The Colours of Bangladesh - Stockholm, Sweden 2010.pdf · 39th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangla-desh came to us with renewed hope and aspiration. Day before Bangladesh went

Newsletter of the Embassy of Bangladesh, Stockholm Volume IV| Issue II | March - April 2010

The Colours of Bangladesh

Feature............................................................. Did U Know?................................................. History & Culture......................................... Embassy Activities ....................................... Important Links............................................

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Inside this Issue:

Perspective...................................................... Current Affairs............................................... Foreign Affairs............................................... Special Focus.................................................. Business, Economy, Trade & Investment.

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02 03 04 05 07

39th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangla-desh came to us with renewed hope and aspiration. Day before Bangladesh went into celebrating the Independence and National Day on 26 March, The War Crimes Tribunal was formed and declared by the government to try war criminals of 1971 War of Liberation. Frustrated people of Bangladesh, who have been waiting for so long after the independence to see the war criminals brought to justice, has seen the light of hope after the formation of the tribunal along with an investigation team. We have celebrated two more joyous events during this March-April period. On 17 March, we have celebrated 90th Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and on 14th April, Pohela Boishakh, we welcomed our Bangla New Year 1417. As this Pohela Boishakh is the biggest celebration event of Bangladesh, our expatriates living abroad never fall behind joining the celebration. While expatriates in Sweden joined enthusiastically to our arrangement at the embassy on

F i r s t W o r d

P e r s p e c t i v eP e r s p e c t i v e

14 April to celebrate the day, there were numbers of Boishakhi Mela and cultural programme organized by them to welcome the year 1417. Our celebration was not over with those special days only. Bangladesh has, for the first time, received sovereign credit ratings during this period. Standard and Poor rated Bangladesh BB- and Moody’s Investors Service rated Ba3 which put Bangladesh in front of all other countries in South Asia except emerging India. This was a formal recognition of the fiscal discipline, macroeconomic and financial stability that is prevailing in the country. Hopefully, this formal recognition will boost confidence of foreign investors to invest more in Bangladesh and would ensure more access for Bangladesh to international credit. We believe that the trend of development in Bangladesh will continue and even accelerate and we shall be able to come back to you every time with news of new hope. Imtiaz Ahmed Ambassador & Chief Editor

sured of increased investment in our gas and energy sec-tor. Foreign investment is expected pick up after receiv-ing good credit rating from S&P and Moody’s. South Korean investors already have shown their interest to invest in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding sector as well as big infrastructure projects. An Iranian car manufacturer SIPA has planned to establish a car manufacturing fac-tory in Bangladesh labeled as made by D-8 and to be sold primarily in the market of D-8 countries and then the excess productions to other places. We hope its not far when Bangladesh people will drive cars made in Bangladesh. In the end, I wish you all a very nice and sweet summer time as sweet as famous jackfruits and mangos of Bang-ladesh that makes summer heat bearable for us. Khandker Masudul Alam First Secretary

Shuvo Nabobarsho, Happy Bangla New Year, 1417. Bangladesh has received Pohela Boishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, the 14th of April, with colour and festivity. We have been recharged with new hopes in the New Year and came back with more news and articles that will remind our readers the core strength of Bangladesh as a nation. During this period our Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went on a very important state visit to China which opened many new windows of coopera-tion between China and Bangladesh and furthered the ties between the two countries. Danish Minister for Development visited Bangladesh with business and industry delegations which will enhance the remain-ing close tie between the business sectors of the two countries. US Deputy Secretary of State James B Steinberg during his recent visit to Bangladesh as-

E d i t o r ’ s N o t e

2 KALEIDOSCOPE MARCH–APRIL ISSUE 2010

Hon’ble Prime Minister Visits China

China will allow duty free access of Bangladeshi

products to its markets and increase its supports for the country’s efforts to face floods and other natural calamities caused by global warming. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao gave the assurance during official talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina held at Great Hall in Beijing on 18 March 2010. In the meeting, the Bangladesh Prime Minister sought short and long term Chinese assistance, grants and approval of State to State loan for implementing seven projects in Bangladesh’s agriculture, power and infrastructure sectors. She sought Chinese support and cooperation in modernizing flood forecasting and warning centre, river dredging projects, satellite launching and setting up remote sensing satellite, increasing stipend for Bangladeshi students upto 150 and providing scholarship facilities to the Foreign Service officials.

