Bangladesh Today

[Al-zakir]

Q1 export earnings cross $4.0b


Naim-Ul-Karim

The country's exports boomed in September, an uninterrupted growth in third consecutive month of the current fiscal year, to power the first quarter's earning to exceed record $4.0 billion belying apprehensions of possible impact of the financial meltdown in developed economies, officials said Monday.

With addition of the September figures, they said, the country's export earning in the first quarter, spanning from July to September, stood at nearly $4353 million with an impressive 42 per cent growth over that in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

Officials and analysts said the country's export is still out of danger and unlikely to feel the extreme pinch of world financial tsunami which has already started taking its toll on the economies of many developed countries.

They said the country mostly exports low-end products to the global market, demand for which has already risen as recession-hit consumers are showing more interest in buying low-cost goods.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Shahab Ullah told the FE on the day "The meaning of recession is not that it will affect all the countries. Our exports in September performed very well."

When asked, he said: "I have earlier told you (this correspondent) that export would continue to grow in September and subsequent months like that in the first two months."

In July and August of the current (2008-09) fiscal year, the country fetched over $2.903 billion from exports of primary and manufactured goods.

The country shipped goods worth around US$1.54 billion in July, $1.358 billion in August and around $1.450 billion in September with garments belying apprehensions that financial meltdown in the United States and the European Union-- Bangladesh's major markets-- would drag down exports.

The EPB, which is yet to formally announce the export data for September, said the performance of the major export items including knitwear, woven garments, frozen foods and leather and leather goods was more than expectation in the final month of the first quarter.

 

[Nafees]

Source: UN chief establishes high-level panel to assess upcoming polls in Bangladesh_English_Xinhua

UN chief establishes high-level panel to assess upcoming polls in Bangladesh​

English_Xinhua 2008-11-22 04:13:26

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has set up a high-level team to scrutinize the staging of parliamentary elections in Bangladesh next month, which has been beset by political violence and polarization in recent years.

"The panel is tasked with assessing the preparations and conduct of the elections through visits to Bangladesh before and during the elections," according to a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson Friday.

Parliamentary polls are slated to take place on Dec. 18, and the country's caretaker government had asked Ban to set up a high-level panel as part of efforts to ensure the elections are free and fair.

On Sunday the three-member panel begins its first visit to the South Asian nation, and expects to return for about a week around the time of the election, before reporting back to Ban with its key findings and recommendations.

Francesc Vendrell, the secretary-general's former personal representative for Afghanistan and European Union envoy to the same country, will head the panel. The other members are Bhojraj Pokharel, Nepal's chief election commissioner, and Aracelly Santana, the former deputy director of the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division.

While visiting Bangladesh earlier this month, Ban described the upcoming polls as an "historic opportunity" for the country.

"It is in the world's -- and your -- best interest to see Bangladesh achieve its full potential for democratic development through free and credible elections," he told reporters in the capital, Dhaka.

"Now is the moment to stand against polarization and violence that have characterized past elections," the secretary-general added.


Editor: Yan

 

[Nafees]

Source: allAfrica.com: Nigeria: As Brac Comes to Country (Page 1 of 1)

Nigeria: As BRAC (Bangladesh) Comes to Country

Vanguard (Lagos) ANALYSIS; 17 November 2008;
Posted to the web 17 November 2008
Chijioke Agunwa

Sometimes when one thinks about certain issues it is easy to run away with the fact that fame sometimes is determined by environment.

There are certain things that happen in Nigeria that are considered normal. When such things happen in other parts of the world they become news headlines.

Today, we read of Ford Foundation, Bill Gates foundation and other western foundations. Besides what these foundations do, they are popular by the virtue of the clime where they are domiciled. It is difficult to hear about such from third world countries except the gory news of earthquakes, corruption, people living below poverty level and so on.

However, there are cheering news from third world countries and one of them is the success story of BRAC organisation, for what it does in the area of helping the poor. BRAC is popular as other western ideas like it and has been the key thing that attracts world leaders to Bangladesh. People like Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, the Clintons, etc were in Bangladesh because of BRAC and its activities.

The latest visitor to Bangladesh is the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. The Governor, according to newspaper reports, was in Bangladesh on the 4th and 5th of November, 2008 to, among others, witness the activities of BRAC, which we understand took him to remote places of the country where the organisation operates.

