Economy
UN WFP Director Commends Bangladesh’s 15-Year Success Story
The Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy H McCain, has praised Bangladesh for its substantial achievements across various sectors over the past 15 years. Highlighting the nation’s significant role in women’s empowerment, successful school feeding programs reducing dropout rates, and resilient responses to climate adversities, McCain commended Bangladesh’s progress.
She particularly applauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, acknowledging the country’s compassionate hosting of Rohingya refugees forced to flee Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing and genocide.
McCain made these remarks during a ceremony marking the presentation of the Letter of Commission accrediting Md Monirul Islam as the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to WFP. Ambassador Islam expressed gratitude for receiving the Commission and highlighted Bangladesh’s recent accomplishments.
The Ambassador noted the multi-dimensional and highly effective nature of WFP’s activities in Bangladesh, specifically mentioning the government’s financial and operational contributions to the School Feeding Programme and Rice Fortification Programme.
He also appreciated WFP’s crucial role in addressing the Rohingya crisis and urged WFP to use its influence through the Executive Board to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Bangladesh from 2022-2026, the Ambassador requested close collaboration to secure financing from development partners for its implementation.
The event, held at WFP Headquarters on February 19, concluded with both Bangladesh and WFP reiterating their commitment to closely work together, emphasizing “Saving and Changing Lives Worldwide” in the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda, particularly focusing on SDG 2. The Executive Director of WFP was accompanied by senior officials of WFP, while representatives from the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome were also present.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.
Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor’s book.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, along with four other election commissioners, announced their resignation during a press conference today at the Election Commission (EC) building. The resignation follows growing speculation and pressure.
CEC Awal stated, “In this changed situation, I and other commissioners have decided to step down. We’re handing over our resignation letters to the EC Secretary to send it to the President.” After submitting the letters, the CEC and some commissioners quickly left the premises, with no clear explanation for the absence of two election commissioners.
The resignations come amid increasing unrest tied to the registration of political parties such as Nagarik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sources revealed the CEC felt unsafe due to aggressive behavior from activists, prompting the decision to step down.
Protesters outside the EC building hurled shoes at vehicles carrying Election Commissioners Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman as they left. Meanwhile, preparations for their exit had already been underway, with the commissioners reportedly relocating personal belongings from their offices.
The commission, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, had previously expressed confusion over demands for their resignation, maintaining they had conducted fair elections. However, internal discussions led to the collective decision to resign earlier than expected.
The government will now purchase LNG from the international spot market through open tender instead of negotiation.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a meeting on Wednesday in principle approved a proposal in this regard.
Adviser of the interim government for Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said that the government will procure LNG through open tender.
The Energy and Mineral Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the proposal where it sought approval to import LNG from 23 listed companies in the international spot market.
The adviser said that though such 23 companies were enlisted by the previous Awami League government and signed Master Sales and Purchase Agreement, they will remain unchanged.
He said that instead of applying the Speedy Increase of Energy and Power Supply (Special) Act 2010, the interim government will follow the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure the competitive bidding process.
“We don’t want to change them as we wanted to import LNG quickly, ensuring proper competition among the suppliers,” he told reporters.
Committee also approved another proposal in principle to sign a contract to import urea fertiliser for the 2024-25 fiscal year from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, on a G-to-G basis.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) in a meeting, presided over by the Adviser for Finance, approved 3 proposals for import of lentil and fertiliser.
As per the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will procure 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lentil from local firm Sahara Enterprise at a cost of Tk 98.20 crore with each kg priced at Tk 98.20.
The Commerce Ministry which moved the proposal on behalf of the TCB in the meeting mentioned in the proposal that the supplier firm was selected through open tender.
The CCGP approved two separate proposals of the Industries Ministry under which Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, under state to state contract at a cost of Tk 121.48 crore.
Each metric ton of fertiliser will cost $343.17.
Another 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea fertiliser will be procured from the local Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 116.99 crore with each metric ton costing $330.50.
