[🇧🇩] Dr. Yunus----His performance in running the country.

[Saif]

British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds meets Prof Yunus

British Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade Jonathan Reynolds held a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the British parliament on Wednesday. They discussed the issues of mutual interest. Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds meets Prof Yunus

UNB
Published :
Jun 11, 2025 22:39
Updated :
Jun 11, 2025 22:39

British Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade Jonathan Reynolds held a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the British parliament on Wednesday.

They discussed the issues of mutual interest.

Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Secretary Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Abida Islam and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke were, among others, present.

Jonathan Reynolds was appointed Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade on July 5, 2024.

He was elected as the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde in May 2010.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus lauds IMF for its positive role in Bangladesh

The chief adviser takes part in a talk at Chatham House, an independent think-tank based in London,

www.thedailystar.net

Yunus lauds IMF for its positive role in Bangladesh
The chief adviser takes part in a talk at Chatham House, an independent think-tank based in London,

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has credited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its "positive role" in helping Bangladesh overcome its concerns about allowing market forces to determine the exchange rate.

He made the remark in response to a question during a talk at Chatham House, an independent think-tank based in London, today.

His remark came nearly a month after Bangladesh Bank (BB) adopted a market-based exchange rate to secure the release of the fourth and fifth tranches of its $4.7 billion loan approved by the IMF in January 2023.

BB had been reluctant to fully open the market due to concerns that it could create instability, increase import costs, and further stoke inflation, which has remained over 9 percent for more than two years.

However, Bangladesh's foreign exchange market has remained relatively stable since the shift, with the taka depreciating only marginally.

The weighted average exchange rate of the US dollar was Tk 122.97 on June 4, the last working day before the 10-day Eid holiday.

A month earlier, banks were exchanging the dollar at Tk 122, according to BB data.

Yunus said the IMF had been controlling the release of the loan instalments and agreed to disburse funds after Bangladesh decided to let the market determine its exchange rate.

He said they were worried about it.

"Because so far, we were controlling it so that we didn't expose ourselves to a drain of foreign exchange due to the system.

"So, opening this to the market is really a big decision for us," he added, noting that they had tried to convince the IMF by explaining the potential risks.

"They said, 'No, we understand, but we studied it. We think you can handle it.'

"In my time, I said no," Yunus recalled. "[But the IMF said], 'Nothing is going ahead unless you do that—we're not releasing our funds.'"

The chief adviser said Bangladesh agreed with the IMF on the condition that the policy could be reversed if it caused difficulties, in order to protect the economy.

"IMF said, 'Okay, go ahead.' We opened it. Nothing happened. Same exchange rate—just a little bit of movement. It's normal. It's okay.

"So, we are celebrating that. Finally, we are seeing strength in the economy, and so on. So, the IMF's role is very positive. It's not a negative one. It's not trying to push us into trouble because of some principle they're holding on to. It's not like that.

"We were not willing to jump into the water. They said, 'Come on, you can do it.' And finally, we did it. That's it. So, we are thankful to the IMF," he said.

Yunus said the interim government had received an amazing response from governments around the world.

"This has given a moral boost to the government—that we are not abandoned.

"You mentioned the IMF. Yes, the IMF is also helpful. The World Bank is helpful. All the international institutions—not everyone uses those adjectives."​

 

[Saif]

CA meets speaker of House of Commons

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus met Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons in Westminster on Thursday. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Meanwhile, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, who met Prof Yunus earlier, said the Bangladesh-UK rela

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA meets speaker of House of Commons

UNB
Published :
Jun 13, 2025 00:12
Updated :
Jun 13, 2025 00:12

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus met Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons in Westminster on Thursday.

They discussed issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, who met Prof Yunus earlier, said the Bangladesh-UK relationship goes from strength to strength.

They discussed deepening the UK-Bangladesh trade and investment partnership, and the shared ambitions for economic growth, job creation, and prosperity.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus, Gordon Brown discuss economic recovery, Rohingya education

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in a telephone conversation on Friday with former British prime minister Gordon Brown discussed Bangladesh’s ongoing economic recovery efforts and the urgent need to enhance educational opportunities...

www.newagebd.net

Yunus, Gordon Brown discuss economic recovery, Rohingya education
Staff Correspondent 14 June, 2025, 00:16

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in a telephone conversation on Friday with former British prime minister Gordon Brown discussed Bangladesh’s ongoing economic recovery efforts and the urgent need to enhance educational opportunities for Rohingya children in Bangladesh.

‘Gordon Brown, who currently serves as the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, commended Professor Yunus for his leadership in steering Bangladesh through economic challenges,’ said a press release issued by the chief adviser’s press wing.

He praised Yunus’s initiatives aimed at stabilising the economy and promoting inclusive growth.

The two leaders expressed deep concern over the educational plight of Rohingya children residing in camps in Bangladesh.

With over half a million children lacking access to formal education, the two emphasised the critical importance of providing learning opportunities to prevent a ‘lost generation’.

