National
Bangladesh Set to Host Inaugural Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum
The upcoming ‘Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum,’ a two-day event scheduled for September 13-14, is poised to invigorate trade, commerce, and investment across Commonwealth nations, with a particular focus on Bangladesh. This prestigious gathering is being organized by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ZI Foundation.
Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, addressed the media during a press conference at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) conference room in the city. He emphasized the forum’s role as a pivotal platform for promoting trade, investment, and overall economic growth. Mr. Rahman underscored the forum’s objectives, stating that it aims to foster partnerships, encourage innovation, and explore avenues for sustainable and inclusive economic development within Bangladesh. Furthermore, he highlighted the opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase its trade and investment potential to fellow Commonwealth nations, emphasizing the mutual benefits it would yield.
This momentous occasion marks the inaugural ‘Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum’ to be hosted in Bangladesh. Previously, the forum has been conducted in various other Commonwealth member states, including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Kenya, Rwanda, and Malta. Mr. Rahman also reflected on Bangladesh’s active participation in the Commonwealth since its inclusion as the 34th Member in 1972, following the leadership of the country’s founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Responding to inquiries, Mr. Rahman emphasized Bangladesh’s strides in nurturing start-ups and its readiness to engage with the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution during the forum. He assured that Bangladeshi companies are well-prepared to participate in the event.
The Commonwealth, consisting of 56 voluntary member nations, united by shared values, represents one-third of the world’s population. With Bangladesh’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth’s mission, this forum holds promise for fostering economic ties and opportunities among member states.
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.
