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Rohingya Repatriation Analysis
According to a recent report, Myanmar has indicated its willingness to accept Rohingya refugees, but experts are divided on whether a tripartite solution is even possible. Some experts believe that Bangladesh should prioritise third-country resettlement, while others believe that the international community should bear a greater share of the burden of the refugee crisis. The Bangladesh government is still deciding on the best course of action, but it is willing to work with all involved parties to find the best solution for the refugees.
(Analysis by Ashraful Haque, TBS)
POLITICS
Foreign Relations
Bangladesh's government has directed its missions abroad to combat propaganda ahead of the next national election. This effort is being led by a committee comprised of representatives from the Ministries of Information, Law, and Foreign Affairs. The foreign ministry has established a special cell to facilitate foreign observers for the upcoming election, but no requests for observation have been received. (News Desk, The South Asian Times)
The ninth US-Bangladesh security dialogue is expected to take place in Dhaka near the end of September. The dialogue is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, with the United States serving as a key market for Bangladeshi goods and a significant investor in the country. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, believes the US wants to exert control over the strategically important Bay of Bengal region. (News Desk, bdnews24)
Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, has urged the United States to hand over Rashed Chowdhury, one of the self-confessed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Alam called the US's sheltering of Chowdhury a violation of human rights and a disappointment for Bangladesh. He emphasised the importance of carrying out the trial verdict and abiding by the law. The foreign minister has previously chastised the United States and Canada for failing to extradite the convicted killers of Bangabandhu. (News Desk, Daily Asian Age)
A US rights group urged the US government to use more policy tools, such as visa restrictions and sanctions, to pressure Bangladesh to hold a free and fair election in January 2024. The group also expressed concern about the government's crackdown on civil society and the media ahead of the election. (News Desk, New Age)
National
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said BNP's anti-government movement has failed due to lack of global support for its demand for a caretaker government. He also said BNP's programs are now limited to distributing leaflets and road marches, and that they have no possibility of winning elections. Hasan said the next general elections will be held in a free and fair manner with the participation of people, and that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be elected as the Premier for the fourth consecutive time. (News Desk, Daily Observer)
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has warned BNP-Jamaat of carrying out terror attacks with fire. He also alleged that BNP wants to wipe out Awami League and that they are the main sponsors of militants. Meanwhile, Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nashim believes that BNP is involved in the attack on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) centred on the death of Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayeedi. (News Desk, Daily Manab Zamin)
ECONOMY
Bangladesh has not yet started formal discussions with China on its plan to construct a dam upstream Brahmaputra River for hydroelectric projects. The country has not also signed any agreement with China on water sharing. Experts from India and Bangladesh have expressed concern over the projects, but China says it will act responsibly while implementing such projects on the international rivers. (News Desk, Financial Express)
In FY23, agent banking deposit collection increased by 17.90%. Deposits from rural areas totalled Tk 25,841 crore, while deposits from urban areas totalled Tk 6,782 crore. Agent banking loan disbursements increased by 27.28% to Tk 854 crore. Rural loan disbursement more than doubled that of urban areas. (News Desk, Business Post)
The herbal medicine market in Bangladesh is being dominated by large pharmaceutical companies. People are increasingly turning to natural remedies with recognisable brand value. The herbal medicine market is worth Tk 2,500 crore per year and is growing at a rate of 12% per year. Because they have access to bank financing and can produce high-quality products, big pharma’s can compete with traditional producers. (Jagaran Chakma, Daily Star)
SOCIETY
A Dhaka court sentenced journalist Shafik Rehman and four others to seven years in prison for plotting to kidnap and murder Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The accused were arrested in 2016 and 2018 after the case was filed in 2015. The decision was made on Thursday, August 17, 2023. (News Desk, Prothom Alo)
On Thursday, 9 more people died from dengue fever in Bangladesh, bringing the total death toll to 444. The number of dengue fever hospitalisations in August is expected to break all previous records. The total number of dengue cases has risen to 94,312, with Dhaka accounting for 46,129 of them. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Infographic
The majority of Bangladesh's workforce is employed in the tertiary sector, which is growing, while the primary sector, including agriculture, is shrinking. The country's GDP is steadily increasing, while inflation appears to be recovering and levelling off at around 5% for the time being. Bangladesh has one of the world's fastest-growing economies. (Aaron O’Neil, Statista)
Opinion: Bangladesh pauses plan to reintroduce tigers in Chittagong Hills
Bangladesh has halted plans to reintroduce tigers to the Chittagong Hill Tracts after a feasibility study revealed that the habitat is unsuitable and there is insufficient prey for the tigers. Once the forests have been restored and the local community has agreed to the plan, the government will consider releasing tigers in the area. (Rafiqul Islam, The Third Pole)
