Economy
Dhaka’s interest to join BRICS: Beijing assures its support
Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong has appreciated Bangladesh’s interest in joining BRICS and assured of China’s active support.
During the 13th round of bilateral political consultations between Bangladesh and China held in Beijing on 3 June, both parties agreed to work jointly for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China next month.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation, while the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong led the Chinese side.
The Bangladesh delegation comprised of Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Jashim Uddin, Additional Secretary of ERD Anwar Hossain and officials from the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy in China.
Officials from the Foreign Ministry of China were present on the other side.
The consultations focused on consolidating bilateral relations, enhancing economic ties, promoting trade and investment and exploring opportunities for cooperation in a multilateral platform, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese vice minister underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and people-to-people connectivity.
He conveyed China’s willingness to work together to import mangoes and other agricultural products from Bangladesh and to assist the youth in their skill development. The Chinese side assured that it would expedite the repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Weidong mentioned that the two countries’ embassies in Dhaka and Beijing may work together to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary Masud mentioned that Bangladesh attaches significant importance to its relations with China, which are based on shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations.
He recalled the visit of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to China in 1952 and 1957 and expected the book “The New China as I saw” to be published in Chinese before the upcoming VVIP visit.
The foreign secretary highlighted President Xi Jinping’s visit to Bangladesh in 2016, which elevated the relationship to “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.”
Bangladesh’s foreign secretary thanked China for their support in infrastructural development, which includes several mega projects.
He explained Bangladesh’s growing economy and sought China’s support to facilitate the existing structure of Duty-Free Quota-Free (DFQF) access to Bangladeshi products in China.
Masud emphasised global cooperation to overcome challenges like pandemics, climate change, etc.
He expressed expectations for China’s continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland.
Chinese Vice Minister Weidong welcomed the Bangladeshi delegation and expressed his deepest sympathy for the damage caused by the recent cyclone “Remal.”
He congratulated the prime minister of Bangladesh on her re-election in the national election on 7 January and hoped that under her capable leadership, the Bengali nation would fulfil the dream of “Sonar Bangla.”
He recalled the Bangladesh prime minister’s visits to China since 2010 and her discussion with the Chinese president during last year’s BRICS summit.
The two sides agreed to hold the next bilateral political consultations between the two foreign ministries next year in Dhaka.
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.
