China
Financial incentives for intermediaries cannot attract foreign investment
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has taken several initiatives to attract foreign investment. One such initiative is to offer financial incentives to expatriate Bangladeshis who act as intermediaries in attracting foreign investment. Any expatriate Bangladeshi who facilitates foreign investment will be provided with a financial incentive amounting to 1 percent of the investment they help secure. This investment must be new and amount to at least USD 5 million. Many expatriate Bangladeshis attempt to attract foreign investment by leveraging their personal image and relationships. The provision of financial incentives will undoubtedly encourage them.
Meeting between Professor Yunus, Tarique Rahman sends message of peace
King Charles’s Harmony Award is one of the most prestigious honours in the United Kingdom. It is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals in the fields of environmental conservation, traditional craftsmanship, eco-friendly businesses, and raising awareness about nature. The philosophy behind the award is rooted in King Charles’s belief: “We should work with nature, not against it.” In other words, we must coexist with nature in harmony and protect it. The award is thus based on this vision.
The story of Starlink and reality
The story of Starlink’s satellite internet network is not of today. Its beginning was actually in the 1990s; although the reality of today’s Starlink began a new chapter in January 2020, as a result of the then Trump government’s “Clean Internet” policy. This policy had thrown the global internet system into a major risk of splitting into “United States” and “China” networks. Before going into detail in that context, let’s revisit the backdrop of the 1990s.
Possibility of a future war between India and Pakistan
For four days from May 7 to May 10, fear and panic prevailed for four days not only in the subcontinent, but also among people all over the world. During these four days, the missile, drone, and airstrikes exchanged between India and Pakistan brought the two nuclear-armed nations to the brink of a full-scale war. Despite the global panic, no mediator was seen between the two sides during the first three days after the war began. At that time, neither India nor Pakistan showed any sign of compromise in their body language. Amidst the war cry, a statement by US Vice President JD Vance further alarmed peace-loving people worldwide where he said, “The India-Pakistan war is not our business.”
Politics in troubled water: A portrait of turbulent times
The ambiguity, uncertainty, and tension building up in politics are not just a series of events—they form the portrait of the times. They reflect the deep-seated weaknesses, contradictions, and instability in our system of governance. Almost a year has passed since the change of government, yet we have failed to formulate a clear outline, timeline, or a responsible political narrative. Instead, a complex picture of uncertainty, irresponsibility, and opaque practices is becoming clear. Observing the sequence of events, many are saying that this is part of an invisible plan, the purpose of which is to muddy the waters and achieve personal interests. The reality is that some force is either trying to turn this muddy water into their playground or is a participant in this plan—is there any doubt about that? The government which was considered the most acceptable and powerful is now, even before completing 10 months, clearly showing signs of weakness. The lack of policy clarity, confusion in decision-making, and absence of political goodwill have raised public questions—is this government even aware of where it is heading?
How easy will it be for deposed AL to make a comeback after uprising?
The Awami League, the party that led Bangladesh’s Liberation War, has been ousted from power 53 years after independence through a mass uprising—an event with at least twenty contributing factors. While conspiracy theories and accusations of foreign interference continue to circulate, there is no denying that in recent years the Awami League became increasingly disconnected from the people due to rampant corruption, partisan favoritism, and nepotism.
China-India rapprochement, Trump’s concerns, and the geopolitical equation in South Asia
By 2025, international politics has reached a turning point where "strategic distrust" is giving rise to new forms of "temporary alliances." Despite their historical rivalry, the recent closeness between China and India, India’s role in U.S. domestic politics, and the strategic importance of Bangladesh’s location in South Asia are all contributing to increasingly complex geopolitical equations. After the bitter relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, recent developments like the BRICS summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings, and bilateral border negotiations have transformed China-India relations into a form of “calculated coexistence.”
Foreign investment cannot be attracted without conducive environment
A four-day International Investment Summit was recently held in the capital. Over 500 investors and investment-related professionals from various countries participated in the event. This recently concluded international investment summit was significant for several reasons.
Create fair democratic environment to encourage investment
The four-day ‘Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025’, which began last Monday (April 7), ended yesterday (April 10). For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, renowned investors from a record 40 countries including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UAE participated in it. In addition, the country’s top business executives and policymakers also attended it. During the official inauguration of the investment summit last Wednesday (April 9), Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus called on investors to invest in Bangladesh and said, ‘Bangladesh is a country that has great ideas to change the world. These ideas need to be transformed into reality. So we invite you to join the journey of changing not only Bangladesh, but the entire world.
New horizon for trade expansion likely to open
Honorable Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to visit China on the eve of 26th March 2025 where Chinese President Xi Jinping will send a special chartered flight for the Bangladeshi counterpart. This gesture of the Chinese president is a demonstration of his unwavering support for the Interim Government of Bangladesh culminating in deeper collaboration as enshrined in the amicable relationship between the two countries based on people-people diplomacy. China is a political partner and at the same time an Industrial and Business partner for Bangladesh. Bangladesh can explore a number of new opportunities for increasing bilateral trade and at the same time get support from China to be competitive in the Post-LDC stage.