The trial runs of trains on the newly built Jamuna Railway Bridge over the Jamuna River with a maximum speed of 120 km per hour were conducted successfully on Sunday.
Two trains successfully ran on the bridge at 9:20am on Sunday, said the Chief Side Engineer of the Jamuna Railway Bridge, Md Mainul Islam.
The construction work of the Jamuna Railway Bridge started in August 2020, involving Tk 9734.7 crore and later the expenditure stood at Tk 16,780.96 crore.
Of the total expenditure, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided Tk 12,149.2 crore as loan.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission wants to end the people deprivation in exercising their voting rights.
“We want to remove the fact that they(people) have been deprived of the voting right for so long. We want to remove the pain of their deprivation. We are steadfast in our commitment,” he said.
The CEC said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a training of trainers for the enumerators and supervisors in the capital ahead of the voter list updating programme-2025.
The countrywide door-to-door data collection of the possible voters and dead voters will start on January 20 next.
Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus today assured British parliamentarian Rupa Huq that the next general election in Bangladesh would be completely free and fair.
"People could not vote in the last three elections. There were a fake parliament, fake MPs, and a fake speaker," he told Huq as she called on the Chief Advisor at the state guest house Jamuna here.
"The whole country has now got their voices back. Their voice was taken away forcibly," said Prof Yunus.
Huq enquired about the tentative date for the next general election, the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government of Bangladesh, and the participation process of political parties.
"I am really encouraged by seeing Bangladesh: 2," said Huq.
Prof Yunus told her that there are two possible timelines for the next general election: December 2025 or mid-2026.
"The election date depends on how much reform people want," he said.
Huq expressed her willingness to return to Bangladesh to observe the next general election.
Prof Yunus explained to Huq what led to the July mass uprising and the repression of the people during the regime of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
James Goldman, deputy high commissioner and development director of the British High Commission in Dhaka, was also present on the occasion.
Chief adviser special envoy Lutfey Siddiqi has assured to provide all necessary support to increase investment in Bangladesh.
He urged UK businessmen, especially those of Bangladeshi origin, to invest more in Bangladesh, saying the Interim Government has undertaken massive reforms to attract foreign direct investment.
The Special Envoy made the call during a meeting with a delegation of UKBCCI at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening.
UK-Bangladesh Catalyst of Commerce and Industries (UK-BCCI) Chairman Iqbal Ahmed OBE and UKBCCI President M G Moula Mia led the delegation which is currently in Bangladesh on a seven-day visit.
The Special Envoy apprised the delegation of Bangladesh progress on the macroeconomic front, as well as the current exchange rate, position of forex reserves, exports and port performance.
He said steps already have been taken across the sectors to create a more conducive atmosphere for foreign investors.
He answered the questions of the delegates on labour reform, the RMG sector, law and order, and overall reform initiatives of the interim government.
“We are open for business. We are keen to answer your questions. Please keep on asking them. Please keep on visiting to take a look for yourselves. And if you like what you see and hear, please help spread the word,” the envoy told the UK delegation.
He expressed gratitude for the engagement and support of the Bangladeshi diaspora to the interim government.
BIDA chairman Ashik Mahmud Chowdhury, senior secretary for SDG affairs Lamiya Morshed, and UK parliamentarian Rupa Huq were present on the occasion.
The delegation, led by UKBCCI Chairman Iqbal Ahmed OBE, is on a seven-day visit aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and exploring business opportunities. The delegation includes UKBCCI President MG Moula Miah MBE, Founder President Bajloor Rashid MBE and other prominent business leaders and professionals.
A 22-member business delegation from the UK-BCCI, the apex business organisation of Bangladeshis in the UK, discussed on political and various business issues, including creation of the necessary environment for investment growth in Bangladesh, bring back the normal environment of the garment industry for new investments, anti-corruption, providing better services at various embassies, inclusion of expatriates in the new reform policy.
The delegation expressed satisfaction that there is an investment-friendly environment.
Founder President Bajloor Rashid highlighted the inclusion of British MP Rupa Huq in the delegation to demonstrate the political stability and favorable investment climate in Bangladesh.
Rashid dismissed rumors of attacks on minorities, stating that Huq visit allows her to witness the reality and communicate it to the British government.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of crests and mementos, symbolizing the strengthening ties between the two nations.