New York Correspondent: The upcoming election of the Bangladesh Society of New York, one of the largest organizations representing Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States, has become a major topic of discussion within New York’s Bangladeshi community. The election is scheduled for October 25, with approximately 35,000 members expected to be eligible to vote.

Candidates submitted their nomination papers on Sunday, September 6, at Queens Palace in Queens amid a festive atmosphere. More than a thousand supporters and activists attended the event, carrying banners and posters supporting their respective candidates and panels. Supporters also chanted slogans in favor of their preferred candidates.

The election is shaping up as a competitive contest between two major camps. The current president of the Bangladesh Society, Ataur Rahman Selim, and General Secretary Mohammad Ali are leading one panel. Challenging them are Azmal Hossain Kunu for president and Firoz Ahmed for general secretary.

Interestingly, both candidates contesting for the presidency are originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and are business partners in a restaurant business in New York. Despite their business partnership, they are now facing each other as political rivals in the community organization’s election. Syed Fazle Rabbi has submitted his nomination papers as the only independent candidate for the position of general secretary.

The Election Commission accepted nomination papers from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Chief Election Commissioner Abu Naser presided over the nomination process, assisted by Election Commissioners Badrul Hossain Khan, Shamsuddin Azad, Ruhul Amin Sarkar, Ahbab Chowdhury, Mithu Hamid and Mia Mohammad Dulal.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 300,000 Bangladeshis live in New York, while approximately 35,000 people have become members of the Bangladesh Society. Membership required a $20 fee, generating approximately $700,000 in membership revenue for the organization.

A total of 21 positions will be contested in this year’s election. Nomination fees range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the position. The nomination fee for president is $6,000, while candidates for general secretary must pay $5,000. Candidates running for member positions are required to pay a $2,000 nomination fee.

The unusually high nomination fees have sparked considerable discussion within the community. Many observers say the amount required to run for office in a nonprofit community organization is notable, particularly when compared with the overall cost of participating in the election.

The presidential and general secretary nomination fees of $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, have drawn particular attention. Beyond nomination fees, candidates and their supporters are expected to spend significant amounts on campaign activities, meetings and rallies, posters, banners, social media promotion and other election-related activities.

As a result, the Bangladesh Society election is increasingly being viewed as one of the most expensive community elections in the history of New York’s Bangladeshi community, particularly in terms of nomination and campaign expenses.

The final outcome will be determined through voting on October 25. As election day approaches, campaign activities are expected to intensify, with competing panels and candidates increasing their outreach and mobilization efforts across the community.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, NEW YORK — Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is set to assume the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, placing a Bangladeshi diplomat at the helm of the UN’s most representative body at a critical moment for global diplomacy. Rahman will formally open the 81st General Assembly session at United Nations Headquarters in New York at 3 p.m. local time on September 8, succeeding Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. The session will run through September 7, 2027.

His year-long presidency comes as the international community faces continuing conflicts, climate emergencies, development challenges and growing concerns over trust in multilateral institutions. The United Nations has identified the theme of the 81st session as “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Rahman was elected president of the 81st session in June after defeating Cyprus’ candidate, Andreas Kakouris, in a closely contested secret-ballot vote. He received 99 votes, compared with 91 for Kakouris, out of 190 ballots cast.

The presidency marks Bangladesh’s return to the top post of the General Assembly after four decades. The first Bangladeshi to hold the position was former Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, who presided over the 41st session in 1986–87.

Rahman’s tenure will coincide with several major developments at the United Nations, including the high-level General Debate from September 22 to 28 and the selection of a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.

The 81st session is expected to address a wide range of global issues, including conflicts, climate change, sustainable development, pandemic preparedness, nuclear disarmament and reform of the United Nations.

For Bangladesh, Rahman’s presidency represents a significant diplomatic milestone and provides the country with a prominent platform to contribute to international consensus-building during a period of major geopolitical and institutional change.

NEW YORK — The Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA), one of the longest-running platforms representing Bangladeshi communities in North America, is marking nearly four decades amid a deepening leadership dispute that has resulted in separate conventions being organized in four U.S. cities.

