BD-Brazil see immense trade potential in medicine, health care, jute, ready-made garments and agriculture



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Bangladesh and Brazil see immense trade potential in trade between the two countries. Some of the sectors including the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, jute and jute goods, ready-made garments, food, and agricultural products hold immense trade potential for both Bangladesh and Brazil. Special trade agreements like FTA, and PTA are necessary to accelerate the business between the two countries.

These words came up at the seminar and a B2B (business to business) match-making event organized jointly by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Monday (April 8, 2024) afternoon. FBCCI President Mr. Mahbubul Alam chaired the meeting.

While speaking as the Special Guest, the State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said, that Bangladesh is now considered as the role model of the world for its Socio-economic development, sustainable growth, women empowerment, poverty reduction, climate change mitigation, ICT and e-governance.

Ahasanul Islam Titu said, Bangladesh is the world’s 2nd largest apparel exporter after China. We are also the largest producer of raw jute (the best environment-friendly fiber), 3rd largest rice producer, 3rd largest vegetable and freshwater fish producer. This growth is fueled by major development in infrastructure and the best uses of our resources. Brazil being the most influential country of South America, a rising economic power of BRIC countries, could be a new front for trade and investment from Bangladesh, he added.

State Minister for Commerce said, Geographical advantage also makes Bangladesh, the gateway of South Asia and ASEAN countries and very close connectivity with India specially its North east part and China through Kunming. Considering the said development and a business hub, Brazil can choose Bangladesh as their next destination for trade and investment. it is high time we take necessary steps to enhance our trade and investment tapping into each other’s strengths.

In his speech, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam said, Brazil and Bangladesh have shared over 50 years of outstanding bilateral relations. This enduring partnership has been a testament to our shared values, mutual respect, and common development goals. Bangladesh has its robust growth, strategic geographic location, and globally competitive sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology, emerging as a global economic powerhouse, he added.

FBCCI President said, Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the architect of digital Bangladesh, we are

now role model for development. The Govt.’s vision 2041 of a SMART Bangladesh, a 100-Years Delta -2100 plan for sustainable growth with global climate change and SDG goals by 2030 serves us with strategic direction.

Brazil, with its vast natural resources, agricultural dominance and a strong industrial base, continues to be a leading economy in Latin America and the world. New set of attractive incentives/facilities, one stop service, e-platform and fin-tech facilities with strong demographic dividend are in offer to support ease of doing business, added FBCCI President.

The Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira was present as the Guest of Honor. In his speech the Brazilian Foreign Minister said, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress for last couple of years. The trade and investment scenario of the country proved to be very promising. There is huge scope where both Bangladesh and Brazil could benefit more through bilateral trade. At the same time, Brazil is eager to export meat, wheat, agricultural products and other products from Brazil. Brazil is looking forward to strengthening trade ties with Bangladesh, he added.

Brazilian Foreign Minister said, there has been great development in the logistics, transport and communication and infrastructure sectors in Bangladesh which opened up opportunities for business, trade and industrial expansion. Brazil and Bangladesh have immense potential to expand trade between each other. We want to strengthen trade relations with Bangladesh. At that time, he expressed his interest in exporting agricultural products including meat and wheat to Bangladesh.

The President of BBCCI Md. Saiful Alam conveyed the vote of thanks. Among others, the Senior Vice President of FBCCI Md. Amin Helalay, Vice President Khairul Huda Chopol, Shomi Kaiser, Rashadul Hossain Chowdhury (Ronni), Vice President of BBCCI Shahriar Ahmed, The Ambassador of Brazil in Bangladesh H.E. Paulo Fernando Dias Feres and others were present at the program.

   

Netanyahu in fear of ICC arrest



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Israel's attack on Gaza did not stop. The death procession is increasing every day under the orders of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli army is not paying attention to the ongoing movement around the world. On the other hand, Tel Aviv is listening to the calls of pro-Palestinian world leaders.

Killing, torture and destruction are being carried out indiscriminately in violation of international law. The blockaded area is being gradually completed, including women and children. On the other hand, the world is not able to do anything about such activities in Israel.

But now it is known that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Israel.

This is what the country's local media reported on Saturday (April 27). According to The New Arab, citing unnamed sources, Maariv newspaper reported that Netanyahu is under stress and panic over the threat of an ICC arrest warrant.

