Economy
PM Sheikh Hasina back from 3-day official trip to Doha
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh on Thursday morning (25 May), successfully concluding her 3-day official visit to Qatar. Her flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:58 am. The purpose of her visit was to participate in the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum (QEF), where she was invited by Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina actively engaged in various activities. She attended the Qatar Economic Forum and held a meeting with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan. Additionally, she had a productive bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and also met with Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame.
Several prominent figures from Qatar and Saudi Arabia also held discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, along with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Khalid A. Al-Falih, and Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, jointly called on her.
During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the opportunity to address students at Qatar University and paid a visit to Awsaj Academy. This specialized school, operated under the Qatar Foundation, caters to children with special needs.
Overall, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Qatar was marked by productive engagements, fostering bilateral relations, and active participation in the Qatar Economic Forum, enhancing Bangladesh’s diplomatic ties with Qatar and other nations.
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.
