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Contents of the issue

Political and Foreign Affairs

Bangladesh Observes 38th Anniversary of its Independence Information Technology is a top priority for Bangladesh: Prime Minister 45 Women Members of Parliament Sworn in Bangladesh Parliament Passed the Right to Information Bill New Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2009 empowers women

Embassy Events

Reception hosted at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on the Independence and National Day 89 th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation and the National Children’s Day 2009 observed at Bangladesh Embassy

Outreach program

UNC students visits Bangladesh Embassy Bangladesh is a model of moderation: Ambassador Kabir at the Ambassador Kabir briefed the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI)

Interview

Bangladesh-US Relations have shifted from Aid Dependence to Trade Interaction: Ambassador Kabir with VOA

Trade and Economic

Bangladesh Brand Forum attempts to defy the global meltdown Leather Goods, Footwear Export Marks 20 percent Growth in 2008

Cultural

Children’s Essay and Painting Competition at the Embassy

Bangladesh Observes 38th painting competitions. Bangladesh Anniversary of its Independence Embassies abroad also observed the Day in a befitting manner.

On this occasion, the Honorable President, Honorable Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, in separate messages, called upon Bangladeshis at home and abroad to unite for making a prosperous, peaceful and modern Bangladesh.

The Independence Day Award ceremony was also held on this day. Honorable Prime Minister was present as the

chief guest to honor the recipients of the On March 26, 2009 Bangladesh observed awards. the 38th anniversary of its independence. 38 years ago, this day, the valiant sons of Reception hosted at Bangladesh the soil stood up and proclaimed Embassy in Washington DC on the Bangladesh’s independence. The Independence and National Day declaration of independence was followed In celebration of by the nine month long epic war weaved in the Independence stories of sacrifice and heroism. The final and National Day victory came on December 16, 1971 under of Bangladesh, the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh the Embassy Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh in Bangladesh. Washington, DC

hosted a People of Bangladesh – at home and Reception at the Embassy premises in the abroad – observed the day and paid rich evening of 26 March 2009. US Government tribute to the fallen heroes of the Liberation high officials, members of the diplomatic War. In , the day’s program began corps, politicians, Congressional staff with a 31-gun salute at Tejgaon old airport. members, representatives from leading At dawn, Honorable President Zillur think- tanks, academia, business leaders, Rahman, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh media personalities and the members of the Hasina and Honorable Leader of the Bangladeshi American community attended Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda the Reception. Zia placed floral wreaths at Jatiyo Smriti Soudha (the National Mausoleum) at Savar. Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, himself a From early morning thousands of people valiant freedom fighter, and his wife Mrs. from all walks of life streamed at the Smriti Rokeya Kabir welcomed the guests. The Soudha . The Smriti Soudha was built at guests were served with traditional Savar in memory of the freedom fighters Bangladeshi cuisine. A colorful video display who had made supreme sacrifice for the on Bangladesh's independence and independence of Bangladesh. Outside development activities was also screened Dhaka various organizations put up during the event. programs including musical soiree and information technology (IT) programmers every year.

Honorable Prime Minister also said that the present government was keen to introduce e-governance to ensure transparency in governance. In this connection, she said that the government was now planning to make all its procurement through 'e- tender.' The honorable Prime Minister Earlier in the morning, Ambassador Kabir informed the audience that her government ceremonially hoisted Bangladesh’s national was working to connect the country with flag at the Embassy premises. Messages another submarine cable soon. “We are from the Honorable President, Honorable very flexible about giving facilities to the Prime Minister, Honorable Foreign Minister private sector," she said urging the and Honorable State Minister for Foreign representatives from the sector to give the Affairs were also read out. A special government suggestions for formulating monajat was offered seeking salvation of polices to have a 'Digital Bangladesh' by the departed souls of the martyrs of 1971, 2021. and also for the peace, progress and continued prosperity of the country. To Bangladesh Brand Forum attempts to mark the occasion the Embassy has also defy the global meltdown published a souvenir. Whilst the world may Information Technology is a top be reeling from the priority for Bangladesh: Prime global financial crisis Minister. and the reputation of many companies The Government received a battering, of Bangladesh Bangladesh corporate world is attempting will introduce to take an optimistic leap forward. The compulsory Bangladesh Brand Forum has taken a bold curriculum on step in telling its corporate leaders and Information marketers to focus on developing their Technology (IT) brands. at Secondary School level by Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) 2009 was 2013. The same held on 28 and 29 March 2009 at Dhaka will be replicated Sheraton Hotel under the theme- Surviving at the primary school level by 2021. This Hyper Competition. Seven International was announced by the Honorable Prime speakers provided inspiration to Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural Bangladeshi leaders on how to build strong ceremony of Bangladesh Computer Samity emotional connections with customers. (BCS) Digital Expo-2009 at Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre on 25 Participants of the programme also focused March, 2009 in Dhaka. The Prime Minister on a collective dream, respect to local said that her government would do culture, corporate ethics and values in whatever was necessary to create 10,000 brand-building. An emphasis was also put on financial transparency of corporate won by their respective parties in the houses and their investment in enhancing parliamentary elections held in December the purchasing power of the low-income 2008. group. At the seminar at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the discussants also recalled that With the reserved 45 women seats the total “Our strength is entrepreneurship even in member of the current Bangladesh Jatiyo the midst of various problems, Sangsad members is 345 including the 300 hopelessness," elected MPs elected in the election held on 29 December 2008. Publisher and Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, Munawar Misbah Moin, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina director of Rahimafrooz Group, recently has said that reserved seats for Grameenphone Communications Director women would be increased up to 100 in the Rubaba Dowla, Kazi & Kazi Tea Estates next parliament and direct election would Chief Executive Officer Kazi Anis Ahmed be held for the seat thus reserved for were among the panelists. Chief Adviser of women. This, if implemented, will elevate Bangladesh Brand Forum Prof Syed Ferhat Bangladesh’s signature issue of women Anwar moderated the discussion. empowerment to a new height.

