DHAKA, 23 November 2022, (TON): President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Paula- Mae Weeks has profusely praised dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the extraordinary ongoing development and economic progress during her tenure.

She also praised her leadership in enabling Bangladesh's graduation from the LDC to the middle-income country.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman recently presented his credentials as the non-resident High Commissioner to Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to President Paula -Mae Weekes at the Presidential Palace in Port of Spain.

By S. Sultan

Bangladesh is a Muslim majority state like Pakistan. The ups and downs are always the part of any entity existing in this contemporary world. But to remain persistent with the beliefs and ideology is the real challenge which leads to the real success. Bangladesh, since its emergence on the map of the world as “the People's Republic of Bangladesh”, has undergone many changes and these changes has led Bangladesh either to developmental stages or descend from developmental changes. Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman, who is also called as the father of nation in Bangladesh, pushed Bangladesh right after its existence from devastating phase to regenerating and rebuilding phase. Bangabandu never compromised on religious policies and democratic values and further he declared Islamic policies as a way of progress and development. Moreover, under his leadership, Bangladesh started its initial period of development. Democracy, Socialism, Nationalism and Secularism are the four key principles which were set by Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman when the constitution of Bangladesh was adopted by the parliament in November 1972, within a year of independence. These principles were never compromised by Bangabandu and hence Bangladesh found a way to light up and survive.

Bangabandu’s policies were kept alive and promoted throughout the Bangladesh after his death by the well wishers and loyal leaders of the state. Hence Bangladesh kept on progressing under the set principles and norms. Under the leadership of Bugum Khaelda Zia, Bangladesh who has become the leader of Bangladesh as prime minister and worked on bangabandu’s polices set for Bangladesh. Begum khaleda zia, being first female prime minister of Bangladesh struggled hard for uniting nation and rectifying mistakes which were devastating. Furthermore, she promoted Islamization and democracy in the state and always remained a hurdle between external calamities and state. Moreover, she is particularly remembered for her role in making education accessible and introducing some key economic reforms. When Begum Khaleda Zia became prime minister for the third time, the GDP growth rate of Bangladesh remained above 6 percent. The Bangladesh per capita national income rose to 482 dollars. Foreign exchange reserve of Bangladesh had crossed 3 billion dollars from the previous 1 billion dollars. The foreign direct investments of Bangladesh had risen to 2.5 billion dollars. The industrial sector of the GDP had exceeded 17 percent at the end of Zia's office. But unfortunately she has to face certain hurdles and difficulties and sent to jail in corruption case alleged by opposition AL as she declined from the power.

After the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia’s government, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, daughter of sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman held the responsibilities to govern the state as prime minister. Initially she took a good start and promised Bangladesh to bring certain reforms in the state. She brought economic liberalization in the state. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh went through the stage of modernization and westernization. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, directed state into a new way and new version. Although she has made Bangladesh technologically advanced and did not care much about the principles of the state of the Bangladesh set by her father Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman. Moreover, under her leadership Bangladesh established the friendliest relations with India and other developed states to bring economic reforms. She has also signed seven MoUs with India including the Padma Bridge, one of the largest projects in Bangladesh which cost around $3.6 billion, despite an earlier estimate in 2007 that it would cost 1.16 billion. In addition to this, Bangladesh paid $12.65 billion for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, although the exact cost of the project won't be known until it is completely functioning and the Dhaka City Metro Rail Project ended up costing $3.3 billion even though the actual estimates were only $2.1 billion.

Furthermore, autocratic policies of incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unconsciously throw the state of Bangladesh into serious crises. The loans taken by the government for the time being look charming but I coming future it is going to create serious problem for the state and specially for the next coming government. Moreover, the modernization in the state has demolished the democratic values which were seen clearly during the elections of 2014 and 2018. The declaration of Islamic parties and scholars as a militant and throwing them into jails and out of the state without verification has again proven as devastating step for the state’s policy. Moreover, the pro-Indian factor of the current government in Bangladesh has made the credibility of government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fragile as many of the scholars and policy makers contradicted this variety of governance. As Bangladesh is a majority Muslim state so it can never under estimate and compromise the values and teachings of Islam.

The elections in 2023 in Bangladesh have now become a very serious concern for the people of Bangladesh and the spectators outside. It is expected that there will be for sure, many changes right after the elections ib Bangladesh which could be proven as fate changer or devastating as well.

By Sameem Afshain

The policies that government adopts for its state are very much crucial and important for the future of that state. The sharp decisions at some stages may create number of shortcuts for the developmental stages. For instance, polishing youth and unemployed men or women in economic and research fields could be less expensive than any mega project and furthermore it would be of worth living long term beneficial.  There are number of states who stepped up in the developmental stages by focusing and preferring their transparent internal policies and not compromising them at any cost. Moreover, In Bangladesh has also gone through different developmental stages either they were linked to economic developments or human rights improvement.  But to get more efficient in economy Bangladesh took certain mega decisions which have resulted to initiate the downfall rather to improve in long term goal.

The high cost of infrastructure projects also hindered economic growth. For example, the Padma Bridge, one of the largest projects in the nation, cost around $3.6 billion, despite an earlier estimate in 2007 that it would cost 1.16 billion. Bangladesh paid $12.65 billion for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, although the exact cost of the project won't be known until it is completely functioning. Similar to this, the Dhaka City Metro Rail Project ended up costing $3.3 billion even though the actual estimates were only $2.1 billion. The collapse of the banking industry as a result of unending loan defaults is another element contributing to the current crisis. According to the IMF, the true amount of defaulted loans is much higher than twice, in contrast to the central bank's declaration that the total amount was $11.11 billion.

