The New Nation - Internet Edition

A.T.M.Nurun Nabi

The rate of percentage of absolute poverty in the country declined to 40.4 from 47.5 and that of hardcore poverty fell to 19.5 from 28.10 in 14 years from 1991-92 but the number of the poverty stricken people went up.

Taking of food below 2122 kilo calorie of food per day by a person is considered absolute poverty while that of below 1805 kilo calorie per day is taken to be hardcore poverty. Another criterion is that poverty refers to the earning of less than one dollar per day. And according to Islamic theory, a man failing to meet the basic needs with his legal income is called poor.

According to Bangladesh Economic Review 2007, the percentage of people living on the line of absolute poverty (DCI system) at the national level was 47.5 in 1991-92 and 1995-96, 44.3 in 2000 and 40.4 in 2005. On the other hand, the percentage of people living on the line of hard core poverty was 28.10 in 1991-92, 25.1 in 1995-96, 20.00 in 2000 and 19.5 in 2005.

An interesting matter is that the number of the absolute poverty stricken people increased to 56 million from 51.6 m in 14 years from 1991-92. It means there is no reason to feel happy at the declining rate of poverty as overall number has been rising. There are several causes of poverty in Bangladesh.

These are absence of job opportunities, river erosion, exploitation of village people by the moneylenders and some of NGOs, concentration of wealth in the hands of the few, improper income distribution, erroneous social structure, corruption at national level and no room for the landless farmers in the bank loan.

It is said that the number of the landless farmers rose from 20 percent in the sixties to over 60 percent during the first decade of the 21st century. It is because the marginal farmers become constrained to take loan from the moneylenders at high rate of interest.

In case of poor production, they become unable to repay loan and leave the small piece of land with the moneylenders. And the NGO's exploitation has been exposed in the days after 11/15 super-cyclones.

They did not hesitate to press a borrower undone by the sea storm, finally agreed to stop collection of installment from the borrower only when the state intervened.

An economist said that the removal of the causes of poverty will improve the condition of the poor people.

Grameenphone Ltd recently signed an agreement with the Max Group 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.

Max Group is a diversified Group of Companies established in 1987 in Dhaka by a group of highly-qualified, experienced and motivated entrepreneurs and professionals. Max Group has an annual turnover of BDT 1000 million with 1,000 employees.

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

According to the agreement, Max Group is being provided complete communications solutions tailored to its needs, including voice, data and other services. Max Group will use the services to further improve communication amongst its different businesses, at an affordable cost.

The agreement was signed by Engr. Ghulam M Alomgir, Managing Director of Max Group, and Sajjad Alam, Head of Dhaka Region, Commercial Division of Grameenphone, on behalf of their respective organisations.

Kaniz Fatema, Director Human Resources, and Kazi Yaminur Rashid, Marketing Manager of Max Group; and Ehatasham Haider, Group Manager; Abduhu Sufi, Account Manager; Md. Shahriar Ferdous, Account Manager, Business Sales; and Md. Monerul Islam, Relationship Manager, of Grameenphone, were also present at the signing ceremony.

The country’s popular film actor anf director Razzak inaugurated the outlet of Almas Jewellers designed to create something new. Almas Jewellers, a guinea gold ornament manufacturing Jewellers and suppliers, started its journey at ground floor of Baitul Mukarram Mosque market in the capital recently.

C. Bhajan Bhattacharya, Chairman of the Jewellery house, Obaidur Rahman Sentu, Managing Director, Kazi Sirajul Islam, fonner MP and Managing Director of Amin Jewellers, Gulzar Ahmed, Managing Director of Apan Jewellers, among others, were present on the occasion. The aim of the jewellers, outlet is to provide better facilities and aesthetic beauty to its clients.

UNB, Gazipur

Garment Workers ransacked a factory and set fire to it at Shafipur in Kaliakoir upazila Monday evening demanding their Eid bonus and arrears.

Sources said as the workers of Karnic Knit Composite Factory didn't get their Eid bonus and arrears they ransacked the factory and set fire to it.

The firefighters from Savar and Gazipur fire service put out the blaze after hour-long frantic efforts.

Sources said huge yarn and machinery were burned in the fire.

The country's pioneer mobile operator Citycell recently joined hands with Rapport Bangladesh Limited at the 6th International Conference on Marketing 2007. Citycell was one of the sponsors of this four day conference that was held from December 6 to 9 in the city.

Rapport Bangladesh Limited is a professional management services organization which offers a full range of management and economic consulting services, management training, conference management and publications services to the country's reputed organizations.

The 6th International Conference on Marketing 2007 was based on the theme 'Preparing managers for global marketing opportunities and challenges in 2010 and beyond'. This conference started with an inaugural session on December 6 at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. Citycell CEO Mr. Michael Seymour joined the conference as Special Guest on this session. Citycell Head of Marketing Dr. Anand Rajasingham received the crest of Honor on this day. Eminent marketing experts and marketing professors of Bangladesh and India made presentation on diverse topics. Paper presentation and discussion were made on marketing opportunities and challenges for different business sectors of the country. Presentation was also made on marketing strategy, export, local and regional marketing at this conference.

The participants received certificates at a certificate awarding ceremony on December 9, 2007 at Baton Rouge.

The Consortium of Professional Bodies & Universities (CPBU) of United Kingdom has conferred on Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury Founder, Chairman and CEO of HRC Group with the prestigious International Award of "CPBU Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2001" at its annual Graduation Ceremony on December/09/2007 held London. The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests including Lord Mayor, High Commissioners, Vice Chancellors, Professors and other eminent personalities from different countries.

Dr. Chris Bottley of The Ede and Ravenscroft (endorsed by the Three Royal Crowns) also conferred the Queen's approved special Award for one select individual per year to Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury as a leading Asian Entrepreneur for 2007.

Mr. Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury has also received the highest Award of Honorary Fellowship of the Corporation of Executives Administrators (CEA). The CEA was established in 1981 and today it is considered as one of the historic Professional Bodies of Great Britain, the patron being The Lord Vincent Constantine.

A Marginal Review M eting of the Branch Incharges for the year. 2007 of Kamaphuli Insurance Co. Ltd. was held in the Board Room of Its Head Office, Biman Bhaban, Motijheel, Dhaka recently.

Presided over by Md Muslehuddin, the Managing Director of the Company, Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chairman, attended the meeting as chief guest, Nasiruddin Ahmed, one of the Directors of the company was present as special guest.

As regards contribution towards national economy in respect of the potentiality of general insurance industry, Nizamuddin Ahmed said in his speech if existing mismanagement and unethical competition are removed, the future of the General Insurance Industry will be brightened. He called upon the officers and work sincerely .in respect of policy-holders servicing and to cross over all obstacles through professional skill and dexterity.

Nasiruddin Ahmed as special guest said in his speech that all should come forward with their wisdom, diligence and cordiality by rendering quality service to the policy holders and to make the company step forward and advanced.

Md. Muslehuddin Ahmed, Managing Dircetor of the Company· in his speech opined that the honour, reputation and heritage which Karnaphuli Insurance is holding as first row General Insurance Company of the country should be more developed and advanced. Fariduddin Khan Siddiqui, Additional Managing Director and other Branch Incharges spoke on the occasion.