Member Info for Pappiklon

Things are getting ugly..

https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/269385/dhaka-people-suffer-due-to-multiple-protests

Missed a bit off ....Power Chinas’ revised master plan for the Teesta is due to be submitted to the Interim Government between October and December just in time to be reviewed and presented to the new government along with the recommendation to utilise their own coal from Phulbari

From April post:

China is planning to build a 1000 bed hospital in Gangachara funded by the Chinese, It is in the area where the Tessta river reclamation will happen - it is 45km by road from Phulbari, Gangachara district has a population appx 60% bigger than Phulbari district which gives an idea of the scale of the project.

‘The team inspected 20 acres of land — part of a 100-acre tract of Khas land’ (Khas Land is Government owned Land)

https://dailycountrytodaybd.com/story/1000--bed-international-standard-hospital-to-be-built-in-gangachara-upazila-with-chinese-fund

The Teesta river project will reclaim vast areas of arable land along it’s banks. Looking at Google maps the Teesta at it's closest is probably about 30km from Phulbari,

Where is the power going to come from to enable the planned industrialisation of part of the area going to come from, certainly not the Bara power station, the planned Phulbari power station would be the only viable source in the whole of the northern regions of Bangladesh, all imho of course DYOR etc etc

And who was the MOU to develop the project signed with – Power China – which is who we have signed a MOU to develop Phulbari. Coincidence, mmmm .

Where are the raw materials to reclaim the Teesta project going to come from, and build a huge hospital, support buildings and housing infrastructure, roads etc - Power China will be the company stripping away the overburden of the Phulbari site and extracting the aggregate and deposits,(1000 bed hospital, infrastructure, 124 kms of new embankments, 224 Kms of new roads!) Phulbari resources are very convenient to supply a vast project about 1hr 30 mins away by truck.

What of that other 70-80 acres of Khas land in Gangachara how many houses could they build on that, let alone the reclaimed land from the Teesta, an ideal location for resettlement of some of the Phulbari residents that will be displaced by the Initial excavation of the Phulbari mine, on top of the extension to Phulbari Town

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-planning-hospital-on-teesta-river-bank-in-bangladesh/amp_articleshow/120390385.cms

On January 29, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and Chinese state-owned POWERCHINA signed an extension to a memorandum of understanding, pushing the Teesta Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project forward.

‘Key components of the project include dredging 140 million cubic metres of sediment, reclaiming 171 square kilometres of land, repairing 110 kilometres of embankment, constructing 124 kilometres of new embankments, and developing 224 kilometres of roads. The plan also envisions transportation and jetty facilities at 82 locations’

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/teesta-plan-china-gains-pace-3827991

Power Chinas’ revised master plan for the Teesta is due to be submitted to the Interim Government between October and December just in time to be reviewed presented to the new g

It is significant for GCM and its shareholders that this Seminar being led by the Energy Adviser and Energy Secretary, finally demonstrates positive intentions by the Bangladesh Government to develop its domestic coal resources. This message was reinforced by the Presentation by Government personnel that highlighted the proposed Phulbari coal mine readiness and benefits and its ability to help solve the country's coal supply needs. Together with our consultants we are examining the steps to be taken that maximise leverage from the Seminar in pursuit of approval and development of the Project.

From 31st March RNS.The Company believes the outlook for moving the proposed Phulbari coal mine forward has greatly improved on the basis of:

o The recent demonstration by the new Government (and its Ministry) that domestic coal must be extracted and that the proposed Phulbari coal mine is a big factor is delivering the necessary coal supply

o Bangladesh's economy remaining under pressure with respect to foreign exchange reserves, inflation and purchasing power

Chairman's Statement

Whilst it is generally expected that the Chairman's Statement commences by chronologically running through events in the reporting period, there has been an exciting recent development that needs to be highlighted. Over the past year our Dhaka team has reported on efforts by the Ministry for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources ("the Ministry") to prepare a presentation focusing on strategies and challenges related to the country's coal-based energy sector. This initiative waxed and waned as the country's political landscape changed but we are delighted to report that a government organised seminar focussed on "Prospects and Challenges of Bangladesh's Coal Resources and Measures to Overcome" took place on 27 February this year.

