Economy
Bangladeshis in Sudan will return via Jeddah: Foreign Ministry
The Bangladeshi government has taken measures to bring back its citizens who are stranded in Sudan.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seheli Sabrin, the Bangladeshi nationals will be repatriated through Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The return journey will start with transportation from Khartoum to Port Sudan, followed by a flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines to bring them back to Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Embassy in Khartoum has arranged nine buses to take the stranded citizens to Port Sudan from Khartoum and adjacent cities.
A team from Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah will assist the citizens. The evacuation process aims to complete the transfer of all Bangladeshis in Sudan to Port Sudan by May 2, with their arrival in Jeddah expected around May 3 or May 4. Furthermore, two Bangladeshi schools in Jeddah are providing necessary provisions and temporary accommodation for returning nationals.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam announced the decision to evacuate Bangladeshi nationals from Sudan through other countries on April 25. He also urged citizens in Sudan to follow the instructions provided by the embassy and complete registration.
The conflict in Sudan between the military and the country’s largest paramilitary force has already claimed over 420 lives, including civilians, with more than 3,700 people being injured. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the situation as a “catastrophic conflagration” that could potentially spread throughout the region.
In the midst of this crisis, some Bangladeshi nationals were evacuated by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. However, the Bangladeshi government is committed to repatriating its stranded citizens in Sudan through Jeddah and ensuring their safe return to Bangladesh.
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.