Referring to defence cooperation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested the Chinese govern-ment to provide two frigates with three helicop-ters under long term loan assistance and called for extending support to her government’s endeavours in tackling the challenges of climate change. Giving emphasis on regional cooperation, HE Sheikh Hasina said, concerted efforts have to be taken to eliminate terrorism and militancy from the region. The Chinese Prime Minister assured her to provide his country’s support for these sectors for overall development of Bangladesh. Regarding the climate change issue, the Chinese Premier appreci-ated the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her prudent leadership in those forums where she raised the vulnerability of the affected countries and sought international support to tackle the climate change challenges.

In addition, on 18 March 2010, Bangladesh and China signed three treaties and one Memoran-

dum of Understanding (MoU) aiming at further enhancing cooperation for Bangladesh’s economic, technical, infrastructure and energy sectors. The agreements are economic and technical cooperation agreement with substantial grants, frame-work agreement for construction of Shahjalal Fertil-izer Factory, Agreement for Construction of the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge and the MoU on Bangladesh-China Cooperation in oil and gas sectors.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also sought Chinese cooperation to construct a deep-sea port in Chittagong and establish road link between Chittagong and Kunming. “China can be benefited by using the deep seaport while all neighbouring countries also can use it,” H.E. Sheikh Hasina said as a key speaker at the Bangladesh-China Business Fo-rum on 18 March 2010. The Prime Minister invited Chinese investors to put money in Bangladesh's promising sectors like textiles, small machineries, fertilisers, footwear and ceramics. She also en-couraged investment in IT outsourcing, tourism, healthcare, education, power, telecommunica-tions, infrastructure development, gas and energy, agro-based industries and pharmaceuticals.

Current Affairs


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Hu Jintao

For more information about the Prime Minister's Office of the government of the people's Republic of Bangladesh, please visit the website www.pmo.gov.bd

Foreign Affairs

The Hon’ble Foreign Minister Her Excellency Dr. Dipu Moni said that the Bangladesh government is

working to build a society free of exploitation

with human rights and fundamental freedoms

protected and justice as well as equality secured

by 2021. She said this while speaking at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 01 March 2010. The Foreign Minister said that the Vision 2021 of the

Government aims to build a society free from ex-

ploitation, where human rights and fundamental

freedoms are protected, and justice and equality

are secured. She said Bangladesh is making ef-

forts to build a society where all can fully enjoy

human rights—civil and political, social, eco-

nomic and cultural as well as right to develop-

ment. Describing eradication of poverty as a top de-velopment agenda of the government she said that Bangladesh now focuses more on empowering the poor, especially the vulnerable segments of the soci-ety, including women, children and the elderly. H.E.

Dr. Dipu Moni mentioned that education, par-

ticularly for girls, is a priority of the government.

Primary education has been made free with free

books, and compulsory, for all children; provision

has been made for free education for girls up to

class 12; and, stipend for girls in rural secondary

schools. Bangladesh has been successful in

achieving gender parity in net enrolment in pri-

mary and secondary schools—a key Millennium

Development Goal. The government has a plan to provide free tuition for girls up to under-graduate level. The Hon’ble Foreign Minister mentioned that provi-

sion of basic healthcare is a fundamental right.

This is an area where the government is keen to

make progress. Provision of quality pre-natal and post-natal services has resulted in significant decline

in infant and maternal mortality rates. The govern-ment has undertaken a programme to establish one community healthcare centre for every 6,000 people across the country. H.E. Dr. Dipu Moni said that

Bangladesh high importance to guaranteeing

food security for its people as an essential precon-

dition for ensuring their socio-economic develop-

ment. However, the Foreign Minister mentioned

that the government measures in the health, agri-

culture sectors and ensuring food security which

is being challenged by the unabated climate

change. She expressed her concern due to the

growing incidence of climate change induced in-

ternal displacement of people and the conse-

quence of loss of livelihood to climate change. “We all belong to a global village where we must

live and work together. Our lives and our worlds

are intertwined. Let us adopt a common resolve

in facing today's challenges. Let us share each

other's responsibility, burden and prosperity. Let

us strive to leave a more harmonious world for

our children and our grandchildren by reaching

out to one another” she further addressed to the world leaders.

Foreign Minister on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

Bangladesh Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Dipu Moni.

For more information about Bangladesh Foreign Minstry and its activities, please visit the website www.mofa.gov.bd


KALEIDOSCOPE 5

– Baishakhi Mela (Baishakhi Fair) : A mirror of Rich Bengali Culture

from Akbar's ascension to the throne in 1556AD. The New Year subsequently became known as the Bengali year. Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh started from Akbar's reign. It was customary to clear up all the annual dues on the last day of Chaitra (last month of the Bengali year or calendar). On the next day, or the first day of the new year, landlords would entertain their tenants with sweets. On this occasion there used to be fairs and other festivals. In due course the occasion became part of domestic and social life and turned into a day of merriment. The main event of the day was to open a hal-khata or new book of accounts. This was entirely

a financial affair. In villages, towns and cities,

traders and businessmen closed their old

account books and opened new ones. They used

to treat their customers with sweets and renewed

their business relationship with them. This

tradition is still practised, especially by jewellers.

