United News of Bangladesh

Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) based in Lisbon, Portugal, Farouk S. Adatia, KC, on Monday, conveyed AKDN’s strong interest in further strengthening its partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, building on the longstanding goodwill and friendship between the two sides. He highlighted AKDN’s interest in exploring opportunities for private-sector investment in line with the priorities set by the new government in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy. The diplomat met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed the possibility of a future visit by Rahim Aga Khan V to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir at his office in Tejgaon on Monday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, trade and investment, development cooperation, education, climate change and other areas of shared concern. Humaiun Kobir highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the UK and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to grow stronger in the coming years. The British High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to further expanding cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors. Both sides expressing their commitment to maintaining close cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner and Charge d' Affaires to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and conveyed Dhaka’s displeasure to New Delhi regarding the incident involving PM’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport. A diplomatic source confirmed the development to UNB in the afternoon without elaborating further. High Commissioner-designate Dinesh Trivedi, who arrived here recently, is yet to submit his credentials. Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate” and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking appropriate steps regarding the matter. "It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate too," he said while briefly talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not Welcoming While responding to a question, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the incident is certainly not 'welcoming', and they do not expect this kind of incident to happen. “Our ministry is looking into this and communicating with India, and will certainly take action, if required, once the full details of the incident are known,” she said. The State Minister said that, firstly, the respective Director General (Ishrat Jahan - South Asia Wing) needs to know what happened. “Let our DG first find out what happened at India's immigration by gathering all the information, and then the ministry will take whatever steps are required.” Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed returned home on Monday via Colombo after he was stopped at Delhi airport by Indian immigration authorities on Sunday evening as his name was reportedly flagged during a security check. Sources close to Dr Zahed told UNB that he was subjected to "undue harassment" at Delhi airport, but there has been no comment so far from Dhaka or New Delhi regarding the matter. The Adviser was not carrying a diplomatic passport. He was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi (green) passport with a SAARC visa. The Adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India is hosting the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior government officials from IORA Member States to review progress, discuss regional priorities, and advance cooperation across the Indian Ocean region under the theme of ‘Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability.’ The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the second-highest decision-making body of IORA and serves as the organisation’s principal coordinating mechanism. Comprising senior government representatives from Member States, the CSO is responsible for reviewing and discussing key agenda items, making recommendations, and submitting policy matters to the Council of Ministers (COM) for final approval.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will officially inaugurate “K-Goods Festa 2026” at Jamuna Future Park in the city on Friday. The two-day festival, taking place on June 19–20, is designed to introduce Bangladeshi consumers and businesses to a wide range of innovative Korean products, including electronics, cosmetics, skincare, personal care, lifestyle products, and food items. The event seeks to strengthen commercial ties between Korea and Bangladesh while creating new opportunities for local importers, retailers, distributors, and consumers, said the Korean Embassy in Dhaka. Beyond product exhibitions, visitors will be able to enjoy a vibrant Korean cultural experience through K-Pop performances, K-Beauty makeup demonstrations, Korean food tasting sessions, Kimchi-making experiences, Hanbok try-on activities, instant photo zones, Korea tourism information booths, and scholarship information desks. The festival will also feature the popular Buldak Spicy Noodle Challenge, offering participants a fun and interactive taste of Korean food culture. “K-Goods Festa 2026” reflects the remarkable popularity of Korean products and culture among Bangladeshi consumers. By combining commerce, culture, and innovation under one roof, the event aims to establish itself as a signature annual platform that brings the Korean lifestyle closer to the people of Bangladesh while promoting stronger business partnerships between the two countries.  

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman returned home on Monday after he was stopped at Delhi airport by the Indian immigration authorities on Sunday evening after his name was reportedly flagged during a security check. Sources closed to Dr Zahed told UNB that he was subjected to "undue harassment" at Delhi Airport but there has been no comment as of now from Dhaka and New Delhi regarding the matter. The Adviser was not carrying a diplomatic passport. He was traveling on a regular Bangladeshi (green) passport with a SAARC visa. The Adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India is hosting the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior government officials from IORA Member States to review progress, discuss regional priorities, and advance cooperation across the Indian Ocean region under the theme of Innovation, Openness, Resilience & Adaptability. The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the second-highest decision-making body of IORA and serves as the organisation’s principal coordinating mechanism. Comprising senior government representatives from Member States, the CSO is responsible for reviewing and discussing key agenda items, making recommendations, and submitting policy matters to the Council of Ministers (COM) for final approval.

