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Sep 11, 2020 NEWSLETTER |
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Covid-19 slows down in Bangladesh, positivity rate dips to 3-month low The COVID-19 infection rate has been decreasing in Bangladesh for the last few days while the recovery rate has reached around 70%, according to an assessment over the infection rate of the last six months. The positivity rate of Covid-19 has decreased to the lowest in more than last three months. A raft of early steps, taken up at the directive from Honourbale Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina, helped the country to slow down the spread of the virus. In the meantime, the government could prepare the health facilities. Hospital beds have been increased with the number of diagnostic RT-PCR labs extended to 90. Oxygen supply facility has been expanded and the number of oxygen cylinders is now 13,011. The number of high flow nasal cannulas which are needed when the oxygen saturation level falls has been increased to 490. |
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Bangladesh is a unique example of climate vulnerability, resilience: HPM Sheikh Hasina 
HPM Sheikh Hasina has hailed the resilience showed by Bangladeshis against natural and man-made disasters as she called for greater cooperation among nations in the fight against climate change and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The prime minister made the call during the virtual inauguration of Global Centre on Adaptation's regional office in Dhaka this week. The Bangladesh premier pointed out the vulnerability of the South Asian region to climate-induced natural disasters like cyclone, flood, tidal surge, drought, glacial lake outburst flood, landslides and avalanches. The opening of the regional adaptation center in Dhaka is dedicated to the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to media reports. |
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Credit growth makes a turnaround, Mega projects gaining pace 
Bangladesh's economic recovery from the devastating coronavirus pandemic has received a shot in the arm after both public and private sector credit growths rose sharply in July. Disbursement of the government's massive stimulus packages and rebounding economic activities from the rubble of the pandemic contributed to the sharp uptick in credit growth. On the other hand, the government’s top priority mega schemes, including the metro rail project, are gradually started gaining normal pace after facing temporary disruption caused by pandemic. |
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Bangladesh ranks 2nd in freshwater fish production 
According to ‘The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture-2020’ prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), Bangladesh has clinched the second spot in highest freshwater fish producing countries in the world. This remarkable achievement has been made possible as a result of the government’s tireless efforts to protect fish sanctuaries, imposing restriction on fishing for a certain period, and releasing fish fry in water bodies. Various exhibitions and training programmes carried out by the government, as well as incentives in fish farming inspired many youths to get involved in aquaculture. Utilising the numerous water-bodies as well as mobilising the youth force has become a boon for the country. |
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Bangladesh gains significant progress in primary enrollment, steady decline in dropout 
Owing to a number of measures, put in place by the government, led by HPM Sheikh Hasina, aiming to address the menace of dropout and accrue the scope of learning, the current enrollment rate of students in primary education has increased to 97.74% while the dropout rate reduced to 17.90%. Introduction of stipends provision, distribution of free text books, mid-day meal, development of school infrastructure and recruitment of adequate teachers have largely been attributed to this milestone. Moreover, a remarkable rise has also been vindicated as the literacy rate jumped to 74.7% under the watch of HPM Sheikh Hasina, from 53.5%, left by BNP-Jamaat regime in 2005. |
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Exports soar to $6.8bn in July-Aug, jute agro and apparel lead to recovery 
Bangladesh’s export earnings in the first two months of current 2020-21 fiscal have increased by 2.17% to $6.87 billion over the same period last fiscal. Export earnings from jute and jute goods increased by 49.64% to $195.39 million in the July-August period of FY21 from $130.57 million in the same period of FY20. On the other hand, RMG accounted for 84% of the total export income in the said timeframe, thanks to the government's generous spoon-feeding programme for exporters, especially those in the garment sector. |
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Bangladesh wins UN awards for e-recruitment 
United Nations (UN) recognised Bangladesh with WSIS awards for developing electronic system for recruitment in government offices. Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA) team of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under ICT Division won the WSIS awards in e-employment categories for the recruitment platform. BCC has established this e-recruitment platform as a shared service for all government agencies enabling public agencies to accomplish end-to-end recruitment processes and related tasks through increased interoperability and reduced risk in human resource management. Comprising of three modules including e-recruitment, exam controller and online exam, the platform is already being successfully used in more than 25 government agencies and has completed recruitment process of more than 1800 applicants. |
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MFS transactions hit all-time high in July 
Transactions through mobile financial services hit an all-time high of $7 million in July as an increasing number of people, businesses and government agencies are turning to the channel to avail digital services to keep the deadly coronavirus at bay. July's figures are 40.5% higher than that a month earlier and 68% higher than recorded in the same month a year ago, according to data from the central bank. Moreover, the number of active accounts rose 27.46% year-on-year to 40 million in July as people prefer the digital financial tool more than ever before to do banking from home. |
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New project launched to support female migrant workers 
A project has been launched to support women returnee migrants from COVID-19 risks and challenges in 10 districts across the country. Aiming to protect returnee women migrant workers from COVID-19 risks and challenges, the project will provide emergency food, personal health and hygiene products and skill development opportunity. Supported by UN Women and the government of Japan, the project will be implemented by two women rights organisations given that women migrant workers are facing challenges following loss of their jobs in Country of Destinations (CoDs). |
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India, Bangladesh launch a new inland water route for trade 
India, Bangladesh trade and connectivity received a boost this week as the two neighbours launched a new inland water route amid the pandemic induced lockdown. The inauguration of the new riverine route followed the ‘Second Addendum on Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade’ between the countries in May this year amid Covid-19, taking the number of Indo, Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes to ten from eight. More than 300 vessels operate on inland waterways per month between the two nations, annually generating a whopping amount in revenue as freight charge for operators. |
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BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE |
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