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Home , Elections in Bangladesh, Jatiya Sangsad

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• US Congress urges the President for generous “incentives” for • Hon'ble Chief Adviser calls for setting up of Global Food Bank • Council of Adviser approves Right to Information ordinance • Adviser for Commerce and Education visited Washington, DC US Congress urges the President for • Bangladesh elected UNCTAD President generous “incentives” for Bangladesh • Bangladesh donated US$ 100,000.00 for flood victims in Nepal The US House of Representatives unanimously • Bangladesh received US$ 6.8 billion passed a resolution on 23 September 2008 remittance until Sept 2008: Foreign urging the US President to consider extending Adviser generous economic support to Bangladesh • Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Washington DC upon completion of an internationally accepted • Durga Puja celebrated across the free and fair election before the end of country peacefully December 2008. The House of Representative in • Bangladesh: a potential destination for its resolution H.R. 1402 titled “Supporting a eco-tourism in transition to democracy through free, fair, • Bangladesh-Japan joint Venture credible, peaceful, and transparent elections in Company to invest $3.72 million at Bangladesh” made this request to the US KEPZ President. • UK drawn to call centres at Expo The Resolution recognized the Caretaker 2008 ’s initiatives to eradicate • Sri Lanka Bank eyes Bangladesh corruption from all levels of government and • German Company Germanischer Lloyd society through institutional and policy ordered new ships from Ananda reforms. The House also urged all political Shipyard parties to participate in the elections so that • Indian RMG unit in Dhaka EPZ shortly democratic governance in Bangladesh could • Korean company to invest Tk 85cr in continue the fight against corruption and Chittagong EPZ intensify efforts for institutional and policy reforms. In this connection, the US Congress welcomed the Caretaker Government’s initiative to hold dialogue with all political Hon'ble Chief Adviser calls for setting up parties and civil society organizations. In the of Global Food Bank Resolution, the House of Representative members expressed their strong support to the The Hon'ble Chief restoration of . Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Congress also urged the Government of Ahmed led the Bangladesh “to lift the state of emergency to Bangladesh delegation to allow free and fair elections to occur”. the 63rd United Nations Most notably, for the first time ever, the General Assembly Congress urged the US President to make (UNGA). During his stay democratic transition in Bangladesh a “high bin New York, he priority of United States foreign policy”. addressed the plenary of the United Nations Finally, the Congress affirmed “willingness of General Assembly on 26 September 2008 and the United States to provide assistance” to participated at a roundtable on 'Poverty and Bangladesh in its quest for a peaceful transition hunger' on 25 September 2008. The Chief to democracy. Adviser also attended the Special Commonwealth Heads of The Resolution was moved in the influential Meeting (CHOGM) and high level plenary Committee on Foreign Affairs with co- meeting on Africa's development needs. sponsorship of as many as forty-one

Congressmen. Congressman Joseph Crowley, The Chief Advisor, who also spoke on behalf of who is also the co-chair of Congressional the Least Developed Countries, at the general Bangladesh Caucus, sponsored this resolution. debate segment of the General Assembly on 26 The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC September 2008 stressed the importance of food worked closely with Congressmen Crowley security, democracy and development, which and other Congressmen to get this resolution are inextricably linked to one another, and are passed. of fundamental importance to welfare of the Bangladesh as well as of other LDCs. The Chief According to Congressional experts, Adviser said that the recent global rise in food consideration of a resolution on Bangladesh at price had been acutely felt in Bangladesh. He the last remaining precious hours of this mentioned that for a country like Bangladesh, Congress speaks for itself about how the US is such steep increase in food prices had going to recalibrate her foreign policy priorities significant adverse effects on food security, vis-à-vis Bangladesh in the days to come. poverty and human development. Hon’ble Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed welcomed the initiative of the US Congress and Calling for long - term solutions for a hunger- stated that this is indeed a recognition of the free world, he said that the food security for all creative efforts undertaken by the democracy citizens in this world must be acknowledged loving people and the government of not just as a development imperative, but also Bangladesh to strengthen democratic and as a moral imperative. Food insecurity could accountable governance, which could serve the disrupt the core of a democratic polity and interest of the common men and women. He, derail its development priorities. The Chief once again, expressed resolve of his Adviser urged the UN Secretary General to government to hold free, fair and credible look into the possibility of creating a Global on 18 December 2008. Food Bank.

