sign in sign up
<<
Home , Armed Forces Division, Bangabhaban, Cabinet Division, Dipu Moni, Iajuddin Ahmed, Oath of office

[January 2009] [Vol. 2 Issue 1]

In this issue 2008. The huge turnout of voters, enthusiastic • Parliamentary Elections participation of young and women voters, and 2008: Landslide mandate the new vision and agenda of the political • Prime formed parties made the outcome of elections truly the new Cabinet in Bangladesh historic. The new has integrated the • Prime Minister announces priorities of vision for change into their policy with a view her government, vows to work with all • New Parliament began its session to building a democratic, dignified and digital • Bangladesh. Bangladesh shows democratically organized and empowered people can During the year 2008, we have tried to keep our fight poverty, extremism and militancy: readers informed about developments in Ambassador Humayun Kabir Bangladesh and many other creative initiatives • Bangladesh Embassy hosts Seminar on that were undertaken by the Embassy to project Investment opportunities in Bangladesh • and promote Bangladesh in the outside world as Indian investors for separate EPZ at a moderate, democratic, peace loving and Ishwardi friendly nation. We intend to continue our • Bangladesh received $9 billion of remittance in 2008 efforts in the same direction with renewed vigour. We would welcome comments, observations and suggestions of our readers for New Year’s greetings from the Ambassador improving this newsletter in the coming days.

On behalf of the Embassy Developments in Bangladesh and the United family in Washington, DC, States have entered into a transformational I would like to offer our phase, and there is a huge possibility that both warm greetings to the these countries could lift their bilateral readers, friends and well relationship to a new level, and at the same time wishers of ‘Vibrant work together to address burning global Bangladesh’. We do hope challenges, such as poverty, illiteracy, that 2009 will bring more extremism and climate change, among others. joy, happiness and success for all of you. Let me take this opportunity to thank once again We began the year in Bangladesh with the our valued friends and readers for their formation of a new democratic government by continued support and cooperation in this Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the endeavour. Grand alliance under her leadership handsomely won the elections on 29 December -M. Humayun Kabir 1 Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections 2008: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed the Landslide mandate new Cabinet in Bangladesh

The -led grand alliance has secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on 29 December 2008.

The grand alliance has clinched two- Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as the new Prime thirds majority with Minister of Bangladesh on 6 January 2009 after 262 seats compared to 30 seats won by the her party-led grand alliance won the general BNP-led four-party alliance. Their alliance elections held on 29 December 2008. partner Jamaat-e-Islami secured only 2 seats. The results clearly indicate that the voters, Hon’ble President Professor Dr. Iajuddin especially the young and first-time voters, were Ahmed administered the of office and hungry for the change. There is much conjecture secrecy at in . About 1,000 that the victory of the grand alliance was the distinguished guests, including the Hon’ble outcome of participation of the first-time voters, Chief Adviser of the past interim government, who turned out in record numbers, and women Dr. , Chief Justice, Chief voters, who outnumbered the men. Election Commissioner, Chiefs of Armed Forces, diplomats, politicians and senior civil This election represented an experience never servants and intellectuals were present on the seen before in independent Bangladesh: A occasion. record number of voters – more than 87 percent turned up to cast their votes in an atmosphere of Among the 31 members of the cabinet peace and tranquility. Young voters came out in (excluding the Hon’ble Prime Minister) 23 were droves, clearly eager to cast their vote for the made full Ministers and 8 others were Ministers first time. With a record number of first-time of . 6 more Ministers of State were sworn voters who represent 33 percent of the 81 in on 25 January 2009 increasing the number of million voting population, the mood on Election cabinet members to 37. Day was upbeat from early morning. Women made an overwhelming presence at the polling The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) centres. The number of women voters stood at delegation headed by party vice-president M. K. 41.2 million, which is more than half of the total Anwar, MP joined the ceremony. voters. Reports of violence were few and far between and fake voting was almost absent in Name of the Portfolio the context of updating of electoral roll with Members of photograph of each voter. Cabinet

