Timeframe: 8th October – 14th October 2021
Contributors: Sayed Mohammed Tawsif Zaman, Zaima Nuzhat, Sad Ebne Walid, Sayere Nazabi Sayem, and Tahmid Rahman.
1. Economy
PPPA inks Financing Partnership with 15 institutions
The Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), Prime Minister’s Office, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on PPP Financing Partnership with 15 banks and non-banking financial institutions. The PPP financing partner banks and other institutions are – Eastern Bank Limited, Prime Bank Ltd, HSBC, City Bank Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd, Southeast Bank Ltd, Midland Bank Ltd, Lankan Alliance Finance Ltd Prime Bank Investment Limited, NDB Capital Ltd, Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Co. Ltd, BRAC EPL Investments Ltd, Riverstone Capital Ltd, and UCB Investment Ltd.
Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/pppa-inks-financing-partnership-15-institutions-315964
2. Sports
Bangladesh start their World Cup campaign in Oman on Sunday
Bangladesh will play their opening World Cup game against Scotland on October 17 in Oman..
Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/one-week-only-oman-centre-stage-t20-world-cup-316222
3. Law/ Crime
Will revert to 1972 constitution; bill to be placed soon: Murad
State Minister for Information Murad Hassan has said Bangladesh is a secular nation and will return to its 1972 constitution offered by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/will-revert-1972-constitution-bill-be-placed-soon-murad-316303
4. Education
SSC test, annual school exams to begin 24 November
The 50-mark exams for subjects – Bangla, English, and general mathematics – will be 1.5 hours long each. Test exams for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) candidates of the academic year 2022 and finals for sixth-ninth graders will be held from 24 November to 30 November.
Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/education/ssc-test-annual-school-exams-begin-24-november-315463
5. National News
Bangladesh hit a 13-year-high debt to GDP at the end of fiscal 2020-2021
Much of the borrowed fund is for the development of infrastructure, communication, energy, and transport of the country. The ratio stood at 38% and the outstanding debt for June stood at Tk 12,44,297 crore. Finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal says there will be no over-borrowing. According to a former lead economist of World Bank Dhaka’s office, an improvement is required in the structure of debt to make it reasonable. Currently, the interest expenses occupy 2.3% of GDP which is costlier than education in proportion to GDP.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/borrowing-send-economy-roaring-2197081?amp
6. Achievements of Bangladeshis
Professor Mahmud Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University, has been recognized as one of the best scientists in the AD scientific index 2021.
The list disclosed by the global organization consisted of the published works of 700,000 scientists from 13,531 universities from all over the world. Professor Mahmud Hossain is a teacher and researcher in the field of Forestry and Wood Technology. He secured the first position in agriculture and forestry and fourth among Forestry scientists in the country. He also ranked 151st among Asian scientists and 825th globally.
7. Agricultural sector
Govt bans soybean meal exports
The commerce ministry issued a notification in this regard to control the rising prices of the key elements of poultry and cattle feed. The government has imposed a ban on exporting soybean meal, a key ingredient of poultry and cattle feed, to protect the interests of the country’s dairy and poultry sectors.
Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/govt-bans-soybean-meal-exports-316036
Disclaimer: The information provided here is obtained solely from the third parties mentioned above. Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is not responsible for any misinformation or misrepresentation