Some sectors of BD may be affected if crisis continues

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to keep sharp eyes on the emerging situation of the Middle East following Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.
She also asked them to take necessary preparations to face possible impacts, considering that some sectors of Bangladesh might be affected if this conflict continues for a long time, reports UNB.
The premier issued the directives during an unscheduled discussion at the Cabinet meeting. She chaired the meeting at her office here in the city.
Later, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon after the meeting.
"The Prime Minister said all concerned should keep an eye on the reality that is emerging in the Middle East. All members of the cabinet and ministries concerned have been asked to keep a sharp eye on the emerging situation," he said, quoting the PM.
The ministries concerned were asked to take preparation from right now for possible reactions of the conflict, he added.
"It has been asked to take preparation for how we will deal with the matters or what we can do in facing these things, if the conflict continues for a long-term," said the Cabinet Secretary.
If the conflict turns long-term, then it would leave impacts in various sectors, the authorities of the sectors concerned were asked to make plans to face the impacts.
In reply to a question over the sectors that might be affected, Mahbub said all were asked to take preparation in their respective sectors. "If a crisis is created, the price of fuel may go up. So, it was asked to make a plan for what should be done in that case," he said.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved in principle the draft Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority Act, 2024, aiming to expedite implementation of different projects including mega schemes in Maheshkhali and thus transform it into an industrial and commercial area.
The Prime Minister's Office placed the proposed law in the meeting, said the Cabinet Secretary.
"Under the law, an authority will be formed and there will be a 17-member governing board headed by a chairman for it. The Finance Minister and several other ministers will be on the board," he said.
He said the main task of the authority will be designing and implementing a master plan in the designated area. "The main objective will be to attract foreign investment," he said.
"There will be 55,968 acres of land in the entire economic zone," said the Cabinet Secretary.
Besides, the cabinet gave the final approval to the draft Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Remuneration and Privileges) Act, 2024 to enact a law in place of the existing ordinance of 1983.
"No change was brought in the draft law. The remuneration and privileges related provisions, which were given earlier (in the existing ordinance) have been kept here as well," said the Cabinet Secretary.
Now CEC enjoys the same privileges as a justice of the Appellate Division does, while election commissioners get the same privileges as the justices of the High Court Division do.