Sheikh Hasina Unlike the past elections, the 2008 polls included the provision of "No Vote" allowing Honorable voters to express their no-confidence in Prime Minister M/O. Power, Energy & candidates on ballot papers. The percentage of Mineral Resources : no-vote casters appeared low. a) Power Division

2 b) Power and Mineral Rezaul Karim M/O. Land Resources Division Hira M/O. Establishment Abul Kalam M/O. Information M/O. Housing and Public Azad M/O. Cultural Affairs Works Enamul Huq M/O. Social Welfare M/O. Defence Mostafa M/O. Religious Affairs Shaheed M/O. Women & Children Dilip Barua M/O. Industries Affairs Ramesh Chandra M/O. Water Resources Minister Sen Abul Maal M/O. Finance GM Quader M/O. Civil Aviation and Abdul Muhit a) Finance Division Tourism b) Economic Lt. Col. (rtd) M/O. Commerce Relations Division Faruq Khan c) External Resources Syed Abul M/O. Communications Division Hossain a) Roads & Railway Begum Motia M/O. Agriculture Division Chowdhury b) Bridge Division Abdul Latif M/O. Textile and Jute Dr. Abdur M/O. Food and Disaster Siddiqui Razzak Management Barrister Shafiq M/O. Law, Justice and Dr. Afsarul M/O. Shipping Ahmed Parliamentary Affairs Amin a) National Parliament Dr. A.F.M M/O. Health and Family Secretariat Ruhul Huq Welfare Air Vice M/O. Planning Dr. Dipu Moni M/O. Foreign Affairs Marshal (rtd) a) Planning Division Nurul Islam M/O. Education AK Khandoker b) Implementation Nahid M/O. Primary and Mass Monitoring & Education Evaluation Division Abdul Latif M/O. Fisheries and Razi Uddin M/O. Posts and Biswash Livestock Ahmed Razu Telecommunications State Minister Advocate Sahara M/O. Home Affairs Advocate M/O. Forest and Khatun Mostafizur Environment Syed Ashraful M/O. Local Government and Rahman Islam Rural Development & Co- Captain (rtd) M/O. Liberation War Affairs operatives ABM Tazul a) Local Govt. Islam Division Tanzim Ahmed M/O. Home Affairs b) Rural Development Sohel Taz & Co-operatives Architect Yafes M/O. Science and Division Osman Information & Engineer M/O. Labour and Communication Technology Khandaker Employment Dr. Hasan M/O. Foreign Affairs Mosharraf M/O. Expatriates' Welfare Mahmud Hossain and Overseas Employment 3 Begum M/O. Labour and Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Munnuzan Employment the first task of her government would be to Sufian bring down the prices of essentials within the Dipankar M/O. purchasing power of the common people and Talukdar Affairs alleviate poverty. In this mission, she sought cooperation of BNP Chairperson Begum Ahad Ali Sarker M/O. Youth and Sports .

Advocate Md. M/O. Power, Energy & "Poverty is our lone enemy and we will have to Shamsul Haque Mineral Resources eradicate it, reduce price hike and improve Tuku people's living standard," Sheikh Hasina said at her first news conference after winning a Advocate Abdul M/O. Housing and Public landslide victory in the ninth parliamentary Mannan Khan Works election on December 29. She also sought cooperation of all, including the opposition and

other political parties, in establishing a new M/O. Primary and Mass political culture with a view to building a Md. Motahar Education developed, modern and poverty-free Hossain Bangladesh.

