DHAKA — U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen inaugurated a new Smart Warehouse of Paxar Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of global materials science and manufacturing company Avery Dennison, at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar on Monday. The technology-driven facility is designed to strengthen supply-chain efficiency and improve the speed and accuracy of supplying labels and other products to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment and footwear industries.

The 830-square-metre warehouse has been integrated with Paxar Bangladesh’s existing operations and can accommodate approximately 25,000 cartons at a time. Receiving, storage, order picking, packing and dispatch operations will be managed through digital and automated technologies.

The new facility is part of Avery Dennison’s broader Manufacturing 4.0 initiative and reflects the company’s efforts to introduce greater automation, digital connectivity and supply-chain visibility into its Bangladesh operations.

The warehouse incorporates seven automated guided vehicles (AGVs), advanced warehouse management systems and connected packing software. According to Avery Dennison, the system is designed to deliver real-time visibility across the fulfillment process, with processing speeds increasing by 72 percent, inbound volume capacity rising fivefold, outbound velocity doubling and inventory density increasing by 50 percent.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen said technology, productivity and supply-chain efficiency were important for strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness. He said American companies could further enhance Bangladesh’s industrial capabilities through technology, expertise and investment, adding that initiatives such as Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse demonstrated the potential for deeper commercial and economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

“Congratulations to Avery Dennison on the opening of its new Smart Warehouse in Bangladesh. This investment is an excellent example of American business, technology, and innovation strengthening the commercial relationship between our two countries,” Christensen said.

The inauguration was attended by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil; American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Syed Mohammad Kamal; and members of Avery Dennison’s executive leadership team.

Major General Moazzem Hossain said technology-driven investment was increasing the capacity and productivity of enterprises operating in the EPZs while making Bangladesh’s export industries more competitive.

He described Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse as an example of Bangladesh’s progress toward smart manufacturing, automation and modern supply-chain management.

“Companies like Avery Dennison are bringing not only investment to Bangladesh, but also technology, knowledge and modern production practices,” he said. He also emphasized that technology transfer and development of a skilled local workforce were among the important long-term benefits of foreign direct investment.

Before the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen met with the BEPZA executive chairman at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office. During the meeting, BEPZA briefed him on its activities, investments in the EPZs, exports, employment, labour conditions and worker-management relations.

The discussions also focused on technology-driven investment, international standards and opportunities to strengthen Bangladesh-U.S. economic and trade relations. Christensen later wrote in the visitors’ book that he looked forward to working together on a mutually beneficial trade agenda to help unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential. He also planted a sapling on the Zone Office premises.

Avery Dennison said the new facility was developed in response to growing demand from customers for faster fulfillment, greater customization and more transparent supply chains.

Michael Barton, senior vice president and general manager of Apparel Solutions at Avery Dennison, said Bangladesh remained an important part of the company’s global apparel business.

He said the company was committed to growing alongside Bangladesh’s apparel industry as customer requirements become faster, more customized and increasingly data-driven. The new facility combines automation, connected systems and the expertise of Avery Dennison’s teams to improve the speed and reliability of service to customers.

Sazzad Hossain, general manager for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Avery Dennison’s Apparel Solutions, said accuracy and speed were increasingly important as customers dealt with demanding production schedules and more complex orders.

He said improved inventory visibility and closer integration of packing, storage and dispatch operations would help the company respond more effectively to shorter lead times and customized production requirements.

The Smart Warehouse will serve apparel and footwear manufacturers in Bangladesh and global markets by improving inventory visibility, reducing picking delays and logistics errors, and enabling faster response to customer requirements.

Avery Dennison’s wider apparel solutions portfolio includes Embelex, an apparel embellishment platform covering heat transfers, embroidered patches, woven labels and specialty graphics, as well as Optica, its supply-chain solutions portfolio, and RFID and other digital identification technologies.

Paxar Bangladesh has been operating at the Dhaka EPZ since 2003. The U.S.-owned company has invested approximately $81 million in Bangladesh and currently employs around 1,500 people, according to BEPZA and media reports.

The opening of the Smart Warehouse comes as Bangladesh seeks to improve productivity, technological capacity and supply-chain efficiency in its export-oriented manufacturing sector. The investment also highlights the growing role of U.S. companies in bringing advanced technology, expertise and modern production practices to Bangladesh.

Avery Dennison’s latest investment is therefore being viewed not only as an expansion of its own operations but also as an example of how American technology and investment can contribute to Bangladesh’s transition toward smarter, more digitally connected manufacturing.

