in readymade garment exports despite the recent setbacks it received like instances of building collapses and fire at manufacturing units, says a study by Exim Bank of India. According to the study, Bangladesh garment export to US market surged by 11.4 percent to US$4.9billion between January and October 2013 when Indian exports to the US grew by 6.3 per cent to US...

 No EU Plan to scrap GSP Envoy makes it clear the duty-free facility has nothing to do with politics Published: 12:02 am Monday, January 20, 2014 The European Union has no plan to cancel the GSP facility for Bangladesh at the moment. "That continues to be the case, and we are not considering any trade measure at this stage," he told reporters at his office in the capital. His comment comes amid news reports that the EU might reconsider the GSP benefit for Bangladesh following the January 5 election...

Bangladesh-Myanmar shipping line from March by Refayet Ullah Mirdha Published: 12:00 am Sunday, January 19, 2014 The long-delayed coastal shipping line between Bangladesh and Myanmar will finally get underway in March, with the aim to boost bilateral trade, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said yesterday. The coastal vessels were supposed to be launched a year ago but it was delayed for political tension in both the countries, he said. “But, everything is now at the final stage. We are ready to offer our inland ports for use...

Asia Cup now set in stone Matches to be held at Fatullah and Mirpur Friday, January 17, 2014 With the uncertainty regarding security set aside, it is now time to start the countdown to the start of the cricket festivity in the country. This was the dominant sentiment when Syed Ashraful Haq, the chief executive officer of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), announced the fixture of the Asia Cup in an official press meet at a local hotel yesterday to bury all the doubts over hosting the tournament in the country. The eleven-match...

01/16/2014: Press Release from Ministry of Foreign Affairs on fabricated propaganda in social media

  World Bank approves US$ 400 m to improve  urban services in Bangladesh 16 Jan, 2014 The World Bank has approved 410 million U.S. dollars to improve municipal governance and basic urban services in district towns and municipalities in Bangladesh and benefit 3.4 million people in around 100 urban communities across the country. According to a statement of the Washington-based lender received here Thursday, the Municipal Governance and Service Project will provide financial support to 26 urban government bodies with high...

  Bangladesh's recent elections succeed despite obstacles By Akramul Qader Congress Blog,  January 14, 2014, 02:00 pm The images from Bangladesh that have been broadcast around the world lately have not been pretty. The country’s opposition parties boycotted the recent Parliamentary elections and their thuggish supporters resorted to violence, arson and intimidation. Nevertheless, the government managed to conduct elections that were fair, free and transparent. This was a remarkable testament to the government’s...

The Story of an Inspirational Figure Rashid Askari dissects a biography of Bangladesh's founder Published: 12:00 am Monday, January 13, 2014 The genre of biography has been undergoing lots of changes in terms of themes and styles ever since the publication of Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson (1791). While Boswell's work is regarded as the finest literary biography ever written, and still enjoys its status as 'a classic of language', many other biographies assume the role of history. As...

"Beast" warns US News Desk,  bdnews24.com Published: 2014-01-14 10:21:55.0 BdST Updated: 2014-01-14 19:57:59.0 BdST One of USA's leading news websites, www.thedailybeast.com, has warned Washington against backing Islamists in Bangladesh yet again. It says the US should not repeat the mistake of 1971 when it backed Pakistan's brutal military effort to suppress Bengali nationalist aspirations and ended up backing genocide. Below is the article reproduced in full. In 1971, the U.S....

Genocide and Justice in Bangladesh By Salim Mansur January 9, 2014 It seems in modern times that the post-colonial history of Muslim societies has been over-determined by violence in the name of religion. Bangladeshis, despite significant internal opposition from militant Muslims supported from the outside, have shown a preference for their secular culture, based on language and not religion. Islamic solidarity, then as now, meant support for the architects of genocide, not for the victims. Bangladesh, formerly East...

January 14, 2014 Bangladesh's Recent Election Succeeds despite Obstacles By Akramul Qader The images from Bangladesh that have been broadcast around the world lately have not been pretty. The country’s opposition parties boycotted the recent Parliamentary elections and their thuggish supporters resorted to violence, arson and intimidation. Nevertheless, the government managed to conduct elections that were fair, free and transparent. This was a remarkable testament to the government’s commitment to the young nation’s democracy...

