Archive for April 4th, 2007
Wednesday, April 4th, 2007The 14th Saarc summit began in New Delhi yesterday with a call for tangible measures to deliver on the existing trade agreements, combat terrorism and alleviate poverty so the grouping graduates to an 'action-oriented' body. The South Asian leaders said the Saarc's expansion with Afghanistan as the new entrant and the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union as observers reflects the growing economic and strategic importance of South Asia to the world.They hoped it all would give the regional body a much-needed stimulus to move forward.The observers stressed that alongside more connectivity within, South Asia ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007The 53 arrested high profile persons, including leaders of both Awami League and BNP, will not be freed from jails soon as the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday stayed for one month the High Court (HC) rulings declaring their detentions illegal.The SC Appellate Division also accepted the government's leave to appeal petitions against the HC order. The appeals will also be heard after a month.The seven-member full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Ruhul Amin yesterday passed the order and granted the government's appeal.Many high profile former ministers and lawmakers, businessmen and professionals were arrested after the ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday asked the larger South Asian countries to take greater responsibility to extend support to the region's "less-developed" nations and stressed the need for addressing non-tariff barriers to better integrate South Asian economies."Those who are larger and better resourced among us have a greater responsibility to extend support to those lower down the scale of development," said Fakhruddin in his address at the inaugural session of the 14th Saarc summit at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhaban yesterday.Attending his first major international summit, Fakhruddin said, "To optimise the potential of Safta, we must pursue trade-facilitation measures and address ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007In a major step towards opening its markets, India yesterday announced that it will allow zero duty access to least developed countries (LDCs) of South Asia by the year end and reduce the sensitive list in respect of these nations while unilaterally liberalising visas for certain categories. Inaugurating the 14th Saarc Summit here, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasised that peace was a primary requirement for prosperity in South Asia. He asked member countries to implement in a "meaningful and sincere manner" the commitments and pledges to root out terrorism.Referring to the flagging off of Saarc car rally moments ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007World Bank (WB) is likely to release $ 200 million before the next budget as it deems that the government of Bangladesh is on the "right track" to implement the conditions under the bank's Development Support Credit (DSC IV).The indication came during a press briefing by Sadiq Ahmed, WB sector director, poverty reduction and economic management, South Asia, at the bank's Dhaka office yesterday.Ahmed said a WB team would have negotiation meetings with the government from April 8 to 10."After those meetings, the team will convey the outcomes to the World Bank Board. The board in its May 29 meeting ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007Tarique Rahman, son of immediate past prime minister Khaleda Zia, was taken back to Dhaka Central Jail Hospital yesterday after having several diagnostic tests done at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).Tarique was taken to BSMMU for the diagnostics since the hospital at Dhaka Central Jail is not equipped to conduct the necessary diagnostics advised by his physician.On March 29, at the request of jail authorities, Associate Prof Dr Mohammad Shamsuzzaman of Department of Orthopaedics at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) treated Tarique for his persistent back pain.Dr Shamsuzzaman advised X-rays, blood tests and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007India yesterday assumed the chairmanship of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) for the next one year, while Afghanistan became a full member of the regional grouping.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lead the eight-member regional grouping that kicked off in Dhaka in 1985 with a shared vision of a prosperous South Asia.The outgoing chair, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed, handed over the helm to the Indian prime minister in the inaugural session of the 14th Saarc Summit that began at Vigyan Bhaban.Afghanistan was formally admitted to the Saarc through the signing of a joint ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday announced a five-point roadmap to make the Saarc relevant to South Asians, saying that vitiated political atmosphere, disputes and mistrust slowed down the forum in gaining its desired goals. "How relevant is Saarc to our people? How has it impacted on their lives? Where is the Saarc dividend for our people? These are some of the challenging questions that we, as leaders of South Asia, must answer," he said in his speech at the opening session of the 14th summit.Aziz suggested an environment of genuine peace and security in the region by resolving differences ...
(read more) Wednesday, April 4th, 2007Asserting that the time has come to move away from 'fancy rhetoric', Sri Lanka yesterday said Saarc must become a Union and adopt a single currency for achieving its political and economic pursuits. "I strongly believe that Saarc must become a Union where we will endeavour to achieve our political and economic pursuits. It is also high time that we adopt a single currency," Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his speech at 14th Saarc Summit.Rajapaksa said adopting a single currency would enhance productivity of the region and improve trade without barriers.He said while countries, particularly in ...
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