Bangladesh High Commission
London
News Brief
London, 06 February 2018
Swiss President Alain Berset has lauded Bangladesh’s efforts in further strengthening democracy and rule of law. The Swiss President came up with the appreciation in a statement after he held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in Dhaka yesterday. Mr.Berset greeted Bangladesh as the country is heading towards emerging a middle income country. Lauding Bangladesh for providing shelter to a huge number of Rohingyas, the Swiss President pledged to give an additional aid of $12.9 million for the forcefully displaced Myanmar people. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the joint statement urged the international community, including Switzerland, to keep up pressure on Myanmar authorities to peacefully end the problem soon.
Swiss President Alain Berset met President Md. Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban yesterday evening. The Bangladesh President sought support and cooperation from the Swiss government for safe and dignified repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland. President Hamid hoped that this visit will play a very effective role in strengthening the existing bilateral relations in days to come.
Visiting Swiss President yesterday paid a rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi. Earlier, the Swiss President went to the National Mausoleum in Savar in the morning and paid tributes to the martyrs who made their supreme sacrifices during the Liberation War in 1971.
The Cabinet yesterday approved the drafts of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Act, 2018 and the Bangladesh Press Institute Act, 2018, with necessary revision and amendment into the two existing laws. The approval came in the weekly cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim yesterday said, the government will recruit 10,000 doctors in its current term to mitigate health service inadequacies in public hospitals. The Minister said this while addressing a programme at National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in the capital’s Mohakhali marking the World Cancer Day-2018.
Ruling Awami League yesterday submitted nomination papers for incumbent President Md. Abdul Hamid to the Election Commission for the presidential election slated for February 18. A high-profile AL delegation led by party General Secretary Obaidul Quader submitted the nomination papers to Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda.
The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday passed the ‘One Stop Service Bill, 2018’ in an amended form aimed at ensuring regulation activities to raise investment and business in the country. Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury while piloting the bill in the House said, it would ensure regulation activities to raise investment and business in the country.
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has requested the owners of FM Radio stations to cultivate the mother tongue with patriotism avoid mixing up languages and creating a hybrid language. The Information Minister made the request as he was talking to the owners and representatives of FM radios yesterday at the Information Ministry. Mr Inu while expressing views hoped that the mass-media of the country should reflect the own culture properly.
Bangladesh’s economic freedom score is 55.1, making its economy the 128th freest in the Economic Freedom Index-2018 released by the Heritage Foundation. Bangladesh is ranked 29th among 43 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and its rank is ahead of India (30th), Pakistan (31st), Nepal (32nd) and Vietnam (35th).
Mirsarai Economic Zone is being developed as the largest industrial zone in the country with a target to generate 150,000 new employments. Dr M Emdadul Haque, executive member of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, said while addressing a contract signing ceremony at Bidyut Bhaban in the city yesterday.
Press Wing
