Economy
PM Inaugurates 22nd AL National Council
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina today, Saturday (24 December) inaugurated the 22nd national council of one of the sub-continent’s largest political parties, Bangladesh Awami League.
Sheikh Hasina opened the council by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons at 10.30 am Saturday morning at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, amid tight security.
On her arrival at the venue, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, was received by the party’s senior leaders.
The main theme of this year’s council is “Unnoyon Abhijatrai Deshratna Sheikh Hasinar Netritte Bangabandhur Swapner Unnoto, Samridho O Smart Bangladesh Gorar Protoye.”
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, will place the report of the general secretary while Awami League Presidium Member and reception committee convener Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, MP, is expected to deliver the address of welcome.
Barrister Biplab Barua will place the obituary references.
Around 7,000 each councilors and delegates and thousands of ruling party leaders and activists thronged the venue.
There will be a break for lunch and prayers after the end of the inaugural session. Then the council session will be held in the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
Party’s president and general secretary will be elected in the session.
A three-member election commission has already been formed to elect the leadership.
A total of 11 sub-committees are working for the council. As per the tradition, party president Sheikh Hasina is chairman of the council preparatory committee and general secretary Obaidul Quader is its member secretary.
The stage was made in the shape of a boat along with Padma Bridge which is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.
Besides, LED monitors are put in the council venue.
The party’s manifesto for the election will focus on “smart Bangladesh” by 2041.
As part of maintaining austerity in view of the global economic crisis, the council is being arranged in a simple manner.
Previous councils were held in two days but this time council is being held on a single day to minimize costs.
The 21st council of the party was held on 20-21 December. The budget of the last council was Tk3.43 crore. The national committee of the party has approved Tk3.13 crore for this 22nd national council.
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.
