The New Nation - Internet Edition

A.T.M.Nurun Nabi

The beef price went up by taka 10 per kilo on the day before Eid ul Azha while the fish supply was inadequate at Khilgaon Taltala Market. And the mutton was selling at taka 250 per kilo, and the fowl (farm) at taka 260 at the BDR Market. When asked, a meat trader said, "The price is higher than yesterday's in view of holy Eid ul Azha and we cannot say if we will again be able to sell at the yesterday's rate.

" But the thing is different. This year, the price of cattle and goat was cheaper compared with the last year's. Therefore, there could be no valid reason of elevated price. In truth, traders in Bangladesh use religious festivals and ordinances as avenues to make quick money.

Although the fish supply was scanty, price thereof was as usual. The noticeable thing was the disappearance of the river shad, flat fish, lata fish and burble. Since the Eid prayer was to be offered a day after followed by qurbani (sacrificing of domestic animals), most people were not in a hurry to buy fish. But the poor had no access to the cattle or the goat.

It is impossible for a day labourer who earns taka around 100 per day to think of buying a goat or to share a part of cow. Even they struggle hard to buy a packet of shemai valuing taka 15 only. In this context, the state should support them.

As for vegetables, the price level remained unchanged because of sufficient supply and less demand. Tomato was selling at taka 30, cucumber at taka 28, potato at taka 28, brinjal at between taka 20 and 28, radish at taka 12 and papa at taka 10 only.

A vegetable seller said, "Take note please, there is no vegetable below taka 10 and over taka 30 which has almost become a tradition."

"The price of an item rises abnormally when the invisible syndicate intervenes fearless of the afterwards consequence," uttered an economist, "It will continue unless and until the government builds a counter market force and as long as the government will not realise the truth that market economy (laissez faire theory) does not mean uncontrolled economy."

A consumer informed that prices of almost all vegetables had decreased after Eid.

Holcim, one of the world's largest cement manufacturers, held regional golf tournament, called "Holcim Asian Golf Challenge 2007" recently in Bangkok, Thailand. About 72 golfers from nine Asian countries namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam took part in this tournament.

Three golfers from Bangladesh namely Lt. Col. Lutful Kabir Bhuiyan, Mohammad Ansari, and R T Parash Khandaker participated in the tournament and secured second position, while team from Philippines secured the first position.

Niaz Uddin Mahmood, General ManagerCustomer Care of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd led the team.

In this regard it may be mentioned that Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd organized a golf tournament called "Holcim and Golf Members Tournament" in August 2007 jointly with Army Golf Club, Dhaka.

At that time Holcim assured that best golfers of the tournament would be selected to participate in "Holcim Asian Golf Challenge 2007".

These three members of Bangladesh team, who are also member of Army Golf Club, won the tournament in Bangladesh in August 2007. Thus, Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, as per its declaration, took the full responsibility of arranging participation of these three golfers in "Holcim Asian Golf Challenge 2007"

Holcim, as part of its eagerness to promote sports and games, organized this two daylong golf tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. Besides the tournament, the players and audience enjoy world famous film Alaps.

All participants expressed their gratitude to Holcim for organizing this attractive regional tournament. The management of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd congratulated Bangladesh team on securing the second position in the tournament.

Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) commissioned an art gallery at its Head Office at 67 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka on 18 December 2007. Paintings of renowned and emerging artists of the country will be displayed in this gallery. This art gallery will have exhibitions all the year round to promote young artists of the country. Part of proceeds from the sale of the art work will be donated to charity. This art gallery manifests the promise of Standard Chartered Bank to be the right partner.

Osman Morad, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh and renowned artist Oayyum Chowdhury inaugurated the art gallery on 18 December 2007. Paintings of Ouyyum Chowdhury, Rafiqun Nabi, Kuhu, Jamal, Nisar Hossain, Fareha Zeba and Iftikhar Uddin Ahmed are displayed in the inaugural exhibition. This art gallery will be promoting young and emerging artists of the country and will organize painting exhibitions all the year round.