Bangladesh has warmly welcomed the finalisation of the peace agreement between US and Iran, stressing that Bangladesh believes that stability in the Middle East are vital for regional and global peace, security and development. Bangladesh has consistently been calling for de-escalation and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and appreciates the efforts of all parties and facilitators that contributed to this positive development, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Monday. Bangladesh hopes that the agreement will be implemented in good faith and prove durable and sustainable. Bangladesh encouraged all parties to build on this momentum to address outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and look forward to the early restoration of regional calm, supply chain and collaboration. The United States and Iran have reached a framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict, with mediator Pakistan stating that the deal is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, reports BBC. US President Donald Trump said the agreement includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Let the oil flow!” Oil prices have declined following the announcement.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen on Sunday congratulated the new Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh and Syed Mohammad Kamal of Mastercard, its new President.  "Our partnership strengthens the U.S.-Bangladesh economic relationship and supports a predictable, transparent, and accountable business climate for U.S. companies," he said. The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) celebrated the Installation of its newly elected Executive Committee for the 2026–2028 term in Dhaka, ushering in a new chapter of leadership and commitment to advancing Bangladesh-US business relations. At the helm of the newly elected Executive Committee are Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President of Mastercard Bangladesh, who assumes the role of President; Ala Uddin Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Bangladesh, as Vice President; and Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud, Managing Director of Philip Morris International Bangladesh, as Treasurer. The newly elected office bearers bring extensive leadership experience across diverse sectors, as outlined below. Syed Mohammad Kamal combines 35 years of leadership experience across financial services, FMCG, Remittances, and digital payments. He has held senior roles at Western Union, Berger Paints Bangladesh, and ACI Limited, and previously served as Vice President of AmCham Bangladesh and Director of FICCI. He is perceived as the country’s top thought leader for the financial industry. Ala Uddin Ahmad brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across Asia. He is recognized for strong policy advocacy, driving trade and investment growth by aligning global investor priorities with Bangladesh’s economic landscape. A Fellow Chartered Accountant and member of CAANZ, he has served in key leadership roles within AmCham, FICCI, and BEF. Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud has over 22 years of experience in finance, strategy, and public affairs, with leadership experience at DHL Express and Banglalink. He has led impactful policy advocacy initiatives and pioneered Bangladesh's first smoke-free product manufacturing facility. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary, and CMA (Australia). Joining the Executive Committee are Al-Mamun M. Rashel, Managing Director of NATco Bangladesh Ltd.; Habib Bhuiyan, Country Manager of Excelerate Energy Bangladesh; Sazzad Hossain, General Manager of Avery Dennison Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; and Ataur Rahim Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of ShopUp Bangladesh. Their collective expertise across diverse sectors further strengthens the Committee’s leadership and broadens its industry representation. The newly installed Executive Committee pledged to strengthen AmCham’s role in advancing trade, investment, and policy advocacy. Key priorities include deepening U.S.–Bangladesh economic ties, positioning Bangladesh as a preferred investment destination, relaunching the U.S. Trade Show, expanding membership and engagement, empowering sector-focused subcommittees, championing forward-looking policy reforms, and building a more accessible and influential Chamber that is closer to members, stronger in stakeholder engagement, and delivers greater value to the business community. In his farewell remarks, outgoing President Syed Ershad Ahmed reflected on the Chamber's significant institutional progress during his tenure. The newly elected Executive Committee expressed its deep appreciation for his leadership and legacy, and recognized the outgoing Executive Committee members for their dedicated service and contributions to AmCham's growth and success. The Chamber also formally recognized the outgoing Executive Committee, along with the members of the Election Board and Appeal Board, through commemorative plaques honoring their exemplary service and invaluable contributions to upholding the integrity, transparency, and credibility of AmCham's governance process. The evening brought together a distinguished gathering of AmCham members, senior government officials, representatives of the U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions, chamber and corporate leaders, policy scholars, development partners, and media professionals. Brent T. Christensen, Ambassador of the United States to Bangladesh, conveyed his confidence in and continued support for AmCham's new leadership as it advances the Chamber's mission of strengthening bilateral economic ties. The evening was capped by a soulful musical performance featuring popular American and Bangladeshi songs, celebrating the longstanding friendship, cultural affinity, and strong people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Türkiye M Amanul Haq has urged the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish government’s implementing agency for international development cooperation, to enhance its engagement in Bangladesh within a formal structure and long-term process of cooperation. The Bangladeshi