Thereafter, the Governor and his team held a meeting with BRAC, headed by its founder, Dr. Fazle Hasan Abed. At the meeting, Dr. Abed said he commended the Governor's rural development programmes, commitment and special interest in empowering his people. The report says that Dr. Abed, "assured Governor Obi of the readiness of BRAC to work with Anambra State and that his team would visit the State by the end of the year to appreciate the efforts of the Governor and assess the situation in the State.

BRAC has made tremendous impact in Bangladesh, especially among the poor. Those who have visited Bangladesh said the organisation was the only government in Bangladesh. While the government of Bangladesh is seriously enmeshed in corruption without adequate attention to the people, BRAC is quietly providing the people services a responsible government ought to provide.

Today, as a result of the focus and commitment of BRAC, it is celebrated world wide as the largest NGO in the world. This may sound unbelievable, until a little peep into the organisation and some of its activities.

Founded in 1972 by Dr. Fazle Hassan Abed, soon after the end of Bangladesh war of liberation, the organisation has acted as both the initiator and catalyst for many changes and innovations in Bangladesh. From the initial task of assisting the refuges returning from India, it has so much broadened its focus to long term sustainable poverty reduction.
BRAC'S unique and holistic approach to poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor encompasses a range of core programmes in economic and social development, health, education, and human rights and legal services.

Thus far, it has engaged in relief work, it has helped to provide homes to the poor. It continues to provide loans to the poor. BRAC has a massive retail outlet called Aarong, through which it helps to market handicrafts made by the poor rural artisans. It provided extension services to the poor in Bangladesh. It has a programme that promotes safe motherhood through positive interventions, the reduction of child mortality from diarrhoea.
In 1984, BRAC started a pilot tuberculosis control project to compliment and supplement the government's national control programme.

What is significant about BRAC is that in 1980, it started de-emphasising reliance on foreign aides for its numerous work. Thus, it started launching different business ventures to support its programmes. It now has a cold storage facility, a printing press, an iodized salt factory, a tissue culture laboratory, a bull station to improve cattle breeds, full Commercial Bank - BRAC Bank Limited - diary plant for milk processing and marketing. Today, the organisation has achieved over 80 per cent self-sustenance. It is reputed to have about 52,000 schools, including its own university. It has created over 8.5 million jobs and has administered micro-credit to the poor in excess of five billion dollars among over seven million borrowers.

We read that while in Bangladesh, Governor Obi and his team, during expository tour, observed how the groups micro-credit programmes operate. We read that they visited and observed the operations of other BRAC'S activities, including its Human Right and Legal Education Class; Community Health Forum; Schools at Tepir Bari, BRAC Centre for Development Management (BLDM) at Rajendrapur, Garipur, community library (BRAC has over 1830 libraries in Bangladesh, BRAC Diary and food project factory, Agricultural Research and Development Centre and Aarong outlet shops. He also visited some of the beneficiaries of BRAC empowerment programmes.

The most cheering news is that the founder of BRAC was impressed with Obi's vision and is prepared to partner with Anambra State on micro-credit for the poor and other programmes targeted at the poor, for which a team from the organisation is already billed to visit the state by the end of the year.

What BRAC is doing is impressive. It is also worthy to commend Obi for seeking the assistance of BRAC. He will benefit from the tremendous experience of the group. It is also good to note that we have to look at the history of some countries that share the same socio-economic predicament with us in seeking solutions to our problems.

Certainly, a Governor seeking the eradication of poverty in Nigeria will gain more from countries of comparable development. BRAC Bangladesh has a lot to offer Anambra State and Nigeria.

Today, the organisation is working in countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, etc.

 

[Nafees]

Source: Bangladesh: The orange season is looking up

Bangladesh: The orange season is looking up ​

As exporters and farmers gear up for yet another busy mandarin (orange) season, there is optimism in the air for a good business year. Despite the scare from the global financial crisis, officials from the Bhutan export association said that more importers have shown interest this year. “About 25 importers, some from as far as Chittagong, Bangladesh, will compete and that is good,” said the finance and trade officer of the association, Tshering Yeshey.

Last year, only about 14 importers from Dhaka, Rangpur, and Bangra came to buy Bhutanese orange. The floor price of mandarin was fixed at US$ 7 for kill (small) and US$ 9 for mill (big) per box, which is a dollar higher than last year. For exporters, the high exchange rate could also come as an added advantage. But officials said that importers would not offer much when the dollar appreciates too much.

The export of mandarin will begin soon and the banks of Toorsa river has become busy with workers setting up temporary sheds. Although farmers have not started bringing the fruit to the yards, exporters are expecting about a 10 percent increase in production this year. “The yield is better this year,” said a contractor, who had surveyed some orchards as far as Pangbang in Zhemgang.