45 Women Members of Parliament 89 th Birth Anniversary of the Father of Sworn in the Nation and the National Children’s Day 2009 observed at Bangladesh The newly elected Embassy 45 women As per government members of instruction, the 89 th parliament from birth anniversary of the reserved seats Father of the Nation were sworn in on Bangabandhu Sheikh 29 March 2009 at Mujubur Rahman was the National duly observed at Parliament building in Dhaka. Honorable Bangladesh Embassy Speaker of the Parliament Mr. M. Abdul in Washington DC on Hamid administered the oath. 17 March 2009. On the occasion, the Embassy chalked out an elaborate program. On 19 March 2009 the Election Commission A discussion meeting chaired by (EC) of Bangladesh announced the names Ambassador Mr. M. Humayun Kabir was of 45 new members of parliament (MPs) for held at the Auditorium of the Embassy. reserved women's seats. An EC official said Among others, Professor Khalid Hasan, Mr. the women lawmakers, nominated by the Mizanur Rahman Majumder, Mr. Alamgir, three major parties, had been declared Mr. Alauddin, Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud, Mr. 'elected uncontested' as parties nominated Mahmudun Nabi Baki spoke on the just 45 candidates within the deadline set occasion. The speakers highlighted for withdrawal of nominations. Bangabandhu’s contribution in the independence of Bangladesh. They called The ruling Bangladesh got upon all Bangladeshis to work for the 36 seats, Bangladesh Nationalist Party 5 fulfillment of the dream of the Father of the and Jatiya Party 4 in accordance with Nation’s for a ‘Golden Bengal’- the Bengal quotas determined on the basis of seats of prosperity. They also emphasized on the need to educate Bangladesh’s younger Ambassador to USA, Mrs. Rokeya Kabir generation on the life and works of gave away the prizes among the winners. Bangabandhu . Bangladesh is a model of moderation: In his speech, Ambassador Kabir Ambassador Mr. M. Humayun On 4 March 2009 Kabir recalled Ambassador M. Humayun the epic role Kabir delivered a lecture at played by the Elliot School of Bangabandhu International Affairs at Sheikh Mujubur George Rahman in Bangladesh’s emergence as an Washington University in independent country. He said that the Washington DC. He was invited as a guest newly elected democratic government of speaker by the University’s Sigur Center for Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has Asian Studies and the Ambassadors Forum taken various initiatives to fulfill the dreams of the University. of the Father of the Nation. Ambassador Kabir urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to In his lecture titled “New Actors in Dhaka & work together for the establishment of a Washington: Prospect of US-Bangladesh modern Bangladesh. A documentary on the Relations”, Ambassador Kabir drew a life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh parallel between the aspirations for Mujubur Rahman was screened on the changes both in Bangladesh and the US. occasion. A special monajat was offered Mr. Kabir spoke on Bangladesh’s recent seeking salvation of the departed souls of free, fair and credible election and Bangabandhu and members of his family, highlighted the main features of the who embraced martyrdom on 15 August election and elaborated on the uniqueness 1975, and also for the peace, progress and of some of those features. In this context, prosperity of Bangladesh. he mentioned about the unprecedented large scale participation of the young voters as well as the women voters. This, he said, manifests the total rejection of the two evils - corruption and extremism.