Advocate M/O. Local Govt., Rural "This victory is the result of your relentless hard Jahangir Kabir Development & Co- work and sacrifice. But we have to show due Nanok operatives respect to the faith and belief the people of Bangladesh have in us," Hon’ble Prime Minister said at the conference held at Bangladesh- Advocate Md. M/O. Law, Justice and Friendship Conference Centre on 31 December Quamrul Islam Parliamentary Affairs 2008. Asking party men to stay calm and show tolerance, she urged all to work for the nation. Advocate Md. M/O. Religious Affairs Hon’ble Prime Minister described her party's Shahjahan Miah victory as "a victory of good governance against misrule and corruption, peace against terrorism and criminal activities, and secularism against Source : PID fundamentalism". She urged all political parties to shun the past tradition of politics of

Prime Minister announces priorities of her vengeance and conflicts and work together for government, vows to work with all the betterment of the country. Proposing formation of joint task forces among the South Asian countries for combined action against terrorism, the Prime Minister said that she wanted to establish Bangladesh as the most peaceful nation in the region.

New Parliament began its session

The first session of the new Jatiya Sanghad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh convened on 25 January 2009. 4 The ninth parliament of the country’s history the beginning of the new parliament from the began its journey over two years later after gallery. being elected through a free and fair election held on December 29, 2008. New speaker and deputy speaker of the parliament elected On the inaugural day Hon’ble President Professor Dr. addressed the members of parliament. In his speech, the Hon’ble President termed the new a "parliament for change" and said poverty alleviation, elimination of corruption and terrorism, trial of war criminals and establishment of good governance would be the main objectives of the newly elected government. He added, "People of this country have given mandate to the newly elected Advocate and Col (retd) Shawkat government to bring a massive change in their Ali were unanimously elected speaker and political and economic lives”. In achieving the deputy speaker of the ninth parliament goals, the president urged all citizens respectively in the inaugural session of the irrespective of their political affiliations to House on 25 January 2009. forget personal interests. Sworn into the office for a second term, Congratulating Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Advocate Abdul Hamid, a veteran Hasina and the new government, Hon’ble parliamentarian, urged all members of the President said "now it is the expectation of the House to work towards the country's economic whole nation that the Prime Minister of the development and requested all lawmakers to newly formed government will build a happy, stay above all political interests. He was also prosperous and modern digital Bangladesh by elected a member of parliament in 1973, 1986, virtue of her knowledge, experience and 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008 general elections on political sagacity.” his party ticket.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Mr. Shawkat Ali, a freedom fighter and also a cabinet collegues and other members of the listed Supreme Court lawyer, was first elected treasury bench were present on the inaugural as a lawmaker in 1979 followed by his election day. Lawmakers of the main opposition BNP as a member of parliament in 1991, 1996, 2000 participated in the House proceedings from the and 2008. beginning under Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh shows democratically organized and empowered people can fight poverty, During the session, a number of lawmakers extremism and militancy: Ambassador emphasized the need for making parliament the Humayun Kabir focal point of all activities for the people's welfare. Bangladesh has proved that its Chief Adviser to the immediate past caretaker people could be the government Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief most effective tool Election Commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul to fight poverty, Huda, Chief of Gen Moeen U extremism and Ahmed, senior government officials, Diplomats, militancy and this eminent personalities of the country witnessed was demonstrated 5 by the outcome of recently held Parliamentary taken by the Government of Prime Minister elections. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Sheikh Hasina, he said that the newly formed M. Humayun Kabir said this while speaking in government had responded robustly to the signal Washington, DC on 28 January 2009. He was sent by the voters in forming the cabinet and the special guest at a panel discussion on setting other priorities of the government. On ‘Bangladesh Elections and Beyond: Democracy, the pressing challenges faced by Bangladesh Security and Development’, organized by Johns and the region as a whole, Hopkins University, SAIS-South Asia Studies Ambassador Kabir said that Prime Minister and U.S. Bangladesh Advisory Council Sheikh Hasina had called upon all nations to (USBAC). The panelist included Mr. Sajeeb fight poverty and proposed to form a Regional Wazed, Adviser to H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Mr. Task Force to fight extremism and terrorism. He Joshua T. White, who was an observer at the added that the voters of Bangladesh have also Bangladesh parliamentary election, Dr. Imtiaz demonstrated that there is no conflict between Habib, Board Member of USBAC, and Mr. democracy and faith of any variety, and Peter M. Manikas, Senior Associate at National Bangladesh has shown once again that true Democratic Institute (NDI), USA. Dr. Walter democracy can work as an effective antidote Andersen, Director SAIS and USBAC Founder against extremism. and Chairman, Mr. Shabbir Ahmed welcomed the audience. Ambassador Kabir also said that as politics in Bangladesh and the USA are entering into a transformational phase, a new opportunity has been created to lift the quality of Bangladesh’s relations with the USA. Besides upgrading bilateral relationship, both Bangladesh and the could work to fight poverty, extremism, peacekeeping and peace building and climate change issues through leveraging the experience Bangladesh had gained in those areas.

