insight

Sep 06, 2021

NEWSLETTER

Bangladesh plans to administer Pfizer, Moderna COVID shots to school goers, positivity rate declines 12 week low

After lowering the minimum age for a COVID-19 vaccine shot to at least 18, the government is now planning to expand the immunisation exercise further to include school-going children as educational institutions prepare to reopen. On the other hand, the country received one million more doses of Pfizer’s vaccine under the Covax facility, thanks a to a continuous effort by the government, led by Honorable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina, to arrange for and administer jabs for the larger part of the populace. Moreover, the continuation of the mass inoculation programme, as put in place by the government since February has been attributed to a big success given the country Bangladesh has recorded 1the lowest daily count this week.

Bangladesh's exports rise 14% in August to $3.38 billion, $1.81b remittance comes in August

Braving the fallouts from the pandemic induced shutdown, Bangladesh's export earnings made significant gains in August, clocking over 14% year-on-year. Apparel shipments, particularly knitwear, brought in $3.38 billion for the country, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). On the other hand, expatriates sent home $1.81 billion in August this year as remittances from the informal sector to legal channels have increased owing to the introduction of cash incentives by the government. A healthy outlook on key economic indicators stands out as a shining testament of HPM’s prudent fiscal policy to steer the country on a growth trajectory despite the pandemic.

Bangladesh aims at doubling rice productivity by 2050

Bangladesh aims at doubling its rice productivity by the year 2050 and has already chalked out a detailed strategy paper, drawing plans for growing more food for an increasing population and producing some exportable surplus. Embarking on a multipronged approach of genetic gains, area expansion and better crop management the government wants to increase rice yield from over 38 million tons now to 47 million tons by 2030 and 54 million tons by 2040 and over 60 million tons by 2050. According to media reports, the government has set the target to increase rice yield to 47 million tons by 2030 and 54 million tons by 2040, as part of its effort to turn the country into a self- sufficient one in food production.

Bangladesh prepares fresh $50m solar home system roll-out

Efforts are underway to install 80,000 solar home systems and 5,000 community arrays in the hilly districts of Chittagong after the government doubled the scale of an installation drive in the area. The move coincides with an earlier pledge by the government, led by Bangladesh Awmai League, to ensure a renewable future for the country. The solar panels are being supplied for free as part of the government's electrification effort and will be installed by the relevant authorities. Bangladesh boasts more than 6 million small scale solar home systems, with a total generation capacity of around 262,753 kWp, making the country the world's largest installer of such units.

Bangladesh’s first ever metro rail service holds performance trial

Following the successful trial of the country's first ever Metrorail (MRT-6), held last week, the government has become optimistic about making the much hyped rail service operational from December next year. A Metrorail with six bogies ran on Metrorail Viaduct (Metro Line) and later returned to the depot from Diabari depot via Pallabi in Mirpur. Earlier on April 21, the first set of MRT-6 reached Dhaka. In the first set, two barges with six coaches and others reached Dhaka. Later step by step other bogies gradually arriving at Dhaka. The process of bringing the rest of the bogies is underway. The first metro rail in the country will have 24 train sets. Each set will have six coaches. Each set has a passenger capacity of 2,308. Metrorail will carry about 60,000 passengers per hour on both sides, ensuring a traffic free transportation for the city dwellers.

Bangladesh a global leader in prevention of drowning

Bangladesh has become a global frontrunner in conducting awareness campaigns and drawing up policies to prevent drowning related deaths, especially in the case of children. Bangladesh co-proposed the first ever drowning prevention resolution with Ireland at the UN General Assembly in April this year. The resolution was adopted unanimously. Bangladesh now has the opportunity to become a role model in minimizing child deaths caused by drowning. Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended Bangladesh’s community-based prevention model in its yearbook.

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

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