The Seminar was chaired by the Energy Secretary with the Energy Adviser as the chief guest. There were over 70 invited guests with some 40% being government agency officials, 50% from academia and 10% media representatives. The Energy Adviser set the scene regarding the coal debate and said that the country needs to decide on coal extraction, whether to pursue open-pit or underground mining, how to select the mining companies, and whether to review existing studies or conduct new ones. The Energy Secretary emphasised that the time has come to decide to use the country's resources. He stated the country has many coal-based power plants and is struggling to pay foreign currency for coal imports. He further stated that the seminar had been organized to create a roadmap for using national resources and that decisions will be made on how to utilize the country's coal resources following discussions with participants at the seminar.

The Seminar was informed that to save hard-earned foreign currency in an import-dependent energy system, urgent decisions must be made to extract the vast amount of coal reserves in the country in the national interest. Coal-based power plants with a capacity of some 8,000 megawatts have been established in the country, however due to a lack of coal, the plants in operation cannot run at full capacity. A significant amount of foreign currency is being spent on coal imports. In this situation, there is no alternative but to start extracting the 7,823 million tons of coal reserves. The southern part of the government-owned Barapukuria coal mine and the proposed Phulbari coal project have completed all necessary surveys and are ready for mining activities.

Iran tensions make thermal coal a winner against pricier LNG

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/iran-tensions-make-thermal-coal-winner-against-pricier-lng-2025-06-23/

By the way theres also another $600m outstanding to Adani

‘BPDB sources say Adani is claiming nearly $600 million in unpaid bills, although BPDB estimates the figure to be close to $500 million.’

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/bpdb-adani-meet-month-resolve-power-deal-disputes-1166111

Even in Bangladesh they must realise this cant go on. There is a solution under their feet and the sooner they utilise it the better

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/power-division-wants-tk56000cr-pdb-loans-turned-subsidy-1166106

Https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/bnp-gears-polls-preps-ongoing-grassroots-top-brass-1166066

During the March quarter, the NPLs at state-owned banks surged to Tk1.46 lakh crore, representing a staggering 45.79% of their total disbursed loans. A significant 90% of these NPLs are categorised as "bad." These banks also face a massive provision shortfall of Tk64,000 crore. https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/banking/bad-loans-soar-tk74570cr-3-months-hit-tk42-lakh-crore-1165836

Https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/ca-yunus-tarique-agree-election-february-if-preparations-complete-1164361

Love this bit from Yunus .

'Yunus said he had not been able to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a close friend and constituency neighbour of Siddiq.

He said: "I don't know whether I should be disappointed or he should be disappointed. It's a missed opportunity.'

"That's why I'm saying coming to Bangladesh would be a good opportunity to relax and see and feel the moment."

Relax and Bangladesh somehow don't belong in the same sentence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly30pgldewo

Nothing- been too busy having high level meetings

Just had a look back at one of the press reports written when Yunus announced his visit to the UK and the hype about it, the only thing that I see happening is him getting his 'award' all the rest has been wishful thinking. Macrons rebuff was a hint, now Starmer and Lammy followed suit (In another article is said he was having meetings with PM Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy), how does he live this down in BD, will try to spin (like claiming Starmer had to go to Canada- all now revealed as lies yet again)

Quotes from original article and link below.

'According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Yunus will depart Dhaka on June 9 and arrive in London the following day. The award ceremony, hosted by the British royal family, will take place on June 12, and he is expected to return to Bangladesh on June 13.

