Economy
Bangladesh, France Eye Strategic Partnership for Indo-Pacific Prosperity
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her confidence that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France would evolve into a strategic partnership, fostering shared prosperity within the Indo-Pacific and beyond. She made this announcement during a banquet held in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. Prime Minister Hasina welcomed President Macron with a bouquet of flowers and was joined by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, at the event.
The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of cooperation in strategic assets and advanced technologies as a significant development in their partnership. She emphasized the potential for their collaboration to address global challenges, including conflicts, climate change, and rising living costs.
Prime Minister Hasina noted that France had been a trusted development partner of Bangladesh since its independence, fostering a robust trade partnership with a focus on responsible business conduct. President Macron’s visit to Dhaka followed his participation in the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India.
Sheikh Hasina expressed her pleasure and honor in hosting President Macron, recalling his warm hospitality during her visit to the Elysee Palace in November 2021. She extended a warm welcome on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, emphasizing the special place France holds in their hearts and imagination.
In a lighter moment, Prime Minister Hasina mentioned that they had arranged for President Macron to experience Bangladesh’s unique kacchi biriyani, celebrating the rich culinary, cultural, and linguistic heritage shared by both nations. She proposed a toast to his health with a local fruit juice made from Amra.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Hasina reflected on her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s admiration for the French Revolution’s ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. She noted how these values were echoed in Bangabandhu’s historic speech of March 7, 1971, in which he called for independence and self-determination. She praised President Macron for his bold reforms in France and his pursuit of strategic autonomy, which aligns with Bangladesh’s foreign policy principle of “Friendship to all, malice towards none.”
The banquet featured a delightful menu, including smoked Hilsha with piazo, somosa, mulligatawny soup with artisanal bread and butter, mutton kacchi biryani, beef seekh kebab, chicken korma, sour aubergine, traditional luchi bread, and roasted lobster. Desserts included pathishapta pitha, sweet yogurt, rosogolla, and fresh fruit cuts, accompanied by a variety of beverages.
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.