New year's festivals are closely linked with rural

life in Bangladesh.

Fairs are an inseparable part of the traditional culture of the people of Bangladesh. Pahela

Baishakh or the Bangla New Year's Day is

celebrated in a festive manner in both Bangladesh

and the West Bengal state of India. In Bangladesh

Pahela Baishakh is a national holiday, and usually

falls on April 14. Under the Mughals, agricultural taxes were collected according to the Hijri (Arabic) calendar. However, as the Hijri calender is a lunar calender, it was found that the agricultural tax collection period determined in the Hijri calender did not mostly concide with the harvesting season. As a result, farmers were hard-pressed to pay taxes out of season. In order to streamline tax collection, the Mughal Emperor Akbar ordered a reform of the calendar. Accordingly, Fatehullah Shirazi, a renowned scholar and astronomer, formulated the Bangla calendar on the basis of the solar year. The new Fasli San (agricultural year) was introduced on 10/11 March 1584 AD, but was dated

PAHELA BAISHAKH

Musical function-at dawn at Ramna Park (Chhayanat)

Special Focus

MARCH–APRIL ISSUE 2010

6 KALEIDOSCOPE

– Baishakhi Mela (Baishakhi Fair): A mirror of Rich Bengali Culture

On the day everything is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. People bathe early in the morning, dress in fine clothes and then go to visit r e l a t i v e s , f r i e n d s a n d neighbours. Special foods are prepared to entertain guests. Baishakhi fairs are held across t h e c o u n t r y . V a r i o u s agricultural products, garden & agro-tools, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics as well as various kinds of food and sweets are sold at these fairs. The fairs also provide entertainment with singers and dancers staging jatra (a form of drama), pala gan, kavigan (songs) etc. They present folk songs as well as baul, marfati, murshidi (mystic songs). Plays based on folklore, like Laily-Majnu, Yusuf-Zulekha and Radha-Krishna (love-stories based on legends and mythologies) are staged. Among other attractions at these fairs are puppet shows.

Nowadays, observance of Pahela Baishakh has become popular in the cities too. People gather early in the morning under a big tree or on the bank of a lake or river to witness the sunrise. Artistes present songs to welcome the New Year. People from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali dresses: young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers and ‘tip’(also known as ‘bindi’: i.e. dots between eyebrows). Men wear traditional dress

called ‘panjabi’ & ’ p y j a m a ’ . M a n y townspeople start the day with the traditional breakfast of panta bhat (cooked rice soaked overnight in water), green chillies, onion and fried hilsa fish. The most colourful

spectacular and Bangla New Year's Day festival in Bangladesh takes place in Dhaka, the capital. Large numbers of people gather early in the morning under the Banyan Tree at Ramna Park where Chhayanat artistes herald the day with Tagore's famous song welcoming Baisakh Esho he Baishakh esho esho (Come, O Baisakh, come). For the last couple of years, the expatriate

Bangladeshis in different countries including

Sweden have also been arranging ‘Baishakhi

fairs’ during the month of April and May. Each

year, these fairs are enthusiastically visited by

men, women and children of Bangladesh origin.

Traditional Bangladeshi foods, snacks, sweets,

traditional dresses, decoration pieces,

ornaments, etc., are sold in these fairs. Cultural

functions, featuring dances and songs, are also

arranged, besides these fairs to celebrate the

Bangla New Year.


E c o n o m y & I n v e s t m e n t N e w s BUSINESS

‘S&P’ and Moody’s rating to help Bangladesh attract more investment

Bangladesh has got its first

sovereign credit rating that

will give it much needed

access to foreign financial

markets and will make it a lucrative destination for

foreign investors. Global agency Standard & Poor’s

after analyzing the macro and micro economic con-

ditions of the country has issued it the rating 'BB-'

for long term and 'B' for short term. It says the coun-try’s outlook is stable. “We believe that Bangladesh's economy is largely free of macroeconomic imbalances in spite of its low income level, relatively narrow eco-nomic profile, and significant fiscal constraints,” said S&P sovereign credit analyst Mr. Agost Benard. “The current account is balanced, the flow of remittances is strong, the growth of the economy is stable over the last several years, farm output is better and foreign exchange reserves are also healthy,” he said while releasing the credit rating report. At a press briefing on April 06, 2010 the Hon’ble Finance Minister H.E. Abul Maal Ab-dul Muhit said that the government is satisfied with the

rating as it reflects the economic parameters of the country and the private sector will now get advantage in getting foreign loans and it will reduce import and export costs. “The rating also enables the government to raise low-cost capital in the overseas financial mar-kets and further diversify its funding sources,” he added.