Not only Netanyahu, but also some of his prominent officials may receive this arrest notice, according to reports in the Israeli media.

According to Israeli media reports, the names of the country's Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will be included in the list. Senior government officials held an emergency meeting in Tel Aviv this week to discuss that possibility.

In the meantime, Netanyahu has spoken on the phone with international friends, especially US President Joe Biden, to prevent the arrest warrant. It is not clear when an arrest warrant may be issued, and it is not standard for courts to disclose such information.

But fears of an arrest warrant against Netanyahu were first aired on Thursday by British-pro-Israel commentator Douglas Murray in an opinion piece in the US tabloid New York Post.

A warrant could be issued within days, Murray wrote. Netanyahu will not immediately face trial. But it would be a major blow to the prime minister on the world stage and put pressure on Israel's allies and ICC members to act.

Earlier in an interview on Friday, Netanyahu wrote, "Israel's natural and self-defense rights are undermined, and this country will not accept any such efforts by the ICC under my leadership." Threats to seize military officers of the Middle East's only democracy and the world's only Jewish state are outrageous. We will never bow down to it.'

Senior Israeli officials are said to be concerned about what such a warrant would mean for military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel's Channel 13 broadcaster quoted officials as saying they believed the tribunal would target policy makers rather than junior soldiers.

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20 soldiers were killed in an explosion at an army base in Cambodia



International Desk, Barta24.com
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An ammunition explosion at a military base on Cambodia's western border has killed 20 soldiers. Prime Minister Hun Manet said the explosion happened on Saturday afternoon.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook that the explosion occurred at a military base in Kampong Speu province in western Cambodia.

He said, we are deeply shocked by this. However, the cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Expressing his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, he said that the funeral expenses of the deceased would be paid.

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Endangered hippos stranded in dry rivers in Botswana amid severe drought



International Desk, Barta24.com , Dhaka
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African countries are suffering from severe drought. A herd of endangered hippos trapped in the mud of a dry reservoir in the drought-stricken African country of Botswana is at risk of dying.

South Africa has been hit by severe drought due to El Nino weather, AFP reported. Crops in the region are under threat, millions of people are starving. Several countries in the region have recently declared national disasters.

Herds of hippos become trapped in dried-up rivers near the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Lesego Moseki, spokesman for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Botswana's capital Gaborone, said the river system had dried up and the animals were in a compromised situation.

Botswana is home to the world's largest population of hippos living in the wild. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are approximately 2,000 to 4,000 hippos.

Moseki said hippos in Ngamiland (North West District) depend on water flowing through the Okavango Delta system. They are still investigating how many hippos died in the pools.

Hippos have thick but sensitive skin. They need to bathe regularly in water to avoid sunburn and they usually live in humid areas.

Without water they can become aggressive and approach villages. Local authorities have called for the hippos to be relocated to protected areas to avoid conflict with humans.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern usually associated with global warming, leading to drought in some parts of the world and heavy rainfall in others.

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India has allowed onion export to 6 countries including Bangladesh



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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India has approved the export of 99 thousand 150 tons of onions to 6 countries including Bangladesh. Other countries are - United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

This information was given on the website of the Government of India on Saturday (April 27).

It said onion exports were banned to ensure domestic supply due to lower kharif and rabi seasons in the country in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. This increases the demand in the international market. Indian agency National Cooperation Exports Limited (NCEL) exports onions to these countries. They procure onions from internal sources through e-platform at lowest price (L1). Then, on a 100% advance payment basis, the rates are negotiated and supplied to the agencies or government-designated agencies in the destination countries.

NCEL fixes the prices with the buyers taking into consideration the prices of the countries where onion is bought, international and domestic prices. Now the quotas are allocated according to the demand of the countries where onion export is allowed.

Maharashtra is the largest onion producer in India. They are the largest supplier of onions to NCEL for export.

Earlier, Bangladesh had sent a formal letter to the Indian government to allow the export of certain quantities of onion to reduce the price of onion in the country's market during the holy month of Ramadan.

In addition, the country's government has allowed the export of additional 2000 metric tons of white onion. These onions are mainly exported to Middle East and some European countries. Due to the high production cost of white onion, its price is relatively high.

India is the world's largest onion exporter. The country's government had imposed a ban on onion exports till March 31, 2024 in December last year to maintain supply in the domestic market. Later it was extended indefinitely. The new decision to export onions is good news for India's friendly countries.

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