Eid Greetings from the Ambassador

Foreign Ministry Press Release on US GSP  Suspension

The country’s first search engine www.pipilika.com goes online officially on the eve of Pahela Baishakh today. At least 11 researchers and developers at computer science and engineering department of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, in collaboration with GPIT Ltd have already launched a beta. However, its formal launching would be at 6:30pm at the Winter Garden of Rupashi Bangla Hotel in the capital. Eminent writer, educationist and a professor at computer science and engineering department Muhammed Zafar Iqbal played...

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington D.C. mourns with deep sorrow the sad demise of Hon'ble President Md. Zillur Rahman who died on 20 March 2013. More

GSP and our fluctuating trade fortunes Akramul Qader   L-R: Bangladesh's fragile export basket underlines the need for retaining GSP benefit. Garments, the most important export item, are not covered by the GSP scheme. Photo: STAR The generalised system of preferences (GSP) is one of the key administrative arrangements that govern US's concessions in foreign trade. The programme was designed in 1976 with a view to promoting economic growth mainly in the developing world. Since its launch, 128 beneficiary countries and territories have...

The central bank yesterday launched National Payment Switch, a common platform for the country's commercial banks for electronic payments, which is going to revolutionise e-commerce in Bangladesh.“The advantages of this new payment platform are enormous. E-commerce will spread across the country,” said Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman. Once all banks in Bangladesh join the NPS, a customer using a credit or debit card of any bank will be able to draw cash from any ATM and POS (point of sales) in the country. And transaction costs will...

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Wednesday asked the garment owners to pay their workers more alongside ensuring hundred per cent compliance in their factories for the highest security of workers, report agencies."Pay more to the workers, ensure their highest security and be active to meet the compliance of the buyers," she said while inaugurating the three-day 23rd Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (Batexpo-2012) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday assured the private sector of providing all kinds of support, saying that her government wants to work more closely with the sector to speed up the country's development. She also said a process is underway to enact the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Law with provisions for transparent process in selecting private partners for the implementation of PPP projects. The premier made the remarks while inaugurating the two-day PPP Global Investors' Forum: Bangladesh 2012 at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the morning....

In a major breakthrough in building the country's first metro rail system in Dhaka, Japan has approved $2.1 billion in soft loan for the $2.7 billion project. Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed this yesterday at his secretariat office after Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Shiro Sadoshima handed over the approval letter to him. "Japan government has approved the loan. They will give us $133 million within the current fiscal year," he told journalists. Construction of the metro rail will begin by June next year and end in 2017, Muhith said...

  Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, today (5 September 2012) had a meeting with the US Acting Secretary of State William J Burns. At the hour long meeting at the US State Department, both leaders discussed issues of mutual interests such as bilateral trade and investment, development, energy and security sector cooperation and the upcoming Partnership Dialogue. Referring to the trial of the self-confessed killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the presence of killer Rashed Chowdhury in the...

FDI inflow in Bangladesh increased last year Bangladesh received foreign direct investment (FDI) of $1.13 billion last year, the highest ever investment from overseas, according to the World Investment Report (WIR), 2012 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).The amount is 24.42 per cent more than that in the previous year, the report said and pointed out that the increase was also higher than the average 23 percent worldwide growth of FDI. The country received $910.33 million FDI in 2010. The previous record...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for joint efforts of all states to face the twin challenges of poverty and terrorism to secure global peace and harmony for future generations.Terming poverty a major “challenge of change” in the region, Hasina said she believes that poverty is the number one common enemy as it provides breeding ground of terrorism.The premier made the remarks in her keynote speech at the gala dinner of 'US-Islamic World Forum' 2012 held at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha yesterday evening. At the forum, Hasina emphasised...

US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue

The government has decided to set up five economic zones in the country to drive industrialisation and enhance the living standards of rural people by creating jobs. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the governing board of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.The economic zones will be set up in Anwara upazila and Mirsarai of Chittagong, Sherpur of Moulvibazar, Mongla of Bagerhat and in areas near Bangabandhu Bridge in Sirajganj. The...

