The New Nation - Internet Edition

A.T.M.Nurun Nabi

Central Insurance Company (CIC) established in 1987 with an authorised capital of taka 30 crore has been increasing investment in banks and other financial institutions, according to the Annual Report of the Board of Directors submitted in the 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company. In 2006, the amount increased to taka 15.68 crore in 2006 from the previous year's figure of taka 12.42 crore.

The general insurance companies including Central Insurance Company provides monetary security to the importers and the exporters in exchange of nominal premium as per rate against all risks or fire or burglary or as the insurant desires. In 2005, the general insurance companies earned premium of taka 718.67 crore of which the state owned Sadharan Bima Corporation's contribution was taka 88.61 crore, according to Bangladesh Economic Review 2007. However, in doing business, insurance companies have to maintain close liaison with banks and the success largely depends on the individual quality of the persons working therein. According to the report, CIC was enlisted with the country's two exchange companies i.e. Dhaka Stock Exchange and Chittagong Stock Exchange in the same year of 1995.

CIC operates its business through its 24 branches and earned a profit of taka 1.96 crore, up from the previous year by taka 6.20 lakh after payment of tax in the state treasury and keeping of provision against unexpected losses. The company earned the gross premium of taka 14.50 crore in 2006.

The Annual Report says that the policy of the directors is to pay dividend to the highest possible extent from the surplus after payment of tax and (keeping of) reserve for exceptional losses.

It was approved in the board meeting that the company will pay 10 percent cash and 10 percent stock dividend to the shareholders, which is a sign of growing progress. Md. Zahid Anwar Khan, Managing Director (CC), said that Central Insurance Company always tries to respect insurants' confidence and the contract made between the insurer and the insurant.

To a question, he said, "We work in the interests of all concerned and to reach the height of business by the combined efforts. Never do we fumble in taking any decision." The success of Central Insurance Company lies in its efficient board of directors decorated by a galaxy of business personalities.

Sony Ericsson has launched its first ever exclusive store in Bangladesh. Breaking out from traditional retail displays, the store aims to offer consumers a world class shopping experience. Some of the exciting in-store features include touch screen self-help product updates and interactive phone displays.

Before deciding on the phone of their choice, customers can now have a greater hands-on experience with different phone models. In addition to the Sony Ericsson phones the store features a customer service centre - "Sheba".

"We are pleased ~o open our first-ever exclusive store in Bangladesh where consumers can now enjoy a world class shopping experience while choosing their Sony Ericsson handsets and accessories. To enhance that experience, our in-store customer service center (Sheba) will also offer our users unparalleled warranty and after sales service.

This initiative demonstrates Sony Ericsson's commitment to provide our consumers with the best possible post purchase experience." said Neeraj Bansal, Head of Sony Ericsson in Bangladesh, during the inauguration.

The Sony Ericsson store offers consumers the whole range of Sony Ericsson's mobile phones and accessories. The current users of genuine Sony Ericsson phones with warranty can also enhance their phones here with the latest software updates. Well-trained and friendly promoters are always available to assist the customers in selecting a Sony Ericsson mobile phone.

All genuine Sony Ericsson handsets offer one year's warranty. Warranty support and after-sales support are provided by Sony Ericsson's in-store customer service centre (Sheba) as well as our service partners Discovery Communications Ltd. and Mobile Zone. The store is conveniently located at shop number 35 & 36, Block A, Level 6, Bahsundhara City.

The Government of Japan has decided to provide, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), such emergency relief goods as listed below equivalent to about 35 million Japanese yen (approximately US $ 390,000) in total to the Government of Bangladesh, which has sustained serious damage from severe tempest, says a press release. The first cargo of these emergency relief goods will arrive at Dhaka International Airport in the morning on Tuesday 20 November.

Tent 100, regular and heavy blanket 100 each, sleeping pad 300, plastic sheet 200, water purifier 30, water tank 10, portable jerry can 300, generator 30.

The Government of Japan has decided to extend this aid from a humanitarian point of view, considering the friendly relationship between the two countries, taking account of the scale of the disaster.

Citycell recently signed a corporate agreement with Mishmak Developments Limited (MDL), says a press release. Under the agreement, Mishmak Developments Limited will enjoy CDMA2000 1X based high-speed wireless Internet service 'ZOOM. ZOOM' offering faster data speed than any other nationwide mobile Internet service. It facilitates the access and browsing of Internet at any time from any place within Citycell's extensive nationwide network. Mishmak Developments Limited will also enjoy Citycell's special corporate rates and exclusive Value Added Services.

Mr. Tulu Ush Shams, Assistant General Manager (Operation) of MDL and Mohammad Fahim, Deputy General Manager (Sales) of Citycell signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Ashraf Khalid Newaz, Senior Manager (Sales), Aparup Aich, Manager (Marketing), Ms. Valentina Majumder, Manager (Compliance) of Mishmak Developments Limited and Ahmad Nazeem - Ud - Dowla Junaed, Senior Executive (Corporate Sales,) Syed Asad Mahmood, Senior Executive, Corporate and Direct Sales of Citycell were also present at the signing ceremony.

