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The Colours of Bangladesh The Embassy of Bangladesh Stockholm Newsletter of the Embassy of Bangladesh, Stockholm Volume V| Issue I | Special Edition on Independence & National Day - Photo: Power by Shahabuddin Ahmed Inside this Issue: Perspective.......................................................... : 02 News Items......................................................... : 18 Current Affairs................................................... : 03 Business, Economy, Trade & Investment....... : 20 Foreign Affairs................................................... : 04 History & Culture.............................................. : 21 Articles................................................................ : 05 Embassy Activities............................................ : 22 Feature................................................................. : 16 Important Links................................................. : 24 PerspectivePerspective First Word As may be seen from the issue, Bangladesh is in I am happy that the present issue of Kaleido- the right track and experiencing positive trends in the scope is covering two days of the greatest national sectors of growth and development. Stability, peace and significance of Bangladesh-the Martyrs’ Day as well democratic process continue; trade, investment, and as the International Mother Tongue Day of 21 Feb- market expansion is going on at admirable pace; life in ruary and the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh is vibrating in a healthy way in educational Bangladesh of 26 March, latter marking its auspicious and cultural arena with a lot of positive stories to tell 40th anniversary. It is therefore, pertinent to bring to while we are happy to note Bangladesh’s bilateral rela- the information of the political, economic, business, tions expanding in new areas with Sweden and four academic, tourism and cultural communities in Bang- other Nordic countries. ladesh and Sweden some special write ups along with the usual items of news and events that are carried in A.F.M. Gousal Azam Sarker the Kaleidoscope. It is also a pleasure to introduce Ambassador & Chief Editor some space for Bangladesh expatriates and student community here in Kaleidoscope. Editor’s Note This is great pleasure for me to convey to you Apart from the news on those visits and the in- in this single issue of Kaleidoscope greetings of the teresting and encouraging news on development and Independence and National Day, the Martyrs’ Day business issues, we have again added an article on the and International Mother Language Day, and the Sundarbans - the nature’s marvel - for our nature loving warm and colourful spring of Bangladesh. Although readers. This ’Venice of Nature’ being one of the final- we have added a number of articles on these national ists of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature campaign, occasions, we have not left out our usual news cover- we hope you will be tantalized to cast your vote for this age and other features. crown jewel of the beautiful Bangladesh. During past couple of months our Hon’ble Prime Minister went on two important visits - bilat- Khandker Masudul Alam eral visit to the UK, and visit to UAE to attend First Secretary World Future Energy Summit. Hon’ble Foreign Min- ister as well took on important official tours to Bhu- tan, Canada, and Myanmar. Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan came to Bangladesh on an official visit during this period. 2 KALEIDOSCOPE SPECIAL EDITION 2011 Current Affairs Hon’ble Prime Minister visits UK and UAE Visit to UK: The Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) On 25-31 January 2011. In her official talks with her British counterpart H.E. Mr. David Cameron on January 27, the two leaders discussed various issues of bilateral interest. Mr. Cameron praised the socio-economic programmes of Bangladesh Government and Bangladesh’s leadership role in climate change negotiations and assured of the UK’s continued support to the economic H.E. Sheikh Hasina with Crown Peince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh development of Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s climate Mohammed bin Zayed change adaptation. Among other programmes, H.E. Sheikh Hasina also addressed the Oxford Union So- already four million homes have been installed with ciety on ‘World Peace’ and joined a programme at solar power system, she informed. ‘We are, however, the House of realistic regarding the sources of energy needed for Commons on 27 development’ the Hon’ble Prime Minister further January 2011. She added. was conferred the Global Diversity During the visit Hon’ble Prime Minster had bilateral Award for her talks with her UAE counterpart H.E. Sheikh Moham- priceless contri- med Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The two leaders dis- bution to a cussed a wide range of issues offering scope for coop- H.E. Sheikh