insight

Mar 14, 2021

NEWSLETTER

Pandemic Response: HPM Sheikh Hasina among 3 inspiring leaders

Honourable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina has been named among the top three inspirational women leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Commonwealth, Bangladesh High Commission in London said in a statement last week. In a special announcement ahead of the International Women's Day 2021, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland QC bracketed HPM Sheikh Hasina with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for demonstrating extraordinary leadership during the pandemic. Bangladesh is one of the first countries that have begun early Covid-19 vaccination campaign and economic recovery. Referring to Bangladesh's past successes in disaster management, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week said in view of the country's ranking as a global leader in risk mitigation, he was not surprised to see such an accomplishment.

Bangladesh-India Road Connectivity: One step forward

HPM Sheikh Hasina said political boundaries should not become physical barriers to trade in this region. "We're in a region which has remained conservative in opening up and where inter-regional trade is far below its potential. I believe political boundaries shouldn't become physical trade barriers," the prime minister said while inaugurating "Maitri Setu" (Friendship Bridge) over the Feni river along with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. The 1.9-kilometre bridge connected Sabroom -- a town in the Indian state of Tripura -- with Ramgarh of Bangladesh. The Indian PM, while inaugurating the Friendship Bridge, said connectivity is not only strengthening the friendship between India and Bangladesh but also proving to be a strong business link. The entire region is being developed as a trade corridor between Northeast India and Bangladesh, he said, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Bangladesh elected Council member of Int’l Seabed Authority

Bangladesh has been elected member of the Council of International Seabed Authority for a four-year term from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024. Located in Kingston of Jamaica, the International Seabed Authority is mandated under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to organise, regulate, and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. Its Council is composed of 37 members. As a member of the Council, Bangladesh will get the opportunity to better protect its interest in the organisation in future. Bangladesh is also the current President of the Council of International Seabed Authority.

Over 7.6m people to get allowance in Mujib Borsho

Efforts are underway to disburse social allowance to 7.6 million more beneficiaries through mobile cash transactions-Government-to-Person (G2P) in “Mujib Borsho” for ensuring transparency and accountability. The DSS provides allowance in four categories including old age, widow, husband-abandoned women and insolvent physically challenged persons as well as education stipends to the physically challenged students via mobile financial services. In the financial year 2020-21, 100% elderly persons and widows and repressed women by husbands have been brought under the allowance in 112 upazilas of the country. The government has a plan to gradually bring all the elderly people of the country and widows and women repressed by husbands under the allowances.

First metro train leaves Japan for Dhaka

The first set of metro train left Port of Kobe in Japan yesterday and expected to reach Dhaka via Mongla port next month. The train would reach a depot in Dhaka's Diabari area via Mongla port and will have six coaches with the highest capacity of 2,308 in total, according to media reports. Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 or MRT-6, country's first ever metro rail, is being built from the capital's Uttara third phase to Motijheel at the cost of Tk 22,000 crore. In addition, the first phase of Bangladesh's first metro rail project is now visible as the last viaduct of this part was installed in between pier numbers 375 and 376, connecting Uttara with Agargaon by the 11.73km elevated structure.

Bangladesh now a role model for women empowerment

Bangladesh has become a role model for woman empowerment in the world. Alongside many other countries, women's participation is increasing in politics, economic sector, sports sector and other arenas in Bangladesh. Even many women in remote areas of the country are now part of mainstream activities. They are proving their skills in workplaces and performing better achievement. Many achievements have been made for the empowerment of women during the governments under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. HPM Sheikh Hasina has already received the Global Women's Leadership Award for her role in the development of women's education and entrepreneurship. She has also been awarded the UN's 'Planet 50-50 Champion' and 'Agent of Change' awards. The present government is working to women’s equivalent participation in all the sectors.

New high-tech parks to create more jobs

Construction work of several high-tech parks in different districts of the country is continuing with an aim to create huge employment opportunities. According to Bangladesh Hi Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), at present 39 high-tech parks are being constructed in different parts of the country. Of them, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) IT Business Incubator and IT Training and Incubation centre at Khulna Science and Technology University will be inaugurated shortly. In these 39 hi tech parks, innovators and start-ups will get special privileges like free-of-cost space and others, where labs, incubation centres and other programmes will also be conducted. In the seven high-tech parks, 120 local and foreign organizations have started their activities. Of these, about 71 have produced products in the IT sector. Stakeholders feel that the big companies they did not work as per the agreement.

BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE
23, Bangabandhu Avenue, Dhaka-1000. Bangladesh.

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