The divisions have raised questions about the future direction of the organization, with critics accusing rival groups of moving away from FOBANA’s original objectives and focusing instead on personal influence and leadership control.

FOBANA was established as a platform intended to bring Bangladeshi community organizations together in North America. Over the years, its annual convention has become an important gathering for Bangladeshi Americans, featuring cultural programs, community discussions and organizational activities. However, disagreements over leadership and organizational control have increasingly divided the community platform.

Four conventions reflect growing divisions

The latest dispute has resulted in four separate FOBANA conventions being held in different U.S. cities, highlighting the extent of the organizational split. The competing groups have each claimed legitimacy and sought to maintain their own leadership structures, while disagreements have continued over the organization’s direction and representation of Bangladeshi community organizations in North America.

The fragmentation has also prompted criticism from members of the Bangladeshi diaspora who believe FOBANA should return to its original mission of strengthening cooperation among community organizations.

Some community representatives have accused the competing leadership factions of using FOBANA as a vehicle for personal influence, rather than concentrating on broader community interests.

Questions over FOBANA’s future

The leadership conflict comes at a time when the Bangladeshi-American community in North America has grown significantly. Community organizations now play an increasingly visible role in cultural preservation, youth engagement, charitable activities and advocacy.

Supporters of a unified FOBANA argue that a single representative platform would give Bangladeshi community organizations greater influence and help coordinate activities across North America.

The competing conventions, however, have made it increasingly difficult to maintain that unified role. Community leaders and observers say resolving the dispute will require the different factions to prioritize FOBANA’s founding objectives over personal or organizational rivalries.

As FOBANA approaches its 40-year milestone, the organization faces a critical question: whether it can overcome its internal divisions and rebuild a common platform for Bangladeshi community organizations across North America. For many in the diaspora, the anniversary is therefore not only a celebration of FOBANA’s history but also an opportunity to reconsider what the organization should represent in the decades ahead.

DHAKA — Bangladesh’s measles outbreak continues to claim lives, with three more people dying after developing suspected measles symptoms, according to health authorities. The latest deaths bring the nationwide toll among people who have died with suspected measles symptoms to nearly 1,000, highlighting the continuing pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system.

During the latest 24-hour reporting period, 964 people sought hospital treatment for suspected measles symptoms, while 977 patients were admitted, according to figures reported by bdnews24.

Dhaka Division has recorded the highest number of deaths linked to suspected measles symptoms, with 401 deaths reported so far. The figures include both confirmed measles-related deaths and deaths among patients who exhibited symptoms associated with the disease. The continuing fatalities come despite nationwide efforts to expand measles vaccination and strengthen hospital capacity.

Health officials have been monitoring the outbreak since March, when the Directorate General of Health Services began regularly publishing data on patients with measles and measles-like symptoms. Earlier government figures showed that hundreds of people had died while tens of thousands required hospital treatment.

The outbreak has placed additional pressure on hospitals already dealing with a surge in dengue infections. Bangladesh has also reported a sharp increase in dengue hospitalisations in recent months, creating an increasingly difficult public-health environment.

Public-health specialists have previously raised concerns about vaccination coverage, gaps in disease surveillance and the capacity of hospitals to manage severe measles cases and complications.

Measles can be particularly dangerous for young children and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and other infections, especially among patients who are malnourished or otherwise vulnerable.

The government has conducted emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas and later expanded vaccination efforts nationwide. Officials have said millions of children have received vaccines as part of the response.

However, the persistence of deaths and new hospital admissions suggests that the outbreak remains a serious public-health challenge. Health authorities are continuing to monitor suspected cases and hospital admissions as Bangladesh attempts to contain both measles and dengue outbreaks simultaneously.

DHAKA – Bangladesh Bank (BB) today increased the annual foreign exchange entitlement for Bangladeshi citizens travelling abroad to $18,000 from $12,000, aiming to facilitate genuine travel-related foreign exchange requirements. The central bank announced the decision through FE/PD-1 Circular No. 33, issued today by its Foreign Exchange Policy Department-1.

