1. B'desh to set up exclusive Economic Zone for Japan
i. Bangladesh has decided to set up an Exclusive Economic Zone for Japan to attract investors and entrepreneurs. Ii. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told this to reporters last evening after a meeting with visiting Japanese Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry.
iii. The first Bangladesh-Japan Public-Private Economic Dialogue aimed at deepening economic and commercial co-operation was held in Dhaka yesterday.
iv. Japan has been moving investment away from China after adoption of "China plus One" policy in 2008 to reduce over dependence on Beijing. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Japan in May, 2014 had offered 40 industrial plots in the Export Processing Zones to Japan.
v. The Commerce Minister told reporters that the allocation of the Exclusive Economic Zone will be finalised during the forthcoming visit of the Japanese Premier to Bangladesh on 6th September.
2. Malala awarded 2013 United Nations Human Rights Prize
i. Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year, has been awarded the 2013 UN Human Rights Prize, an honour previously given to icons like late Nelson Mandela in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights.
ii. The prize is awarded every five years and has previously been bestowed on Amnesty International and former US president Jimmy Carter.
iii. "The Prize is an opportunity not only to give public recognition to the achievements of the recipients themselves, but also to send a clear message to human rights defenders the world over that the international community is grateful for, and supports, their tireless efforts to promote all human rights for all," the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement.
iv. The award ceremony would take place at the UN headquarters in United Nations on 10th December as part of the annual commemoration of Human Rights Day, which would this year include the observance of the 20th anniversary of the creation of OHCHR and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Note: Apart from Yousafzai, the other five winners of the award are son of freed slaves who works to eradicate slavery Biram Dah Abeid of Mauritania, campaigner from Kosovo for the rights of short statured people Hiljmnijeta Apuk, President emeritus of the World Federation of the Deaf Liisa Kauppinen, Former President of the Morocco Association for Human Rights Khadija Ryadi and Mexicos Supreme Court of Justice.
3. India and Fiji sign double taxation avoidance agreement
i. India and Fiji have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
ii. The Agreement was signed in Delhi yesterday by the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Fiji's Minister of Justice, Public Enterprises, and Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
iii. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister Mr Chidambaram said that the Agreement will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Fiji and facilitate mutual economic cooperation. The move will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between both countries.
4. Sujatha Singh is New Foreign Secretary
i. Sujatha Singh today assumed charge as India’s new foreign secretary.
ii. The 1976 batch Indian Foreign Service officer will have a fixed tenure of two years.
iii. 59 year old Mrs. Singh was earlier ambassador to Germany.
iv. She succeeds Ranjan Mathai who retired yesterday.
v. Sujatha Singh is the third woman to head the Forreign services after Chokila Iyer and Nirupama Rao.
i. Bangladesh has decided to set up an Exclusive Economic Zone for Japan to attract investors and entrepreneurs. Ii. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told this to reporters last evening after a meeting with visiting Japanese Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry.
iii. The first Bangladesh-Japan Public-Private Economic Dialogue aimed at deepening economic and commercial co-operation was held in Dhaka yesterday.
iv. Japan has been moving investment away from China after adoption of "China plus One" policy in 2008 to reduce over dependence on Beijing. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Japan in May, 2014 had offered 40 industrial plots in the Export Processing Zones to Japan.
v. The Commerce Minister told reporters that the allocation of the Exclusive Economic Zone will be finalised during the forthcoming visit of the Japanese Premier to Bangladesh on 6th September.
2. Malala awarded 2013 United Nations Human Rights Prize
i. Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year, has been awarded the 2013 UN Human Rights Prize, an honour previously given to icons like late Nelson Mandela in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights.
ii. The prize is awarded every five years and has previously been bestowed on Amnesty International and former US president Jimmy Carter.
iii. "The Prize is an opportunity not only to give public recognition to the achievements of the recipients themselves, but also to send a clear message to human rights defenders the world over that the international community is grateful for, and supports, their tireless efforts to promote all human rights for all," the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement.
iv. The award ceremony would take place at the UN headquarters in United Nations on 10th December as part of the annual commemoration of Human Rights Day, which would this year include the observance of the 20th anniversary of the creation of OHCHR and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Note: Apart from Yousafzai, the other five winners of the award are son of freed slaves who works to eradicate slavery Biram Dah Abeid of Mauritania, campaigner from Kosovo for the rights of short statured people Hiljmnijeta Apuk, President emeritus of the World Federation of the Deaf Liisa Kauppinen, Former President of the Morocco Association for Human Rights Khadija Ryadi and Mexicos Supreme Court of Justice.
3. India and Fiji sign double taxation avoidance agreement
i. India and Fiji have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
ii. The Agreement was signed in Delhi yesterday by the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Fiji's Minister of Justice, Public Enterprises, and Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
iii. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister Mr Chidambaram said that the Agreement will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Fiji and facilitate mutual economic cooperation. The move will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between both countries.
4. Sujatha Singh is New Foreign Secretary
i. Sujatha Singh today assumed charge as India’s new foreign secretary.
ii. The 1976 batch Indian Foreign Service officer will have a fixed tenure of two years.
iii. 59 year old Mrs. Singh was earlier ambassador to Germany.
iv. She succeeds Ranjan Mathai who retired yesterday.
v. Sujatha Singh is the third woman to head the Forreign services after Chokila Iyer and Nirupama Rao.