During his stay, Dr Yunus is expected to hold meetings with King Charles and newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and London confirmed that discussions will focus on key bilateral and global issues, including the repatriation of laundered funds, trade and investment opportunities, development cooperation, the Rohingya refugee crisis, and regional collaboration in South Asia'

"This will be a high-priority diplomatic visit, following the recent tours to Japan and China, both in political and economic terms," said a senior Foreign Ministry official.

https://www.observerbd.com/news/528314

His pr spin of being respected in every country around the world and everywhere willing to help him just got seriously tarnished.

The UKsecurity forces will know whats expected to happen back in bd, just like the chinese did when they snubbed Hasina, ans she was gone shortly after. Despite bd press stories of China being willing to invest nothing has happened., they will know whats coming. They are all stepping back for now. Once again China ahead of the game inviting BNP over, they can hit the ground running. Tomorrows meeting in London is probably Yunus last chance to bow out with some ‘dignity’.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer turned down a request to meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his visit to London aimed at raising support for efforts to recover billions of dollars siphoned off by the deposed regime of Sheikh Hasina, the Financial Times reports.

Yunus told the Financial Times the UK should feel "morally" obliged to help Bangladesh's new government track down funds "stolen" by the previous regime, much of it allegedly now in the UK.

However, Yunus said Starmer had not yet agreed to meet him.

"I have no direct conversation with him," Yunus said, although he added he had "no doubt" Starmer would support Bangladesh's efforts.

Earlier yesterday, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam came under criticism for claiming that they weren't able to secure a meeting with Starmer as the latter was in the UK. Many social media users pointed out that the claim was entirely untrue.

Meanwhile, Yunus stressed to FT that he was only after the money stolen from Bangladesh.

UK government officials confirmed to FT that there was no plan for Starmer to meet Yunus at present, and declined to comment further.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/808888

Intersting and sensible article

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/808777

Rising tensions between govt and BNP over April election announcement created doubts about Tarique’s willingness to meet CA Yunus

In the midst of these efforts, on the eve of Eid, Professor Yunus announced in a national address that elections would be held in early April. BNP and its allies rejected the announcement, demanding that polls be held in December. Citing Ramadan, Eid, SSC and HSC exams and the seasonal Nor’wester storms as obstacles to campaigning, BNP maintained its call for a year-end election. This disagreement once again cast doubt over the proposed London meeting. Tensions rose further after the government appointed an adviser – disliked by the BNP – to mediate the meeting. The party had previously expressed dissatisfaction when that adviser participated in a meeting between Professor Yunus and a BNP delegation despite demands for his resignation.

In this sensitive context, several senior advisers stepped in, urgently contacting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul and other key leaders, some of whom were undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, to stress the importance of the meeting and seek their cooperation.

Amid the Eid break, officials at the foreign ministry and members of the diplomatic community renewed efforts to make the meeting happen. While news of a possible meeting began to circulate on Sunday and Monday, BNP had yet to formally confirm Tarique Rahman’s participation until Professor Yunus departed for London on Monday evening.

Sources from the Standing Committee reveal that during a recent meeting, Tarique Rahman informed party policymakers about the invitation and sought their views. After detailed discussions, and considering the ongoing electoral complications and other sensitive issues, the committee requested that Tarique attend the meeting as a strategic move, with hopes of resolving matters through direct dialogue with the government head. He was also authorised to discuss and decide on any issue on behalf of the party.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/808761

Bit of spin there from Mr Press Secretary. Just checked out Starmers Canada dates on google and apparently he is not there now and is not even going till 14th, so he already has snubbed Yunus.

'Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Canada later this week to meet Mark Carney for talks on security and economic partnerships.

The Times reported that the pair will meet on June 14,

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-06-09/prime-minister-to-visit-canada-for-trade-and-security-talks

He was on Radio 2 today, and visiting a school....obviously more important than meeting Yunus, He has Prime Ministers question time on the 11th etc etc

So potentially he just came over with flights and suite at the dorchester to pick up his award from Charlie, but padded the reason to justify the BD government paying for it.