On the adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh, Chief Adviser said that a one- meter sea - level rise would submerge about one- third of the total area of Bangladesh. Given the country's population and its vulnerabilities, order across the country. Hon’ble Chief Adviser this would result in the greatest humanitarian also met with the members of Network of crisis in history. He said that the international Young Bangladeshi-American Professionals efforts to minimize emission levels should not, (NYBAP). however, disproportionately tax poorer nations. He also gave interviews with several foreign He said that the LDCs must have guaranteed media, including Al Jazeera TV Channel and access to appropriate mitigation technologies Time Magazine, during his visit. The Chief and know-how at affordable terms. The post- Adviser was accompanied, among others, by Kyoto agreement should set up a Technology Mrs. Neena Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Adviser Transfer Board to ensure that the LDCs have Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. access to affordable, eco-friendly technologies. Council of Adviser approves Right to The Hon’ble Chief Adviser mentioned in his Information ordinance address that his caretaker government is now totally focused on fulfilling the pledge to hold The Council of Advisers at a meeting presided free and fair parliamentary polls on 18 over by the Hon’ble Chief Adviser Dr. December 2008. He expressed the confidence Fakhruddin Ahmed on 20 September 2008 that all political parties would participate in the approved the Right to Information Ordinance elections under new laws and regulations. He to ensure transparency in government and said that the government had completed the private offices by providing information to monumental task of electronically registering common people on demand. According to the over 80 million voters with photographs and proposed ordinance, an information fingerprints. Commission would be formed with three members to be appointed on a four year term. On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the The Commission will supervise the general Hon’ble Chief Adviser held bilateral talks with activities related to people’s right to world leaders attending the session. He also information. held meeting with the UN Secretary General The President will appoint the Chairman and Ban Ki-Moon at the UN headquarters. members of the Commission at the suggestion of a five-member selection committee headed Apart from these programmes, the Chief by a judge of the Appellate Division of the Adviser also exchanged views with the Supreme Court. The other members of the expatriate Bangladeshi community at a civic Commission will be two lawmakers from the reception given in his honour by the Embassy treasury and opposition benches of the of Bangladesh in Washington, DC. He also nominated by the interacted with the New York based Speaker, the Cabinet Secretary and a Bangladeshi journalists. During his interaction government representative. The government with expatriate and New York will also appoint an appropriate number of based journalists, the Chief Adviser gave officials and employees at the suggestion of the answers to a number of questions raised by autonomous commission to discharge its them regarding country's politics, institutional responsibilities across the country. reforms, development, transition to democracy and investment opportunities. Under the law, people will have the right to seek information from public offices in a He gave a clear overview of the governments prescribed form. The public offices will also efforts especially the successful completion of maintain information so that the people can get the huge task of the preparation of voter list information on demand. If any official refuses with photograph, success in raising the food to provide information, individuals can file production against two consecutive floods and appeals with the information Commission. The cyclone Sidr riding on the resilience of the officials may be penalized TK 50 a day up to TK common masses, and improvement in law and 5,000 for such refusal. The new law exempted from public disclosure of a number of matters Hossain informed that Bangladesh is not going which included information related to state back to the chaos that led to development on 11 security, sovereignty and defense. January 2007. He also gave an outline of government’s ongoing initiatives for dialogue Adviser for Commerce and Education with the political parties and hoped that a visited Washington, DC broader understanding could be reached at so that the reform initiatives undertaken by the Hon’ble Adviser for Commerce and Education, government could continue after the elections. Dr. Hossain visited Washington, On a question on lifting emergency before the DC from 19-23 September 2008 to attend the election, Dr. Hossain informed the audience Global Education Summit 2008 organized by that the Government is willing to relax the US Department of Education in the US capital. provisions of the emergency act to the maximum extent in the interest of holding a During his visit, he also attended a round table free, fair and credible election. discussion on “Bangladesh’s Transition to Democracy” at the Heritage Foundation, a Participating in the discussion Mr. Sameer Washington, DC think tank. In his statement, Sahgal of Boeing endorsed the fact that many the Hon’ble Adviser underscored the fact that positive changes have indeed taken place in “The Caretaker Government is only pursuing a Bangladesh during the last two years and pragmatic strategy keeping the goal intact”. Dr. requested fellow Americans to visit Bangladesh Hossain also said that the Caretaker to see for themselves the changes on the Government has not shifted away from their ground. Concurring with Mr. Sameer, the goal of establishing a sustainable democracy Adviser informed the audience that many through a free, fair and credible election before avenues of economic activities such as ship the end of 2008. At the same time, as a means to building, ICT outsourcing have been opened in political transition, the Government had recent times. intensified the process of involving the people from all works of life in the decision making The event was attended by State Department process and thereby ensuring good governance officials, academics and scholars, congressional and accountability in public administration. He, staff Members, members of the media, business however, acknowledged that the Government community etc. Bangladesh Ambassador to had to adjust their strategies with a view to USA Mr. M. Humayun Kabir and other officials facilitating the process of bridging the goals of of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC political parties and the aspirations of the were also present at the event. common people of Bangladesh. Bangladesh elected UNCTAD President The Commerce and Education Adviser informed the audience about the economic Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Permanent potential of Bangladesh. In this context, he Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva, has asserted that the country had been maintaining been elected President of Trade & Development a healthy growth rate of over 6 percent over the Board (TDB) of the United Nations Conference last few years and narrated the reform on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) for one initiatives undertaken by the present year. Ambassador Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya government to tap into these economic was unanimously elected by the 193 UN opportunities. Member states to this post.

