PRESS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH DHAKA

MOST URGENT FROM: PIO, PID, DHAKA FOR: BANGLADOOT, ALL MISSIONS Fax: 9540553/9540026 MSG: 160/2016 E-mail: [email protected] Date: Monday, 22 August 2016 [email protected] Web: www.pressinform.portal.gov.bd

News brief

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the people to get united and be vocal against the terrorism and militancy for development and prosperity. The PM was speaking at a rally yesterday after placing wreaths at a makeshift memorial for martyrs of the gruesome grenade attack. The memorial was set up by Awami League in front of its Bangabandhu Avenue central office where militants had lobbed 13 grenades on a AL peaceful rally. The Premier said her government does not want to see the recurrence of August 21 grenade attack in the country and added that the incidents of terrorism and militancy are taking place across the globe with newer dimensions. She extended her heartfelt thanks to the people of all spheres as they have stood united against terrorism and militancy. A Chinese economic and industrial zone in Chittagong and two garment industrial parks will be the focus of the discussions at the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting to be held today, officials said. According to them, China is keen to invest roughly $ 4.5 billion in two industrial parks to meet the growing domestic and global demand for Bangladeshi products. Earlier, the Chinese ambassador in Dhaka, Ma Mingqiang, had said that many Chinese investors were quite keen to get a place in the special economic zone. Bangladesh still ranks among the most competitive in the world in terms of labour costs, and investors want their share of the growing market. Low wages and competitive production costs made Bangladesh the top investment destination for Japanese companies in 2015, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) said in a survey released in this year. The JETRO survey, carried out in 20 countries in Asia and Oceania, also said Bangladesh had been found to be the most attractive place for investments both in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors like in the previous year. The survey titled on ‘Conditions of Japanese Companies in Asia and Oceania’ said Bangladesh could be an attractive destination for Japanese investment, as production cost in the country was less than half compared to that in Japan. Wages in Bangladesh are one-fourth of what they are in China and half of India’s, observed JETRO. The High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK) Alison Blake said the strong, friendly, multi-faceted and historic relationship between Bangladesh and the UK helps both the countries work together against global terrorism and extremism. The British HC made the remarks while speaking at the closing ceremony of a photography exhibition titled 'Project London 1971: Unsung Heroes of Bangladesh's Liberation War', in the city on Saturday. The United States has begun hectic negotiations with the government on an assistance package over countering terrorism and violent extremism. US Ambassador in Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat made the comments while talking to journalists at the Foreign Ministry yesterday after her separate meetings with Foreign Minster AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque during which they discussed bilateral relationship between the two countries. There were three prescribed talks ahead and security dialogue was something they were tracking, she said while responding to a question on the upcoming fifth security dialogue to be held in Dhaka. Bangladesh Bank (BB) reserve heist probe report will be made public by September 24, said Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday. Finance Minister revealed the information to reporters after meetings with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masato Watanabe and a delegation of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) at the finance ministry. The minister said publication of the report is being delayed as the central bank is trying to recover the money. The construction work at Karnaphuli Tunnel will begin next October, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told in a discussion program held in Chittagong yesterday. Reserve money grew by over 30 percent to Tk 1.93 trillion in a year to June 30. Reserve money had a target to grow at 14.3 per cent as of June 30 last, according to the BB monetary policy statement. Analyzing CCTV footage of last year's Amar Ekushey Book Fair, DMP claims to have detected six suspected killers of Bangladesh-born US citizen Avijit Roy. The DMP yesterday posted seven video clips, captured right before Avijit was murdered, on its official Facebook page and sought information that could lead to the arrest of the six youths. Bangladeshi descent Margarita Mamun continued 's dominance of rhythmic by winning individual all-around Olympic gold in Rio on Saturday. Born in to a Bangladeshi father, Margarita Mamun showed off her exquisite balancing and twirling skills as she captured what she called ‘a victory for two countries’ in the individual all around event at the Olympics. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), finished yesterday at 4,579.03, losing 6.05 points or 0.13 per cent over the previous day.

A K M Shameem Chowdhuri Principal Information Officer Ph: 02-9546091