The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Grameenphone (GP) Ltd and Research In Motion (RIM) yesterday announced the launching of Blackberry wireless solution in Bangladesh. The Blackberry solution will be provided through GP's business solutions, which is focused on meeting the special needs of business.

Blackberry smart phones will provide GP's customers with access to a wide range of mobile applications, including e-mail, browsing, messaging, phone, organiser, multimedia and a wide range of other business and lifestyle applications.

This was disclosed at a press conference organised by GP at a city hotel.

Anders Jensen, CEO of GP, Stein Naevdal Larsen, Chief Marketing Officer, Rubaba Dowla Matin, Head of Brands, Syed Yamin Bakht, Head of Information, Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific of RIM, among others, were present on the occasion.

Anders Jensen said, "The Blackberry platform is the gold standard in mobility for business users around the world. We are proud to be the first mobile operator to launch the Blackberry wireless solution in Bangladesh, bringing in the next level of global connectivity for business."

Norm Lo said, "Blackberry platform, together with GP's network, will offer an innovative and powerful mobile solution that enables users to be more productive, flexible and successful in both work and life."

GP will initially offer the Blackberry 8700g and Blackberry Pearl smart phones in conjunction with Blackberry enterprise server and Internet service. Blackberry 8700g and Blackberry Pearl will operate on GP's EDGE/GPRS enabled GSM network.

Blackberry 8700g and Blackberry Pearl smart phones will be available from GP in January this year.

Blackberry 8700g comes with a full 'Qwerty' keyboard and delivers fast performance for wireless e-mail (with support for attachment viewing), web browsing and other mobile applications. It features a bright, high resolution LCD display that delivers vivid graphics and incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting to provide optimal lighting for indoor, outdoor and dark environments.

Blackberry Pearl is packed with powerful communication and multimedia capabilities and yet it is incredibly sleek and stylish. It incorporates RIM's innovative 'SureType' keyboard technology, which merges a phone keypad with a familiar keyboard to enable a narrower design while allowing users to type messages and dial phone numbers quickly and accurately.

Syful Islam

None of the edible oil companies put maximum retail price of the product on the label of container allowing the retailers to charge extra price from the customers.

During the last couple of days retailers charged huge sums from the customers shooting up the price of per litre edible oil to Tk 100.

On Sunday last, president of the Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Banaspati Manufacturers Association MA Rouf Chowdhury urged the customers to buy edible oil at no more than the price mentioned on the label of containers.

However, a survey in different markets found that no companies mention the price of edible oil on the containers.

When his attention was drawn to the issue, MA Rouf Chowdhury told newsmen Tuesday that the companies should have marketed edible oil mentioning the maximum retail price on the label of containers.

"May be the companies mention the price on the body of the containers but the retailers pick up those to charge extra sum from the customers," said the sector leader who does not have any idea of the issue.

One shop owner at the city's Karwanbazar said, "I am in this trade for the last 7 years. I see the MRP in every product except edible oil. The manufacturers do not mention MRP in the label to increase the price frequently," he said.

Another seller in the same market said, "Rouf Chowdhury has no idea of the issue except talking much. The manufacturers only know how to make more profit."

An official of the ministry of commerce said, " We met with the edible oil association leaders several times. They had committed not to raise the price. But in practice they did the same. They never care for keeping word".

President of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Kazi Faruk Ahmed said an influential group has put on hold the labelling policy using their power. He said, "Mentioning MRP in the label of products is mandatory in most of the countries. But in Bangladesh the profit mongering businessmen have blocked formulation of the labelling policy to earn extra profit through increasing price repeatedly."

Ahmed, blaming former adviser Tapan Chowdhury and Geetiara Shafia Chowdhury, said the two advisers have delayed formulation of the labelling policy.

He said a meeting of the BSTI in July 2007 was scheduled to finalise the labelling policy but failed to do so under the pressure of business leaders. The meeting, that time, had decided to make the policy effective from 1 January 2008. But adviser Geetiara Shafia Chowdhury has delayed it for another six months at a recent meeting for unknown reason, he said.