Mr. Sajeeb Wazed in his remarks said that the people of Bangladesh have made their choice through the recently held free, fair elections. He Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir said that the added that Prime Minister Skeikh Hasina’s recent resounding electoral verdict had shown government would work tirelessly for building a that the people of Bangladesh loved democratic modern digital Bangladesh. He also said that governance and they were ready to defend their fighting terrorism remains a priority area for the democratic rights with full vigor and vibrancy government. He assured the audience during the regardless of the nature of odds. Ambassador Q&A session that the government remains Kabir also said the kept committed to respecting human rights. He also its promise of holding a free and fair said that the government was committed to parliamentary election and the transfer of power strengthen local , continue anti- to an elected government by the end of corruption drive and eradicate the threat of December 2008. He recalled that the as many as terrorism. 87% voted in the December 2008,-the highest in recent memory. He mentioned that by having a Mr. Joshua T. White and Mr. Peter M. Manikas free and fair election, Bangladesh has not only shared with the audience their experience as get a democratically elected government but election observers during the recently held also has set itself up as a “peace entrepreneur” parliamentary . They in South Asia. Referring to the various steps expressed their satisfaction at the holding of a 6 free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh. Hon’ble Prime Minister while felicitating the Dr. Imtiaz Habib underscored the importance of US president on behalf of the government of the civil society’s role in the promotion of Bangladesh and its people mentioned about the tolerant culture in Bangladesh. formation of a new government in Bangladesh on 06 January 2009 on conclusion of free, fair Moderated by Professor Dr. Walter Andersen, a and credible elections. She described the former US State department official and election as a festival of democracy with more currently the Director of SAIS, the discussion than 87% of the 80 million voters participating meeting was followed by a Q&A session and in exercising their franchise. She also expressed was attended by US Government officials, her profound delight at the happy coincidence of academicians and researchers, journalists and the two governments’ assumption of the office. members of expatriate Bangladesh community. She said’ “as you have rekindled American dream, we also reaffirm our commitment to A compilation of press clippings from build a decent and democratic country, which international media covering Bangladesh would be free of poverty, living in peace within parliamentary elections may be seen at the itself and with others and in a climate friendly following link environment.” She also reiterated her http://www.bangladoot.org/InternationalPresson government’s commitment to closely work with BangladeshElectionJan2009.pdf. President Obama for further strengthening the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, and to advance common objectives of Bangladesh leaders congratulated the new both the governments. US President and the Secretary of State Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni also congratulated her counterpart Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton on her assumption of office of the US Secretary of State. She noted that the speedy completion of the confirmation process was an eloquent testimony of the confidence and trust colleagues have on her professional excellence and her outstanding commitment to public service. She hoped that under Mrs. Clinton’s dynamic leadership the United States would be Hon’ble Professor Dr. able to play its due role in the international Iajuddin Ahmed and Hon’ble Prime Minister community in forging more inclusive and Sheikh Hasina felicitated the US President cooperative global interactions. Dr. Dipu Moni Barack Obama on his assumption of the office assured her of Bangladesh’s full cooperation in of the 44 th President of the United States on 20 this creative journey. January 2009. Referring to US Secretary of State’s reference to In his message, Hon’ble President said that he is Bangladesh in her statement at the confident about Barack Obama’s inspiring and Hearing, Hon’ble Foreign Minister mentioned visionary leadership and hoped that he will steer that she was touched by that. She also shared the US towards a brighter future. He also Mrs. Clinton’s belief that the social agenda is an mentioned that Bangladesh, as many around the important element in diplomacy and said that world, see in his leadership a new dawn of hope Bangladesh would remain committed to and assured that Bangladesh stands ready to advance this agenda to address the most extend all-out cooperation to his new intractable challenges of poverty, illiteracy and government. under-development with a view to fostering a

