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Foreign Investment Not Increase During Hasina's Tenure: Dr Debapriya
Rtv News
15 Dec 2024, 13:35
Photo: File Picture
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the White Paper Drafting Committee, stated that foreign investment did not increase during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure.
He remarked that over the past 15 years, neither private sector investment nor foreign investment saw significant growth under the Sheikh Hasina government.
He made these remarks on Sunday (15 December) during the annual conference of the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) held at a hotel in Gulshan.
At the event, Dr Debapriya emphasized that it is critical to consider how quickly economic reforms can be implemented before embarking on broader reforms. The ability to streamline the political roadmap largely depends on how much economic stability is provided, he added.
He further stressed the necessity of a medium-term plan, calling for integrated efforts. Investments are typically long-term ventures and it is crucial to ensure whether such investments can be adjusted to the changing circumstances after graduating from LDC (Least Developed Country) status. He highlighted the importance of learning from history to pave a smoother path forward.
The head of the White Paper Drafting Committee also noted that despite showing interest in oil extraction, foreign companies are hesitant to sign agreements.
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Kamrul Islam Placed on 8-Day Remand in Murder Case
Advocate Kamrul Islam, a member of the Awami League Presidium, has been placed on an 8-day remand by a Dhaka court in connection with the Abdul Wadud murder case filed at New Market Police Station.
On Tuesday (November 19), the police submitted a remand application, and after a hearing, Judge Ziadur Rahman Jumman approved the remand.
Kamrul Islam was arrested late on Monday (November 18) around 11 p.m. from a residence in the Uttara-12 sector of the capital. He was detained overnight at the Detective Branch (DB) office.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into substantial illegal assets allegedly held by Advocate Kamrul Islam, his wife, and his children, both domestically and internationally. According to ACC’s Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Md. Aktarul Islam, the decision to investigate was made at the ACC headquarters on October 14.
ACC sources claim that Kamrul Islam, a former Food Minister, State Minister for Law, and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-2, accumulated massive wealth illegally in his and his family members’ names. During his tenure as State Minister for Law, he allegedly took millions in bribes through corrupt hiring practices in lower courts. As Food Minister, he reportedly misappropriated significant government funds by procuring substandard wheat from Brazil through corrupt deals.
Abdul Wadud was killed during clashes in the New Market area amid anti-discrimination student protests. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, several ministers, state ministers, and Awami League leaders have been arrested in various cases filed at different police stations.
Battery-Run Rickshaws Ordered to be Banned Within 3 Days
The High Court has ordered the ban on battery-powered rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area within three days.
A High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued the order on Tuesday (November 19).
In total, about 1.2 million rickshaws are currently operating in the capital. A large part of which is battery-powered. In addition, many old pedal-powered rickshaws are being mechanized by installing batteries.
Battery-powered rickshaws are more common in the capital's narrow streets than on the main roads. These rickshaws also ply on the main roads when they get the opportunity. The number of battery-powered rickshaws is higher in the capital's Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Basila, Uttara, Bhatara, Dakshinkhan, Uttarkhan, Moynartek, Mirpur, Pallabi areas.
ADB, WB to Provide $1.1b Loan Assistance to Bangladesh by Dec: Finance Sec
Finance Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder today said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank would provide $600 million and $500 million loan assistance respectively to Bangladesh by December 2024.
Mozumder disclosed this at a press conference at the Ministry of Finance at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.
Replying to a query on the amount of loan commitments received by the interim government, he said the policies implemented by the interim government have been positively received by donor agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“Our interim government’s policy measures have yielded good results, exceeding our initial expectations in terms of funding. For instance, we’ve successfully negotiated $600 million in loans with ADB and thus expect to receive the funds by December this year,” he added.
Besides, he highlighted progress with the World Bank, which has agreed to provide $500 million in loan support within the same timeframe. “Originally, these loans were set at $300 million and $250 million respectively, but were later doubled due to favorable negotiations.”