Prime Bank Limited sailed its 59th branch at Fazal Tower, Jalil Nagar, Raozan Chittagong on 17th December, 2007. Md Nader Khan, former Chairman, Board of Director of the bank inaugurated the branch as chief guest. M. Shahjahan Bhuiyan, Managing Director presided over the opening ceremony.

Inaugurating the branch, chief guest and former Chairman Md. Nader Khan stated that PB as a trustee of public money considers it an obligation on its part to utilize them properly. In this regard bank has so far successfully played its due role for which its rating has been among the best.

Managing Director, M. Shahjahan Bhuiyan in his speech said that Prime Bank believes in the economic emancipation of general mass of the country and to this end in view has introduced several customised solutions for their welfare. People of all tiers of the society can avail those products and services particularly the small investors under SME category. He requested the august gathering present to avail the banking services from the branch to improve their own lot and in the process the society.

He recalled that continuous support of the stakeholders has encouraged the board and the management of the bank: to take prudent decisions which has tremendously contributed towards its present envious position in the banking industry.

The bank is based on 'sound fundamentals' and this has helped the bank to earn "AA" rating which is unique among the local banks.

The Managing Director further added, Prime Bank achieved 1st position in the banking category of ICAB National Award-2006 for best published accounts and reports and with this bank has maintained its top position for last consecutive three years. This award in itself is the testimony of the bank's sound financial, transparency and compliance of national and international accounting standard.

Ms. Hasina Khan, Vice Chairperson of the board, Mahbubul Alam Deputy Managing Director, Chairman, Roazan Pouroshova and O.C of the Local Police Station also spoke on the occasion.

The programme ended with Doa-Mahfil.

Grameenphone Limited recently signed an agreement with Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited 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.

PGCB owns 100% of the power distribution system in the country. The company has a massive programme to construct new facilities in the coming years, with the objective to help electrification of more new villages and towns of the country, for faster economic growth and poverty reduction.

Grameenphone offers 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.

As per the agreement, PGCB is being provided with complete communications solutions tailored to its needs. PGCB will use the services to further improve its communication at an affordable cost.

The agreement was signed by Mohammed Salim, Company Secretary of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited, and Rahat Khan, Head of Corporate Key Accounts of Grameenphone, on behalf of their respective organisations.

A. B. M. Harunur Rashid, Managing Director; Md. Helal Uddin, General Manager, P&A; Md. Rafiqul Alam, P&D; Md. Tajul Islam, Manager, HRM, of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited, and Shehreen Rahmatullah, Deputy Manager, Direct Sales, Mohi-UI Haque, Officer, Direct Sales, of Grameenphone, were present at the signing ceremony.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited accomplished a 5-day-long plastic surgery operation camp in Cox's Bazar district town to bring back enduring smile in the faces of the poor cleft-lipped boys and girls at the bank's own cost. The operations camp was conducted by the eminent plastic surgeon Professor A. J. M. Salek at Fuad AI Khatib Hospital, Cox's Bazar town during December 10 - 14, 2007. Dr. Mozammel Hossain Khan, Medical Consultant of Dutch-Bangla Bank coordinated the programme.

About 200 cleft-lipped boys and girls have been enlisted for operation and out of which 80 were successfully operated at this program and the rest will be operated very soon.

Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Md. Yeasin Ali and Additional Managing Director AHM Nazmul Quadir visited the plastic surgery operation camp and inquired about the operated cleft-lipped boys & girls on December 13, 2007. The parents of cleftlipped boys and girls journalists, local doctors,. physician Dr. Kutubi and Dr. Shah Alam of Fuad AI Khatib Hospital and the elite people of the town were present during their visit.

The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) won the ICMAB National Best Corporate Award - 2007, while Prime Bank Limited secured second position among the local banks, according to the press release issued by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh.

The third spot went to BRAC Bank Limited among the local banks. The Standard Chartered Bank became the top foreign bank followed by Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and Commercial Bank of Ceylon Limited.

Among the financial institutions, Uttara Finance and Investment Limted got the best award and IDLC Finance Limited the second place. The National Housing and Investment Limited cruised to third spot. Finance Advisor Dr. A.B. Mirza Azizul islam handed the awards at an ceremony held in the city.