The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Most of the essentials, including rice, lentil and edible oil were sold at cheaper prices at BDR-run sales centres and markets in the city on Tuesday compared to prices at ordinary city markets.

According to a market report released by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) here on Wednesday, the price of coarse rice in different markets, including Kamlapur, New Market, Karwanbazar, Kalyanpur, Kachukhet and Mohammadpur, ranged between Taka 23 to 25 per kg.

Rice was sold at Taka 24 at BDR-run open markets and Taka 20 at BDR-run sales centers on Saturday while in Kolkata per kg coarse rice was sold at a price equivalent to Bangladesh Taka 21.08.

Each kg of packet flour was selling at Taka 38 and Taka 39 in ordinary markets while the price of the same item was Taka 39 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 35 at BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the flour is being sold at Taka 24.56 per kg, the report said.

The price of imported lentil (mashur) is ranging between Taka 62 to Taka 70 per kg in ordinary markets, while it is being sold at Taka 61 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 60 at BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of the lentil is Taka 59.64 per kg.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 24 to Taka 32 per kg in ordinary city markets while its price in Kolkata was Taka 19.64.

Onion is being sold at Taka 22 per kg in BDR-run open markets while Chinese onion is being sold at Taka 35 at BDR-run sales centres.

The price of imported gram (Chhola) was sold at Taka 44 to 50 per kg in different retail markets on while in Kolkata the item is being sold at Taka 56.14.

The same item is being sold at Taka 46 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 60 at BDR-run sales centres.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 30 per kg in ordinary markets compared to Taka 26.31 in Kolkata and Taka 29 in BDR-run open markets.

The price of green chilli, however, is ranging from Taka 42 to Taka 60 per kg in ordinary city markets.

The item is sold at Taka 42 at BDR-run open markets. The green chilli in Kolkata is being sold at a price equivalent to Taka 26.31.

Potato is being sold at Taka 24 to Taka 26 per kg in ordinary markets. The price of potato in BDR-run open market is being Taka 24 and Taka 18 at BDR sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of the item is equivalent to Taka 15.78.

Soybean oil is being sold at Taka 90 to 92 per litre in ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 85 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 81 in BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of soybean oil is Taka 101.95 per litre.

Palm oil is being sold at Taka 78 to Taka 82 per liter in ordinary markets while it is available at Taka 84 per liter in BDR-run open market. In Kolkata, the price of palm oil is Taka 96.49 per liter.

BSS, Dhaka

China has donated Taka 1 million US dollars to help cyclone victims and seeds to support post-flood agriculture.

Chinese Ambassador Zheng Qingdian handed over the cheque and seeds to Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office on Wednesday.

"This is a small contribution from the part of the Chinese people," the Ambassador told the Foreign Adviser.

The adviser appreciated the Chinese donation and said Bangladesh- China friendship is a permanent feature in global international relations, said a Foreign Ministry release.

The ambassador also handed over a list of items provided for support to agriculture in the form of seeds after the floods, which amount to another US$1 million.

"This generosity touches us deeply," Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said to the Ambassador during the talks.

They also discussed other issues of bilateral interest.

BSS, Dhaka

The 26th meeting of the academic council of Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) was held on Wedensday at MIST, Mirpur.

Commandant of MIST Major General Abdul Wadud chaired the meeting, attended by representatives and members from Dhaka University, BUET, ministries of education, defence and finance, Armed Forces Division, Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and the concerned members of MIST, an ISPR press release said.

The meeting discussed subjects like withdrawal of students from different programmes, fees of academic calendar of 2007- 2008, launching of aeronautical engineering programme, and took appropriate decisions, the release added.

BSS, Dhaka

Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBJCEC) Koji Nojima on Wednesday discussed the issue of expansion of economic cooperation between Dhaka and Tokyo with Foreign Adviser Dr.Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

He also showed keen interest regarding the possibility of import of skilled workers from Bangladesh, as the population of his country was ageing resulting in growing need for outside labour support, said a foreign ministry release.

Koji was accompanied by Japanese ambassador Masayuki Inoue.

So far India and Vietnam were sending their skilled workers to Japan, Koji said adding Bangladesh could be a good source for importing skilled workers for his country, the press release said.

Dr. Chowdhury told Koji Nojima that Bangladesh was adopting a plan to enhance skills to provide labour to developed countries.

BSS, Dhaka

More organisations and individuals till 2.30 pm on Wednesday donated Taka 3, 02, 44,508 and US$ 15, 04,000 to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund for helping the cyclone-hit people in the southern region of the country.

The donors included Turkish ambassador- US$ 10,00,000, Korean ambassador - US$ 5,00,000, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and departments under it- Taka 1,13,34,404, Privatiz-ation Commission- Taka 16,790, Dhaka City College -Taka 3,78,00 Anzuman Mafidul Islam -Taka 5 lakh, Bangladesh Audit and Accounts Department-Taka 7 lakh, Barclays Capital -Taka 5 lakh, Thakurgaon Zila Samity -Taka 50,000, Bangladesh Shilpa Bank-Taka 2,20,000, BCIC-Taka 31 lakh, Rajshahi University-Taka 3 lakh, Mukhlesur Rahman, Secretary ACC-Taka 22,000, Chittagong EPZ- Taka 15,15,000, Dhaka EPZ-Taka 29,96,275, Comilla EPZ-Taka 2,60,000, Adamji EPZ-Taka 2,89,000, Karnaphuli EPZ-Taka 90,000 and US$ 4,000, Mongla EPZ-Taka 79,000, Ishwardi EPZ -Taka 65,000, BEPZA- Taka 1,43,039, BSRS- Taka 1 lakh, Chittagong Stock Exchange - Taka 10 lakh, BKMEA -Taka 25 lakh, Ms Ana Olga Martinez Sanchez - Taka 12,50,000, Satsangha Bangladesh- Taka 5 lakh, Gulshan Club - Taka 10 lakh, Gulshan Joggers Society- Taka 1 lakh, Human Resource Development Company Ltd- Taka 1 lakh, Khandaker Rashiduzzaman- Taka 10,000, Glaxo Smith Kline Employees Union, Chittagong- Taka 1 lakh and Syed M Jasimuddin from Oman Taka 26,000.

Besides, AKM Forhad (Titu) donated Taka 17,500 on Tuesday.