Bangladesh entered the nuclear world as HPM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the main construction work on the much-awaited Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the maiden nuclear plant of the country. She formally launched the main construction work on the plant by pouring concrete at the plant site at Rooppur in Ishwardi, north off Pabna. The Rooppur plant is expected to add 2,400MW of electricity to the national grid by 2024, helping the country meet the increasing demand for electricity. Atomostroyexport, the contractor appointed by Russia's state-owned atomic power body Rosatom, will construct the NPP at a cost of $12.65 billion, out of which, $10.1 billion has been fixed as base price, $1 billion for soil stabilisation and further cost, and the remaining $1.65 billion for price escalation.

Bangladesh Air Force is all set to dispatch two female pilots for the first time in United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. Flight Lieutenant Nayma Haque and Flight Lieutenant Tamanna-E-Lutfi, will join the mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO). BAF also deployed a C-130 transport air craft and six MI-17 helicopters with necessary ground support equipments in Congo. Meanwhile, BAF started its journey to UN Mission by sending peacekeepers in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1993. So far 6430 BAF members completed their UN peacekeeping mission in Kuwait, East Timore, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Mali, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan and Haiti.

Bangladesh has been elected member of Industrial Development Board (IDB), which is one of the two main policymaking organs of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The official declaration came this week at the 17th session of the General Conference of UNIDO in Vienna, says a message from the Bangladesh mission there. IDB comprises 53 members, elected for a four-year term. IDB meets annually, reviews work programmes and the regular and operational budget of UNIDO and makes recommendations to the UNIDO General Conference. Bangladesh has been elected for the 2017-2021 term, along with five other countries from the Asia-Pacific -- the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India and Pakistan. It is believed that Bangladesh's election would provide the opportunity to more actively contribute to UNIDO's policymaking.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The government has rolled out a scheme to finalise a monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh. According to media report, solid monitoring framework with robust indicators backed by a credible statistical database is the basis for effective monitoring of the progress. It will also help the policymakers take informed policy decisions, adjust policies and ensure accountability in implementing the SDGs in the country.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY

The government has upgraded the labour directorate to a department and approved 209 new posts and six regional offices for it. The latest development came in line with the Sustainability Compact that recommended ensuring the upgrade of the Department of Labour with staff and resources. This new department will be shouldered with responsibilities for ensuring labour rights including registration of trade unions, labour-related dispute resolutions, building awareness, labour training and keeping the labour situation stable across the country.

The government has launched a new project to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and to improve sexual, reproductive health rights in the low-performing districts. The project will work on health systems strengthening, capacity development, community awareness raising, and empowering adolescents through education and will build on existing health, education, and community structures, within the government systems. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to promote improved home and community based new-born care behaviour and practices in 25 low performing districts of Bangladesh, covering the most deprived population.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Yunnan Yongle Overseas Investment Co Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to invest in the country's steel manufacturing and power sectors. The company, a sister concern of Kunming Iron & Steel Holding Company Ltd, has planned to invest around US$ 2.3 billion in BEZA-owned Moheshkhali Economic Zone (EZ) or Mirsarai EZ, whichever seems suitable after conducting feasibility study. Experts said it will also become a landmark to bring investments for such large-scale projects while BEZA has approved $ 8.5 billion investment proposals in Mirsarai and Feni EZs from a number of investors.

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

Bangladesh expressed grave concern at the recent launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) by North Korea. Bangladesh also called upon DPRK to honour its international obligation and commitments and refrain from such show of force and defiance. As a signatory to the NPT and CTBT, Bangladesh will continue to work with the International Community for the renunciation of the use of force in international relations and for general and complete disarmament, according to a statement issued by the government.

DIGITAL BANGLADESH

The government has taken an initiative to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the country's IT sector in collaboration with Wipro, a leading global company of information technology (IT) and IT enabled services (ITES). As part of the initiative Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT), a flagship project of ICT Division and the internationally reputed IT/ITES company Wipro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 21 at the latter's Bangalore office in this regard.