Economy
PM Sheikh Hasina to Attend Business Conference on July 15
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country’s apex trade body, is set to host a conference focused on the private sector’s role in building a ‘Smart Bangladesh’.
The event, named “Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh”, will take place on July 15 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the program as the chief guest.
In a preparatory meeting held on Sunday at a city hotel, the heads of member bodies from all chambers and associations affiliated with FBCCI gathered, as stated in an FBCCI press release. During the meeting, FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin emphasized the private sector’s contribution to the economic progress of Bangladesh. He highlighted that approximately 82% of the country’s business originates from the private sector. The discussions with the Prime Minister will revolve around the private sector’s role in building a ‘Smart Bangladesh’, he added.
President Jashim also mentioned that the “Bangladesh Business Summit-2023” aimed to showcase the country’s trade and investment potential to the world. FBCCI is preparing to publish a book documenting the achievements of the summit, which will be presented to the Prime Minister during the business conference. The book will feature expert opinions from summit participants, as well as the recommendations and policies discussed during the event.
Jashim further stated that FBCCI plans to distribute the book to relevant ministries of the government at a later stage. The meeting was attended by FBCCI senior vice-president Mostofa Azad Chaudhury Babu, former senior vice-presidents Mohammad Ali and Monowara Hakim Ali, vice-presidents MA Momen, Aminul Haque Shamim, Amin Helaly, Habib Ullah Dawn, MA Razzak Khan, President of the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Naser Ezaz Bijoy, President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Sameer Sattar, President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Helal Uddin, and chief members of FBCCI-affiliated chambers and associations.
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.