In a separate report, Global

rating agency Moody’s In-

vestors Service has assigned

a sovereign rating of Ba3 to

Bangladesh, for a stable

outlook of the financial sector. The rating placed

Bangladesh second in south Asia after the major

emerging economy of neighboring India. Speak-ing on the Moody’s rating on 12 April 2010, Bangla-desh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman said that the rating was the result of dynamic RMG export of the country, large remittance flow, minimal foreign com-mercial borrowing and debt-servicing profile.

Business, Economy, Trade, Event and Investment

The United States will invest more in Bangladesh's impor-tant sectors including gas and power and will continue to work together closely to check terrorism and protect human rights. US Deputy Secretary of State H.E. Mr. James B. Steinberg said this when he paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina at her office here on 22 April 2010. About the US investment in Bangladesh, the Hon’ble Prime Minister told Steinberg that the US investment in Bangladesh is rising and relations

between US and Bangladesh will be further strengthened. She also said that poverty is the biggest enemy of this region and that Bangladesh wishes to work with everyone to eradicate it. Mr. Steinberg highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her prudent

leadership in different international fo-rums in tackling the adverse impact of climate change and her government's steps to check terrorism and ensure good governance. He said the US will expe-dite its support to Bangladesh's economic sector and provide assistance for protecting human rights and curbing terrorism.

US to invest more in gas and power sectors of Bangladesh

US Deputy Secretary of State H.E. Mr. James B Steinberg calls on with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

KALEIDOSCOPE 7 MARCH–APRIL ISSUE 2010

Denmark to invest & continue development cooperation with Bangladesh

private sector

deve lopment

and business

cooperation in

B a n g l a d e s h ,

which should

be further ex-

plored," Mr.

Pind said while

addressing an inaugural ceremony of Bangla-

desh-Denmark Match-Making Event. A business delegation of more than 10 Danish companies from

the energy and environment sectors and Bangladeshi businessmen shared their com-panies' experience aiming to boost up in-vestment especially in the energy sector at the match-making event. The Danish Min-ister said they have been considering Bang-ladesh as an important business and trade partner with growing potential for business cooperation and joint ventures. Mr. Pind said Bangladesh has a skilled labor force

with competitive wages and significant potential for developing new exporting sectors to the international markets. The Hon’ble Commerce Minister H.E: Mr. Fa-

ruk Khan urged the Danish investors to exploit

their vast experience of wind energy in the

country. "The Danish companies can in-

vest in the wind energy sector in the coun-

try's costal areas" he added. The Commerce Minister hoped that the match-making event would yield very positive business opportuni-ties for Bangladesh. H.E.Faruk Khan said that Bangladesh is a country of hard workers. It

has a large market. He urged the investors

for more investment in energy, ship-

building and IT sectors.

The Danish Minister for Development Coopera-

tion, H.E. Mr. Søren Pind, visited Bangladesh on

10th – 13th April 2010, accompanied by a delegation

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark,

Confederation of Danish Industry and a Danish

Business delegation. The visit included bilateral talks with the Government of Bangladesh and meetings with civil society and private sector representatives. Visits were made to private companies in Dhaka and Chit-tagong and to local communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts as well as to a madrasa school in Dhaka. Denmark assured

Bangladesh of provid-

ing more assistance in

power, energy, ship-

building and trade and

business sectors for the

socioeconomic devel-

opment. The assurance came from the Danish Development and Coop-eration Minister called on Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina at her office on 13 April 2010. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral issues, including Danish investment in Bangladesh's private sector and expansion of trade and business between the two coun-tries. While visit in Dhaka,

H.E. Mr. Søren Pind

said that Danish

companies are keen

to explore options for

outsourcing and joint

ventures in Bangla-

desh. "There is

much potential for

B u s i n e s s & I n v e s t m e n t N e w s BUSINESS

P o i n t s t o P o n d e r

− Bangladesh attaches great importance to the rela-tions with Denmark and considers Denmark as a dependable friend and development partner.

− Bangladesh and Denmark enjoy excellent bilat-eral relations that are characterized by friendly feelings, commonality of views, economic coopera-tion and increasing bilateral trade.