Orchard owners in Pasakha are also optimistic of a good year. “Yield had been dropping for the last three years, but this year looks good,” said a farmer. Along the Phuentsholing-Thimphu highway, oranges are available for Nu 35 to Nu 50 a dozen.


Source: kuenselonline.com

 

[Nafees]

Source: The Associated Press: McCain says US to follow Bangladesh election

Associated Press

McCain says US to follow Bangladesh election

By JULHAS ALAM – 2 days ago

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The United States will continue to follow Bangladesh closely through its national election process and transition toward democracy after nearly two years of emergency rule, U.S. Sen. John McCain said Wednesday.

Bangladesh's military-backed interim government, which has been in place since January 2007, is set to hold elections on Dec. 29. The interim government came to power after President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency to quell weeks of street violence over electoral reform that left more than 30 people dead.

McCain came to Bangladesh from India late Tuesday on an 11-hour visit along with two other U.S. senators — Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham — as part of a regional tour as members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

McCain said he was convinced that Bangladesh would hold a free and fair election.

"The parliamentary elections ... come at a crucial time in Bangladesh's history," McCain told a news conference before leaving Dhaka's Zia International Airport. "We depart Bangladesh even more convinced of the importance of Bangladesh's return to a democratically elected government through free, fair and credible elections."

Bangladesh, a nation of 150 million people, has been a parliamentary democracy since 1991.

Mentioning the recent attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, McCain highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach to fight terrorism in South Asia.

Bangladesh is a supporter of the U.S.-led war on terror, and it receives training from the U.S. government in counterterrorism tactics.


Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

[Nafees]

Source: Islamabad News

Colours of Bangladesh begins ​

Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman inaugurated a one-month exhibition by Bangladeshi painters titled 'Colours of Bangladesh' jointly organised by the Bangladesh High Commission and the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) at National Art Gallery on Friday.

Noted Bangladeshi painters visited the exhibition where 100 paintings by 19 Bangladeshi artists displayed. These artists will also organise four workshops on varied techniques of paintings to promote Bangladeshi culture and enhance friendly relations between the two states. PNCA Director General Naeem Tahir said the exhibition would help strengthen relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He said, "There is a lot of good promotional work going on in Bangladesh both in visual and performing arts and both countries will get benefit from it through cultural exchange."

He said, "We are working hard to preserve and foster the arts and culture of our respective countries." He said Pakistan was planning to sign a number of cultural MOUs with Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries including India to promote cultural activities. Yasmeen Murshed, the high commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, said in this contemporary world, it was mandatory for a country to work together with others in promotion of art and culture.

"We will invite about 30-35 contemporary Pakistani artists to Bangladesh to highlight Pakistani socio-cultural aspect through their work," she said.

Workshop: A three-day national workshop on organised by the Central Library of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) started here on Friday. IIUI President Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui inaugurated the workshop while Chief Librarian Ch Yaqoob Ali, Sajjadur Rehman of Kuwait University, Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani of IIUI and other experts attended the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Siddiqui highlighted the importance of libraries saying modern techniques were essential for better use of libraries. Dr Siddiqui announced that the IIUI will soon start its own department of library sciences.

Power shutdown: The IESCO will have to save 100-MW electricity during 24 hours as per quota given by National Power Control Centre (NPCC) WAPDA/PEPCO for IESCO, said a press release issued here on Friday. To cater this load, IESCO load-shedding would be consisted upon 4 to 6 durations of one hour during 24 hours. However load-shedding duration can be increased or decreased as per requirement in over populated/over loaded areas.

 

[Nafees]

Source: ERICY,ERIC Ericsson launches spare parts management services in Bangladesh

Ericsson launches spare parts management services in Bangladesh

Dec 12, 2008 (NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT via COMTEX) -- ERIC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Swedish telecomms solutions provider Ericsson (OMX Stockholm:ERIC A) (OMX Stockholm:ERIC B) (NASDAQ:ERIC) said on Friday (12 December) that it has launched spare parts management services (SPMS) to support TM International Bangladesh's (TMIB) mobile network.
The deal marks Ericsson's first SPMS contract in Bangladesh, and will help boost operational efficiencies, revenue and network performance, the company added.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide TMIB with high-level hardware support for routine as well emergency maintenance.

Ericsson will also take over the responsibility of the spare parts and provide TMIB with first-line local support, enabling immediate response to the customer's needs.

