Economy
Internet to shutdown after Midnight: Mozammel
The internet services in the nation should be shut down after 12:00 am daily, said liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the 74th founding anniversary of the Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on the DU campus on Saturday, 8 October.
“The way we are sticking to mobile phones and keeping studying aside is alarming for the nation. The nation will be talentless in the later future, I guess. There could be a recommendation to the government – the internet services should be shut down after 12:00 am. Special rules can be made for those who work with foreign companies, do business with them,” said AKM Mozammel Haque.
Requesting the universities to ramp up research, the minister said, “There will be a lack of experts in the future if there is no research. Our children pass time with mobile phones until 12:00am, 1:00am, 2:00am. The way we would go to libraries (in our younger days), the initiatives of studying, those are lacking now.”
He said no doubt we need connectivity but everything needs to have a limit. “You know the way falsehood and negative propaganda are spread through this technology (mobile phone)! It would become tough to have healthy politics or healthy life if there is no control over these things.”
The minister further said, “Almost all the countries have part-time job opportunities at the universities. This is possible in our country as well.”
DU vice-chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the programmes of DUAA’s 74th founding anniversary.
Alumni association’s president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury chaired the programme where its secretary general Molla Md Abu Kawsar gave the welcome speech.
Supreme Court justice Jahangir Hossain Badal, immediate past IGP Benazir Ahmed, DUAA’s former president Manzur Elahi, former secretary general Mohammad Faras Uddin, among others, addressed the programme.
During the eleventh month of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have fallen below $19 billion for the first time. After paying off some import bills, the reserves have now stood at $18.26 billion on Sunday.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of May 8, the total foreign currency reserves of the country were $19.82 billion.
Mohammad Mezbauul Haque, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, informed that through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), the central bank has paid off import bills totaling $1.63 billion over the past two months.
However, Bangladesh Bank maintains that after paying off the import bills, the foreign currency reserves now stand at $23.71 billion.
According to the Central Bank’s accounts, the reserves were $25.27 billion on May 8.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) have expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her directive to list government companies in the capital market, a move hailed as timely and positive.
The directive was issued during the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last Thursday.
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, Chairman of DSE, described the directive as a significant step towards enhancing the dynamics of the capital market. He emphasized that besides invigorating the capital market, this move would also attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Despite previous efforts, government institutions had not been listed in the stock exchange, according to a notification issued by the DSE. The Prime Minister’s directive is seen as a pivotal step towards revitalizing and expanding the economy.
Dr. Babu further remarked, “The listing of reputable companies in the capital market, as directed by the Prime Minister, will greatly benefit the country’s economy. It will also enhance investor confidence.”
Similarly, the DBA released a notification applauding the Prime Minister’s directive, terming it as positive and timely for the capital market.
Saiful Islam, President of DBA, expressed optimism about the directive’s potential to accelerate the country’s capital market and overall economy. He pledged support to relevant government departments and regulatory bodies in implementing the directive, ensuring its positive impact on the economy, including the capital market.
India has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh’s Teesta project, announced Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Mahmud stressed the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s needs. He confirmed discussions on the Teesta issue during the meeting. Mahmud also affirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, indicating that the finalization of the date would depend on the formation of the new Indian government following ongoing elections.
Meanwhile, the IMF has approved a $1.15 billion staff-level loan for Bangladesh in its third tranche. Mahmud noted the ongoing elections in India and the subsequent formation of the new government as factors influencing the scheduling of PM Hasina’s visit.
When asked about the sequence of visits to India and China, Mahmud suggested Delhi’s geographical proximity to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources suggest PM Hasina’s visit to India is planned for early July, following India’s elections.
Pre-election surveys indicate strong prospects for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Modi previously congratulated PM Hasina on her electoral victory in January, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations.
The last bilateral engagement between the prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi is expected to invite South Asian and BIMSTEC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Addressing border killings, Mahmud emphasized the government’s commitment to ending such incidents and promoting the use of non-lethal weapons by border forces. Discussions also covered enhancing physical and people-to-people connectivity, including cooperation with India to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through India. Mahmud highlighted the need to further ease visa restrictions to strengthen people-to-people relations.
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