− In the near future, more high level bilateral visits between the two countries would take place be-tween Bangladesh and Denmark.

Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and H.E. Mr. Søren Pind

H.E. Søren Pind meeting with communities in Chittagong Hill


Dhaka, Beijing agree on closer trade and investment ties

On 18 March 2010, the two sides signed three accords aimed at strengthening economic and technical cooperation, a framework agreement on Shahjalal fertiliser factory and an agreement on a 7th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge. A memorandum of understanding was also signed on oil and energy ties. Dhaka and Beijing also

agreed to enhance transport links and to continue to explore possibility of building road and rail links be-tween the two countries. China also agreed to pro-vide assistance for dredging of riverbeds. In addition, the two countries said they would strengthen coop-eration on water resources management, hydrological data sharing, on flood control and disaster reduction, and enhance exchanges between technical and mana-gerial personnel of agriculture.

Bangladesh and China will

take active measures to ex-pand bilateral trade and ease the trade imbalance. This came during a joint statement, released on March 19, 2010 after Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina's talks with Chinese leaders in Bei-jing, said China will offer preferential tariff treat-ment to more Bangladeshi products and continue to boost bilateral investment and trade. China ex-pressed its firm commitment to continue to offer assis-tance to Bangladesh in support of its economic and so-cial development. Bangladesh also sought Chinese sup-port in Bangladesh's efforts to tackle climate change and make Bangladesh a modern digital nation.

I n v e s t m e n t & E v e n t N e w s BUSINESS

9 KALEIDOSCOPE

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Her Excellency

Sheikh Hasina invited Korean entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh's power, leather, infrastruc-ture development, textiles, jute goods, deep-sea fishing and shipbuilding sectors that hold out huge business prospects. She made the call when outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Suk-Bum Park paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official on March 04, 2010. During the meeting, the Prime Minister also said Korea could recruit engineers and IT experts from Bangladesh, saying that Bangladeshi peo-

ple are very hardworking and law-abiding. The South Korean envoy assured the Prime Minister of further expediting its cooperation in Bangladesh's Informa-tion Technology (IT) and other development sectors. In a separate news South Korean investors have shown their interest to invest in Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector as well as mega-constructions, city-planning, renewable energy, nuclear power plant, satellite power plant, car-bon dioxide neutralization, water logging solu-tions and reduction of greenhouse gas emission.

Korea to invest in different sectors of Bangladesh


Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) is going to organize the 21st Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exhibition ‘BATEXPO-2010’ from 25-27 November, 2010 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. BATEXPO is one of the largest exposi-tions in the Asia-Pacific region organized by BGMEA since 1989 as per its trade promotion. This is a unique

opportunity for apparel and other buyers to mingle around the same roof and choose their business partners. Business forums, associations, companies, trade bodies and investors of the Nordic countries are welcome to take part in the BATEXPO-2010 in Bangladesh. More information about the event will be found www.bgmea.com.bd

BATEXPO‐2010

The Sundarbans, a World Heritage site, is com-

posed of three wildlife sanctuaries, namely the

Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarban

South Wildlife Sanctuary and Sundarbans West

Wildlife Sanctuary. The total area of the World

Heritage Site is 1400 sq. km., out of which 910 sq.

km. is land area and 490 sq. km. is water. A com-plex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands with salt-tolerant mangrove forest, make up the three sanctuaries. The area has been recognized globally for its impor-tance as a reservoir of biodiversity. The mangrove

supports a unique assemblage of flora and fauna,

including charismatic mega - fauna like the Royal

Bengal Tiger, the estuarine crocodile and the

Ganges river dolphin or susuk. The Sundari tree,

after which the Sundarbans is named, is native to

this forest.

A visit to Bangladesh would remain incomplete if

the Sundarbans did not appear in the itinerary. It is

situated in the southwest corner of Bangladesh. It

is the largest mangrove forest in the world, criss-

crossed by creeks and

canals creeping around

thousand of islets that

swell and sink with the

tide in the Bay. The

cluster of isles, the water

bodies and mangrove

together support an eco-

system at once unique

with the result that the

Sundarbans could be easily developed into a treas-

ure house of biodiversity. It is home to 80% of rep-

tiles, 40% of mammals' species and about 50% of

all bird species found in Bangladesh. Of the 35 mangrove plant-species spotted in the whole world, 14 are found in the Sundarbans. The total area of the Sundarbans is 5772.85 sq.km. The forest occupies 4016.85 sq.km. of land while rivers, canals and chan-nels occupy 1756 sq.km.

