KATHMANDU, July 30 : The main South Asian regional group on Tuesday took new steps toward eliminating tariffs to boost trade in the region, reports AFP. Senior officials from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries began a three-day meeting here to set an agenda for bringing down tariffs. The inter-governmental group on trade liberalisation will make recommendations to the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on how to free up trade. The meeting was inaugurated by SAARC Secretary General Naeem U Hasan who stressed the importance of regional cooperation for developing regional trade and commerce through concessional tariffs. The member nations set up the South Asian Preferential...
The government has appointed Iftikharul Karim as ambassador to South Korea, a foreign ministry press release said yesterday, reports BSS.
A career diplomat, Karim was the Director General (South Asia) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to his present posting.
He served in various capacities in Bangladesh embassies and missions in Stockholm, Ankara, Geneva and Washington.
Professor Kathryn B Ward of the Department of Sociology, University of Southern Illinois, US paid a courtesy call on Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AK Azad Chowdhury at the latter's office yesterday.
...The newly appointed ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh U Ohn Thwin presented his credentials to President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday, reports BSS.
...CHITTAGONG, Jan 26:The Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal J Weerakkody visited Chittagong today, an ISPR press release said, reports BSS.
On arrival at the BAF Base Zahurul Haque, Air Marshal Weerakkody and members of his entourage were received by the air Officer Commanding of the Base. They were briefed on the on-going training activity on the occasion and were taken round various units and training institutions including the training wing.
Earlier, a BAF contingent presented him with guard of honour.
Visiting Chief of staff of Kuwait Armed Forces Lt General Ali Mohammad Al-Moumen made a courtesy call on President and the Supreme Commander of Bangladesh Armed Forces Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday, reports BSS.
Welcoming the Kuwait Army Chief, President Shahabuddin said that Bangladesh and Kuwait have been maintaining excellent bilateral relations on defence cooperation.
Among others, Secretary to the President Ismail Hossain, Chief of Army Staff Lt General Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman and Kuwait Ambassador to Bangladesh Ali Hossain Al-Sammakh were present on the occasion.
The government has decided to appoint Aminul Hossain Sarker, a career diplomat, as the country's ambassador to Kuwait, reports BSS.
Sarker, now a director-general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joined the foreign service in 1973.
A freedom fighter Sarker has held different positions at home and abroad during his long career.
Talks between Bangladesh and India on major bilateral issues, some of them longstanding irritants, entered their second day yesterday, but negotiations failed to reach a consensus, reports UNB.
...Visiting Chief of Air Force of Sri Lanka Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Jatiya Sangsad office yesterday morning, reports BSS.
...Osman Siddique is the new US ambassador to Fiji. He happens to be a Bangladeshi-American.
...President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmad and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday felicitated their Australian counterparts on the eve of the National Day of their country today, reports UNB.
...