Bangladesh honours its foreign  friends Expressing its deep debt of gratitude, the country yesterday honoured individuals and organisations from across the world for their wholehearted support to its liberation in 1971. President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the awards on the nation's foreign friends at a special ceremony at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The state accolades, titled “Bangladesh Liberation War Honour” and “Friends of Liberation War Honour”, went to 83 -- 75...

The country's domestic pharmaceutical market is now sized, in value terms, at US$ 1.136 billion. There has been a marked value-wise growth of the market -- at the rate of 23.59 per cent -- in 2011 over that of 2010, according to the data released Thursday by IMS Health Bangladesh. The IMS, a US-based organisation, has been providing pharma market intelligence to more than 100 countries over the past 50 years. Its factual data are based on the country's retail sales only. Institutional sales and import of drug has remained outside the purview of...

Dr ASM Amjad Hossain, a Bangladeshi physician, won the first Gates Vaccine Innovation Award provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a news release of the foundation said. The foundation on Wednesday announced the winner of the award in Bill Gates’ fourth annual letter, which provides his personal  account of the foundation’s priorities for the coming year. The award recognised the work of Dr. ASM Amjad Hossain, a former district immunization and surveillance medical officer in Bangladesh, whose implementation of an...

NAY PAI TAW, Dec 6 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here today urged her southeastern neighbour Myanmar to take a fresh vow to prosper together with Bangladesh as an old friend and neighbour. "Closer cooperation will allow us to move rapidly towards achieving our common goals of prosperity of our peoples, our nations and our region," she said. The Prime Minister was addressing a banquet hosted by President of Myanmar U Thein Sein in her honour at President Office on the second day of her first ever visit to Myanmar. "I heard so much about your...

The government yesterday awarded trophies to 45 successful businesspeople for their extraordinary performances in exports in fiscal 2009-10. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the trophies to the awardees at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.Of the winners, 16 received gold medals, 18 silver medals and 11 bronze medals for the year. The commerce ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) jointly rewarded the businessmen in the readymade garment, yarn, textile fabrics, home textile, frozen foods, raw jute, leather and...

Bangladesh has done better than many other least developed countries (LDCs) in terms of overall development scenario, particularly in economic vulnerability category, according to LDC Report 2011 released yesterday by Unctad. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) unveiled the report at its office on behalf of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).However, with the better performance in reducing economic vulnerability, Bangladesh requires to increase per capita gross national income (GNI) and improve human assets index...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the concerned authorities to be careful about the treatment of the poor patients and ensure that none is deprived of healthcare services due to financial hardship. She said this while a teachers' delegation of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) Alumni Trust led by DMC Principal Prof Deen Mohammad called on the Prime Minister at her office. She mentioned that her government during its previous tenure had undertaken a plan to construct around 18,000 community clinics across the country. Referring to her...

The worst hit climate vulnerable countries have emphasised developing their own capacities to fight the effects of climate change instead of sitting idle and waiting for assistance from developed countries. The determination was expressed at the end of a two-day Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) conference in Dhaka yesterday through a 14-point Dhaka Declaration. The declaration aims to give member countries of CVF a common ground for negotiations at the Conference of Parties (COP-17) scheduled to be held in Durban at the end of this month. It...

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will arrive in Dhaka this evening on a three-day tour of Bangladesh.During his stay here, he will attend an international conference on climate change and visit Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training -- dedicated to training of UN peacekeepers. Besides holding meetings with top government and opposition officials and private sector leaders, the UN chief will also meet the family members of some deceased UN peacekeepers, according to a release of the United Nations office in Dhaka.Ban will travel...

Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's address at the 17th SAARC Summit held at Addu, The Maldives

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have discussed in detail the stalled agreement on sharing of Teesta water and transit facilities for India. The meeting was held at Dr Ali’s Restaurant, Shangri-La’s Villingi Resort in the Maldives on Thursday, nearly three hours ahead of the formal inauguration of the summit of the eight South Asian nations. Briefing reporters, PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the two leaders emphasised on the early signing of the strip map of remaining parts of the common...