With new political dispensations both in Dhaka and Washington, the two countries can work together on a host of areas, he said. Bangladesh Ambassador identified a whole range of issues - cooperation to curb the menace of terrorism to responding to Earlier, painting and essay competitions for climate change and energy issues- as children and students were arranged to possible areas of cooperation between commemorate the day and also for National Bangladesh and the United States. Children Day 2009. Young talents of Bangladeshi origin participated in the On the qualitative transformation of competitions, which were held prior to the Bangladesh’s relations with the USA, day’s event. Wife of Bangladesh Ambassador Kabir pointed out that over the years the relationship has evolved from one of ‘aid dependence’ to that of ‘trade held in December 2008 reflected the interaction’. He suggested that the new evolutionary changes in electoral administrations in both the countries should participation, where young and women look at their future bilateral relations from voters mostly determined the fate of the this new perspective and economic elections. The US had also undergone a diplomacy should hold the key to this transformational change in its political evolving relationship. Moderated by landscape following the last presidential Ambassador Karl Inderfurth and Dr. Deepa election held in November 2008 wherein Ollapally, the seminar was attended, among also young and women voters played a others, by faculty members, researchers, decisive role, he added. students and media personalities. Mr. Kabir shared with the visiting students UNC students visits Bangladesh how Bangladesh, a Muslim majority Embassy country, maintained its vibrant cultural heritage and thereby helped its people to retain their secular outlook. This trend was vividly manifested in the recent general elections in Bangladesh. Referring to two new administrations’ assumption of power, he emphasized that Bangladesh and US could work together on a number of issues. Issues like alleviation of poverty, fighting extremism, overcoming the challenges of climate change etc could be considered as priority, he added.

A group of students from the University of A lively Q&A followed the discussion North Carolina at Chapel Hill led by course wherein attending students wanted to know instructor Ambassador William H. Itoh, different aspects of Bangladesh ranging Director of Washington International from governance to microfinance. Programs for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, visited the Embassy New Citizenship (Amendment) Act of Bangladesh on 5 March 2009. This was 2009 empowers women part of the Embassy’s regular Education Interaction Program and was arranged in The government of collaboration with the Washington Foreign Bangladesh on 11 Policy Seminar. The program has been February 2009 designed to familiarize the visitors with the approved the functioning of the Embassy and the Citizenship Embassy’s role in promoting Bangladesh-US (Amendment) Act, bilateral relations. 2009. According to the amended Act, children During the briefing session, Bangladesh of Bangladeshi woman married to a Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir touched foreigner are eligible for the citizenship of upon various aspects of Bangladesh’s Bangladesh. The amended Act accords evolution from occupation to an equal rights to Bangladeshi men and independent country. He said that women, who are married to foreign Bangladesh’s recent parliamentary elections nationals, on the question of citizenship to their offspring(s). The decision was taken Bangladesh has captured recently through at a cabinet meeting held with Honorable its successful national elections, he Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. asserted.

