Economy
China Ready to Dispatch More Medical Teams to Aid Bangladesh
China has announced that its visiting medical team will help assess injuries in Bangladesh and provide emergency humanitarian medical assistance. Based on the needs, China is prepared to send additional medical teams and necessary medical supplies to treat patients on-site.
This marks the first emergency medical team from China to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government, underscoring the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, said Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen. The team arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on September 22 at the invitation of the interim government.
Ambassador Yao, along with Sheikh Sayidul Haque, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, welcomed the team. Yao expressed condolences to the victims of the recent uprising in Bangladesh and conveyed China’s deep empathy for the Bangladeshi people during these hardships.
Dong Qian, Head of the Chinese National Emergency Medical Team, highlighted that this humanitarian mission was made possible through the collaboration of various Chinese agencies and the support of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh. The team includes experts from West China Hospital, specializing in areas like trauma care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and critical care.
Bangladesh’s Additional Director General Sheikh Sayidul Haque expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for their swift assistance, noting that China has consistently supported Bangladesh in times of crisis, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and dengue outbreaks. Bangladesh will provide full cooperation to the Chinese team to ensure the recovery of the injured as quickly as possible.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
