United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged Canada to boost its investment in Bangladesh and expand cooperation in various sectors. He made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the Canadian envoy handed over a congratulatory message from Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour to the President. In reply, Mirza Fakhrul thanked her for the message. The President praised Canada's long tradition of democratic practices and sought its cooperation in institutionalising democracy in Bangladesh. He said the current government is facing challenges due to the prolonged absence of democratic practices and parliamentary traditions and has initiated necessary reforms to institutionalise democracy. Ajit said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Canada has exceeded 4 billion Canadian dollars annually, noting that there is further scope to expand trade between the two countries. He also informed the President of the upcoming visit of a Canadian minister dealing with foreign affairs to Bangladesh. The President called for greater Canadian cooperation in agriculture, food security, fertiliser, IT, outsourcing and other sectors. He also sought increased Canadian cooperation in education, particularly in technical education, technology, nursing and medical fields. On the Rohingya issue, High Commissioner Ajit highlighted Canada's support, saying the Canadian government has so far provided around 600 million Canadian dollars in assistance. Mirza Fakhrul thanked the Canadian government for its continued support and urged Canada to play an effective role in mounting international pressure for the voluntary and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. He further said more than 100,000 Bangladeshis are contributing to the development of Canada. The President's secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. Political Counsellor of the Canadian High Commission Marcus Devies was also present.  

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday called for collective efforts to ensure the rights and dignity of the Christian community and build an inclusive Bangladesh. “We do not want division and communalism in the name of religion. We never want authoritarianism and fascism to return,” he said, calling for a social movement to this end. The President made the remarks when a 25-member delegation, led by Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka Subrata B Gomes, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon. He said Bangladesh belongs to all its citizens and everyone is equal here. “It is very important to ensure that no citizen is deprived or discriminated against because of their religious identity,” he said. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the President on various issues concerning the Christian community and sought his cooperation in addressing them.  

A delegation of East West University, led by Chairperson of its Board of Trustees Prof Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban on Tuesday. During the meeting, Farashuddin, also the university’s founding vice chancellor, briefed the President on the university’s academic activities. He said around 16,000 students are currently studying at the university and that it continues to provide scholarships to meritorious students from financially disadvantaged families. Mirza Fakhrul urged the university authorities to continue supporting underprivileged and disadvantaged students and maintain the quality of education. Farashuddin also formally invited the President to attend the university’s upcoming convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he will attend the programme. The President’s military secretary, secretary and press secretary, and East West University Pro-VC, treasurer and registrar were present at the meeting. 

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called upon chartered accountants to work with integrity and professionalism to ensure transparency and accountability in the country’s institutional sector. He made the call when a six-member delegation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), led by its President Sabbir Ahmed, met him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon. The President said chartered accountants and audit professionals have a vital role to play in maintaining financial discipline in public, private and state-owned organisations and in sustaining investors’ confidence. During the meeting, the ICAB delegation briefed Mirza Fakhrul on the overall activities of the organisation. They also invited the President to attend an international conference to be organised in November under the initiative of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) as the chief guest. Mirza Fakhrul accepted the invitation and assured the delegation of his participation in the event. The President’s secretaries and senior officials concerned were present during the meeting. 

Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Monday formally assumed the chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He took over the responsibility from Bhutanese Speaker Tempa Dorji in Arusha, Tanzania. The Asia-Pacific Group has 37 member countries. With Hafiz Uddin assuming the chairmanship, Bangladesh’s representation in the international parliamentary arena is expected to be further strengthened. Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat Barrister Md Golam Sorwar Bhuiyan, who is accompanying the Bangladesh parliamentary delegation to Tanzania, confirmed the matter. The IPU, established in 1889, is the global organisation of national parliaments. It has grown into a global organisation with 183 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The Bangladesh parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker Hafiz Uddin, left Dhaka for Tanzania on Sunday to attend the 153rd IPU Assembly, being held in Arusha from October 5 to 9. Meanwhile, Barrister Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been elected a member of the IPU Executive Committee from the Asia-Pacific Group. In the election held on Monday at the 153rd IPU Assembly, she defeated the candidate from Mongolia. The election was held with the participation of representatives from all 37 member countries of the Asia-Pacific Group. Jahrat’s election to the IPU Executive Committee is considered a significant achievement for Bangladesh in the international parliamentary arena. The Bangladesh parliamentary delegation members include seven other BNP lawmakers and two Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers. The seven other BNP lawmakers are Whip Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu, Sarwar Jamal Nizam, AE Sultan Mahmud Babu, Md Shamshur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Sk Azizul Baree, Humam Quader Chowdhury and Sunsila Jabrin, while the Jamaat MPs are Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem and Rokeya Begum. This year’s IPU Assembly focuses on the overall theme of Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all. The Assembly is expected to conclude with the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate. The delegation is scheduled to return home on October 11.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged young innovative people to come forward and engage in business and commerce. He made the call when a 21-member delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by its President Taskeen Ahmed, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. Urging businesspeople to come forward to quickly develop alternative energy systems, the President said young entrepreneurs need to be more involved in the competition surrounding the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He also stressed the need to lower bank interest rates to promote business and commerce. Referring to low-interest bank loans during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul said such loans helped promote industrialisation and create new entrepreneurs in less-developed regions such as Rajshahi and northern Bangladesh. New factories and business enterprises were established there, which was a landmark initiative, he said. During the meeting, the DCCI delegation formally invited the President to attend the upcoming Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026, to be organised by the chamber, as the chief guest. The President accepted the invitation and assured them of his presence at the event. The DCCI representatives said they are working to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s plan to turn Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034. They expressed hope that by working shoulder to shoulder with the government, it will be possible to resolve the problems facing business and commerce within the next two years and move forward. The DCCI delegation also apprised the President of their demands, problems and prospects. Mirza Fakhrul further said people have repeatedly struggled, fought and sacrificed their lives for democracy in Bangladesh. “But after achieving democracy, we failed to institutionalise it because political parties misused the benefits of democracy,” he said. The President said the country lagged behind and business and commerce became stagnant due to the establishment of a system of plunder in the past. Not only that, he said, the banking sector was destroyed because of personal greed and vested interests. Mirza Fakhrul also urged businesspeople to become more involved in social development and welfare activities. The President's military secretary, secretary and press secretary were present during the meeting. 