DHAKA: Bangladesh-US trade relations could see more positive outcomes over the next 30 years and beyond if Bangladesh fulfills its commitments under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen has said. He made the remarks on Saturday (September 12) at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham Bangladesh) in the capital.

“Congratulations to the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh on 30 years of advancing US-Bangladesh commercial relations. Over the past 30 years, AmCham Bangladesh has been a reliable partner of the US government, and I am confident that if Bangladesh fulfills its commitments under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, we will see even more positive results over the next 30 years and beyond,” the ambassador said.

Current and former AmCham leaders, representatives of member companies, government policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and other distinguished guests attended the event. The programme was organized to commemorate AmCham Bangladesh’s three-decade contribution to strengthening Bangladesh-US economic relations, particularly in trade and investment.

The event began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States, followed by a screening of a commemorative documentary titled “30 Years of Making Possibilities Possible,” produced to mark AmCham Bangladesh’s 30th anniversary.

In his welcome address, AmCham Bangladesh President Syed Mohammad Kamal highlighted the organization’s journey from a vision three decades ago to becoming a strong platform for business, investment and Bangladesh-US economic partnership.

He expressed gratitude to the chamber’s founding members and former leaders for their vision, leadership and contributions to its development. Speaking about AmCham’s future priorities, Kamal emphasized the need for a clear two-year energy roadmap, a more investment-friendly business environment, greater attention to intellectual property rights and cybersecurity, and effective implementation of regulatory reforms.

He also urged the government to make greater use of the global experience, technology, knowledge and capabilities of AmCham and its member companies. At the event, AmCham Bangladesh Vice President and MetLife Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Uddin Ahmed announced the launch of the “AmCham Excellence Award” to recognize outstanding contributions across various sectors.

DHAKA — The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold Union Parishad (UP) elections across the country in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for November 12 this year. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah disclosed the decision while speaking to journalists at the Election Building in Agargaon on Monday.

“Elections need to be held swiftly in around 4,272 UPs out of a total of 4,580 UPs as there is a legal obligation to hold elections within the 180-day period before the expiry of their terms,” he said. He said the preliminary election schedule had been prepared taking into consideration students’ annual examinations and major religious festivals.

According to the schedule, voting in the first phase will be held on November 12, the second phase on December 13 and the third phase on December 30. The preliminary dates for the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh phases have been set for January 17, February 4, April 22 and May 27, respectively, in 2027. EC Sanaullah said efforts would be made to complete elections in most Union Parishads within the first five phases.

Giving details of the first phase, he said voting would be held in Union Parishads across around 80 upazilas in 63 districts, excluding Thakurgaon, where a by-election is currently underway. District Sadar upazilas will receive priority in the first phase. Three upazilas in districts with a large number of upazilas, such as Chattogram and Cumilla, and two upazilas in districts having 10 or more upazilas will also be included in the first phase.

As part of the preparations, an inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled for September 17, followed by a law-and-order meeting on September 21. The Commission will also hold a three-day dialogue with all registered political parties on September 23, 24 and 25 to discuss preparations for a well-organised election similar to the national parliamentary election.

Two representatives from each registered political party will participate in the discussions. Asked about amendments to electoral laws, Election Commissioner Sanaullah said the elections would initially be conducted under the existing laws.

DHAKA — A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the freezing of four bank accounts, two beneficiary owner (BO) accounts and two savings certificates held in the names of former Shariatpur-2 lawmaker AKM Enamul Haque Shamim and his wife, Mst Tahmina Khatun, amid an inquiry into allegations of corruption and money laundering.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Shahjahan Kabir passed the order following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the ACC, an inquiry is underway into allegations of money laundering involving Shamim and individuals and organisations linked to his interests.

During the inquiry, investigators found information about various bank accounts, BO accounts and savings certificates held in the names of Shamim and his wife, the commission said. Two of the bank accounts are in Shamim’s name at National Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch and First Security Islami Bank PLC’s Dilkusha Branch.

The other two bank accounts are in Tahmina Khatun’s name at National Bank PLC’s Foreign Exchange Branch and National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch. Tahmina Khatun also holds two BO accounts with Sinha Securities Limited and NBL Securities Limited, along with two family savings certificates registered with the Department of National Savings.

The ACC told the court that information obtained during the inquiry indicated that the individuals named in the allegations were allegedly attempting to transfer, hand over or dispose of funds and other assets held in the accounts and certificates.

The commission said that if the assets were transferred or disposed of, recovering the money later could become difficult. It therefore sought an immediate freeze on the accounts and savings certificates to prevent the withdrawal, transfer or disposal of the funds. After hearing the ACC’s application, the court granted the plea and ordered the freezing of the movable assets.

