Economy
Dutch Ambassador Lauds Bangladesh’s Socio-economic Progress
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen asserted that countries like Bangladesh, upon graduation, deserve continued Everything But Arms (EBA) facilities to address challenges and facilitate their transition. This statement came during a farewell meeting with Anne Gerard van Leeuwen, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh.
Dr Momen sought enhanced cooperation with Dutch expertise to achieve the goals of Delta Plan 2100, focusing on water and maritime resource management, land reclamation, coastal management, advanced agricultural technologies, high-variety seed production, and climate change adaptation. He expressed gratitude to the Dutch government for supporting the establishment of the ‘Global Centre on Adaptation’ in Bangladesh. The minister also highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in disaster preparedness, including cyclone shelters, advanced warning systems, and volunteer efforts.
Furthermore, Dr Momen emphasized the need for climate funding for countries like Bangladesh, which contribute the least to pollution. He suggested that merely 10% of the global defense budget could generate adequate funds for this purpose. He encouraged the Dutch to leverage Special Economic Zones, Hi-tech parks, and the vast pool of IT professionals in Bangladesh, particularly for investments in the IT and agro-processing sectors.
The minister expressed appreciation for the Dutch government’s political and financial support for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He urged the continuation of such support while expressing concern over the declining trend of financial assistance for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
Ambassador Leeuwen praised Bangladesh as a captivating place to work and thanked the government for his comfortable and fruitful tour of duty. He fondly recalled his visits to the Sundarbans, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and North-Eastern districts of the country, where he admired the natural beauty, birds, and rivers.
The envoy commended Bangladesh’s remarkable socio-economic development despite the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. He praised the ongoing economic activities and the dynamism of its people. The Ambassador also expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for hosting 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen extended congratulations to Ambassador Leeuwen for successfully completing his tenure in Bangladesh and thanked him for his significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations.
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.