‘We must ensure that Rohingya children grow up with hope and the tools to build a better future,’ stated Professor Yunus, who was visiting the United Kingdom, highlighting his government’s commitment to mobilising support for the Rohingya community.

Gordon Brown indicated his willingness to collaborate with Bangladesh to expand educational programmes within the camps, drawing on his global advocacy for education.

He also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh in the coming months to assess the situation firsthand and explore avenues for support.

The conversation also touched upon broader issues of mutual interest, including the reform agenda of the interim government and its role in facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy, said the release.

Professor Yunus went to the UK on July 10 on a four-day official visit.​

 

[Saif]

Professor Yunus, the crown, and diplomatic impropriety!

PROFESSOR Muhammad Yunus’s recent visit to London, marked by the distinguished honour of receiving the King Charles III Harmony Award 2025, was a moment of significance—not only for him personally but also for the Bangladeshis and the wider global community who value peace, equity, and...

www.newagebd.net

Professor Yunus, the crown, and diplomatic impropriety!
Sadrul Amin 16 June, 2025, 00:00

PROFESSOR Muhammad Yunus’s recent visit to London, marked by the distinguished honour of receiving the King Charles III Harmony Award 2025, was a moment of significance—not only for him personally but also for the Bangladeshis and the wider global community who value peace, equity, and sustainable development. It also, perhaps unintentionally, served as a litmus test for political etiquette — one in which prime minister Keir Starmer’s office remained noticeably unresponsive.

As I followed coverage of the visit, I was surprised to note the absence of any scheduled meeting between professor Yunus and the prime minister. This seemed diplomatically anomalous, especially given the symbolic resonance of an award personally bestowed by the British monarch. To put my concern into perspective, I posed the following question to Microsoft Copilot AI: ‘Don’t you think professor Yunus’s London visit, particularly in light of receiving the King Charles III Harmony Award 2025, merited a formal courtesy of PM Starmer to have a meeting with professor Yunus?’

The AI’s response mirrored my own sentiments and pride as a Bangladeshi: ‘It certainly raises eyebrows, doesn’t it? In diplomatic circles, when a globally respected figure like professor Yunus—who’s not only a Nobel Peace Prize laureate but also being honoured by the monarch — visits the UK, a courtesy meeting with the prime minister would typically be seen as both symbolic and respectful. These meetings often underscore shared values and mutual respect, especially when the visitor is engaged in issues like peacebuilding, sustainability, and transnational financial justice.’

It is needless to say that such meetings transcend ceremonial niceties — they reflect diplomatic values and affirm mutual recognition. When the Crown itself honours a Nobel Laureate whose work embodies principles Britain openly advocates, the absence of political acknowledgement becomes a conspicuous lapse, more than a logistical oversight. It gives a skewed signal — one probably induced by the apparent apathy of some particular quarters.

The prime minister’s failure to squeeze out even a modicum of time for professor Yunus during his London visit is tantamount to not only politically biased incivility but also a troubling display of disrespect toward the British monarch. Such an omission, whether by design or indifference, cannot be brushed aside as a matter of any scheduling constraint. Diplomatic tradition prizes symbolic engagement, precisely because it reflects civility, courtesy, and a commitment to diplomatic propriety.

This is not just about professor Yunus as an individual. It is about how a country recognises international icons — especially when partisan considerations, seemingly shaped by vested interests, appear to override the opportunity to demonstrate common courtesy and normal decorum of diplomacy. If a guest honoured by the Crown can be disregarded without justification, one must ask: what does that say about the long-established political tradition of the country and the force behind guiding such decisions?

Professor Yunus’s London visit proved to be more than a ceremonial formality — it offered Britain an opportunity to demonstrate its values, reaffirm its commitment to moral diplomacy, and strengthen goodwill with a close partner nation. Despite the good will and generosity of the King, that this opportunity was instead met with the apathy of some responsible quarters was more than an oversight — it was a telling omission — one the world noticed and would remember!

Dr Sadrul Amin teaches at the University of Dhaka.​

 

[Saif]

Shun 'disastrous path' rooted in profit-driven economic models

Nobel-laureate interim ruler of Bangladesh Prof Yunus urges the world to move away from a "disastrous path" rooted in narrow, profit-driven economic models, as he highlights the importance of social business as a change-maker. While deploring hindrances at home in the past to propagating his fla

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA URGES CHANGES FOR EQUITABLE ORDER
Shun 'disastrous path' rooted in profit-driven economic models

FE REPORT
Published :
Jun 28, 2025 00:04
Updated :
Jun 28, 2025 00:04

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at the inaugural session of the 15th edition of Social Business Day at Zirabo in Savar on Friday. — Focus Bangla

Nobel-laureate interim ruler of Bangladesh Prof Yunus urges the world to move away from a "disastrous path" rooted in narrow, profit-driven economic models, as he highlights the importance of social business as a change-maker.

While deploring hindrances at home in the past to propagating his flagship initiatives, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Friday said the then government had obstructed initiatives promoting social innovation, including denying permission for a university dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and solutions to global social challenges.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Social Business Day 2025, held for the first time at a facility developed by the Yunus Centre, the economist and microcredit pioneer recounted a litany of hurdles faced in hosting the annual gathering in Bangladesh.

