The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a workshop here on Tuesday said that the country's poultry sector as well as the people could be saved through preventing the spreading of bird flu and pandemic flu viruses by creating mass awareness.

They said this while addressing the concluding ceremony of a three-day training workshop for the journalists of Rangpur and Nilphamari districts on 'Bird Flu and Pandemic Flu Awareness and Preparedness' in the conference hall of Rangpur Circuit House.

Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) organised the training workshop with financial support from UNICEF with a view to creating massive awareness and necessary preparedness for saving human lives and reducing loss in the poultry sector if the viral diseases break out anytime in the future.

Chaired by Programme Communication Officer of UNICEF from Dhaka headquarters Ahsan Habib, the concluding session was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur Khondker Atiar Rahman as the chief guest, who distributed certificates among the 41 participant journalists.

Rajshahi Divisional Chief of UNICEF Nujulee Begum, Rangpur District Representative of UNICEF Rezina Sultana and Researcher of PIB Amir Hossain were present as special guests.

Trainer and coordinator of PIB Parveen Sultana Rabbi conducted the function that was also addressed by Staff Reporter of BSS Mamun Islam and Nilphamari Correspondent of The Daily Star Asaduzzaman on behalf of the participant journalists.

The speakers said Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries because of its geographic, demographic and topographic locations as millions of migratory birds from the Siberian region visit Bangladesh every year and use routes on their way to other South Asian countries.

They also discussed the global, regional and national situations of bird flu and pandemic flu and suggested various ways to keep our human lives and poultry birds safe through adopting precautionary measures.

Prime Bank Limited opened its 57th branch at Jahaz Company More, Rangpur on December 02, EC Chairman of the Bank, Mohammad Aminul Haque inaugurated the branch as Chief Guest. Former Vice Chairman, Board of Directors Md. Shahadat Hossain attended the occasion as Special Guest while Managing Director, M. Shahjahan Bhuiyan presided over the function. Also present on the occasion was former Chairman, Board of Directors Md. Nader Khan, Director Saheda Pervin Trisha, Deputy Managing Director of the Bank Mahbubul Alam. Besides, President, Rangpur Chamber of Commerce & Industries, local elite, dignitaries and businessmen of the town were present at the inaugural ceremony.

Inaugurating the Branch, the Chief Guest in his speech extended invitation to the local entrepreneurs to avail the banking services of the bank which gives high priority for the investors in small and medium Enterprises.

Special Guest, Md.Shahadat Hossain in his speech said that though Prime Bank opened its branch late in Rangpur but its obvious to add momentum in the banking business due to its customised and quality services and products.

M. Shahjahan Bhuiyan, Managing Director of the bank in his deliberations stated that Prime Bank is focused on the economic development of the country particularly the rural areas.

To this end in view if decided to open Rangpur branch in order enable local investors avail credit facilities from it. He stated, easy access to credit facility will create new entrepreneurs, business opportunities and fresh avenues for employment.

This, in a way will put a halt to inclination of the locals about migrating to the bigger cities and thus pave the way for a balanced growth of the economy. He requested the people of Rangpur to come up with quality investment initiatives for the development of the locality.

Before, concluding his speech he referred about the status of Prime Bank which has been the solitary recipient of "AA" rating among the local banks due to 'good fundamentals' which include best Asset Quality, Diversified Product Lines, Good Profitability, Good Corporate Governance and above all experienced and sound management team.

The inaugural ceremony was rounded off with Doa- mahfil.

Grameenphone Ltd. signed an agreement with Provati Insurance Company Ltd to provide complete communication facilities under its Business Solutions package.

GP Business Solutions is an integrated telecommunications service specially designed for the business entities of (Bangladesh), providing customised telecommunications solutions through a consultative approach, tailored to the needs of individual businesses or organisation.

Provati Insurance Company Ltd. is a well-established Insurance Company that began its operation in 1996.

GP Business Solutaions, comprising of modern mobile telecommunications services for any business needs, provides voice, text messaging and mobile data and internet services. Also offered is a complete Mobile-Office solution, including mobile email, mobile high-speed data access, internet acccess, mobile fax and more, providing the freedom to work from anywhere within Grameenphone's wide network coverage.

According tot he agreement, Provati Insurance Company Ltd. is being provided complete communications solutions tailored to its needs, including voice, data and other services. Provati Insurance Company Ltd will use the services to further improve communication amongst its different branches, at an affordable cost.

The agreement was signed by Md. Ataur Rahman Mazumder, Managing Director, Provati Insurance Company Ltd., and Mr. Rahat Khan, Manager Direct Sales, Grameenphone Ltd., on Behalf of their respective organisations.

Shakawat Hossain Mamun, Deputy Managing Director, Md. Zahedul Islam, General Manager, F&A and Company Secretary, Md. Mijanur Rahman, Asssistant General Manager (Admn.) of Provati Insurance Co. Ltd., and Arafat Ahmed, Officer, Direct Sales of Grameenphone Ltd., were also present at the signing ceremony.

In an innovative Private-Public SMART Partnership; Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Chittagong Skills Development Centre (CSDC), JUKI and Bangladesh and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) jointly launched a pilot training on machine maintenance for Chittagong BGMEA members.

The 3-day practical training taught basic maintenance skills to technicians from Beau Monde Apparels, Clifton Garments, Asia Apparels, Aziz Garments, Farmin Apparels and UCEP on JUKI Plain, Autotrimmer and Overlock machines. The programme's objective was to raise worker productivity while reducing cycle-time and resource wastage.

"GTZ-Progress is committed to strengthening RMG competitiveness by boosting employee productivity and overcoming the challenges of the post MFA era. "We therefore believe such stakeholder partnerships are crucial to ensuring Bangladesh's RMG Industry growth," said David Ambadar, Senior Advisor at GTZ.

Md. Kamruzaman, Sales & Technical Manager at Juki added, "As a trusted RMG Technology Provider, Juki is proud to join hands to enhance RMG skills upgradation, workforce efficiency and quality."

"Bangladesh must graduate to a skilled RMG workforce to move up the RMG-Vertical to higher value-addition products," noted Mikhail Islam, CSDC's Acting Executive Director. "This SMART Partnership can foster a win-win for company profitability and higher employee wages; and is a first step towards realising the vast potential of Bangladesh's RMG Industry.

Citycell customers will get special discount on room tariff at Praasad Paradise Hotel and Resort (which is under the management of Grand Bay), Cox's Bazaar. Officials of both the companies reached an agreement in this regard at a signing ceremony held at Citycell's Head Office.

This special discount will be available through Citycell's Platinum Card, Gold Card and V-Card (SMS Discount Coupon). Platinum Card holders will enjoy 25 pc discount at peak season and 60 pc at off-peak season while 20 pc discount at peak season and 55 pc at off-peak season will be offered to Gold Card holders.

All Citycell customers will also be able to get 15 pc discount at peak season and 50 pc at off-peak season through V-Card (SMS Discount Coupon). However, for this, they have to type 'cvc praasad' and send SMS to 2525 number to receive discount detail via return SMS.

Dr. Abu Yousuf Md. Abdullah, Chairperson of Praasad Paradise and Dr. Anand Rajasingham, Head of Marketing of Citycell signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Sayed Enamul Karim, Chairman, Benazir Ahmed, Managing Director of Grand Bay, Mahmud Ahmed Mamun, Head of Sales and Marketing and Mahmud Hassan, Manager, Public Relation of Praasad Paradise and Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, Deputy General Manager, Product and Business Development and Mohammad Jakirul Islam, Executive, Product Development of Citycell were also present at the signing ceremony.