Previously only the offspring of male At the end of the lecture, students of the Bangladeshi nationals were eligible for class participated in a Q&A session, which citizenship. This amendment not only was moderated by Mr. Bruce Robertson, corrected an omission, it filled a legal void chair of the Advanced South Asia Area long overdue. This amendment drew wider Studies of the Institute. The Foreign Service acclamation in a country which is already Institute (FSI), a component of the US known for her strong credential on women Department of State, is the federal empowerment. government’s primary training institution for officers and support personnel of the US Ambassador Kabir briefed the US foreign affairs community. Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Bangladesh Parliament Passed the Ambassador Mr. M. Right to Information Bill Humayun Kabir delivered a lecture at Bangladesh Jatiyo US Foreign Service Sangsad (the National Institute (FSI) in Parliament) passed the Arlington, Virginia on Right to Information Bill 28 February 2009. on 29 March 2009. The Council of Advisers on 21 During his lecture, Ambassador highlighted September 2008 the prospects of future Bangladesh-US approved the much-awaited Right to relations in the backdrop of Information (RTI) Ordinance 2008. It will transformational change in administration come into effect upon signing by the after recent elections in Bangladesh and the President. Tabling the bill in the House, USA. He suggested that in this time of Information Minister Mr. Abul Kalam Azad confrontational regional and global political highlighted the importance of the bill for and economic atmosphere, Bangladesh Bangladesh and its citizens. The members could offer a new paradigm of relations. of the civil society and media have been With its extensive experience on issues advocating for the passage of this Bill to such as poverty alleviation, women facilitate free flow of information as well as empowerment, fighting illiteracy, disaster to ensure people's right to information. This management, Bangladesh could be an icon was also a pre-poll pledge of the Awami of social moderation, which could be League-led Grand Alliance. Rights and leveraged to fight extremism and promote journalists’ forums have welcomed the peace and progress in various transitional passage of the Bill calling it a 'historic step'. societies. He suggested that in fighting these global concerns Bangladesh could The Bill stipulates creation of new posts in join hands with the United States. The most of the government offices and non- United States could also get Bangladesh’s government organizations (NGOs) to support in re-orchestrating its fallen image provide members of the public with the in the Muslim world through highlighting information they seek within 20 days of the the fact that there is no conflict between receipt of applications. On issues relating to faith and democratic aspiration, which a person's life and death, arrest and release from jail, primary information has to be apply if the information concerns corruption furnished within 24 hours. The law will be and human rights violation. applicable from the government offices down to upazila level. The new law aims at Bangladesh-US Relations have shifted ensuring transparency and accountability from Aid Dependence to Trade while curbing corruption to promote good Interaction: Ambassador Kabir governance. Bangladesh’s relations A three-member Information Commission with the United States headed by a Chief Information had undergone a shift, Commissioner will be formed to ensure from aid dependence to enforcement of the law and also to deal trade interaction. with complaints from the information Ambassador Mr. M. seekers. The Information Commission has Humayun Kabir said this been entrusted with the authority to punish in an interview with Voice of America’s head or fine officials who will fail to provide of Bangla Service Mr. Iqbal Bahar primary information on life and death, Chowdhury for the NTV in Bangladesh. arrest and release of a person from prison Underscoring the need for adjusting the within 24 hours. The Honorable President priorities in the context of the new matrix in will appoint the Chief Information Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with the US, Commissioner and Information he identified the following areas for Commissioners on the basis of suggestions interaction between the two countries from a five-member Selection Committee. under the economic diplomacy: trade, This Selection Committee will comprise a investment, knowledge and technology judge of the Appellate Division of the transfer, and sharing of skills. Supreme Court as head the selection committee, two parliament members - one On the issue of specific avenues for each from the treasury and opposition potential engagement with the Obama benches- to be nominated by the Speaker, administration, Ambassador Kabir one eminent citizen to be nominated by the mentioned the areas in which Bangladesh government. The Cabinet Secretary will be excelled. In this context, he said that the other member of the Selection Bangladesh could be a model of liberal Committee. Muslim democracy. He also mentioned about the resilience of the people of As per provision of the ordinance, if an Bangladesh in the face of the natural assigned official does not provide calamities. Mr. Kabir said that Bangladesh’s information to an information-seeker as per home grown strategy for poverty alleviation the law, s/he will have to pay Taka 50 for a had shielded the society from extremist day's delay and a total fine not exceeding ideas. The Obama administration and the Taka 5,000.00. The ordinance will not cover government of Bangladesh could work in National Security Intelligence, Directorate these common areas of interests, he said. General of Forces Intelligence, Military Intelligence Directorate, Special Security On the various ongoing schemes taken in Force, Criminal Investigation Department of Bangladesh, Ambassador Kabir said that Police and Central Intelligence Cell of the under the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s National Board of Revenue. This provision dynamic leadership Bangladesh is waiving the obligation of such agencies not committed to work for a prosperous to render information will, however, not country to eventually turn it into a ‘Digital Bangladesh’, a vision to be fulfilled by 2021 his warm wishes and felicitation to the as outlined in the election manifesto of the members of expatriate Bangladesh ruling party. community in the US as well to the friendly people and government of the United In the interview given on the eve of the States. 38 th anniversary of Bangladesh’s National and Independence Day, Mr. Kabir coveyed

Culture Heritage Tourism

Independence Day Award 2008 Samia Mahbub Ahmad Selected by the Announced Montgomery County Council