7 better environment for creating a safer and handicaps in facilitating investment climate, secure world. Ambassador Kabir mentioned that Bangladesh had made some notable progress in recent years Mentioning that Bangladesh and the United to improve its business climate. Among those, States shared enduring faith in the value of establishment of Better Business Forum (BBF), democracy, rule of law, human dignity, a public-private partnership to strengthen trust, individual entrepreneurship and empowerment formation of a Regulatory Reforms Commission of people, Hon’ble Foreign Minister said the and visible drive against corruption had restored two countries have also shared interest in investors’ confidence. He anticipated that the consolidating cooperation in political, economic climate of uncertainty in Bangladesh that and other fields for bilateral interests of the two prevailed for about two years had now been countries. “This is in addition to our mutual overcome with smooth democratic transition resolve for advancing peace and prosperity” and subsequent formation of a new government Hon’ble Foreign Minister added. with overwhelming public mandate.

Bangladesh Embassy hosts Seminar on Mentioning that the Investment opportunities in Bangladesh was transforming, he emphasized on the need for investment from domestic sources as well as from foreign sources, and in that context, he urged the non-resident to be effectively involved through direct investment in transforming Bangladesh. He proposed that as a vehicle to help invest and mobilize funds from the expatriate community, a national body could be formed with public private partnership to facilitate the process. Bangladesh missions abroad could also be integrated into such a A Seminar on “Investment opportunities in process to update the collective reputation and Bangladesh” was held at the Bangladesh reach out to the expatriate community with a Embassy in Washington DC on 18 January view to exploring investment opportunities in 2009. The seminar was arranged by American Bangladesh. Association of Bangladeshi Engineers and Architects (AABEA), Washington DC chapter Dr. Zia U Ahmed, Chairman, Venture in collaboration with Bangladesh Embassy. Investment Partners Ltd., Bangladesh briefed Speaking at the occasion, Bangladesh the audience about his company , the projects Ambassador to the United States, H.E. M. undertaken by his company in different areas in Humayun Kabir informed the audience that Bangladesh and on the ways the expatriates Bangladesh Embassy attached high priority to could invest in Bangladesh in collaboration with pursuing vigorous economic and diaspora his company. diplomacy. On the question of why Bangladesh could be an investment destination, he The program began with a presentation by suggested several points. Firstly, Bangladesh AABEA Washington, DC chapter President Mr. has been identified as a potential investment Faisal Qader. In his presentation the AABEA destination among the developing countries by President highlighted the various activities of the reputed international investment firms, such the organization. A large number of expatriate as the Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and community members residing in greater metro other reputed global investors. Secondly, Washington area and the embassy officials were regionally Bangladesh is located at a strategic present at the seminar. location beside two major rising economic giants, such as and China. Despite some 8 University students visit Bangladesh countries. They offer the opportunity for select Embassy group of students from various parts of the US to work and learn in Washington, D.C., and gain academic credit .