DHAKA – Bangladesh and China today discussed cooperation on the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor alongside a wide range of bilateral areas, including infrastructure, energy, human-resource development and economic cooperation.

The issues came up when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, at her office here, according to a foreign ministry press release.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone and development of Mongla Port.

They also discussed the proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human-resource development, people-to-people exchanges, energy cooperation, including renewable energy, and women’s empowerment.

Shama recalled Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s successful visit to China and appreciated Beijing’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in infrastructure, human development and capacity building.

Ambassador Yao reaffirmed China’s commitment to Bangladesh as a trusted partner and friend and highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. During the meeting, the Chinese envoy also invited the state minister to visit China at a mutually convenient time, leading a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh. Shama welcomed the invitation and expressed appreciation for the initiative.

DHAKA: Adani Power has resumed operation of both units of its power plant in India and is now supplying 1,046.73 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid. “We have finally brought both units of the power plant back into operation today after resolving the technical faults, and generation is being increased gradually,” a company official said. Power generation from Unit-2 of Adani Power’s Godda plant in Jharkhand resumed today following repairs to a mechanical fault.

According to the latest information from Adani Power, electricity supply to Bangladesh resumed after the fault was repaired, with 1,046.73 MW connected to the national grid at around 2pm. Unit-2 had remained out of operation since midnight Thursday due to the technical problem.

Earlier, electricity supply from the Adani plant resumed when the 800-MW Unit-1 was connected to the national grid at 12:04pm, said Mohammad Jahurul Islam, a member of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Bangladesh imports electricity from Adani Power under a 25-year power purchase agreement signed in 2017 to procure 1,600 MW from its coal-fired power plant in Godda.

Data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) showed that Adani Power had been supplying around 800-1,000 MW of electricity to Bangladesh since mid-August. The Godda plant consists of two 800-MW units and supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh under a long-term agreement with the BPDB.According to the BPDB, Bangladesh’s electricity demand stands at around 15,520 MW during the daytime peak period, while demand rises to approximately 16,920 MW during the evening peak.

An energy expert said the country’s power situation is improving following the resumption of electricity supplies from Adani Power. He said the government is also working to restore the power situation to normal and reduce load shedding across the country.

DHAKA: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said democracy must be institutionalized and the local government system strengthened to consolidate democracy in the country. He made the remarks when administrators from 33 district councils paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon. Describing local government as one of the key pillars of democracy, the president urged the district council administrators to work actively to eliminate corruption left behind by the previous era.

During the meeting, the district council administrators placed several demands before the president, including raising their status. The president assured them of government cooperation in resolving their problems, saying, “This government is the government of the people and will take quick steps in this regard.”

Fakhrul Islam said the government is working seriously to strengthen the local government system as part of efforts to decentralize power. The president also recalled the active participation of district council administrators in restoring democracy and their role in the long-running movement against fascism. He urged the administrators to bring greater dynamism to development activities, ensure effective citizen services at the local level, and maintain administrative transparency.

Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged US-based global energy company Chevron to increase its investment in exploring new gas fields in Bangladesh to strengthen the country’s energy security and meet growing domestic demand.

The prime minister made the call on Sunday (September 13) during a meeting with a high-level Chevron delegation led by Javier La Rosa, president of Base Assets and Emerging Countries, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh Secretariat.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin confirmed the matter.

According to him, the meeting focused on investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s energy sector, particularly increasing Chevron’s investment in existing and mature gas fields as well as exploring new gas fields in the country.

The discussions also covered ways to expand investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector to help ensure a stable supply of natural gas amid rising demand.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, Chevron Bangladesh President and Managing Director Xu Xiong, and other senior officials concerned.

Mujib Rahman, Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave for the United States on September 21 to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry on September 13, Kabir said the prime minister would remain in New York until September 26.

“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave for the United States on September 21 to attend the UN General Assembly,” Kabir said. “During the visit, he will present Bangladesh’s new vision and priorities on the global stage.”

The state minister said the prime minister is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders during his stay in New York, alongside a number of important sideline meetings.

“Along with presenting Bangladesh’s vision to the international community, discussions will also focus on a range of issues concerning the country’s national interests,” Kabir said.

Asked whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would meet US President Donald Trump during his New York visit, Kabir said the prime minister’s primary purpose was to attend the UN General Assembly and deliver his address.

“There will be some meetings on the sidelines. Such meetings are often decided at the very last moment,” he said.