During the question-answer session the As president of TDB, Dr Bhattacharya will lead Hon’ble Adviser observed that by any measure UNCTAD in implementing the instructions and today’s Bangladesh is different from what it guidelines provided by Heads of States and was before 1/11. Citing some examples of Governments and the Ministers during the recent political incidents in Bangladesh Dr. UNCTAD conference held in Accra, Ghana earlier this year. He will also give leadership to Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States inter-governmental and inter-agency dialogues H.E. M. Humayun Kabir and Mrs. Rokeya on current issues of critical concerns in the Kabir invited the members of Bangladesh areas of trade and development. community to an Open House at the Bangladesh Embassy premises on the Eid day. Bangladesh donated US$ 100,000.00 for A good number of expatriate Bangladeshi flood victims in Nepal nationals turned out at the Embassy to join the celebration. They were treated with sweetmeats Bangladesh has donated one hundred thousand and traditional Bangladeshi delicacies. All US dollar to Nepal for the welfare of the flood officials of the Embassy along with their family victims. Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mr. members were present during the occasion. Imtiaz Ahmed handed over a cheque of the donation to Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Durga Puja celebrated across the country Kamal Dahal at Prime Minister's residence at peacefully Baluwatar in Kathmandu recently . Durga puja, the biggest religious Bangladesh received US$ 6.8 billion festival of the remittance until Sept 2008: Foreign Hindu community, Adviser concluded on Thursday 15 Hon’ble Adviser for Foreign Affairs Dr Iftekhar October 2008 Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also Adviser for through ceremonial the Ministry of Expatriates` Welfare & Overseas immersion of images of goddess Durga after Employment, said that expatriate workers had five days of worship and festivities. This year, sent US$6.8 billion as remittance until Bijoya Dashami was celebrated in over 22,000 September 2008 against last year's total amount puja mandaps across the country. Of the total, of US$6.6 billion. The Adviser in a statement 165 mandops were set up in the capital alone. said that he expected that the amount of Although Durga Puja is a religious festival of remittance would stand US$9 billion by December 2008. the Hindu community, the joy and festivity has a broader social appeal. Like Eid and Christmas The Hon’ble Adviser also stated that the market it brightens the social atmosphere and the of overseas jobs for Bangladeshi workers people can share their joy and happiness continued to expand. He said some 690,000 during the festive days. workers got clearance till September 2008 for overseas jobs against last year's 592,000. On the occasion of Durga puja, Hon’ble President Professor Dr. and his wife Anwara Begum hosted a reception for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Washington DC the members of the Hindu community at . The state-run and private television channels and radios aired special The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one programmes while newspapers published of the biggest religious supplements during this great religious festival. festivals of the Muslims, was celebrated across the US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty United States with due visited a number of Puja mandaps (worship festivity this year. To pavilions) on the occasion of the Durga Puja. celebrate this occasion The envoy said this time is very important as with the Bangladeshi the Eid, Puja and elections are being held near community in the US, simultaneously. Bangladesh is similar to the US in the sense that people from many faiths and and Hindus have proved that Bangladesh is a religions live in both of these two countries. country of communal harmony , he observed. Doing the Eid and Puja at a time, the Muslims