Orascom Telecom, holding company of Banglalink, has announced a contribution of Tk.3.5 crore for the tempest affected people. This fund will be used for the welfare the worst hit families in the affected areas.

Commenting on this distressing occurrence, Naguib Sawiris, Chairman Orascom Telecom Holding said "This is a most unfortunate calamity. We stand by the people of Bangladesh in this time of need, and would offer every support possible to help them in rebuilding their lives. I am sure that the resilient citizens of Bangladesh will bounce back to continue the rapid growth of this great country."

Orascom Telecom Holding is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in seven emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia having a subscriber base of over 61 million.

In addition to the donation, Banglalink has already launched an SMS based donation campaign in order to provide a convenient option to its customers to contribute funds for the relief effort. Each SMS will be charged Tk.10 and all proceeds collected through SMS will be contributed to Chief Advisor's Relief Fund. Banglalink teams will also be distributing relief supplies to the cyclone affected areas to cope with immediate needs there.

In light of the fact that the need for telecommunication becomes even more critical during such disasters, despite difficult conditions that had made a number of areas virtually inaccessible, and electricity problems across the country, banglalink's technical teams worked around the clock to ensure that the network remained functional in most areas.

Correspondent, RU

With the slogan of 'Subdodoy hok somoyer protibakko' Banglalink- and GOLD (Group of liberal debaters, central debate organisation of Rajshahi University) jointly orranged a prize giving ceremony on Monday after a three-day inter-university debate competition.

The prize giving ceremony was held at zilla parisad auditorium in the afternoon where former advisor of caretaker government M.Hafizuddin Khan was present there as chief guest.

A;lso present were BDF (Bangladesh Debate Federation ) President Tasin Uddin Ahmed ,literary Hasan Azizul Haque ,Zahiruddin Md.Nadib ,Regional Commercial Head ,Banglalink as special guests.

On the final debate competition, there fought Sher-E-Bangla Medical college,Barisal and Dhaka University Debating Society .

Pubali Bank Limited has inaugurated its 35ih branch at Benapole, Jessore on 18 November 2007. Chairman, Board of Directors of Pubali Bank Ltd.,Hafiz Ahmed Majumder, formally inaugurated the branch, as chief guest while Managing Director of Pubali Bank Helal Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the function.

Directors' of PBL Sk. Wahidur Rahman, Ahmed Shafi Chowdhury & Alternative Director Kabiruzzaman Yakub were also attended at the ceremony.

In his speech,Hafiz Ahmed Majumder said that Pubali Bank is committed to providing the best and innovative banking services needs of the market in fastest possible time. As a part for providing better services & client's increasing demand Pubali Bank has opened its 35ih branch at Benapole: He expressed his hope that Pubali Bank would surely serve its customers with utmost satisfaction by applying modern technology through this branch. In this context he urged the local businessmen to avail the facility of Pubali Bank to expand their ventures.

Directors' Sk. Wahidur Rahman, hmed Shafi Chowdhury and Alternative Director Kabiruzzaman Yakub also spoke at the function. They urged all to take banking services through the Pubali Bank.

Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said that Pubali Bank has been providing better services for its customer since 1959 with a promise to keep up its original tradition. He also said, PBL give priority to provide opportunity and advantage to the customers through application of modern technologies. With a view to expanding the scope of services, the bank has opened its 35ih branch. He expressed his hope that the branch would remarkable contribution in the business development of this area. He also urged all the local people for extending co-operation to the bank.

As humanitarian agencies battle to help those affected by the devastation of tempest, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) will assess its impact on the animals vital to their survival and recovery. Early reports revealed that many people refused to leave their animals and take shelter during the storm such is their dependence on them for food and for their livelihoods.

"Animals are one of the major sources for the majority of those living in rural communities in Bangladesh," said James Sawyer, WSPA's Disaster Relief Operations Manager.

He added: "It is vital that we establish the impact of Thursday super cyclone on these animals and decide what the overnment and the Animal welfare organisations such as WSPA could recommend or contribute. "Little is known at this stage about the number of animals lost or injured. Our assessments will take time but experience tells us that the impact is likely to be significant and therefore have a huge impact on the country's ability to recover from this disaster in the longer-term." Following Bangladesh's worst floods in living memory in August of this year, WSPA carried out an assessment before delivering veterinary treatment and emergency feed to 50,000 animals belonging to impoverished families. These animals accounted for 80 pc of families' incomes, 20 pc being for household consumption.

Eminent Banker Md Abdur Rahman Sarker has joined National Bank Ltd. as its new Managing Director. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director Md Abdur Rahman Sarker was Additional Managing Director of the bank.

After completing Graduation with Honours and Master's in Economics Mr. Rahman was recruited through Bank's Recruitment Committee of Bangladesh bank in the year 1973 and started his career as Probationary Officer in Janata Bank. Subsequently he joined in National Bank Ltd. in 1985 and worked as Manager of different Branches of the Bank. He also held important positions and worked on various capacity at Head Office.

During his long banking career, Mr. Rahman widely travelled both at home & abroad and attended different seminars and symposium, and also received training over there.