The mangrove forest in the Sundarbans, particu-

larly in the three wildlife sanctuaries, acts as a

good nursery and potential breeding ground for

shrimps, prawns and many other edible fish. For

its outstanding natural value, the World Heritage

Committee of the UNESCO inscribed the

Sundarbans of Bangladesh in the World Heritage

list in their 21st session in 1997 and accordingly

the Government of the People's Republic of

Bangladesh declared the Sundarbans as a World

Heritage Site in 1999.

Destination: The Sundarbans - The Largest Mangrove Forest in the World & Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger

Feature

10 KALEIDOSCOPE

Mangrove forest - the largest in the world


The attractions of this forest are varied and many. Wild, unspoiled and unpolluted beaches are scattered here and there along the borderline of the Bay. The flora of the Sundarbans includes Sundari, Keora, Gewa, Golpata, Goran and Passur trees. The fauna can boast the legendary Royal Bengal tiger spotted deer, squirrel, rhesus monkey, barking deer, wild boar, dolphin, etc. Of the reptile species, there are the estuarine crocodiles, pythons, lizards, flap-shelled spotted turtles and green turtles. The fish population comprises vetki, rekha, boncha, faissa, pangash, ritha, silon, hilsha, catfish, lobster, shrimp, prawn, etc.

The forest is a b irdwatchers ' paradise as it is the abode of varieties of rare and colourful birds like the pond heron, k i n g f i s h e r ,

cattle egret, little egret, golden plover, white-beaked vulture, fishing eagle, white-breasted eagle, red jungle fowl and so on. The noteworthy beauty spots of the Sundarbans are Katka, Kachikhali, Karamjal. Nilkamal, Hironpoint, Dublar Char, etc.

How to Reach & Where to Stay:

The best time to visit the Sundarbans is from November to March. Exciting honey collection season is during April-May. Hunting is prohibited by law in the country for the preservation of wild life. Water transport is the only means of communication for visiting the Sundarbans from Khulna or Mongla Port. Boats, speed boats, country boats as well as mechanized vessels from the Mongla Port Authority might be hired for visiting the Sundarbans. From Dhaka, tourists may travel by air, or by road to Khulna, the gateway to the Sundarbans.

For accommodation, tourist may contact

Bangladesh Parjatan (Tourism) Corporation.

Mongla Port Authority has comfortable three-

storied Rest House in Hiron Point and there is

also Forest Department’s Rest House located in

Katka. Besides, a number of private hotels, guest and rest-houses are available for tourists. Prior reservation is advisable. One may contact Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation for detailed information about the visits to the Sundarbans.

The Sundarbans – The largest mangrove forest in the world & home to the Royal Bengal Tiger

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

233, Airport Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka - 1215 Bangladesh Phone : +880-2-9120392 Fax : +880-2-8126501 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.bangladeshtourism.gov.bd

KALEIDOSCOPE 11 MARCH–APRIL ISSUE 2010

Spotted deer at Sundarbans

Golpata (Nypa fruiticans) of Sundarbans

• Bangladesh has become the highest troops and

police contributing country in UN blue helmet

missions with engagement of 10,574 Bangladeshi

peacekeepers in troubled regions across the world,

according to a statement of the Bangladesh’s

permanent mission in United Nations. Until now Bangladesh topped the list of troops contributing countries while it was in second position in terms of number of policemen in the peacekeeping missions.

The statement also revealed that three more Bangladeshi “formed police units” were expected to

join the UN missions to raise the number of police peacekeepers to 2,133. Moreover, the first

Bangladeshi women police contingent was kept ready to join the UN mission. Bangladeshi

peacekeepers so far served in 12 out of 16 UN peacekeeping missions.

• Bangladesh has made important gains in economic freedom scorecards, according to a report

released jointly by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal in USA. The report-

2010 Index of Economic Freedom-released on April 15, 2010 appreciated Bangladesh's

significant increase in its level of economic freedom and its continued high growth rate over

the years defying calamities and exigencies. • Bangladesh is taking various necessary steps in its way toward realizing ‘Digital Bangladesh’,

Bangladesh Post Office has planned to turn its 8,500 rural post offices across the country into

‘Post-e-centre’ with the facility of offering various new digital services aiming at reducing

urban-rural digital divide. The primary objective of the rural ‘Post e-center’ is to offer financial payments like remittances, allowances through various electronic channels and to ensure access of rural people to internet and other electronic facilities like webcam and digital studio.