Culture Heritage Tourism

This small coral island about 10km (6miles) Bangladesh: a potential destination for southwest of the southern tip of the mainland is eco-tourism in South Asia a tropical cliché, with beaches fringed with coconut palms and bountiful marine life. There Bangladesh enjoys a unique geo-location, being is nothing more strenuous to do here than soak easily accessible from many popular up the rays, but it is a clean and peaceful place destinations in South Asia and major cities of without anything to disrupt serenity. It is the world. This is a real advantage that possible to walk around the island in a day provides a truly pristine and exciting because it measures only 8 sq km (3 sq miles), destination for travelers. Among many shrinking to about 5 sq km (2 sq miles) during destinations worth visiting in Bangladesh the high tide. Most of island’s 5500 inhabitants live most proper eco-tourism spots are the primarily from fishing, and between October (worlds largest mangrove forests), and April fishermen from neighboring areas St. Martin's Island, and Kaptai bring their catch to the island’s temporary Lakes in the , eco-forests wholesale market. One can also find here the in Cox’s Bazar, Nijhum Deep (island) in the Bay beautiful Coral reef and long Coral beach and of and Lawacherra Rain Forest in north lots of coconut trees. The local name of the eastern part of Bangladesh. coconut is Narikel and the original name of this Island, Narikel Jinjira is derived from that. If Among the above potential spots, we will take one is lucky enough then he or she can spend our readers to a few areas that are largely the exotic moonlit night at St. Martins Island. unknown, and having unspoiled natural beauty The beauty of full moon in St. Martins Island and reserves, which are simply unique and cannot be expressed in words. This is fascinating. something to be experienced only. A part of the island derived in between tides is known as One of those areas Cheera-dwip (separated). Tousrists can go to is St. Martins Cheera-dwip by walking (two and a half hours Island , a beautiful walk) by local motorboat or tourist boat. People Coral Island do not live in this Island, so advisable for the where tourists tourists to go there early and come back by will find live afternoon. corals.

How to get there How to get there

It is only 30 km from Teknaf, the most To pay a visit in the Nijhum Deep is southwest sub-district of Bangladesh and one adventurous and enjoyable. Tourists from can go there by local motorboat, tourist boats, Dhaka can avail the motor launches plying or sea truck. There are a number of luxurious between Dhaka and Hatia (in south bus services that run from Dhaka or Chittagong bangladesh) to reach the island. From to Teknaf via Cox’s Bazar. Chittagong (the port city) tourists can avail sea- truck to go to Hatia. From Hatia the tourists can The Nijhum Dwip , an get transport to reach the island. From Dhaka island with forest and or Chittagong the tourists by train or road deep blue water of the transports can also reach Sonapur in Noakhali in the from where they can avail steamer service or south of Bangladesh sea truck to go to Hatia. attracts hundreds of tourists during the winter season. The name 'Nijhum Dwip' itself contains A number of hotels and rest houses, besides a romantic connotation about the place; it gives government bungalows, are now available in one a sense of silence and natural splendour the island to stay there. unsullied by human exploration. The island is situated between Noakhali and Bhola. It is the Lawacherra Rain Forest is southern most island of Bangladesh that lies in one of the important & the precarious mouth of the river Padma. well-reserved forests in Bangladesh. Here visitor The island has 20 kms of long sandy and may see gibbons grassy beach. Oysters of various nature and swimming through the snails can be easily seen in the island. The trees and birds like bee-eater, owls, parrot and a tourists in the island can enjoy sunrise and few species of Pheasants, Hornbills, Forktails sunset from the island. and Laughing thrushes. It is a good habitat of deer, leopard, wild chicken, squirrel, and Four decades ago, the island was under deep python. It is a place not to be missed especially water. But, the silt carried by the Himalayan if one is a bird watcher. The terrain is hilly and Rivers into the sea helped surface this island vegetation is fairly thick. Rare Chloroform tree over the period. In 1972 the forest department of Asia is the prime attraction. Khasia & began afforestation programs in the island. Manipuri , the two important ethnic-tribes live Later, the government declared the Nijhum here. Manipuri is famous for its rich culture Deep as a ‘national garden’. The Bay waves that especially for dancing and singing. It is known irrigate the forest more than once a day helped as colorful community. They are also famous grow quickly the planted Keowra, Geowra, for their traditional weaving. Tourists can buy Bain and Kakra and other valuable trees. Wild their exquisitely woven woolen handicrafts. animals -the spotted deers, monkey, buffalo, Khasia tribe is famous for their betel leaf snakes and 35 species of birds-- made the island cultivation. They make their villages high on attractive for the tourists. During the winter hilltop in deep forest and far from towns. It is season, thousands of guest birds migrate to this like "A Piece of Paradise". island to add more to its beauty. In 1978, four pairs of spotted deers were released in the How to get there forest and now the number of deer has increased to around 6000. The visitors can Lawacherra is located in Srimongol of easily watch these attractive animals. Moulvibazar district. Srimongol is located about 177 kms (110 miles) northeast of Dhaka city and easily accessible by car and bus. The Lawacherra rainforest is within 10 kms from the city center in Srimongol. Day trip packages are available from Srimongol. Bangladesh Tea board guest house and private lodging places are available for overnight boarding.

