Bangladesh High Commission
London
News Brief
London, 24 January 2018
President Md. Abdul Hamid has emphasized the need for giving more attention to development-based research works to face the global competition successfully. The President was addressing academics and scholars at the biennial council of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in Dhaka yesterday. The President urged them to highlight country's history, heritage, culture and outstanding achievements both at home and abroad through their research works and writings.
The ECNEC has approved 14 development projects involving Taka 6,228.49 crore. The approval came from the ECNEC meeting held at the NEC, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka yesterday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The approved projects also included ensuring cent percent electrification under Comilla zone and rehabilitating of polders along the River Naf under Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas to improve the border security.
The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday unanimously passed the ‘Electricity Bill, 2018’ keeping the provision of maximum five years in jail along with Taka 5 lakh financial penalty for illegal use of electricity. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid moved the bill in the House. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque apprised the House that the government will construct 8,000 flats across the country for insolvent freedom fighters. Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury said, the government is trying to achieve autarky in wheat production. Responding to a query, the Minister said, saline tolerant wheat variety has been innovated for extending wheat production area at the Southern region.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put emphasis on immediate start of the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar people from Bangladesh. The PM made the stress when newlyappointed United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mia Seppo called on at her office yesterday. The PM also reiterated her call to the international community including the UN to keep up their pressure on Myanmar to take back its nationals from Bangladesh. The UN resident coordinator highly praised Bangladesh for its generosity and humanitarian approach on the Rohingya issue.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set a unique example of humanity by sheltering Rohingyas. The Speaker came up with the observation while talking to a four-member delegation of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights at her office yesterday. During the meeting, they talked about the Rohingya issue and role of parliaments of ASEAN countries in this regard.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Shahjahan Kamal has directed the authorities concerned to formulate a mega plan for building Cox's Bazar as a modern tourism city. The Minister made the directives while speaking at a view-exchange meeting in Cox's Bazar yesterday.
State Minister for Information Tarana Halim has said, the government would finalise a national broadcast bill soon. The Minister said this while speaking at the founding anniversary of the Television, Film and Photography Department of Dhaka University yesterday.
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority is set to arrange the 'BEPZA International Investors Summit 2018' at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the conference.
The historic Mass Upsurge Day is being observed today commemorating the 1969's movement for autonomy of the then East Pakistan that eventually led to Liberation War and emergence of independent Bangladesh in 1971. President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Press Wing
