Economy
My aim is to change fate of country’s people
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the people of Bangladesh during a recent event in Tungipara, her hometown in Gopalganj district.
In her introductory speech, she declared her goal of changing the fate of the nation’s citizens. The Prime Minister, who is also the president of the ruling Awami League, highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by her government through various initiatives such as “My House, My Firm,” community clinics, Digital Bangladesh, and “My Village, My Town.” She proudly mentioned that Bangladesh is now viewed as a development role model.
During the gathering, local leaders, public representatives, and party members voiced their appreciation for Sheikh Hasina’s dedicated service and expressed their desire to see her continue as Prime Minister in the upcoming general elections. The Prime Minister, a Member of Parliament from the Tungipara-Kotalipara constituency, expressed her intention to retire from politics due to her age, but the local community requested her to stay on for the sake of the country’s welfare.
Sheikh Hasina credited her constituents for enabling her to allocate more time and effort to serve the entire nation. She attentively listened to the concerns and development needs of her constituency, as shared by the local leaders and public representatives. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Sheikh Helal Uddin, MP, and Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel. Prior to this event, Prime Minister Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with local leaders, workers of Awami League, and public representatives at the Kotalipara Upazila AL office. She also inaugurated a newly constructed building for the Kotalipara AL office and planted three saplings on the office premises.
Prime Minister Hasina is scheduled to return to Dhaka after her two-day visit to the district.
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.
