Khaleda, Deuba talk bilateral trade, commerce

Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her hotel suite here yesterday and discussed bilateral issues, particularly trade and commerce.

She invited Deuba, who is the current chairman of SAARC, to visit Bangladesh.

Khaleda said a trade delegation from Bangladesh would visit Nepal soon to explore the possibilities of expanding trade between the two SAARC members.

The Nepalese Prime Minister hoped that the special advantage his land-locked Himalayan country is getting at present from Bangladesh would continue in future.

Khaleda assured that "Bangladesh is always ready to extend all possible cooperation to Nepal, particularly in the field of trade."

Minister for Women and Children Affairs Khurshid Jahan Haq, Prime Minister's Advisor for Mass and Primary Education Prof Jahan Ara Begum, Rajshahi Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, Shahidul Haq Jamal MP, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Siddiqui and Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury were present during the meeting.

Japanese envoy shocked at loss of lives

Japanese Ambassador Jirio Kobayashi has expressed deep shock at the massive loss of lives in the recent launch disaster in the river Meghna. During a meeting with Shipping Minister Col (retd) Akbar Hossain at his office yesterday, the Japanese envoy conveyed his profound sympathy to the members of the bereaved families.

Col (retd) Akbar Hossain informed the envoy of the launch movement in the river routes and the rescue measures to face the launch disaster.

"We have two salvage ships with 120 metric tons lifting capacity, which are being used for rescue operation," he said.

He said a number of 400-ton capacity passenger vessels were operating on different river routes of the country, and stressed the need for at least two 600-ton capacity salvage ships for rescue operation in case of any launch disaster.

Jirio Kobayashi assured the shipping minister of due consideration in this regard. He referred to the Japanese grant given to the Seamen's Training Centre in Chittagong and expressed his desire to visit it.

Shipping Secretary Golam Rahman was present on the occasion.

Mainul advisor to UNDP's CHT mission

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed Major General (Rtd) Mainul Hossain Chowdhury as senior advisor to its Donor Review Mission for the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The mission will prepare a report after reviewing the law and order and security situation in the CHT and make recommendations regarding restoration of development activities of the donors in the area.

The local donor coordination group for the development of CHT suspended their activities in February last year following the abduction of three foreign engineers in Rangamati.

The Review Mission comprising representatives of 15 donor countries and agencies is headed by the UNDP. Bangladesh Government's ministry concerned will have a representative in the mission.

Mainul Hossain Chowdhry was the country's ambassador in different countries including Australia for 16 years.

He was advisor for industry, commerce and post and telecommunication in the last caretaker government.