Ericsson, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, provides technology and services to telecomms operators all over the world. The group has over 70,000 employees in 175 countries and reported revenues of SEK189bn in 2007.

One British pound (GBP) is worth approximately 11.94 Swedish kronor (SEK).

 

[Nafees]

Source: Bangladeshi uprising

Bangladeshi uprising​

By SU-MAY TAN


A country may be financially poor yet be culturally rich, as one artist from Bangladesh shows.

FROM a country better known in Malaysia for its skills in construction and labour comes a new breed of professionals – the artist.

Kanak Chanpa Chakma, 43, currently exhibiting in Kuala Lumpur, is the second Bangladeshi to have a solo exhibition in Malaysia this year, where there were none previously. It suggests a rise in Bangladeshi art in an arena typically dominated by names from Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.


Chakma’s exhibition, entitled The Growth of a Genius, will portray imagery of her hometown, not unlike other Bangladeshi artists before her such as Zainul Abedin (famous for his paintings depicting the 1943 famine), Qamrul Hassan (inspired by the beauty and mystery of village women) and Safiuddin Ahmed (who popularised local motifs using eyes, fishing nets and boats.)

Chakma’s work will also feature rural life but she has a style of her own she describes as semi-abstract and semi-realistic. “The subject of my paintings are ethnic,” she says. “But I present my paintings in a modernised way where there is a blending of Western and Eastern.”

Nevertheless, in a country where the majority of the people are poor, it may often be hard to justify something as “impractical” as art. Chakma asserts, however, that despite the bleak economic surroundings, Bangladesh possesses cultures that are immensely rich.

“We draw pictures from our roots,” she says. “We express our values, feelings and nature in our paintings.”

From the block printers, sculptors and statue makers of the 18th century, Bangladesh has blossomed into a haven of art schools, galleries and an art-loving public who engage in postmodern and contemporary art. Modern Bangladeshi artists take on themes as varied as the endangered rural landscape and the invincibility of the peasant class...............Chakma works with acrylic, which dries off quickly, and on this she uses pencil and pastel to add on different dimensions.

Apart from having exhibited extensively throughout the world, from Tokyo and Nepal to Singapore and the United States, Chakma is also one of the few women artists to have made it in the arts scene in her country.

Chakma has chosen Malaysia as her next destination because of the similarities she sees between the two countries especially in terms of food, culture and hospitality. She aspires to bring the two cultures together. “I want to make friendship through art,” she says.

Through her work, viewers will have a clearer idea of Bangladesh – the little known fact that it comprises 41 different indigenous groups, the way they live in the villages (such as the Rangamati Hilltract where Chakma was born) and their connections with South East Asian peoples.

While Chakma paintings illustrate much of the colourful rural life of Bangladesh, she feels that art is an “international language”.

 

[Nafees]

Source: The Daily Star - Details News

Khaleda Zia sees 2/3 majority again​

Says greatest chance to save country comes Dec 29

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday hoped that the four-party alliance would regain power through the upcoming election securing two-thirds majority in parliament.

“I started polls campaign across the country on December 12. I have witnessed high tide (of public support) in favour of 'sheaf of paddy' (BNP's poll symbol). Inshallah, we will go to power again with two-thirds majority,” the former prime minister said at an election rally at Karwan Bazar in the capital.

Khaleda said, “The greatest opportunity to save the country is coming on December 29. And people have to elect a truly representative government that can solve the problems the nation has been facing for the past two years.”

She also addressed campaign rallies at Bhashantek, Green Road, Hazaribagh, Lalbagh, Armanitola, Motijheel, Madartek, Madhubagh and Mohakhali to introduce the BNP-led alliance candidates in the city in the coming polls.

At the Hazaribagh rally, Khaleda said, “A certain party claimed that the present caretaker government is the outcome of its movement. Prices of essentials have shot up during the tenure of this government. And if that party comes to power, there might be further price hike and a famine like the one in 1974 (when Awami League was in power).”

She went on, “If you (people) vote for the four-party alliance (led by BNP), then the country will see development, investment, setting up of industries, and you will live in peace.”

Addressing the rally at Lalbagh, Khaleda praised the four-party candidate for Dhaka-7 constituency Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, now in jail facing several criminal charges. Pintu has done many development work in the area but he has been detained for months without trial, she said. "Now you (voters) can get him released by casting vote for him."

Thousands of four-party supporters, workers and leaders in processions, and carrying 'sheaf of paddy' joined the rallies.