According to the circular, authorised dealers (ADs) may now release foreign exchange to an adult Bangladeshi national residing in Bangladesh for overseas travel during a calendar year up to $18,000 or its equivalent.

“With a view to facilitating genuine travel-related foreign exchange requirements of Bangladeshi nationals and considering the evolving needs of international travel, Bangladesh Bank decided to enhance the annual travel entitlement,” the circular said.

However, the foreign exchange entitlement for minors below 12 years of age will remain at 50 percent of the amount admissible for adults. The central bank also clarified that the release of foreign exchange in the form of US dollar notes will remain capped at $5,000 per person within the applicable annual entitlement.

All other instructions relating to the release of foreign exchange for travel abroad will remain unchanged, it said. Bangladesh Bank asked all authorised dealers to bring the contents of the circular to the notice of relevant clients.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will advance Bangladesh’s national interests, economic potential and development opportunities globally under the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said today.

“This year’s session is an extremely important one for Bangladesh. It marks a new journey, a new possibility and a new aspiration,” she said. She was addressing a discussion titled “Upcoming UNGA and Branding of Bangladesh” as the chief guest at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.

The Centre for Non-Resident Bangladeshi (Centre for NRB), a non-profit research organisation for expatriate Bangladeshis, organised the event. Shama said the prime minister would attend the UNGA for the first time since the establishment of the new democratic government.

Guided by the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy, Tarique Rahman would present Bangladesh to the international community as a democratic, confident, responsible and promising nation, she added.

The high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to begin in New York on September 21. It will address poverty eradication, climate change, pandemic prevention, nuclear disarmament and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, among other pressing global issues. Shama said the session carries added significance as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman will preside over the General Assembly.

Terming his election a matter of national pride, she said Bangladesh secured the presidency despite Cyprus having campaigned for the position for nearly a decade.
She credited the diplomatic success to the coordinated efforts of the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh’s 83 missions abroad, alongside the country’s return to democratic governance and stability.

The state minister said Bangladesh already enjoys considerable respect at the United Nations because of the courage, resilience and sacrifices of its peacekeepers, including women serving in some of the world’s most dangerous missions.

Turning to economic diplomacy, Shama said the government was working to restore transparency and accountability in the banking sector and create an investment-friendly environment for foreign investors and non-resident Bangladeshis.

She said the government had introduced the “Bangladesh Invest” framework to offer investors one-stop services and was expanding digital facilities for company registration and other investment-related procedures. Work is also underway on the “One Citizen, One Card” initiative to consolidate citizens’ information in a single database, she added.

Shama said the government plans to issue 200,000 “Probashi Cards” by 2027 under an initiative of the prime minister to facilitate services for expatriate Bangladeshis. She called upon non-resident Bangladeshis to use their networks to promote the country’s investment opportunities, heritage, tourism, creative industries and exportable products internationally. The state minister said irregular migration and the activities of human trafficking syndicates were damaging Bangladesh’s image abroad.

“For the first time in the history of the Foreign Ministry, we have opened a separate Migration Wing,” she said, adding that it would address irregular migration, expatriates’ difficulties and other migration-related challenges.

She said the foreign and expatriates’ welfare ministries were working jointly with the International Organization for Migration to curb irregular migration and encourage the overseas employment of skilled workers through legal channels. The government has identified districts with higher levels of attempted irregular migration and begun awareness activities at the village, union, upazila and district levels, she said. Shama said the Cabinet had recently approved changes to Bangladesh’s visa policy to simplify business, tourism, work and visa-on-arrival procedures.

“The objective is to make Bangladesh more welcoming and investment-friendly,” she said, adding that reforms were also underway in airport services and tourism.

She stressed the need to diversify Bangladesh’s energy sources and reduce dependence on any single market, saying the government was exploring energy cooperation with African countries alongside additional sources of liquefied natural gas. The government is also promoting solar power, waste-to-energy projects and blue-economy opportunities, she added.