Four eminent persons The Board of Directors and of Bangladesh had the Grants Committee of been awarded the Arts and Humanities Independence Day Council of Montgomery Award for the year of County (AHCMC), State of 2008.They are: Abdul Maryland has selected Mrs. Gaffar Chowdhury for Samia Mahbub Ahmed, an expatriate Literature, Abdul Matin for Culture, Bangladeshi singer, for their “Roster of Professor AM Harunur Rashid for Science Artists and Scholars.” Mrs. Ahmed is an and Technology and late Ivy Rahman for artist specializing on north Indian classical, Philanthropy. Awardees’ received Taka semi- classical and Nazrul Sangeet. Twenty Five thousand in cash, a gold medal The AHCMC Roster is a list of pre-screened, and a certificate of honor each. Honorable high-quality artists and scholars. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave away the awards at a function held in Dhaka on 26 March 2009. Children’s Essay and Painting Competition at the Embassy This is the highest award given by the government, which was introduced in 1977 in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The essay competition was on As part of the observance of the 89 th Birth ‘Bangabandhu and the Independence of anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangladesh’ which drew a good number of Bangabandhu and participants. Participating young minds had also to celebrate the National Children Day- the opportunity to apply their linguistic skills 2009, the Embassy of Bangladesh as well as analytical ability to highlight the organized an essay and painting glimpses of Bangabahdu’s colorful life. Miss competition for the expatriate Bangladeshi Wadia Mahzabeen, a sixth grader from students of grade 4 to 8. Painting Virginia won the first prize while Miss. competition had the theme: ‘Bangladesh’s Sanchari Rahman and Miss Urnisha Bhuiyan Landscape’, which was held at the Embassy came 2 nd and 3 rd respectively. Wife of the premises on 14 March 2009. The winners of Bangladesh Ambassador to USA, Mrs. the painting competition were: Rokeya Kabir gave away the prizes to the  Miss. Urmana Islam, winners at a program held at the Embassy  Master Chowdhury Fahadul Bari on 17 March 2009. (Sakib)  Miss. Fara Islam.

BUSINESS TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Singapore-Bangladesh Company to invest $ 4.793 million for CETP in An agreement to this effect has been Dhaka EPZ signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and the M/s D- A Singapore- Water C.E.T.P. Ecosystems (BD) Limited in Bangladesh joint BEPZA Complex, Dhaka recently. venture company named M/s. D-Water This plant, upon completion, will not only C.E.T.P. Ecosystems help removing pollutants from EPZs, will (BD) Limited is going to also create employment opportunity for 35 establish Central Bangladeshi and 07 foreign nationals. Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Dhaka Export Processing Zone. The company will invest US$ 4.793 million, with the aim of Korea provides $ 3.00 million treating 15.000-43.000 thousand cubic investment in Karnaphuli EPZ meters liquid effluent per day of the industries of the Dhaka EPZ. They will Resource Foam & Accessories, a establish Central Effluent Treatment Plant Bangladeshi company will set up a foam, in a land area of 16000 square meter. armlets & shoe accessories industry in the Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (EPZ). general meeting of the Association. The This 100% locally owned company will meeting was held at Hotel Lake Shore in invest 3.010 million US$ in setting up their Dhaka on 8 March 2009. unit and will produce Foam, Woven Labels, Poly Bag, Tags, Carton etc. The company Of the export proceeds in 2008, footwear will also create employment opportunity for accounted for $183.54 million and leather 294 Bangladeshi nationals. An agreement goods $11.7 million. In 2007, the sector to this effect has been signed between the earned $162.73 million from exports with Bangladesh Export Processing Zones footwear accounting for $152.77 million Authority and the Mis Resource Foam & and leather goods $9.96 million. Accessories in BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on March 08, 2009. Bangladeshi Company to invest US$ 2.501 million in Comilla EPZ HK Company to invest $ 43.799 million in KEPZ M/s. Etasia Interlinings Limited, a Bangladeshi company will set up an A Hong Kong-Taiwan based shoe company Interlining Manufacturing Industry in the will invest US$43.799 million to set up Comilla Export Processing Zone. manufacturing units to produce finished leather, footwear, leather-goods and other This 100 per cent local owned company will related components in Karnaphuli Export invest US$ 2.501 million to set up their Processing Zone (KEPZ). The company plant and will produce interlining items. The named Bangladesh Pou Hung Industrial Ltd company will also create employment (BPHIL) will also create employment opportunity for 94 Bangladeshi nationals. opportunity for 3,582 Bangladeshis and 57 An agreement to this effect was signed foreign nationals. between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and the M/s. Etasia An agreement to this effect was signed Interlinings Limited in BEPZA Complex, between Bangladesh Export Processing Dhaka on 17 March 2009. Zones Authority (BEPZA) and BPHIL in BEPZA complex recently.

Leather Goods, Footwear Export Marks 20 percent Growth in 2008

In 2008, Bangladesh exported leather goods and footwear to the tune of $195.24 million, posting a 20 per cent growth from 2007, the executive committee of Leather goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association of Bangladesh informed the 5th annual

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

National and Independence Day 2009

Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation

Embassy Events

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