In connection with ‘Digital Bangladesh’, the district election commission has also completed

its preparations for introducing electronic voting system through Electronic Voting Machine

(EVM) in the upcoming Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) polls in Bangladesh. Though this

initiative, first of its kind, Bangladesh enters into digital voting system on a limited scale, a

steps forward to the modernization of the country’s election process after the preparation of

voter list with photographs.


KALEIDOSCOPE 13

Baisakh as part of the New Year festival. Shangrai: The Marmas celebrate Shangrai for

four days. Everybody carries the image of Lord

Buddha to the river front and sets down the

image on a floating bed. Afterwards they complete the bathing of the image in milk or sandalwood water and return with it to set it in the Temple or in their homes. In every locality, the water throwing festival starts with people throwing water at each other in the belief that the previous year’s sorrows will be washed away by the water. Baisuk: The Baisuk festival of the Tripura tribe is

celebrated by worshipping the god Shiva and

asking for his blessings. They celebrate the

festival in the following stages: a) Hari Baisuk: Hari Baisuk is celebrated a day before the last day of Chaitra. On that day in every Tripura family they arrange the bathing of their pet animals, which are then decked with different flowers. b) Bishuma: The Tripuras celebrate Bishuma. On this day newly married couples and teenagers bring pitchers bring pitchers full of water from rivers and seek blessings from their parents by bathing them with the river water.

Baisabi is the main social

festival of the indigenous

people living in the hill

districts of Rangamati,

B a n d a r b a n a n d

Khagrachhari. This festival is celebrated by the Chakma and Tanchyanga as “Biju”, by Marmas as “Shangrai” and by

Tripuras as “Baisuk” or “Baisu”. Biju: Biju is a festival celebrated by the Chakmas and Tanchyangas for three consecutive days-the last two days of Chaitra and the fist day of Baisakh. The first day is called full Biju, the second day Mul Biju and on the last day they celebrate what is known as Gaijja-Paijja. They

do not kill any living creature during these three

days. They celebrate the last day of as the main

festival day. On this special day they cook a mixed

curry with five types of vegetables, which they call

Pachan. In the afternoon, the teenagers play

traditional games like Ghila and Bou-chi. Gaijja-Paijja: Gaijja-Paijja means going for the somersault on the ground and is practiced by the tribal boys and girls during the first day of

Water Festival, a joyful part of Baisabi

History & Culture

Baisabi Festival of the tribal community


Celebration of birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation

On 17 March 2010,

Bangladesh Embassy

in Stockholm observed

the 90th birth anniver-

sary of the Father of

the Nation Ban-

gabandhu Sheikh Mu-

jibur Rahman and Na-

tional Children’s Day

2010 in the Chancery

premises in a befitting manner with due zeal and

enthusiasm. On this occasion, the Mission organ-

ized discussion meeting, documentary film show,

and cultural function. The event was participated by

large number of guests with

the presence and participation

of a good number of children. The programme began with the recitation from the holy books of the followers of all faiths present there. Chil-dren laid flowers at a por-

trait of Bangabandhu kept at the premises. After the

messages from Hon’ble President and Hon’ble

Prime Minister on the occasion being read out, a

documentary on the life of Bangabandhu was

shown. Some of the guests took part in the dis-

cussion on Bangabandhu. In his speech, His Excellency the Ambassador

remarked that Bangabandhu was the

greatest Bangalee of the history. Drawing

attention to the

parents he re-

quested them to

t e a c h t h e i r

children the true

history of Bang-

ladesh and let

them learn from the life of Bangabandhu. He

asked everyone to be fully committed towards

establishing the rights of children who would

grow up to take over the responsibility of the

country and mentioned that this was essential for

realization of a prosperous Bangladesh dreamt of

by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The discussion meeting was followed by a cultural function, participated mainly by children and local artistes. Towards the end of the programme, buffet dinner was served.

Embassy Activities

The 39th Anniversary of the Inde-

pendence and National Day of

Bangladesh was celebrated in the

Embassy on 26 March 2010 in a be-

fitting manner. The programme

started in the morning with hoisting of the national

flag. This was followed by a special prayer of-

fered for the salvation of the soul of the Martyrs

and for the continued peace and prosperity of

Bangladesh. The flag hoisting ceremony was fol-

lowed by a discussion meeting, chaired by H.E.

the Ambassador, at the Chancery.

Celebration of the Independence and National Day 2010


Embassy Activities

15 KALEIDOSCOPE

In his speech, H.E. the Ambassador paid rich trib-

utes to the martyrs of the Liberation War. He said

that Bangladesh got its political independence in

1971 and has been working under many adversities

and challenges towards attaining economic free-

dom. He mentioned that the government has al-

ready taken many bold and progressive steps

which give nation glimpses of hope of a prosperous

Bangladesh. “We all need true patriotism and

unity”, he said, “for moving towards our cherished

goal of attaining peace, progress and prosperity,

for which the country was liberated in 1971”.

