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PM Sheikh Hasina Applauds Bangladesh’s Resilient Economy Amid Global Recession
On Thursday (July 20), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that despite the global economic pressures caused by the recession, Bangladesh’s economy continues to thrive. She addressed this during a meeting of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party grand alliance at her official residence, Ganabhaban. The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to prepare for the upcoming challenges the country will face as it aims to achieve developing nation status by 2026.
While acknowledging the worldwide dollar crisis and its impact on Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina asserted that the nation’s economy remains resilient. She mentioned the ongoing efforts of a sub-committee, led by the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, which is examining the opportunities and challenges that come with Bangladesh’s full graduation to a developing nation.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s remarkable progress, the Prime Minister proudly declared the country as a role model of development for the rest of the world. She credited her government’s policies that have successfully reduced poverty rates, improved food production, provided housing for landless families, and increased electricity access.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina also addressed the issue of corruption during the BNP’s regime and expressed her government’s determination to recover money siphoned off by BNP leaders to foreign countries. She criticized Khaleda Zia’s family, particularly her sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, for their involvement in corruption, which led to the World Bank discontinuing financial support for the BNP due to corruption in the road sector.
Despite challenges in recovering funds from abroad, the Prime Minister acknowledged the success in bringing back Tk 40 crore laundered by Tarique and Koko. She reiterated her government’s dedication to creating employment opportunities and support entrepreneurs through various stimulus packages and training initiatives to further reduce the country’s unemployment rate, which currently stands at 3 percent.
Over the past 14 and a half years of her government’s tenure, Bangladesh has made significant advancements in various sectors, transforming the nation’s socio-economic landscape. Under the Awami League’s leadership, the country has witnessed substantial positive changes and remains steadfast in its commitment to further progress.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