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for collective efforts to ensure the development, rights and dignity of people belonging to all ethnic minority communities in the country. He made the call when a 52-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party, led by its central committee president Mrigen Hagidak, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed  reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the President of various problems faced by ethnic minority communities. The President said the government is sincerely working to resolve the problems of ethnic minority people living in both the hills and plains. Members of these communities themselves also need to take greater initiatives to protect their rights and promote their development, said the President. He stressed the need for greater unity and mutual cooperation among them. “You take one step forward, and I will take two steps forward,” the President said, underscoring the need to identify the problems and potentials of ethnic minority communities and undertake realistic projects accordingly. On land-related problems, the President said members of the communities need to be aware and united to protect their rights. He urged them to maintain communication with the local administration and take initiatives to resolve their problems. Referring to the cutting of betel nut trees at a Khasia punji in Kulaura of Moulvibazar, the President said the incident is deeply deplorable. He assured the delegation that the incident would be investigated impartially and necessary action would be taken against those responsible. The President also laid special emphasis on ensuring educational opportunities for children and adolescents from ethnic minority communities and improving the quality of their education. He stressed the need to further promote the cultural and social activities of ethnic minority communities. The President also expressed a positive view about a proposed cultural programme at Bangabhaban next Pahela Baishakh, with participation from representatives of ethnic minority communities. Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Prue Jerry ; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarker; Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party central committee general secretary Shishir Dio; and leaders of the central and different district committees were present. The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called upon people of all faiths and communities to work together, maintaining mutual harmony, to build an inclusive, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. He made the call when a delegation of the Sri Sri Hari-Guruchand Matua Mission Central Committee, led by its President Sri Padmanabha Thakur, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. The President said people from all communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians, had fought together in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. “We achieved an independent Bangladesh through the unity of all. Any attempt to undermine this unity and communal harmony must be strongly resisted,” he said. Mirza Fakhrul said Hindus and Muslims in Bangladesh have maintained a longstanding social bond, and everyone must remain vigilant to preserve this harmony. He called for taking various programmes and specific development plans for the advancement and welfare of the disadvantaged Matua community and assured them of all-out cooperation. Referring to attempts to create divisions among people from different communities and to spread negative propaganda within just seven months of the democratic government's assuming office, the President said such efforts were undesirable. He said rebuilding the country's economy after the destruction of its economic structure was a difficult task, but the government was working relentlessly with various initiatives and plans to move the country forward. The President also urged all to remain alert so that the opportunity created to establish an inclusive and democratic system in the country could not be undermined by anyone. He expressed hope that the country would be able to reach its desired goal with people from all communities working together under the leadership of the present government. The delegation invited the President to visit the Sri Dham Orakandi Thakur Bari, a pilgrimage site of the Matua community. The President assured them that he would visit the site. Among others, Sri Sri Hari-Guruchand Matua Mission Central Committee Executive President and reserved women's seat lawmaker Subarna Sikder (Thakur), committee advisers Ahsan Habib Apu and Somen Kumar Saha, General Secretary Debashish Biswas, and Nityananda Mondal, president of the Matua Mission Khulna district committee, were present. The President's Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said democracy is a culture that is built gradually through regular practice, stressing the need for free, fair and impartial elections as well as adequate space for the opposition and political rivals to make democracy effective. “Democracy is a culture that develops step by step through regular practice. Free, fair and impartial elections are essential for this,” he said. The President made the remarks when a delegation led by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. The President also stressed the need to provide adequate space to the opposition and political rivals to make democracy effective. “That is the beauty of democracy. Democracy must be allowed to function effectively in its own course,” he said. Referring to Dhaka University, Mirza Fakhrul said the country's premier university is not only a leading centre of education but also a focal point of Bangladesh's politics, history, heritage and culture. He called for further improving the quality of education at the university and taking it to the level of the world's leading universities. During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on his election as President and briefed him on the university's overall academic activities. VC Obaidul Islam invited the President, in his capacity as Chancellor of Dhaka University, to attend the university's upcoming 54th convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he would attend the convocation. The President's Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary, and Dhaka University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed deep shock and grief at the death of prominent journalist Toufique Imrose  Khalidi saying  his contributions to journalism and mass media will be remembered for a long time. In a condolence message released from Bangabhaban, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members. President Mirza Fakhrul described Khalidi as a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in Bangladesh. “With his passing, the nation has lost an experienced, courteous, and distinguished media personality," the President said. Recalling his personal memories with Khalidi with deep respect, the President said the demise of the veteran journalist is profoundly painful and heartbreaking for him personally. The condolence message was communicated by Md. Sarwar Alam, Press Secretary to the President. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of bdnews24.com, died in London on Friday . He was 59. He was admitted to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage, according to the news portal. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23pm local time on Friday, it said.