United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Indonesia on Wednesday discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas including trade and investment, energy, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides also discussed the progress of the Bangladesh–Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations and emphasized the importance of concluding the agreement at an early date. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Bangladesh Listyowati met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador congratulated the State Minister on her assumption of office and conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from the government of Indonesia to the newly elected government of Bangladesh. The State Minister welcomed the Ambassador and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Indonesia. Both sides noted that the two countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, which would provide an opportunity to further deepen bilateral cooperation. The State Minister sought Indonesia’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and also requested continued support for Bangladesh in international forums, including the Presidency of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (2026–2027). Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Bangladesh–Indonesia relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Reaffirming their commitment to strengthening relations, Bangladesh and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to continue close engagement to advance bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and discussed issues of mutual interest. They expressed concern over the evolving regional situation in the Middle East and the wider region and its implications for regional peace and stability, as well as its wider consequences, said the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.

Bangladesh on Wednesday explored avenues for expanding cooperation with Denmark and Germany in trade and investment, climate action, renewable energy, development partnership, skills development, manpower mobility, migration and inception of FTA negotiations with the European Union (EU). Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller and Ambassador of Germany Dr Rüdiger Lotz separately met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest. The Ambassadors warmly congratulated the State Minister on her assumption of duties and expressed optimism that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and both the countries would be further strengthened during this Government’s tenure.

Bangladesh has sought support from the United States to facilitate the import of fuel oil from Russia, citing global energy market uncertainties, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Wednesday. He made the remarks after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at his Planning Ministry office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. “My old friend Finance Minister Khosru and I explored opportunities for increased collaboration on shared economic priorities. The U.S. Treasury Office of Technical Assistance has been working with the Ministry of Finance to help advance goals for our mutual prosperity," said the US Ambassador. Government approves purchase of 3 LNG cargoes to boost energy security Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Khosru said Bangladesh has requested a similar arrangement to the temporary waiver the United States has granted India for purchasing Russian oil.

The United Arab Emirates has distributed Ramadan food parcels among 1,620 underprivileged families in Bangladesh, including 500 families affected by the recent fire at the Vashantek slum in Mirpur. The initiative was organised under the Ramadan Iftar Programme by UAE Aid in collaboration with the Zayed Foundation to support vulnerable communities observing the fast. UAE, Emirates Red Crescent provide Ramadan food assistance to underprivileged families As part of the programme, each beneficiary family received a food parcel weighing around 38 kilograms containing essential items needed for preparing daily iftar meals throughout Ramadan, said a press releae. Rashed Mohammed Naser Almail Alzaabi, Director of the Foreign Aid Department at the UAE Embassy in Dhaka, visited the distribution site and observed the activities. During the visit, he interacted with beneficiaries and local organisers while overseeing the distribution process. Speaking on the occasion, Alzaabi said Ramadan reminds people of the importance of compassion, solidarity and support for those facing hardship. Many beneficiaries, particularly those affected by the recent fire at the Vashantek slum, expressed gratitude to the UAE government for the assistance, saying the food support would help their families manage daily meals during Ramadan.

A Bangladeshi national was among four airport staff injured after two drones fell near the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed. According to Dubai authorities, the incident left one Bangladeshi, two Ghanaian nationals and one Indian national injured, reports Gulf News. The Bangladeshi and the two Ghanaians sustained minor injuries while the Indian national suffered moderate injuries. All of them received prompt medical attention. Authorities said air traffic at the airport is operating normally. Dubai Airports, which operates DXB and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), said operations had partially resumed from March 7 after a brief interruption. Travellers have been advised not to travel to the airports unless their airline confirms their flight, as schedules may continue to change. Earlier, on March 1, a concourse at DXB sustained minor damage in a separate incident that was quickly contained. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and handled the situation in coordination with relevant authorities. Airport authorities said four staff members were injured in that incident and were given immediate medical treatment. Most terminals had already been cleared of passengers due to contingency plans. Dubai International Airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers last year, a 3.1 percent increase compared to the previous year, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic recorded by any airport. December was the busiest month in the airport’s history, with 8.7 million passengers, up 6.1 percent year on year. The fourth quarter was also the busiest ever with 25.1 million passengers, a 5.9 percent increase from the same period in 2024. Total flight movements reached 118,000 in the fourth quarter, up 5 percent, bringing the annual total to 454,800, a rise of 3.3 percent year on year.

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus met Tsuneaki Hirao and Duncan Power from Japan at Yunus Centre on Tuesday. Together with Grameen Shikkha, their company in Japan have launched a caregiving training programme in Bangladesh that provides both Japanese language and caregiving training. Currently, there are 104 trainees in the programme, and this number is expected to increase steadily. Graduates will be offered job opportunities in Japan with no cost to the trainees. The first batch is expected to leave for Japan in January 2027. Hirao and Power previously founded Japan Auto Mechanic Co. Ltd., in collaboration with Grameen Shikhha through which a total of 29 have gone to Japan so far. Another two will go soon. There have been a total of 74 graduates, and another 24 being trained in two batches. Caregiving is one of the most in-demand services in Japan . If this initiative succeeds, it could create a meaningful pathway for young Bangladeshis to build their futures with valuable skills, dignified work, and financial independence, said the Yunus Centre. "We hope this project will also open the door to many more opportunities for young people from Bangladesh to work and learn in Japan in the years ahead." Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of Yunus Centre, was also present at the meeting.

Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal, hosted an iftar-dinner on Tuesday in honor of the Heads of Mission and members of the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu. Senior officials from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other distinguished guests attended the event. In his welcome remarks, the Ambassador conveyed Ramadan greetings and reflected on the spirit and teachings of the holy month. He highlighted the longstanding friendly ties between Bangladesh and Nepal and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening the partnership. The envoy also congratulated the people of Nepal on the peaceful and successful elections, calling it a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey, and expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to work with the new government.

Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh Thitiporn Chirasawadi paid a maiden courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Bangladesh–Thailand relations and expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Discussions also covered convening the 4th Foreign Office Consultations and prospects for high-level visits later this year. The State Minister highlighted the need to address tariff barriers affecting Bangladeshi exports and explored opportunities for labour mobility and skilled manpower cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional cooperation under ASEAN and BIMSTEC, as well as support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh and the Republic of the Philippines have discussed expanding cooperation in areas such as skills development, labour mobility, health services, ICT, education, and seafarers’ training. Trade and investment opportunities, including prospects in renewable energy, food processing, and agro-processing, were also highlighted, alongside potential Bangladeshi exports such as pharmaceuticals, jute products, ceramics, and ready-made garments. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Bangladesh Nina Padilla Cainglet, paid a maiden courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and the Philippines. Both sides also reviewed the status of several pending bilateral agreements and discussed cooperation in culture, youth exchanges, and the creative economy. The meeting concluded with optimism about deepening Bangladesh–Philippines relations and enhancing collaboration in the years ahead.