The Finance Secretary said the government is seeking further financial assistance from the IMF adding, “We’ve requested an additional $1 billion in support from the IMF for this year. Discussions are set to conclude when the IMF team visits on December 4 and we’re optimistic about the outcome.”
He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to implement its policies effectively and secure continued support from international financial institutions.
Chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, the press conference was attended, among others, by Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mubarak, Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan.
Source: BSS
HC Suspends Recruitment of 6,531 Primary School Teachers
The High Court postponed the decision to issue appointment letters to 6,531 people in the third phase of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam due to the quota system.
The High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued this order on Tuesday (November 19).
The appointment letters were to be issued to the teachers from tomorrow, Wednesday.
Barrister Foyez Uddin Ahmed and Advocate Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan heard the writ petition in the court. Deputy Attorney General Nur Mohammad Azmi argued for the state.
The final results of the third phase of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam (Dhaka and Chattogram divisions) were published on October 31. 6,531 candidates passed in it. The results were published on the website of the Directorate of Primary Education.
It is known that the exam was conducted in 21 districts of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions in the third phase. The revised results of the written exam were published on April 22. In this, 46,199 candidates were selected for the oral examination. The examination was held at the district level from 10 am to 11 am on March 29.
On May 28, the High Court suspended the recruitment process for the posts of assistant teachers in government primary schools in the districts of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions (except the three hill districts) for six months, including the oral examination. The Appellate Division then dismissed the stay order issued by the High Court regarding the conduct of the oral examination.
Based on this, the Department of Primary Education conducted the oral examination. However, the court ordered an investigation into the allegations made in the media about the leaking of question papers in the written examination for this recruitment.
Committee to Examine Feasibility of Titumir University, Movement Withdrawn
The students have announced the suspension of the agitation after assuring that a committee will be formed within 7 working days to examine whether the government-run Titumir College can be converted into a university.
On Tuesday (November 19) afternoon, a delegation of Titumir College students went to the Secretariat. Professor Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Education Advisor assured them in this regard. Later, the students left the Secretariat and announced the suspension of the agitation.
Matiur Rahman, a member of the Titumir College student delegation who participated in the meeting, said that the government has assured to form a committee regarding the demand to convert Titumir College into a university. Which will be formed within the next seven working days. Based on this, we are announcing the suspension of the agitation.
He said that the same committee has informed us that it will investigate the overall issue and submit a report.
The delegation members are Mahmud Hasan Muktar, Mosharraf Rabby, Neyek Nur Mohammad, Abdul Hamid, Nuruddin Jisan, Matiur Rahman Joy, Jahangir Sunny, Mehedy Hasan Mal, Aminul Islam, Mohammad Bellal, Al Noman Nirob, Habibullah Rony, Md Toaha, and Kawsar.
Earlier, students staged a protest for the second day demanding that the government-run Titumir College be converted into a university. A delegation of 14 students went to the Ministry of Education at the government's request.
The rest took up positions in front of the main gate inside the campus around 11 am.
It is worth noting that the Titumir College students have made three demands to the university.
The demands are- 1. Titumir College should be separated from 7 colleges by canceling its affiliation with Dhaka University. 2. A commission should be formed to convert Titumir College into a university. 3. Titumir should formulate an outline for implementing an independent university.
Jamaat-e-Islami to Apologize if Proven Wrong in 1971 Liberation War
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, stated that if it is proven beyond doubt that the party made any mistakes during the 1971 Liberation War, they will apologize to the nation.
He made this statement on Tuesday (November 19) in response to a question from the press regarding Jamaat’s role during the war, while speaking at a restaurant in East London.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, "If we made any mistakes and it is proven beyond doubt, I will apologize to the nation. In the UK court ruling on Chowdhury Mainuddin’s case, the judges here referred to the judgment passed in our country’s War Crimes Tribunal as 'genocide of justice.' For 15 years, we were not allowed to sit in our office, speak, or organize rallies. We were unable to reach the nation through the media."
