Economy
3 Bangladeshi Journalists achieved honors in the US
Three journalists from Bangladesh were honored in New York, United States. The country’s private television channel ‘Channel 786′ organized the ceremony of recognition. This honor was awarded for their significant contributions to journalism.
An event was organized at the office of a television channel in Jamaica, United States. Three journalists who covered the Road Show on Investment Attraction in Bangladesh, highlighting the country’s economy, were honored. These journalists are the Head of News and Project Director of Citizen Television, Md. Hasan Imam Ibn Habib, Senior Reporter of Daily Jugantor newspaper and General Editor of the Capital Market Journalists Forum (CMJF), Md. Monir Hossain, and Senior Reporter of the financial news portal Orhtosongbad in the online category, Mr. S.M. Zakir Hussain.
Prior to his role as the Output Editor at Channel 24, Hasan Imam was associated with various positions at Daily Prothom Alo and Daily Amar Sangbad. He is a member of the Economic Reporters Forum, an organization of journalists specializing in economic affairs. Additionally, he is a permanent member of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Furthermore, Hasan Imam Ibn Habib is actively involved with several social and cultural organizations in Bangladesh.
Mr. Monir Hossen has been practicing journalism in the field of economics for the past decade in the daily newspaper Jugantor. Prior to that, he held various positions at Daily Sangbad, Daily Amar Sangbad, and NNB News Agency. He is a permanent member of the National Press Club and a member of the Economic Reporters Forum, as well as the Dhaka Reporters Unity. In addition to these affiliations, he is associated with various journalist organizations and social-cultural organizations, including the Federal Journalists Union and Dhaka Journalists Union.
Before joining the Daily Sangbad, Mr. S.M. Zakir Hussain worked as an independent journalist. He also contributed to several newspapers, including Daily Ajker Bazar and online news portals like Arthosuchok. He is a member of the Capital Market Journalists’ Forum and serves as the Editor of Publications and Publicity for the Dhaka-Chandpur Journalists’ Forum. Additionally, he is actively involved with various voluntary organizations and socio-cultural associations.
The managing director of the Community News Network channel revealed that some journalists have been recognized for their outstanding contributions. They were specifically acknowledged for their role in enhancing the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh in the field of economics, promoting Bangladesh’s stock market in the United States, and raising awareness among Bangladeshi expatriates about COVID-19.
Furthermore, on July 26, an important roadshow on economics started in four major cities in the United States. This 10-day roadshow aims to highlight Bangladesh’s economic capabilities, investments, trade, Bangladeshi products and services, the stock market, and the bond market. The event is named “Rise of Bengal Tiger.”
The inauguration of this event took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York, United States. Subsequently, the roadshow was organized in three other important cities of the country, namely Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) supervised the event.
Prominent attendees at the event included Salman F Rahman, the Private Industry and Investment Advisor to the Prime Minister, Abdur Rouf Talukder, Senior Secretary of the Finance Division at the Ministry of Finance, Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman of BSEC, Taposh Kanti Ghosh, Secretary of Commerce, M. Sirajul Islam, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Major General Md. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Lawrence H. Summers, the Emeritus President of Harvard University, and Dr. Mizanur Rahman, the Commissioner of Economic Institutions and BSEC.
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.