“Donald Trump has said that he wants to meet the prime minister. When he goes there, we will inform you about whom he meets or holds discussions with. There will be nothing secret about it, and you will be informed,” Kabir added. The state minister also said a special sideline meeting on resolving the Rohingya crisis is expected to be organized during the prime minister’s visit to the United States.

“The Rohingya issue will receive significant attention in the prime minister’s meetings with world leaders,” Kabir said.

Bangladesh is once again facing a serious public health test. On one side, measles is spreading at an alarming rate; on the other, dengue cases are rising rapidly. The two diseases are different in nature, transmission and prevention. Yet their consequences are converging at the same point—the lives of people, the economic burden on families and the capacity of the country’s healthcare system.

What is particularly concerning is that measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. Effective vaccines have been available for decades. Yet gaps in vaccination coverage, disruptions in routine immunisation programmes and inadequate public awareness have allowed a preventable disease to develop into a major health concern. When this happens, it is no longer simply a medical problem; it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the public health system.

Dengue, meanwhile, is not a new challenge for Bangladesh. The country has faced recurring outbreaks, particularly during and after the monsoon season. With years of experience in dealing with dengue, Bangladesh should have stronger forecasting, prevention and preparedness mechanisms in place. Yet whenever hospitals come under pressure from a growing number of patients, the same question returns: are we learning enough from previous outbreaks?

The greatest victims of this double health burden are children. Measles can be particularly dangerous for young children, while dengue can also become severe rapidly, especially when warning signs are missed. When the two diseases surge simultaneously, hospitals face additional pressure for beds, doctors, nurses, diagnostic facilities, medicines and other essential resources.

This brings us to the most important question: Are our hospitals prepared?

Simply increasing the number of hospital beds will not answer that question. Hospitals are the final line of defence. The real strength of a public health system lies in its ability to prevent people from reaching the hospital in the first place.

For measles, that means strengthening routine immunisation, identifying children who have missed vaccines and ensuring that they receive appropriate vaccination without delay. Vaccination efforts must reach not only urban communities but also children living in remote areas, informal settlements and other underserved communities.

The fight against dengue must begin outside hospitals. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites, preventing stagnant water, improving sanitation and ensuring coordinated action by health authorities and local governments are essential. Treating patients after they become seriously ill cannot be the country’s only strategy.

Urban management is equally important. Construction sites, abandoned containers, rooftops, drains and other places where water accumulates can become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. Efforts to eliminate such sites must be continuous rather than limited to short-term campaigns or occasional drives. What is needed is regular monitoring and accountability at the local level.

Another critical issue is data. Health authorities need timely information on where measles and dengue cases are increasing, which communities are most affected and which age groups face the greatest risks. Early and accurate data can allow authorities to respond before an outbreak becomes unmanageable. In modern public health management, success is not simply measured by how well a country responds after an outbreak; it is measured by how effectively it anticipates and prevents one.

We must also remember that a child’s death is never merely a statistic. Behind every death is a family, a future and dreams that will never be fulfilled. When children die from diseases that can be prevented or effectively managed, society has every reason to ask difficult questions about the effectiveness of public policy and healthcare delivery.

Increasing investment in healthcare is essential. But funding alone is not enough. There must also be transparency over how resources are spent, whether those resources reach the communities that need them and whether health authorities are capable of managing crises effectively.

The public also has a role to play. Parents must ensure that children receive their recommended vaccinations. Fever, rash, breathing difficulties or other concerning symptoms should not be ignored. People must also take responsibility for eliminating stagnant water around their homes and communities. But public awareness cannot become an excuse for institutional shortcomings. The state must ensure that citizens have access to reliable information, affordable healthcare and essential preventive services.

The simultaneous spread of measles and dengue should be treated as a serious warning. The question is not simply how many people have been infected or how many hospital beds remain available. The larger question is whether Bangladesh is building a health system capable of identifying risks early and containing outbreaks before they overwhelm hospitals.

Keeping hospitals prepared is essential. But an even greater priority is building a public health system in which the strongest line of defence exists before a patient reaches the hospital. Measles reminds us that no gap in vaccination coverage is safe. Dengue reminds us that the battle for public health begins not inside hospitals, but in homes, neighbourhoods and the way our cities are managed.

The response now must be based not on panic but on coordinated action. Bangladesh needs immediate medical preparedness alongside long-term prevention strategies. If this double outbreak becomes an opportunity to strengthen the country’s public health system, then the painful lessons of today can help prevent even greater losses tomorrow. The question, therefore, is not simply whether our hospitals are ready. The real question is whether our entire health system is ready.