Bangladesh and Germany yesterday agreed to further explore bilateral trade and cooperation in the areas of sustainable development, climate change, health and social safety net programme. “Our development cooperation is very good. We have discussed how to strengthen our economic ties,'' German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a luncheon meeting at German Chancellery in the afternoon.The two leaders also discussed cooperation in renewable energy, and primary and secondary...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today invited the German entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Bangladesh, saying the country has offered most liberal foreign direct investment (FDI) regime in South Asia. "Bangladesh allows the foreign investors for repatriation of  hundred percent of their profits and equity. . .We are eager to  work in partnership with you for mutual gains and benefits as we  journey to the future," she told a seminar here.  source: BSS

Bangladesh’s relation with the US is a multidimensional one and it has withstood the test of time. This was said by the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. Dipu Moni, MP at a meeting in Washington, DC with the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Held at the US Department of State the meeting featured wide-ranging issues of mutual interests in the spirit of further strengthening the relations both in depth and dimension. The Foreign Minister mentioned to the Secretary of State that it was extremely important for Bangladesh to conduct...

Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh Bank has taken steps to encourage green banking in the country through the issuance of guidelines on green banking and Environmental Risk Management (ERM). “The central bank introduced Tk 2.0 billion refinance line for financing solar energy, biogas and effluent treatment plant (ETP) at only 5 percent interest rate,” he said on Thursday while addressing the Global Policy Forum 2011 at the Riviera Maya of Mexico. The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) arranged the event where more than 300...

Two vessels built by Western Marine Shipyard Ltd are set to sail to Germany today, the shipbuilder said in a statement. Western Marine has handed over six vessels in nine months, according to the statement. Emswave and Emstide are the fifth and the sixth of the series of eight sister ships that Western Marine built for Grona Shipping GmbH Co of Germany. These ships are 5,200 DWT ice class multi-purpose ships which comprise all the latest marine technologies. “This has taken us to the peak of success in this industry,” said Managing...

Finally, Bangladesh-made sleeping bags retain the duty-free export facility in the US market till July 31 2013. The decision came after the US Senate passed a legislation renewing the expired Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme on September 22. “Finally, our efforts have paid off,” a commerce ministry official told The Daily Star yesterday. The US instituted the GSP in 1976 by the Trade Act of 1974. Congressional authorisation of the GSP programme expired in December 2010. As of mid-September this year, the Congress...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday emphasised bolstering regional cooperation in South Asia for building it as a prosperous and peaceful region. Hasina made the remarks when visiting Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the morning. She expressed the hope that the Saarc countries would join a partnership for promoting democracy, democratic practice and the rule of law in South Asia. The prime...

FE Report Chairman and founder of the Topsøe company in Denmark, Dr. Haldor Topsøe, aged 98, arrived in Dhaka on Sunday, on a five-day visit to Bangladesh until September 15, 2011. During his visit, he will lay the foundation stone for UTSHO's new school campus for underprivileged children at Sreepur, Gazipur. Dr. Topsøe has offered to develop the facilities on about six bighas of land which UTSHO received as a donation. The first phase, costing in excess of $ 1.0 million, will comprise a dormitory, dining and health care buildings,...

The World Bank will provide $ 359 million loan for implementing the Health Sector Development Programme (HSDP). An agreement to this effect will be signed at NEC 2 in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area today. The assistance will come as a credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the bank's concessionary lending arm. The credit carries a 0.75 percent service charge, a maturity of 40 years, including a 10-year grace period. The HSDP aims to support the efforts of the government to improve health services, especially...

The government yesterday approved setting up seven power plants partly with hard-term loans from abroad to lessen pressure on foreign exchange reserve and lower dependence on the private sector. The approval came at a meeting of the cabinet committee on economic affairs with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair. According to a Power Division proposal, the plants with a total capacity of 1,455 megawatt will cost Tk 10,230 crore, of which Tk 6,770 crore or $900 million will come from overseas as supplier's credit. A supplier's credit is...