He further stated that due to ethnic disunity and corruption, the nation has not been able to progress as it should. He described corruption as a national shame. He pointed out that the UK, by keeping itself largely free from corruption, has been able to maintain a respected position globally, which Bangladesh has not achieved. He emphasized that a society will not improve unless those in power are honest.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also criticized the previous government's unchecked corruption, stating that the development that could have been achieved was not. He claimed that while development projects in Bangladesh show inflated costs, similar projects in other countries in the region were completed at a third of the cost.
He continued, "In the 24th movement, those who were killed should be recognized as national heroes. People from all walks of life participated in this uprising, including those living abroad who fought with us to the best of their abilities."
Jamaat’s Amir also praised the contributions of expatriates, stating, "The diaspora continues to support Bangladesh through remittances. In addition to monetary remittances, I urge expatriates to send 'intellectual remittances' to help the intellectual development of Bangladesh. This will play a huge role in building the Bangladesh of our dreams."
The event was attended by Barrister Abubakar Molla, the spokesperson for Jamaat-e-Islami Europe, and over fifty journalists from various Bangladeshi media outlets in the UK.
Honoring Heroism: Armed Forces Day 2024 Celebrates Sacrifice and Service
On the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2024, the President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Md. Shahabuddin, and the Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, have issued separate messages. This information was shared in a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR states that, in honor of the members of the Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War of 1971, the President and the Chief Adviser will lay wreaths at the Shikha Anirban (Eternal Flame) in Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday morning (November 21).
Afterward, the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, will each lay wreaths at the Shikha Anirban on behalf of their respective forces.
Additionally, the Chiefs of the three Armed Forces will meet the Chief Adviser at the Armed Forces Division and the President at the Bangabhaban in courtesy calls.
On Armed Forces Day 2024, the Chief Adviser will honor the awarded freedom fighters and their heirs at the Army Multipurpose Complex in Dhaka Cantonment. During this time, the Chief Adviser will distribute tokens of appreciation and exchange greetings with the awarded freedom fighters.
The ceremony will be attended by the Advisor to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Defense and National Integration Development), the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, the Secretary of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, and other senior civilian and military officials.
The ISPR further reported that, to mark the day, the Chief Adviser will host a reception at the Sena Kunjo in Dhaka Cantonment at 4:00 PM on November 21. Notable guests at the reception will include the Chief Justice, former Presidents, former Chief Advisers, Advisers, and high-ranking individuals, foreign ambassadors, heads of international organizations, judges, the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, the Chief Secretary, former Chiefs of the Armed Forces, retired military officers, recipients of the Independence Award and the Ekushey Padak, journalists, academics, political and prominent figures, the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, heirs of all Bir Shrestho (heroes) of the Liberation War, awarded officers and their heirs residing in Dhaka after the war, senior civilian officials, and serving and retired officers of the Armed Forces. The event will be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television.
In addition to Dhaka, similar reception programs will be organized at military garrisons or bases in Barisal, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Sylhet, Ghatail, Chittagong, Jessore, Rangpur, and Khulna under the management of the relevant Area Headquarters.
Meanwhile, to observe the day with due respect, various programs will also be held at military garrisons, naval ships and installations, and air force bases across the country. Specially decorated naval ships in Dhaka, Khulna, Chandpur, Barisal, and Chittagong will be anchored at nearby docks for public viewing from 2:00 PM until sunset on November 21.
To highlight the significance of Armed Forces Day, Bangladesh Television aired a special program titled "Bishesh Anirban" after the 8:00 PM Bengali news on Wednesday (November 20). Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the “Bishesh Durbar” program at 7:30 PM on Thursday (November 21). Additionally, the "Bishesh Anirban" program will be broadcast later on private TV channels.
On the occasion of the day, special supplements have been published in various national newspapers in both Bengali and English on November 21. Furthermore, writing and drawing competitions have been organized in educational institutions run by the Armed Forces.
