Bangladesh High Commission
London
News Brief
London, 23 January 2018
President Md. Abdul Hamid has asked the private university authorities to take pragmatic steps in ensuring quality higher studies along with increasing the rate of higher education in the country. The President gave the instruction when a delegation of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh called on him at Bangabhaban yesterday. The President urged the private university authorities to ensure the world-standard quality education for the young generation.
President Md. Abdul Hamid filled up the form of household data at Bangabhaban yesterday. Giving emphasis on the on-going households survey, the President said, the survey can play an important role in ensuring proper service delivery to the mass people.
Three prime economic indicators- the per capita Gross Net Income, Human Assets Index and Economy Vulnerability Index have suggested Bangladesh's preparedness for graduation as a developing country by 2025 from its status of a least developed one. The ERD declared this in the cabinet meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. Meanwhile, World Economic Forum yearly index yesterday reported that Bangladesh has been ranked at the 36th place among the emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index. Bangladesh’s position is above in compare to neighboring India and Pakistan which ranked 62nd and 47th, respectively.
The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday unanimously passed the ‘Seeds Bill- 2018’ in an amended form as it is one of the basic ingredients for crops production. Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury moved the bill in the House. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain while responding to a query informed the House, 87 percent people in the country have come under safe water facility.
Law Minister Anisul Huq has said, the presidential election will be held on February 19 as the tenure of the incumbent President Md. Abdul Hamid expires on April 23. The Election Commission will clear the matter in this regard, the Minister told media yesterday.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said, Bangladesh is well prepared for attracting Foreign Direct Investment. The country is offering various incentives to foreign investors along with ensuring a favourable business environment, he added. The Finance Minister said this when a 15- member Norfund delegation of Norway met him at his secretariat office yesterday. The Minister urged the Norwegian investors to invest in the country's leather and pharmaceutical sectors. He informed the Norwegian team that the government is establishing technical schools in every upazila across the country to cater the needs of skilled manpower.
Bangladesh and Indonesia will sign a Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS) this month for the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) towards removing trade barriers. Commerce Ministers of both the countries will sign the JMS during the visit of Indonesian President to Bangladesh at the end of this month, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told media yesterday after a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador Rina Soemarno at his ministry. The PTA would help to overcome the barriers in boosting export of Bangladeshi products especially RMG to Indonesian market, hoped the Minister.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has urged the local businesses to attract more foreign investors to invest in the country and assist them to further flourish the existing business-friendly environment. The Minister made the urge when a delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry met him at his office yesterday.
Bangladesh takes on Zimbabwe today in the re-match of the tri-nation one-day tournament with an aim to keep their winning spree at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Press Wing