"We spent a lot of money, energy, and time to build this facility (Samajik Convention Centre) because it was our dream," he said. "But we were not allowed to use it."

The inaugural session of the two-day Social Business Day programme was held at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo, Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka. The 15th edition of Social Business Day is being hosted jointly by the Yunus Centre and Grameen Group. This year, representatives from 38 countries are participating in the event.

Speaking as chief guest and keynote speaker, Prof Yunus, now the head of government in the interim period, told his audience that previous editions of the event had to be held in foreign countries like Malaysia and the Philippines due to restrictions at home.

"We had to stop holding Social Business Day in Bangladesh. It doesn't make any sense to anybody why anyone would obstruct a conference that has nothing to do with politics," he said, describing such taboos as "absurdity of the reality of life".

In his international appeal from the platform, Professor Yunus said, "The entire world is built on one dimension of the human being -- selfishness," he observed. "But human beings also have selflessness. Why should we be one-sided human beings?"

He said the existing narrative and institutional frameworks often ignore this selfless dimension. "We must unleash the selfless part of ourselves. Nobody is forcing you-just open it up."

This year's theme-'Social Business in Healthcare' -- was described by Professor Yunus as a timely and urgent choice. He asserts that neither pure profit-driven models nor charity could address the healthcare crisis plaguing the world.

"Healthcare has to come from the social-business angle. That's the only solution," he said. "It makes economic sense. It's not donation-based -- it's self-sustaining."

The Chief Adviser asserts that social business can change not only Bangladesh but also the whole world.

Social business is the only right way to ensure healthcare for everyone in the world, and through this it is quite possible to address the challenges of healthcare sector.

He cites examples of innovative social businesses in the healthcare sector that had grown from modest beginnings. "Many of you have seen it. You come back a year later and find something completely different -- creativity has its own way of expressing itself."

Turning to education, he voiced deep frustration at being barred from establishing a university aimed at promoting the philosophy of 'Three Zeros' -- zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions.

"We bought the land, we prepared for construction. They [government officials] said 'please don't apply, we cannot give you permission' even before we applied."

The proposed university, to be named Grameen University, would have been "dedicated to creating a new civilisation", with a curriculum rooted in dream-building, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

"We will tell students: if you are a jobseeker, that will bring shame to us," he added. "If you discover yourself, you'll not be a jobseeker. You'll be a creator."

Touching on global conflicts and what he called "a worsening global context", Professor Yunus lamented the recurrence of wars, including those involving Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and the recent India-Pakistan tensions. "You thought finally we got rid of wars... and suddenly this year all kinds of terrible things started happening."

These tensions paint a "gloomy" picture.

Still, he remains optimistic about advances of human civilisation. "Do we go back into our caves? No. We chase dreams. Imagination is free. It costs nothing."

He reiterates that social business is not about overnight transformations but about "planting seeds", small changes that can spark global revolutions in thought and practice.

"If you don't start, nothing happens. If you don't imagine, nothing happens."

Praising the July upsurge that brought about regime change in Bangladesh, Dr Yunus said thousands of students last year poured into the streets demanding democratic reforms.

"Young people came out -- and said, 'enough is enough, get out'. They gave their lives, and in a few days they moved the country from extreme darkness to bright light," he told the meet, to gales of applause.

He made it clear that the protesters had not just done it for Bangladesh alone--it is for the whole world.

The Nobel laureate urged international delegates to walk Dhaka's streets and study the vivid protest murals splashed across city walls.

"These are not trained artists," he notes. "They are boys and girls drawing the world they want to build… Before monsoon rains wash them away, go and see them."

The two-day programme will feature five plenary sessions and eight breakout sessions focused on diverse perspectives and ideas.

At the inaugural session, a host of distinguished speakers highlighted the transformative potential of social business in addressing global challenges.

Chairman of Grameen Group Md. Ashraful Hassan gave detailed pictures of what Yunus Centre and Grameen Group are doing in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world for social innovation.

Ismail Serageldin, former Vice President of the World Bank and Co-Chair of the NGIC, emphasised that true development must be bottom-up, rooted in dignity, solidarity, and the vision of social business.

Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, described social business as a timely and essential response to growing global inequalities in healthcare.

Mitsuru Izumo, the founder of Euglena GG Ltd, recounted how a promise he made in Dhaka 27 years ago blossomed into a nationwide nutrition movement, made possible through the principles of social business.

Thomas Bach, Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, praised Professor Yunus's lifelong dedication to unity and collaboration, acknowledging the far-reaching impact of the social-business movement.

Kady Kanouté Tounkara, Olympian and entrepreneur, delivered a powerful speech celebrating the transformative role of sport in empowering youth, uplifting women, and realising the vision of a world with three zeros -- and zero excuses.

Zenaat Islam, Relations Manager at the Yunus Centre, also addressed the gathering, alongside advisers of the interim government, who were present at the session.​