Shama said the Prime Minister’s Office had already been brought under 100-percent solar power, while efforts were underway to expand renewable energy use across government establishments.

Highlighting export diversification, she said the government had placed special emphasis on the creative economy, particularly women-led enterprises, traditional arts, muslin, cottage industries and cultural heritage.

She described jute as an ideal biodegradable alternative to plastic and said Bangladesh would seek to promote jute and jute products during the UN General Assembly. A stall is also planned at the upcoming climate conference in Trkiye to showcase jute as a sustainable natural fibre, she added. On the Rohingya crisis, Shama said a dedicated session would be held during the UN General Assembly with the participation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. She said the crisis had become increasingly complex because of the involvement of the Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army, regional actors and competing international interests.

“Without international pressure, resolving this problem will become very difficult,” she said, urging Bangladeshis abroad and civil-society representatives to help mobilise international support for a sustainable solution. The state minister said Bangladesh should no longer be portrayed internationally merely through floods, disasters or the repatriation of undocumented migrants.

“Bangladesh has opportunities in tourism, business and investment, and it has the potential to be presented properly on the world map,” she said.

Shama said the government was committed to genuine reforms but cautioned that meaningful change would take time and require cooperation from citizens, businesses, civil society and Bangladeshis living overseas.

“We are trying to brand Bangladesh in the right way. The government alone cannot do everything; all of us must work together,” she said.

Centre for NRB Chairperson M S Shekil Chowdhury said the organisation arranged the programme as part of its annual World Conference Series to showcase Bangladesh’s positive developments to the international community. He said the series also seeks to deepen Bangladesh’s global engagement and encourage expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the country and remit their earnings through legal channels.

DHAKA — The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has reminded holders of B1/B2 visitor visas that the visa category does not permit certain activities, including birth tourism, paid employment and formal academic study for credit. The embassy issued the reminder Saturday through its verified social media account, outlining activities that visitors are not authorized to undertake while traveling to the United States on a B1/B2 visa.

According to the embassy, “birth tourism”—traveling to the United States primarily to give birth for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child—is not permitted under a B1/B2 visitor visa.

The embassy also reminded visa holders that they cannot work for or receive remuneration from a U.S. employer or business while in the United States on a visitor visa. Formal study for academic credit is likewise not permitted. Visitors seeking to pursue degree-level or other qualifying academic study generally need an appropriate student visa.

What B1/B2 visas allow

The B1/B2 category is a nonimmigrant visitor visa generally used for temporary business and tourism. The B1 component covers certain temporary business activities, including attending business meetings and consultations, participating in professional or business conferences, negotiating contracts and conducting other permitted business activities that do not constitute employment in the United States.

The B2 component generally covers tourism, vacations, visits to family or friends and medical treatment. The State Department also permits certain short recreational courses that are not taken for academic credit.

Activities prohibited on visitor visas

The U.S. Department of State says visitor visas cannot be used for employment, formal study, permanent residence or professional activities that require another visa category. The department specifically lists employment and study among activities that are not permitted on visitor visas. It also states that working as foreign press, including in print journalism and other information media, is not permitted on a visitor visa. Foreign journalists traveling to the United States to work in their profession generally need the appropriate media visa rather than a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Birth tourism

The State Department separately states that traveling to the United States primarily to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child is not a permissible basis for a visitor visa. The embassy’s reminder comes as the issue of birthright citizenship remains the subject of an ongoing legal and political debate in the United States. A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration’s latest executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, saying the order could not override Supreme Court precedent.

The Embassy’s latest message, however, concerns the permitted uses of the B1/B2 visitor visa and does not itself change the existing visa categories. Travelers are advised to ensure that the purpose of their trip matches the visa category under which they are entering the United States. The State Department notes that travelers who intend to engage in activities requiring another visa category should seek the appropriate visa or, where applicable, follow the required change-of-status procedures.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Bangladesh is set to take a prominent role at the United Nations as Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman assumes the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which opens in New York on September 8.

