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Nov 02, 2020 NEWSLETTER |
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Bangladesh marks highest improvement in social development: EIU Bangladesh has surpassed India and Pakistan in terms of sustainable trade on the back of better performance in economic and social areas, says the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The country jumped five places up in the index scoring 49.3 out of 100 and ranked 12th among 20 Indo-Pacific economies, while India and Pakistan scored 47.1 and 43.9 respectively. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group providing forecasting and advisory services. On the economic front, the country ranked at the top in the economic growth indicator and performed better in the export market concentration, gross fixed capital formation and growth in the labour force. |
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Padma Bridge gets its 34th span, 5.1km now visible 
With 34th span of the Padma Bridge installed on Sunday, the 5.1 kilometres stretch of the main structure of Bangladesh's double-decker dream bridge is visible now. A specialised floating crane picked up the span from Mawa's Kumarbhog Construction Yard on Saturday afternoon and transported it to the designated pier. All 41 spans of the bridge are set to be installed by the end of December this year, finally giving visibility to the 6.15km bridge. According to media reports, the bridge is expected to boost the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.2% once it opens for traffic. Latest reports show over 81% of the bridge construction has been completed. |
The government has asked public and private organisations not to provide services to people without a face covering as it aims to curb a possible second wave of Covid-19. A "no mask, no service" policy will be implemented and all organisations will be monitored because the government made masks mandatory in all institutions, markets, schools, and social and religious gatherings. Moreover, most of the Covid-19 patients have recovered from the disease, thanks to the government’s measures to ensure treatment for all. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the recovery count rose to 316,600 this week after 1,493 patients were discharged from the hospitals, in an encouraging display of 79.10% patients having recovered so far among the total confirmed cases. |
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International donors pledge $597 million for Rohingyas 
The international community pledged $597 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas in the region and urged Myanmar to create conditions for their repatriation. The US, EU, and UK, announced $200 million, €96 million and £37 million. The announcement came at a donors' conference for the Rohingyas co-hosted by the US, UK, EU and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This year, Bangladesh received less than 50% of the $1 billion required for the Rohingya refugees. Reading out a joint statement from the co-hosts of the conference, Filippo Grandi, UN high commissioner for the refugees, said for a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their places of origin while Myanmar must take steps to address the root causes of the violence and displacement in Rakhine. |
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Formidable coastal wall to tackle climate vagaries 
A three-to-seven feet high embankment will be constructed across the coastal districts of the southwestern part of the country to protect the lives and property of the people in the areas. In this regard, four projects at a cost of Tk 8,000 crore have already been undertaken to construct sustainable embankments. Besides, the government is actively considering the formation of a Coastal Development Board like the Haor Development Board, to address the problems of the coastal areas. The work on the projects is under implementation and expected to be completed by 2023. Apart from the embankment, special measures have also been taken to ensure development of the country’s coastal areas. |
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Bangladesh celebrates Durga puja amidst festivity 
In a unique display of communal harmony, Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, ended this week with the immersion of idols of goddess Durga and her children on the fifth day of celebration. The last day ritual of the festival was celebrated amid much enthusiasm and festivity. ‘Prasad’ and sweets were distributed among the devotees as well as people belonging to other communities, who visited the Puja Mandaps. Marking the Bijoya Dashami, women devotees were seen pasting vermillion (Sindur) on the forehead of Goddess Durga and exchanged themselves too amid joyous and festive mood. Members of police, RAB, BGB and Ansar-VDP were on round-the-clock duty since the beginning of the Puja. |
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BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE |
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