The BNP chairperson urged people to vote for the alliance to ensure development of the country and to 'protect' its independence and sovereignty.

Criticising the 1/11 changeover, she said the country's economy has been destroyed, political leaders have been harassed by filing cases against them and businessmen were also thrown into jail in the last two years.

As part of her polls campaign, Khaleda will visit northern districts including Bogra, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Panchagarh today.

 

[Nafees]

Source: UN chief hails end of state of emergency in Bangladesh_English_Xinhua
English_Xinhua

UN chief hails end of state of emergency in Bangladesh​

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday extended his welcome to the lifting of the state of emergency in Bangladesh before the Dec. 29 parliamentary elections, and called on all parties concerned make joint efforts to deal with the nation's challenge together.

Ban, through a statement issued by his spokesperson, said that he "welcomes the lifting today of the state of emergency in Bangladesh as a positive step towards ensuring the right of all Bangladeshis to free, fair and credible parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for Dec. 29, 2008."

"He encourages all stakeholders, including the main political parties, to continue to address the nation's challenges together, collaboratively and collegially," the statement said.

"The secretary-general reiterates the need for Bangladesh to achieve its full potential for democratic development through credible elections and a peaceful transition to a stronger democratic order following the elections," the statement said.

As previously announced, the secretary-general's high-level panel, headed by Francesc Vendrell, is scheduled to return to the Asian country later next week to assess and report on the conduct of the last stages of the electoral process and developments in the immediate post-election period, the statement added.

Bangladesh on Wednesday lifted its two-year-long state of emergency in the run-up to elections on Dec. 29, reports said.


Editor: Sun

 

[Geromix]

Source: The Daily Star - Details News

Khaleda Zia sees 2/3 majority again​

Says greatest chance to save country comes Dec 29

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday hoped that the four-party alliance would regain power through the upcoming election securing two-thirds majority in parliament.

“I started polls campaign across the country on December 12. I have witnessed high tide (of public support) in favour of 'sheaf of paddy' (BNP's poll symbol). Inshallah, we will go to power again with two-thirds majority,” the former prime minister said at an election rally at Karwan Bazar in the capital.

Khaleda said, “The greatest opportunity to save the country is coming on December 29. And people have to elect a truly representative government that can solve the problems the nation has been facing for the past two years.”

She also addressed campaign rallies at Bhashantek, Green Road, Hazaribagh, Lalbagh, Armanitola, Motijheel, Madartek, Madhubagh and Mohakhali to introduce the BNP-led alliance candidates in the city in the coming polls.

At the Hazaribagh rally, Khaleda said, “A certain party claimed that the present caretaker government is the outcome of its movement. Prices of essentials have shot up during the tenure of this government. And if that party comes to power, there might be further price hike and a famine like the one in 1974 (when Awami League was in power).”

She went on, “If you (people) vote for the four-party alliance (led by BNP), then the country will see development, investment, setting up of industries, and you will live in peace.”

Addressing the rally at Lalbagh, Khaleda praised the four-party candidate for Dhaka-7 constituency Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, now in jail facing several criminal charges. Pintu has done many development work in the area but he has been detained for months without trial, she said. "Now you (voters) can get him released by casting vote for him."

Thousands of four-party supporters, workers and leaders in processions, and carrying 'sheaf of paddy' joined the rallies.

The BNP chairperson urged people to vote for the alliance to ensure development of the country and to 'protect' its independence and sovereignty.

Criticising the 1/11 changeover, she said the country's economy has been destroyed, political leaders have been harassed by filing cases against them and businessmen were also thrown into jail in the last two years.

As part of her polls campaign, Khaleda will visit northern districts including Bogra, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Panchagarh today.

Hmm...that is interesting,from what i was reading today it said that Awami League was in a better position to win.

 

[PakShaheen79]

Hmm...that is interesting,from what i was reading today it said that Awami League was in a better position to win.

You must have read that from an Indian source.

 

[Nafees]

Source: Bangladesh to offer benefits to expatriate workers to boost remittance_English_Xinhua

Bangladesh to offer benefits to expatriate workers to boost remittance ​

English_Xinhua 2008-12-19 21:39:41

DHAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi caretaker government has decided to offer special benefits to the country's several million expatriate workers to boost inflow of remittance.

Abdul Malek, director general of Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, told Xinhua on Friday, "We'll provide Identity Cards with special status to the expatriate workers, who will annually send home money equivalent to 5,000 U.S. dollars through official channels."

