UN Women BD Calls for Increased Investments in Prevention Programming

MJL Bangladesh PLC, a prominent lubricant marketer, plans a Tk 350 crore ($32.5 million) investment in acquiring a new LPG tanker with an 11,000 cubic meters capacity. The board of directors, in a joint venture with East Coast Group and Jamuna Oil Ltd, approved the purchase, allocating an additional $1.50 million for various associated expenses.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has initiated a program to comprehend and invest in adaptation to heat stress impacts on women and girls in Asia and the Pacific. The technical assistance program will research how heat stress affects women, identifying policies, actions, and investments to mitigate impacts.

Bangladesh Bank is extending liquidity support to struggling commercial and Islamic banks, providing repo support to commercial banks and special liquidity assistance to Shariah-based Islamic banks. In November 2023, the central bank provided the highest liquidity support of Tk 23,941 crore on November 22.

The Bangladesh Climate and Development Platform (BCDP) has been launched through a collaborative effort involving the government, international financial institutions, donors, and private sectors. This initiative aims to facilitate adaptation and mitigation investments by serving as a project preparation facility.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines responds to rising demand by expanding flight services on key Middle East routes. Effective 28 December, BG235 introduces direct flights between Sylhet and Jeddah every Thursday, enhancing travel options to Saudi Arabia. Beginning 21 February 2024, BG236 offers direct Jeddah-Sylhet flights every Wednesday to cater to expatriates and pilgrims.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) endorsed Bangladesh's resolution on enhancing member states' capabilities in building resilient and sustainable supply chains during its 20th General Conference in Vienna. With participation from leaders of 172 member states, the week-long conference addressed the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war to global supply chains.