BUSINESS TRADE DEVELOPMENT

two-day Call Centre Expo 2008 began in the Bangladesh-Japan joint Venture Company British midlands city on 15 September 2008. to invest $3.72 million at KEPZ BTRC Chairman, Manzurul Alam, gave a Daiei International Limited, a Bangladesh- presentation on the telecommunication Japan joint venture company will set up an eco- industry, explaining why Bangladesh could be parking machine manufacturing industry at a good destination for call centres of big UK CSD area of Karnaphuli Export Processing companies. "Bangladesh is not just a country of Zone. natural disasters. We have resources. The telecommunication sector offers a huge This jointly owned company will invest about potential," the BTRC chief told his audience. Taka 25 crore in setting up its plant and will "We are capable of offering world class service. manufacture 1300 eco-parking machine Foreign companies should come and invest." annually for export. The company will also create employment opportunities for 341 Seven Bangladeshi firms joined the expo to Bangladeshi workers, including 10 foreign explore opportunities: InGen Technology, nationals. Aamra Outsourcing Ltd, HMC Technology Ltd, Iqra Media Centre, Legato Services Ltd, Orbit An agreement to this effect was signed between Communications and Windmill Advertising Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Ltd. and Messrs Daiei International Limited at BEPZA Complex in Dhaka recently. The BTRC started giving license for call centre in April this year. The telecoms regulator issued UK drawn to Dhaka call centres at Expo 310 licenses in three categories – Call Centre, 2008 Hosted Call Centre and Hosted Call Centre Service Provider.

UK companies have shown Sri Lanka Bank eyes Bangladesh interest in setting up call centres in Bangladesh after a presentation by Bangladesh Sri Lanka's National Development Bank (NDB) Telecom Regulatory has received approval to establish an Commission officials at a investment bank in Bangladesh. In a recent Birmingham exposition. The stock exchange filing, NDB said it had got approval from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and was now awaiting approval from the The current order book of Ananda Shipyard finance ministry and regulatory authorities in includes ships from 2,900 dwt to 7,250 dwt for Sri Lanka including the Controller of Exchange, owners from Germany, Denmark and as well as Bangladeshi authorities. Mozambique. The production area comprises The bank's statement to the stock exchange said 80,000 square meters; more than 1,120 people it had already carried out a feasibility study on are employed by the yard. operating an investment bank in Bangladesh, with the objective of having a majority Indian RMG unit in Dhaka EPZ shortly shareholding. NDB has also been negotiating with a An Indian company will set up a woven and prospective investee company and its knit garments industry in Dhaka Export shareholders, it said. The statement said the Processing Zone involving US$ 9.776 million or transaction will take place after it gets the about Tk 67 crore. required approvals and completes the terms and conditions of a joint venture agreement This 100% foreign owned company, Lenny between NDB, the prospective investee Apparels Limited, will also create employment company and its shareholders. opportunity for 1620 Bangladeshis and 61 foreign nationals. An agreement to this effect The National Development Bank is the third Sri was signed between Bangladesh Export Lankan bank to set up business in Bangladesh, Processing Zones Authority and Lenny after Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank. Apparels at Bepza Complex here in September this year. German Company Germanischer Lloyd ordered new ships from Ananda Shipyard Korean company to invest Tk 85cr in Chittagong EPZ Germanischer, a leading global classification A Korean firm will set up a tent, sleeping bag, society has ordered two camping furniture and accessories 7,250 dwt multi-purpose manufacturing unit in the Chittagong Export vessels to be built at Processing Zone and invest an amount of Taka Ananda Shipyard in 85 crore. This foreign-owned company, OFMA Bangladesh. Germanischer who supervises and Camp Limited, is estimated to produce 15 to 30 improves safety and quality on behalf of many million pieces of tents, sleeping bags, other maritime and industrial customers has booked camping furniture and accessories a year. The this order for German ship owners Komrowski company will create employment opportunities and Herrmann Lohmann Schiffahrt. for 780 Bangladeshi people and five foreigners. An agreement to this effect was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Germanischer Lloyd’s Member of the Executive Authority and the OFMA Camp Limited at Board Dr Hermann J. Klein and Ananda BEPZA Complex in Dhaka on 15 September Shipyard's Managing Director Mrs. Afruja Bari 2008. signed the agreement at SMM in Hamburg.

"In Bangladesh we can produce ships to international standards." said Dr Abdullahel Bari, Chairman of Ananda Shipyard at the signing ceremony at the Germanischer Lloyd booth. The two multi-purpose-vessels belong to a series of ten orders, order for eight of which were placed in December 2007.

P H O T O G A L L E R Y

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