The cardholding expatriates will get facilities at the airport on their return to home, he said, adding special facilities will also be given like admission of their children to educational institutions and at hospitals for their family members as well as in allocation of government lands.

Malek said the government made the decision to make this year's International Day of Migrants' which was observed across the world on Thursday memorable.

"We are offering special benefits to encourage more people to go abroad and send home more remittance," he said.

In 2007-08 fiscal (from July 2007 to June 2008), Bangladesh received 7.9 billion U.S. dollars remittance from its expatriates, living and working over 100 countries. In the current fiscal (from July 2008 to June 2009), the country set target to receive around 10 billion U.S. dollars remittance.

According to statistics of the central Bangladesh Bank, the country in the first four months of the current fiscal received 2.99 billion U.S. dollars, almost 37 percent higher than the same period of last fiscal.


Editor: Chris

 

[Nafees]

Source: Bangladesh makes remarkable achievement in girls education _English_Xinhua

Bangladesh makes remarkable achievement in girls education ​

by Wang Xuemei


English_Xinhua 2008-12-22 13:17:50


DHAKA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh has made remarkable achievement in increasing girls enrollment in primary level since early 1990s with the ratio of girls and boys at schools standing at 1:1 currently, a senior official said.

Secretary of Ministry of Primary and Mass Education M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told Xinhua recently in an exclusive interview that "The Bangladesh government has made tremendous efforts in getting more girls to schools and successfully achieved gender parity."

Now the net enrollment rate at the primary level in the country is 91.1 percent, of which male is 87.8 percent and female is 94.7 percent, while percentage of girls at schools is 50.7 among total 16.3 million students, he said.

Musharraf said, various measures have been taken to increase girls enrollment since the Compulsory Primary Education Program, covering grade 1-5, was implemented all over the country in 1993 after the Compulsory Primary Education Act was passed in 1990.

Under the program, tuition and textbooks are free of cost for all the students. The government also gives stipend to poor schoolchildren including both girls and boys. However, for grade 6-10 only girls are given stipend as the dropout rate of girls is much higher after grade 5.

There are also provisions for certain schools to attain gender parity.

According to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, the total number of the primary-level educational institutions in the country is about 81,000, among which 46.2 percent are government schools, 24.7 percent are Registered Non-Government Primary School(RNGPS) and 19 percent are religion schools.

For private-initiated RNGPS, the government extends 85-95 percent salary support to the teachers there. However, they must attain the gender parity with number of girl students accounting for 50 percent.

Besides, to eliminate gender disparity and ensure wide participation of women in development activities, 60 percent of new teachers post have been reserved for female teachers. As a result, the percentage of female teachers in the government primary schools has already reached 50.2 percent.

Massive social mobilization programs, including some initiated by teachers' associations, have been undertaken to encourage guardians to send the girl child to schools.

Meanwhile, when enrolling the student, the names of both the mother and the father are registered. For payment of stipend money to the students, the bank account has to be opened in the mother's name.

"These steps have contributed to the increase of the girl enrollment and the attainment of gender parity," Musharraf said.

"Girls' education has very positive impacts. For example, an increase in the education of girls decreases the rate of early marriage," he said.


Editor: Jiang Yuxia

 

[Nafees]

Source: AFP: 200,000 observers to watch Bangladesh vote: govt official

200,000 observers to watch Bangladesh vote: govt official​

DHAKA (AFP) — More than 200,000 local and foreign observers will monitor landmark elections in Bangladesh next week, making it the most closely watched vote in the country's history, an official said Monday.

Election commission spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman said foreign observers, including those from the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations, made up more than 500 of the total.

Anyone with observer status was free to visit polling centres throughout the country, he said.

"This is going to be the fairest elections in the country's history. More than 200,000 elections observers -- the biggest in the country's history -- will monitor the polls," he said.

The December 29 elections are the first in the impoverished country since 2001 and will transfer power to an elected government after nearly two years of emergency rule by a military-backed regime.

The interim government has vowed to hold the cleanest polls in the country's history, which gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.

It has created a digital electoral list, arming every one of the country's 81 million voters with a photo identification card, a move that took a year to complete and eliminated 13 million fake names.

The government has also deployed some 50,000 troops across the country to prevent violence and intimidation.

The current authorities came to power in January 2007 after months of clashes between supporters of the two main political parties, the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, brought the country to a standstill.

The government last Wednesday lifted a state of emergency, imposed 23 months earlier when it came to power.