Country News

Removing tariff, non-tariff barriers stressed to boost Bangladesh-Vietnam trade

Deputy Minister for Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Phan Thi Thang today underscored the need for removing tariff and non-tariff barriers alongside striking trade accord to boost bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam. The Vietnamese Deputy Minister said this while addressing at the Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum 2025 organized by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at a city hotel today. Thang led a 16-member Vietnamese business delegation at the Forum. Citing high business potentials in a good number of sectors like agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, fisheries and ICT, the Vietnamese Deputy Minister said that both countries had imposed high tariffs on the import of products by each country. In this regard, she cited that the unexplored sectors could have higher potentials if tariff and non-tariff barriers could be removed alongside simplification of transport, communication and logistics systems, said a FBCCI press release. Thang also emphasised on the exchange of information between the businesses of the two countries side by side strengthening mutual cooperation. Echoing with the Vietnamese Deputy Minister, Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Abdur Rahim Khan said that the tariff and non-tariff barriers should be removed side by side simplifying the mode of transaction between the two countries. While delivering his welcome address, FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman said although there is a huge potential for trade and investment between the two countries, but a big chunk of that remained unexplored. In this regard, he mentioned about some potential sectors like renewable energy, agro-processing, and ICT. Bangladesh Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, Head of Vietnamese Business Association in Bangladesh Do Van Trong spoke, among others, on the occasion. Among others, FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir, former FBCCI Directors Abdul Huq, Nasrin Fatema Awal, Dr Ferdousi Rahman, FBCCI supporting committee members, general body members and other business leaders were present on the occasion.

2nd meeting of Board of Directors of Natl Pension Authority held

The Board of Directors of the National Pension Authority held its 2nd meeting at the Finance Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Pension Authority, presided over the meeting. The meeting took a good number of decisions to infuse dynamism into its operations which include an interested subscriber would be able to draw maximum 30 percent of his or her deposited amount at a time once becoming eligible or reaching into pensionable age, said a press release. The meeting also decided to lower the monthly subscription fee of the Probash and Progoti schemes to Taka 1,000 from the existing Taka 2,000 since the monthly income of many participants in these two schemes are comparatively low. Meanwhile, a section of the Progoti pension scheme of whom the monthly income is higher than the average monthly income of the private sector officials would be able to deposit monthly highest Taka 15,000 from the existing level of Taka 10,000. It was decided to be included in the Progoti pension scheme the service workers who are under the agreement on outsourcing process. The meeting decided that the National Pension Authority would take necessary steps for availing the membership of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). It was also decided to strengthen the ongoing publicity operations of the universal pension scheme through circulating advertisements in social media (facebook), YouTube, giving advertisements in popular TV events, talk shows, in international matches and newspapers. Besides, the issue of launching the Islamic version of the universal pension scheme would be placed after scrutiny before the next meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Pension Authority.

Narail district emerge champions

Narail districts emerged as champions in the final round of U-23 National Youth Volleyball competition beating Panchagarh district by 3-0 sets in the final held at Palton ground in the capital on Wednesday. Jhenaidah district finished runners-up in the meet defeating Bogura district by 3-0 sets in the place-deciding encounter also held at the same venue. Youth and Sports Ministrys Additional Secretary Muhammad Hiruzzaman NDC was present as the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes. National Sports Council Secretary (joint secretary) Md Aminul Islam NDC and Bangladesh Volleyball Federation vice-president MA Latif Shahriar Jahedi were present as special guests. Shimul Kabir of Narail district was named the best libero of the meet. A total of eight district volleyball teams -- four zonal champions and four runners-up teams-- took part in the final round of the competition. The Bangladesh Volleyball Federation has organised the competition to celebrate the Festival of Youth 2025.

Youth Fest held at BHC in Ottawa

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Nahida Sobhan hoped that Bangladeshi youths drawing inspiration from July 2024 uprising would play as agent of change making at home and abroad. She said this at Bangladesh High Commissions Youth Fest titled Conversation with Bangladesh-origin International Students in Canada on Wednesday at the High Commission premises in Ottawa on Wednesday, said a message received here today. The event was organised in partnership with the University of Ottawa Bangladeshi Students Association. The event brought together professionals, Bangladeshi-origin students and policymakers for an in-depth discussion on the skills, strategies and leadership pathways. The Special Guest Atiq Rahman, Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada, made a presentation on Canadas evolving job market. A panel discussion sparked conversations on career advancement and the professional challenges of Bangladeshi-origin youths. Panellists also underscored the importance of networking and actively reaching out to mentors and industry professionals, emphasizing that connections and continuous learning are key to career growth and leadership success.

Pagination:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
Next
Last