Economy
PM: Global solidarity needed for overcoming crises caused by Ukraine war
PM Sheikh Hasina has placed six proposals to overcome the crises caused by Ukraine war that has rattled the global economy and added fresh challenges to Covid19 recovery and SDG implementation process.
The Prime Minister placed the proposals at a roundtable convened by the UN Secretary-General together with the GCRG (Global Crisis Response Group) Champions on Wednesday.
She stressed the need for strong political commitment and global solidarity in finding ways to overcome the crises.
In her first proposal, the Prime Minister said it is needed to address the volatility of the global financial and economic outlook.
“The G-7, G-20, OECD, IFIs, MDBs should now scale up efforts to address the immediate concerns. These include lack of SDGs financing, limited fiscal space, declining ODA, and debt servicing,” she added.
Secondly, she said, “We commend you, Mr. Secretary General for your pivotal role in the Black Sea Grain initiative. We commit to supporting any such future initiatives for keeping the food production and delivery system out of harm’s way during conflicts.”
In the third proposal, PM referred to the need for bold and comprehensive measures to revitalize global trade and said it is imperative to ensure fair share of low and middle-income countries in global trade and export earnings.
The premier, in her fourth proposal, said that there should be increased investments in the agriculture sector of the developing countries to enhance productivity, and for effective food storage and distribution systems.
Fifthly, she said, they need to make the global architecture for climate cooperation more effective and just.
PM congratulated the UN Secretary-General for his persistent efforts which she believes have made some headway, and would hopefully arrive soon with a mutually agreeable solution.
The premier again thanked the UN Secretary-General for mobilizing the UN system to respond to the crises, saying, “The three policy briefs produced before us provide important policy directions, and we stand ready to work with other partners to advance the right policy options to emerge out of these crises.”
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login