During the tour, the students were briefed on various aspects of Bangladesh. Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir in his remarks informed them, among other things, about the recently held free, fair parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. He also told the audience about the progress being made by Bangladesh in various areas of socio- economic sectors with particular focus on women empowerment, micro-finance and other schemes to alleviate poverty, health care sand

disaster management. Ambassador Kabir also As part of Education Interaction Programme spoke of the friendly bilateral relations between (EIP) conducted by the Bangladesh Embassy to Bangladesh and the USA. The student group make an outreach to students from various US comprising 20 undergraduate students of academic institutions, a group of students from various disciplines was led by Professor Nancy University of St. Thomas, Minnesota visited the Cade of the Department of History and Political Embassy of Bangladesh on 16 January 2009. Science of the University and Professor Louise

Mengelkoch, Chair, Mass Communication The visit was organized in collaboration with Department of Bemidji State University, the Washington Center for Internships and Minnesota. Officers of the Embassy were Academic Seminars, an independent, nonprofit present during the briefing session. organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other

BUSINESS TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Indian investors for separate EPZ at Indian entrepreneurs are willing to invest in an Ishwardi exclusive export processing zone in Ishwardi, Pabna,-a foreign investment initiative that would significantly reduce the huge imbalance in bilateral trade that is in favour of India at the moment.

Conveying this to the Hon’ble Commerce Minister, Faruk Khan, a delegation of the India- Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on 15 January 2009 that the Indian 9 businessmen would buy the products to be Garment Manufacturers and Exporters manufactured in the proposed zone back to Association (BGMEA). India. Mr. Parvez said although Export Promotion The joint chamber is now preparing a guideline Bureau (EPB) is yet to publish its monthly for Indian investments in Bangladesh, the export figure for the ending months of 2008, the chamber leaders said, adding that Bangladeshi trend shows that the export of trousers and businessmen still faced problems with issues sweater will be higher during these months such as certification, standards testing, customs compared to the previous months. procedure and use of land ports while making trade transactions. After January 2009, growth of apparel export will get momentum, as the factories are now Hon’ble Minister asked the businessmen to busy with making products to be shipped for the submit a list of problems and prospects for next season (summer), he said. boosting bilateral trade and said the government would raise the issue when India's External Bangladesh received $9 billion of remittance Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visits in 2008 Bangladesh in early February 2009. The number of The Minister termed the trade imbalance Bangladeshis cleared between India and Bangladesh only natural for overseas considering the size of the Indian economy but employment in 2008 maintained that the Awami League government exceeded 8,75,000 would make renewed focus on reducing the gap persons, creating a new through discussion with Indian authorities. record. A record amount of nearly US $9 billion has also been RMG exports to US remains steady received as remittances in 2008. In 2007 Bangladesh sent 8,32,000 persons for employment abroad, which was then a record too.

Korean company to invest $9.9 million in Chittagong EPZ

M/s Young An Hat (BD) Limited, a Korean company will set up a cap manufacturing industry in Chittagong Export Processing Zone. This 100 per cent foreign owned company will invest US$9.996 million to set up their unit and Export of readymade garments (RMG) to USA, will produce hats and caps. The company will one of the major export destinations for also create employment opportunity for 1,520 Bangladeshi apparels, will maintain its position Bangladeshi people. as sales of low-end products in this particular market are still high, exporters said. An agreement to this effect was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Exports of trousers and sweaters, two major Authority and the M/s Young An Hat (BD) items from Bangladesh, will boost the export Limited in BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on 4 volume in the US market, said Anwar-Ul-Alam January 2009. Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh

10

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

Panel discussion on Bangladesh at the Johns HopHopkinskins University

Seminar on investment opportunities in Bangladesh atat Bangladesh Embassy

Students from ththee University of St. Thomas, Minnesota of at the EmbassyEmbassy

If you need any further information or have any suggestions or if you do not wish to receive this web journal, please email: [email protected] or [email protected] Disclaimer: The compilation of this journal is based on the news and views from different sources. This publication is for public information purposes only.

11