Rahman was elected President of the 81st session on June 2, defeating Cyprus’s candidate Andreas Kakouris in a closely contested vote. The election placed Bangladesh at the center of one of the UN’s most important diplomatic forums at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and challenges to multilateral cooperation.

The 81st session will run from September 8, 2026, through September 7, 2027. During his one-year term, Rahman will preside over the General Assembly’s deliberations and high-level diplomatic engagements involving representatives of the UN’s 193 member states.

A critical moment for multilateralism

The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring trust and reigniting global solidarity.” The theme reflects the UN’s effort to rebuild confidence in multilateral institutions and strengthen international cooperation at a time when conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries are placing pressure on the international system.

The General Assembly remains the UN’s principal policymaking and representative body, bringing together all 193 member states. Its annual high-level debate provides a platform for world leaders to address major international challenges and outline their countries’ priorities.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic opportunity

Rahman’s election gives Bangladesh an important diplomatic platform on the global stage. As President of the General Assembly, he will be responsible for guiding the Assembly’s proceedings, facilitating negotiations and encouraging dialogue among member states. The position does not give the president executive authority over the United Nations, but it carries significant diplomatic and political visibility.

For Bangladesh, the presidency provides an opportunity to highlight issues that are important to developing countries, including sustainable development, climate change, poverty reduction, migration, global peace and security, and greater international cooperation.

The presidency also comes at a time when developing countries are pressing for a stronger voice in global decision-making and for greater access to financing for development and climate action.

World leaders prepare for high-level week

The opening of the 81st General Assembly will be followed later in September by the UN’s annual high-level week, when presidents, prime ministers and other senior leaders gather in New York. The high-level segment is scheduled for September 22–28, bringing world leaders together for discussions on global cooperation and some of the most pressing international challenges. The gathering is expected to focus attention on ongoing conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, development, climate change and efforts to strengthen the international system.

Bangladesh at the center of UN diplomacy

Bangladesh has maintained a longstanding and active role in the United Nations, particularly on issues involving peacekeeping, development and the interests of developing countries. Rahman’s election to preside over the 81st General Assembly gives Dhaka a high-profile opportunity to contribute to discussions on how the international community can address increasingly complex global challenges.

The presidency will also require Bangladesh to maintain a balance between competing positions among UN member states while ensuring that the General Assembly’s work proceeds effectively. With the 81st session beginning on September 8, attention will now turn to Rahman’s opening priorities and the issues he intends to place at the center of the Assembly’s agenda.

For Bangladesh, the presidency represents both a diplomatic achievement and a significant responsibility as the country takes the chair of the world’s largest multilateral forum for the next year.

DHAKA – A financing agreement for “Modernization and Expansion of Eastern Refinery in Bangladesh” amounting to USD 1004.29 million was signed today during the visit of the Islamic Development Bank Group Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser to Dhaka. The agreement has been signed between the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Dr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, and Anasse Aissami, Director General, Country Programs, IsDB, signed the agreement on behalf of the GoB and IsDB, respectively. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank Group, graced the signing ceremony. The above-mentioned project will be implemented by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

Proper implementation of the project will enhance the BPC’s current refining capacity from 1.5 million MT to 4.5 million MT, contributing to further strengthening the country’s energy security, producing environmentally friendly (Euro-5 standard) petroleum oil, and reducing dependence on imported refined fuel oil, said an ERD press release.

IsDB is one of the trusted multilateral development partners of Bangladesh and has provided continuous support for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh since its inception, in the form of grants, project loans, trade financing, private-sector financing, export credit guarantees, etc.