Hasina with H.E. David Cameron number of crucial eration. During the meeting, she requested the UAE areas of public private sectors to promote human life. government, as well as its private sector, to invest in Speaker of the British Parliament Mr. John Bercow potential sectors in Bangladesh including shipbuilding, handed over the award in London on 26 January gas-exploration and power generation. The two 2011. leaders also discussed the issue of exporting manpower from Bangladesh to the oil-rich country. Visit to UAE: The Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina visited Abu Dhabi on 17 January 2011 In the sidelines of the main event, UAE Labour to attend the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) Minister HE Mr. Saqr-Ghobash, UN Secretary 2011 where she delivered her keynote speech. ‘We all General HE Mr. Ban Ki-moon met with the Hon’ble have to work together for carbon-free nations, Prime Minister. She also had a meeting with Pakistan following the path of Abu Dhabi, to achieve a car- President HE Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. During the meet- bon-free world,’ Hon’ble Prime Minister said while ing, Mr. Ban Ki-moon highly praised Bangladesh’s addressing WFES. She expressed determination of progress towards attainment of the Millennium Devel- her government to continue its efforts to keep green opment Goals (MDGs). He also praised the govern- house gas (GHG) emissions at a minimum and reach ment’s efforts at facing the adverse impacts of climate the status of carbon-free nation in the near future. change, and the contribution of Bangladeshi contin- Bangladesh is adopting clean energy policy and gents in UN peacekeeping missions across the globe. KALEIDOSCOPE 3 SPECIAL EDITION 2011 Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister visits Bhutan The Hon’ble Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Dipu when the King expressed intention of his Moni, MP paid an official visit to Bhutan country to further strengthen bilateral relations for attending 33rd session of the SAARC with Bangladesh, strengthen democratic Council of Ministers. She was also received in institutions, and establish greater cooperation audience by the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar among the South Asian nations. Namgyel Wangchuk on 09 February 2011 Foreign Minister's first bilateral visit to Canada The Hon. Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP areas of trade, socio-economic development, paid her first bilateral visit to Canada from 13 to human rights, international peace and security and 17 February 2011 at the invitation from Canadian so on. They expressed satisfaction at the counterpart Mr. Lawrence Cannon. This was the increase of trade between the two countries and first visit by a Bangladesh Foreign Minister to agreed to explore signing of Memoranda of Canada after 1999 which had coincided with the Understanding on educational and agricultural 39th anniversary of the Canada's recognition to cooperation. Bangladesh Foreign Minister independent Bangladesh coming on 14 February mentioned that her country might benefit from 1972. During their meeting, the two Foreign such agreements in the areas of human capacity Ministers recognized the shared values of building, agricultural research and increased democracy, Rule of Law and freedom that have Canadian Foreign Direct Investment in bonded the two countries so strongly and that Bangladesh particularly in the areas of allowed them to forge close cooperation in the power and energy. Bangladesh and Myanmar agree on direct connectivity Bangladesh and Myanmar reiterated their the repatriation of the Myanmar refugees from commitment to establishing physical connectivity Bangladesh. However, she noted with happiness when Bangladesh Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Dipu that a power purchase agreement, involving the Moni, MP, who was on a visit to Myanmar to private sectors of the two countries, for import of attend the 13th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, electricity from Myanmar was under process. She met with her Myanmar counterpart H.E. Mr. U also noted the progress in bilateral trade which Nyan Win in Nay Pyi Taw on 20 January 2011. was steadily increasing. Bangladesh Foreign Minister emphasized that, as The 13th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting close neighbors, the two countries needed to have had focus on enhanced collaboration on people- direct road, shipping, and railway connectivity. to-people contact, culture, security issues, The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to connectivity, tourism, energy, technologies, establish direct air links at an early date. To this fisheries, poverty alleviation, agriculture, environ- end, they agreed to make necessary amendments ment, disaster management, public health and to the existing Air Services Agreement. climate change. The meeting also finalized the recommendations