Bangladesh in world media this week

In the outgoing week, Malaysian news outlets extensively reported its Human Resources Minister M Saravanan visiting Bangladesh to hold talks regarding the reopening Malaysian job market for Bangladeshi workers. Also, the resumption of connectivity and trade between India and Bangladesh was also major talking point in the Indian media.

Following is a pick of five stories on Bangladesh that made headlines on international media in the outgoing week (May 28 to June 3). The stories are sorted according to their merits.

Bangladesh labour deal: Malaysian cabinet to decide on agencies

The Malaysian cabinet will make a final decision on the number of Bangladesh recruitment agencies permitted to send their citizens as workers in the Southeast Asian nation.

Human Resources Minister M Saravanan told journalists in Dhaka, Bangladesh, that a final decision on this issue, which raised protests from labour recruiters, lies in the hands of the receiving countries.

"That depends on Malaysia. That is ours. That is usually what the receiving country will decide. And we will do according to the decision of our cabinet," Malaysiakini reported on June 2 quoting Saravanan after leading Malaysia’s delegation at a meeting with his counterpart, Bangladesh’s Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad.

"We will decide and we will know after the (cabinet) meeting," said Saravanan when quizzed on whether a final decision has been made by Malaysia to only authorise 25 recruitment agencies.

Saravanan said Malaysia is in dire need of workers while Bangladesh has an excess number to send out, so it is beneficial to expedite the process after resolving all outstanding matters.

"The Bangladesh government is very concerned that the welfare of workers will be taken care of, so we have to give them the assurance.

Meanwhile, what was initially expected to be a macabre greeting for Saravanan by unhappy labour recruiters under the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira), turned out to be a peaceful protest held outside the meeting venue.

South Asia’s most-delayed port in Bangladesh may face snarls with Europe route

Bangladesh’s largest port, Chattogram, has started direct routes to Europe, but apparel manufacturers hoping to shrink travel times may face delays from monsoon season and port congestion throughout Asia.

The South Asian hub started directly shipping goods to Europe for the first time beginning in February, using large container vessels, reported Bloomberg on May 31.

Previously, Chattogram used smaller feeder vessels that transferred containers at other Asian ports, with shipments typically taking 30 to 35 days.

Delays at Chattogram, which recently ranked last in the region by the World Bank’s latest Container Port Performance Index, may get in the way of significantly reducing that time frame. The port has seen an average of 28.3 vessels in its waters this month, the largest monthly tally since Bloomberg started tracking the data in April 2021.

Floods and a four-day holiday to start the month contributed to a 25 percent monthly increase in traffic at the port, which ranked fourth in total container TEU handled in 2020 in South Asia by Lloyd’s List.

Ports in Bangladesh have also been hit by the global shortage of container boxes, affecting the import of construction materials and export of textiles during the pandemic, according to traders and freight forwarders.

While Chattogram has rail connections to India, its ability to serve as a transhipment hub for the subcontinent has been hampered by everything from bureaucracy to shipping lines cancelling sailings to recover from delays in other parts of the world.

With Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector seen to expand 12 perent this year, the handling of traffic at the port will be central to the nation’s aims for export growth. The hub recently came into conflict with the city’s tourism goals, as port officials directed ships to anchor 300 meters away from the coastline to allow tourists to enjoy the view.

India, Bangladesh train services resume after a gap of two years

After a gap of two years, the train services of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express between India and Bangladesh resumed on May 29, reported ANI on the day.

The train services between the two countries were suspended since March 2020 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Bandhan Express travels between Kolkata and Khulna, Bangladesh while Maitree Express connects Kolkata with Dhaka.

The Railways also said the operation of New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka Mitali Express is set to start from June 1.

Notably, the operation of Mitali Express did not start despite being virtually inaugurated in March 2021.

Indian Oil Corporation Plans To Transport Fuel To Tripura Via Bangladesh

PSU major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Sunday said it is looking to transport fuel to Tripura through Bangladesh as the rail network has been totally snapped due to massive landslides in Assam, NDTV reported on May 29.

After the only rail link connecting Assam's Dima Hasao district and Barak Valley, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura with the rest of the country was washed away earlier this month, the company started moving all its supplies by road via Meghalaya, bearing more than double the cost.

The company is planning to send its convoys of fuel through Dawki in Meghalaya to Bangladesh. It will then re-enter India at Kailashahar in Tripura.

Once the discussion is finalised and an agreement is signed, the IndianOil-AOD will move its products from primarily Betkuchi depot in Guwahati to Dharmanagar depot in Tripura through the neighbouring nation.

Shakib Al Hasan returns as Bangladesh's Test captain

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will return as the team's Test captain, replacing Mominul Haque, Reuters reported on June 2 citing Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Shakib, who is Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in the longest format and the third-highest run-scorer, previously captained the team in 14 Tests.

The 35-year-old's appointment comes after out-of-form Mominul stepped down as the skipper in the wake of their home series loss against Sri Lanka.

The BCB said Shakib will lead the team in their two-Test series in the West Indies this month, with wicket-keeper batsman Litton Das named his deputy.