Lauding the forming

of Tribunal for Trial

of War Criminals just

before the 39th Anni-

versary of Independ-

ence of Bangladesh,

he mentioned that no

crime against humanity should go unpunished. The Embassy arranged a National Day reception

in the evening. A large number of Bangladeshi paint-ings were displayed in the reception hall. The pro-

gramme was attended by, among others, members of the Swed-ish parliament, officials of the host government, representatives from

SIDA, foreign diplomats, journalists, businessmen, and other dignitaries of the host country and their spouses. A large number of Bangladeshis and Swed-ish-Bangladeshis, along with their spouses, from dif-ferent parts of Sweden also attended the programme enthusiastically.

To know more about the Embassy’s activities, please contact :-

The Embassy of Bangladesh, Stockholm Anderstorpsvägen 12, 1 tr., 171 54, Solna, Sweden Phone : +46-8-730 5850 Fax : +46-8-730 5870 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.bangladoot.se

Pohela Boishakh, 1417, the Bangla Nobo Borsho

was celebrated by this Mission on 14 April 2010 in

the Chancery premises in a befitting manner with

due colour and festivity. The programme included

cultural events and traditional food festival. A large

number of guests attended the program with en-

thusiastic participation of expatriate Bangladesh

nationals and some foreign nationals as well.

In the beginning H.E the Ambassador welcomed all to the celebration and gave a brief history of the event. Right after the address of the Ambassador, the cultural programme began which was designed with a number of dances and songs. A good number of local artists performed in the programme and their lively performance recreated a Bangladesh-like atmosphere.

Celebration of Pahela Boisakh’ 1417


Bangladesh Government Website :

http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/

Prime Minister’s office :

http://www.pmo.gov.bd/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs :

http://www.mofa.gov.bd/

Ministry of Commerce :

http://www.mincom.gov.bd/

National Board of Revenue :

http://www.nbr-bd.org/

Bangladesh Tariff Commission :

http://www.bdtariffcom.org/

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics :

http://www.bbs.gov.bd/

Bangladesh Bank :

http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/

Biman Bangladesh Airlines :

http://www.bimanair.com/

NGO Affairs Bureau :

http://www.ngoab.gov.bd/

Published by : The Embassy of Bangladesh, Anderstorpsvägen 12, 1 tr., 171 54, Solna, Sweden

Telephone : + 46 8 730 5850, Fax : + 46 8 730 5870, Email : [email protected]

For More Information on Bangladesh as well as consular, trade, business and tourist information, please visit Bangladesh Embassy website at http://www.bangladoot.se

Chief Editor : His Excellency, Imtiaz Ahmed Ambassador Editor : Khandker Masudul Alam, First Secretary Graphics & Design by : Tariq Ibne Abedin,

Trade Attaché

IIMPORTANTMPORTANT L LINKSINKS

Government Organizations

Tourism & Media

National Tourism Corporation:

http://www.bangladeshtourism.gov.bd/

Hotel and Travel Guide :

http://www.bangladesh.com/

The Daily Star (English) :

http://www.thedailystar.net/

The Financial Express :

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/

The Daily Ittefaq (Bangla) :

http://www.ittefaq.com/

Trade, Bus iness & Investment

Board of Investment :

http://www.boi.gov.bd/

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) :

http://www.epzbangladesh.org.bd/

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Asso-ciation (BGMEA) :

http://www.bgmea.com/

Export Promotion Bureau :

http://epb.gov.bd/

Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies & Firms :

http://www.roc.gov.bd/

Privatization Commission of Bangladesh :

http://www.pc.gov.bd/

The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry :

http://www.fbcci-bd.org/

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry :

http://www.dhakachamber.com/

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

http://www.chittagongchamber.com/

Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry :

http://www.ficci.org.bd/

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry :

http://www.mccibd.org/

Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited :

http://www.dsebd.org/

Chittagong Stock Exchange :

http://csebd.com/cse/start.html

Business Information :

http://www.bizinfo-bangladesh.com/

Bangladesh Yellow Pages :

http://www.bgyellowpages.com/

The sources of all the articles, news items and other information in this newsletter are basically the newspapers published in Bangladesh. The contents are, therefore, unofficial.

Documents

The Colours of Bangladesh - Stockholm, Sweden 2010.pdf · 39th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangla-desh came to us with renewed hope and aspiration. Day before Bangladesh went