Immediately after the signing ceremony, the IsDB Group Chairman called on the Prime Minister and expressed his deep commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development priorities. The Prime Minister emphasized that the IsDB should explore opportunities for low-cost financing for its members and stated that Bangladesh will extend all possible cooperation to further deepen the Bangladesh-IsDB partnership.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government’s goal of building a trillion-dollar economy by 2034 is not a slogan but a plan to double the size of the economy through exports, investments, and financial discipline. “Bangladesh has a new government, and Bangladesh has a new direction. Our goal is to build a trillion-dollar economy by 2034. This is not a slogan. It is a plan. We intend to double the size of our economy this decade through exports, investments, and financial discipline,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks during the signing of a financing agreement under which the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will provide around US$1 billion for the modernization and expansion of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) at the Bangladesh Secretariat here today, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Tarique Rahman said his government’s mission is to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub and a gateway to the region. “Garments built our first growth story. Now we want electronics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, and green industry to build the next one. We want factories that create jobs and jobs that create dignity,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s social protection initiatives, including the Family Card and Farmer Card, while saying the Health Card is being processed. Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, disruptions to global supply chains, energy and food insecurity, climate change, technological transformation, and rising development-financing costs, he said partnerships had become more important than ever.

In this context, Prime Minister Tarique called for a new approach to Bangladesh-IsDB cooperation that would be “more innovative, responsive, results-oriented, and closely aligned with Bangladesh’s evolving development priorities.” To reiterate, Bangladesh is focusing more on IsDB and its affiliates as reliable sources of development financing, he said.

Welcoming Dr Al Jasser to Bangladesh, Prime Minister congratulated him on his re-election as chairman of the IsDB Group, saying the bank had achieved significant results for its member countries and the Muslim Ummah under his leadership over the past five years.

“We have every confidence that your second term will bring greater achievements, and my government looks forward to working side by side with you to achieve our mission,” he said.

Describing the financing agreement as a milestone, the premier said it was “more than a transaction” and a statement of confidence that the Islamic Development Bank believes in Bangladesh.

“For decades, the Islamic Development Bank has stood by Bangladesh, and we are proud to be a founding member of this Bank,” he said, adding, “That membership means a lot to us. It is built on more than finance. It is built on trust, solidarity, and shared purpose as members of the Islamic Ummah.”

The Prime Minister appreciated Dr Al Jasser’s leadership in establishing the Islamic Concessional Fund (ICF) as a low-cost financing window for developing-country members. He said Bangladesh was deeply committed to benefiting from the ICF and expressed hope that the fund would expand its concessional financing assistance to member countries amid growing global challenges.

The Prime Minister said officials of the ERD were working with their counterparts at the IsDB Regional Hub in Dhaka to identify potential projects. Turning to the broader role of the IsDB, the Prime Minister said the bank could help connect its member countries by leveraging their respective strengths. “Some member states lead in energy. Others lead in infrastructure. The Bank can be the bridge between them—let the members build with each other, not just alongside each other,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to Dr Al Jasser for visiting Bangladesh and for his leadership in strengthening bilateral relations, saying, “Your presence today speaks to the strength of the bond between us. Let this occasion renew our shared commitment—to partnership, solidarity, innovation, and shared prosperity.”

“Let this occasion renew our shared commitment—to partnership, solidarity, innovation, and shared prosperity,” he added.

The Prime Minister added, “Today’s signing shows what partnership can do. It turns shared goals into real outcomes. The Eastern Refinery Modernization and Expansion Project is not just an energy investment. It is an investment in our energy security, our economic resilience, and our long-term capacity to grow.”

The financing agreement for ‘Modernization and Expansion of Eastern Refinery in Bangladesh’ amounting to USD 1004.29 million was signed between the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Dr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, and Anasse Aissami, Director General, Country Programs, IsDB, signed the agreement on behalf of the GoB and IsDB, respectively.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman, Islamic Development Bank Group, graced the signing ceremony. The project will be implemented by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. Proper implementation of the project will enhance the BPC’s current refining capacity from 1.5 million MT to 4.5 million MT, contributing to further strengthening the country’s energy security, producing environmentally friendly (Euro-5 standard) petroleum oil, and reducing dependence on imported refined fuel oil.

IsDB is one of the trusted multilateral development partners of Bangladesh and has provided continuous support for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh since its inception, in the form of grants, project loans, trade financing, private-sector financing, export credit guarantees, etc. Immediately after the signing ceremony, the IsDB Group Chairman called on the Prime Minister and expressed his deep commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development priorities.