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PM Sheikh Hasina to depart for Doha to attend Qatar Economic Forum 2023

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Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to embark on a 3-day official visit to Doha, Qatar, to attend the highly anticipated Qatar Economic Forum 2023, taking place from May 23 to 25.

Accompanied by her entourage, the premier will depart from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3:00 pm on Monday aboard a VVIP flight provided by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The flight is scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 6:00 pm local time (9:00 pm Bangladesh Time). The Prime Minister has been invited to the Forum, titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story,” by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Qatar Economic Forum stands as the prominent voice in the Middle East, devoted to global business and investment. It aims to foster increased cooperation among the international community in addressing the multifaceted challenges and crises affecting the world, along with the adverse economic ramifications that have arisen as a result. The Forum seeks to find comprehensive solutions through productive discussions.

On May 23, PM Sheikh Hasina will partake in the opening session of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum. Sheikh Hasina will also deliver an address to the students of Qatar University in Doha, while separately holding meetings with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Khalid A. Al-Falih.

Continuing her engagement on May 24, the Prime Minister will join the Forum’s proceedings and engage in a meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the Amiri Diwan. Additionally, she will visit the Awsaj Academy, a specialized school in Doha.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to return to Bangladesh in the morning of May 25, having concluded her visit to Doha the previous night.

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CA pays tribute at Armed Forces Division

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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.

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CEC, Four Election Commissioners Resign Amid Political Tensions

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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.

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Govt to purchase LNG from 23 listed companies in int’l spot market through open tender

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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.

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