Economy
UK Conservative Party Chairman Congrats PM Sheikh Hasina on 4th Term
British Cabinet Minister and Chairman of the Conservative Party, Richard Holden MP, has extended congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her fourth consecutive term in office following the 12th Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh. The congratulatory remarks were made during an event at the House of Lords, attended by Baroness Sandy Verma, President of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on India (Trade and Investment), and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem.
The event, organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in London, commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the historic visit of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to the United Kingdom on January 8, 1972. During this visit, Bangabandhu had meetings with then Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath and then Leader of the Opposition and two-time Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson.
Minister Holden described Bangabandhu’s visit as a milestone in establishing diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the UK. He acknowledged Bangabandhu’s lifelong struggle for the rights of the Bengali people, his imprisonment, and his leadership in achieving Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
Several Members of Parliament (MPs) and Lords present at the event also congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her fourth term and praised Bangladesh’s remarkable growth and development under her leadership. High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem highlighted the significance of commemorating Bangabandhu’s January 8 visit to strengthen Bangladesh-UK relations.
High Commissioner of India in the UK, Vikram K Doraiswami, and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Trade and Investment, Lord Boateng, were among the special guests who expressed admiration for Bangabandhu’s leadership and the positive trajectory of Bangladesh’s democracy, growth, and development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Eminent members of the British-Bangladeshi community shared fond memories of Bangabandhu’s historic visit during the event, contributing to the commemoration of this significant moment in Bangladesh-UK relations.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