ambassador made a courtesy call on the Chairman of TIKA, Abdullah Eren, at the latter’s office in Ankara recently and highlighted areas for collaboration in technical capacity building, vocational training, digital transformation, renewable energy, and community-based development projects. Bangladesh-Türkiye sign MoU to protect cultural property, heritage He highlighted the health industry as a possible area for cooperation and called on TİKA to take steps to improve healthcare services and facilities for Bangladesh's general population on a larger scale. The ambassador underlined Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic progress and its desire to attain upper-middle-income status. Abdullah Eren praised Bangladesh's remarkable development achievements and reiterated TİKA’s commitment to supporting the country's development priorities, according to Bangladesh Embassy in Türkiye. Bangladesh has significant human and economic potential, and greater access to technology, technical know-how, institutional capacity, and information sharing could further boost the country’s sustained progress, he said. Eren said TIKA is ready to assist in these efforts and stressed that the Agency is now undergoing a detailed evaluation of possible areas of cooperation in Bangladesh, and that, following this evaluation, a roadmap for future projects and initiatives will be prepared. The conversations took place in a pleasant, amicable setting, reflecting the strong relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye. The Ambassador of Bangladesh, at the outset, congratulated Eren on assuming the role of Chairman of TIKA and wished him every success in his new responsibilities. The Ambassador said that the long-standing collaboration between Bangladesh and TIKA is reflected in the vast range of significant initiatives that the agency has been implementing across several sectors in Bangladesh since its founding there in 2014. The Ambassador underlined Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic progress and its desire to attain upper-middle-income status.

Bangladesh is set to receive 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal via India for five months, starting from June 15 to November, under a tripartite agreement signed between Bangladesh, Nepal and India on October 3, 2024. Though it is symbolic given the demands that Bangladesh has now, both sides see potential to increase in the future, officials told UNB. Nepal’s hydropower potential and the increasing energy needs of Bangladesh provide ample opportunities to enhance energy cooperation between the countries. In the first ten months of the current fiscal, Nepal exported electricity worth almost Rs 21 billion (about Tk 25.6 billion) to India and Bangladesh. Last year, the number stood at above Rs 13 billion. Bangladesh and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Power Sector on 10 August 2018. Under this MoU, a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) at the energy/power secretary level and a Joint Working Group (JWG) at the joint secretary level were established to facilitate collaboration and advance initiatives in the power sector. The 7th meetings of JSC and JWG on Nepal-Bangladesh Cooperation in Power Sector were held in Dhaka on 26-27 November 2025. A tripartite Power Sales Agreement (PSA) to export 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh was signed on 3 October 2024 between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) of India. The agreement came into fruition with the commencement of the export of 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh on 15 November 2024. As per the Agreement, Nepal has been exporting 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh each year from 15 June to 15 November. Negotiations are also underway regarding the 683 MW Sunkoshi III hydropower project on a joint venture basis. Bangladesh highlighted its commitment to working on long-term plans to ensure strategic partnerships, and said that increasing trade volume between the two countries would be mutually beneficial.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has urged Bangladeshis living in the United States and Bangladeshi-Americans to become more actively involved in mainstream business, politics and civic activities in their adopted country. He made the call while addressing an exchange of views meeting with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, organised by the BNP in Washington, DC, at a hotel in Virginia on Friday. Titumir also said the Bangladesh economy remained active despite numerous challenges, thanks in part to the contribution of Bangladeshis living abroad. He praised the role of Bangladeshi expatriates in the US, saying they had helped raise awareness among American policymakers and institutions about developments in Bangladesh. “Our expectation is that Bangladeshis living in the US and Bangladeshi-Americans will become more involved in mainstream politics and other activities. This will create greater opportunities for them to contribute to Bangladesh,” he said. Referring to the national budget, Titumir said, "This year’s budget is an equality-based budget for regional development without discrimination." “The Prime Minister’s ‘I have a plan’ means a plan to implement a realistic action plan through which he wants to change the fate of all the people of Bangladesh and has started it,” the Dhaka University professor of development economics said. Speaking on the country's political and economic situation, Titumir said people had placed their confidence in Tarique Rahman during what he described as a critical period for Bangladesh. He alleged that the previous government had left behind a weakened economy and claimed that BNP had historically been entrusted by the people to restore stability during periods of national crisis. Drawing parallels with previous BNP governments led by the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Titumir said the party had earned public trust through its handling of economic challenges in the past. He expressed optimism that the current leadership would continue efforts to address economic difficulties and meet public expectations. Washington, DC BNP General Secretary Zakir Hossain moderated the programme.