Power Development Board earned an additional $7.1 billion from 2010 to 2021, while Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation received $3 billion from 2010 to 2015. Unfortunately, these huge sums were not entirely allocated to the production of electricity. Similar to that, the crisis was brought on by capital flight out of the nation. According to the Global Finance Integrity Report, fraudulently invoicing the import and export values resulted in an annual sum of $8.27 billion being unlawfully laundered to Swiss banks between 2009 and 2018.Moreover, in 2022, it has been increased by 55.1% reaching 871 million. As per the views of economists, Bangladeshi Taka has effectively slid against the US dollar by approximately 20% in just past three months. Due to Russia-Ukraine war, imports jumped to 39% and exports could hardly grow 34% during the fiscal year ended on June 30.

Currently, numerous austerity measures are being taken in order to alleviate economic woes without concerning consequences which could be worse than economic crises. As The Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam stated in favor of saving electricity in Bangladesh, most of the schools are closed on Fridays but now will also close on Saturdays to reduce electricity usage amid concerns over rising fuel prices without showing he concern of wastage of time and studies of the students. Additionally, it was also concerned that the government offices will cut their workdays to seven hours from eight hours but private offices will be allowed to set their own schedules. Further, Tens of thousands of mosques around the country have been asked to curtail their use of air conditioners to ease pressure on the electricity grid. In addition to electricity rationing, diesel power plants across the country accounting for 1500 megawatts of generation capacity have been taken off the grid. In order to overcome the lengthiest blackouts in the country, government is struggling to source enough diesel and gas to meet the demand. As per reports, the government is planning to hold negotiations with Russia for oil deals in order to mitigate energy crisis. But availing this opportunity in the contemporary situation is quite tough. Moreover, it was also reported that Bangladesh has sought a bailout package of $4.5.

Bangladesh government has mistaken while taking some of the most important decisions which were critical to the state and its development. The temporary development and friendships with external entities made it happy initially but in coming future it will have to face different worst situations if the same situation persists and not treated accordingly. The cutting down of the working days and closure of schools, college and universities for two or even three days would not be helpful in restoring the resources either they are linked with energy or economy, but effective measures which are affordable and suitable for the contending situation like inserting solar panels in schools and universities not to only store but to generate power as well. Technical decisions are crucially required for Bangladesh in order to remain safe in future and not to experience situations such as Sri-Lanka did.

MANILA, 22 November 2022, (TON): The Philippines’ partnership with the US has grown more important in the face of upheavals in the region, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said as Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Manila on matters related to the disputed South China Sea.

Harris was on a three-day trip to the Southeast Asian country that included a stop on the Philippine islands on the edge of the South China Sea.

She is the highest-ranking American official to visit the Southeast Asian country since Marcos took office earlier this year.

BAGHDAD, 22 November 2022, (TON): Iran launched fresh strikes against Kurdish opposition groups based in neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan, a week after similar attacks on the factions Tehran accuses of stoking the protests rocking the Islamic republic.

Iran has been shaken by two months of protests sparked by the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in custody days after her arrest by the morality police for allegedly breaching the country’s strict dress code for women.

Iran’s “Revolutionary Guard Corps have again bombarded Iranian Kurdish parties,” the counter-terrorism department of Iraqi Kurdistan said, without mentioning if there were casualties.

JAKARTA, 22 November 2022, (TON): A powerful earthquake killed at least 162 people and injured hundreds on Indonesia’s main island. Terrified residents fled into the street, some covered in blood and debris.

Many of the dead were public-school students who had finished their classes for the day and were taking extra lessons at Islamic schools when they collapsed, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said as he announced the latest death toll in the remote, rural area.

Hospitals were overwhelmed by injured people, and the toll was expected to rise further.

No estimates were immediately available because of the area’s far-flung, rural population, but many structures collapsed, and residents and emergency workers braced for grim news.

CAIRO, 22 November 2022, (TON): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the first time on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In what has been described as a historic moment, the two presidents shook hands with each other, with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad standing next to them.

Although neither side has commented on the meeting, the picture showing the two presidents smiling and shaking hands prior to the opening ceremony published on the official website of the Turkish presidency has been widely shared.

Al-Qahera News Channel reported as urgent news that a tripartite summit was held between the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye.

MANAMA, 22 November 2022, (TON): State news agency reported “King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa issued a royal decree accepting the resignation of the government.”

The king appointed the Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, as Prime Minister and tasked him to form a new government and appoint members for the new cabinet.

DHAKA, 22 November 2022, (TON): US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas said “Washington does not force countries to choose sides over relations with Beijing as we don't expect every country to have the same exact assessment of China as we do.”

“Let me be clear. This is not about forcing countries to choose. It's about giving them a choice,” he said while speaking at a panel discussion at the “Bay of Bengal Conversation 2022” at a city hotel here.

Haas said even the United States like many other countries have vital economic or people-to-people ties with China that they want to preserve while US diplomacy is based on partnership and respect for each other's interests.

DHAKA, 22 November 2022, (TON): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed his intention to visit Bangladesh soon.

He said this in a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, reports Bangla Tribune.

Earlier, Lavrov was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on November 23 to attend the Indian Ocean Cooperation Alliance ministerial meeting.

However, due to schedule complications, the Russian authorities confirmed that he will not come to Dhaka.

According to a notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “the two ministers discussed the bilateral connection between Bangladesh and Russia over the phone and expressed their interest to elevate the bilateral partnership to a new level.”