Economy
PM Sheikh Hasina Urges Nationwide Tree Planting for Environmental Protection
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced today that Bangladesh stands as a global leader in coastal afforestation. Speaking at an event in the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) to commemorate World Environment Day 2024, she highlighted the country’s significant achievements in this area.
“In the world, Bangladesh is one of the pioneers in coastal afforestation. As of now, we have established afforestation on approximately 261,570 hectares in the coastal regions. Since 2009, we’ve also created a green belt spanning 89,853 hectares,” the Prime Minister stated.
The event also marked the inauguration of the Environment Fair-2024, the National Campaign for Tree Plantation, and the Tree Fair-2024. This year’s World Environment Day is themed around “land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience,” celebrated globally under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”
Prime Minister Hasina encouraged everyone to plant trees in all available spaces and engage in rooftop gardening. She emphasized the multiple benefits, including financial gains and temperature relief, alongside environmental protection.
“I would like to request everyone to plant trees wherever you can. If you all plant trees in offices, courts, mosques, and Madrasahs, you will gain relief from the heat. Also, consider rooftop gardening,” she urged.
She further suggested that people should plant a variety of trees, including fruit-bearing, wood, and herbal trees.
“If you plant fruit-bearing trees, you can enjoy the fruits. Planting wood trees can yield significant financial returns from the sale of wood,” she added.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Tree Plantation Campaign by planting two saplings – Palash and Bel (wood apple) trees, under the theme “Decorate the country with trees, enrich Bangladesh” (Brikkha Diye Sajai Desh, Samriddhi Kori Bangladesh).
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.