In the retail markets on Wednesday edible oil was being sold at various prices. Retailers were charging the customers at will. Each 5-litre container of different companies was selling ranging from Tk 475 to Tk 515 in different outlets.

According to the market monitoring report of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) price of edible oil have increased by 57.12 per cent over the year and 6.47 per cent over the month.

UNB, Dhaka

A preparatory meeting for a proposed seminar on global warming and its impacts was held with chief patron President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban onWednesday.

The meeting discussed various issues of the seminar, being held in the wake of adversities stemming from global warming reportedly due to excessive greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world.

Organizers said the aim of the seminar is to find out ways and formulate strategies as Bangladesh is going to be worst victim of the climate change amid global warming.

The proposed seminar will be organized jointly by Dhaka University, Bangladesh, and the Ohio State University of the United States.

Experts on global warming from 15 countries are likely to take part in the seminar while researchers and scientists present various papers on the hot issue of the time.

Secretaries concerned, vice-chancellors of different public universities and chairpersons of relevant departments attended the preparatory meeting.

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday directed the police to remain alert in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people by establishing their rights and justice in society.

Addressing senior officials of Bangladesh Police on the occasion of Annual Police Week-2008 at his office on Wednesday morning, he also asked them to maintain honesty, efficiency and professionalism in discharging their duties to ensure a further forward march of the force.

The Chief Adviser sought cooperation of the police in implementing the ongoing reform measurers of the government and facing the challenges related to elections and economy. He said all these issues have to be tackled successfully for the welfare of the nation and a proper flourishing of democracy.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed instructed the force to take necessary measurers to protect the huge investment in the country's Readymade Garment (RMG) sector.

He asked them to form a special industrial security unit for Bangladesh after reviewing the models and strategies being followed in different countries.

The Chief Adviser said ensuring security and law and order in the country has now become essential to maintain a favorable environment for local and foreign investment and conduct business. All police personnel have to exercise maximum cautious to this end, he added.

He expressed the hope that the members of the police will play their due role in maintaining the investment friendly environment by ensuring a smooth transportation of commodities in the areas under their jurisdiction.

Assuring the police of taking pragmatic steps in phases to resolve their existing problems, he said the government is pledged bound to turn the police force into a modern and service oriented one.

He said Model Thana, Service Delivery System, Open House Day, Community Policing and Victim Support Service have been introduced to infuse dynamism into police activities at local level apart from making it pro-people and accountable.

He said the people of the country have appreciated these steps and asked the police officials to expand these new ideas and systems across the country for making them sustainable.

Referring to the enormous role of the police in maintaining law and order and ensuring the rule of law, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the responsibility this law enforcing agency has been increasing day by day in the context of a changing situation.

"Your responsibilities for the vulnerable section of society especially the women, children and elderly people have been increasing gradually and you have to be alert and conscious to discharge your duties," he added.

Dr. Fakhruddin said the judiciary has been separated from the executive for establishing good governance and justice and now it is necessary to set up a police system harmonious to the independent judiciary.

The Chief Adviser said the present Caretaker Government since assuming power is working relentlessly to create a healthy and welfare oriented democratic environment to flourish democratic culture and values in all spheres of the administration.

Reminding them of the government's effective steps in bringing reforms in some national institutions to ensure accountability and strengthen the base of democracy, he said similar measures will be taken to transform the police into a real and modern service-oriented organisation.

"Steps are underway to formulate a time befitting and accountable new act amending the colonial Police Act-1861," he added.

The Chief Adviser said opportunities have now been created for the police to discharge their duties independently and neutrally because of an impartial and firm attitude of the present government. Utilizing this privilege, the police have to earn more confidence of the people, he added.

The Chief Adviser said the sense of comfort and relief that has been restored to the minds of the people through the steps taken against terrorism, extortion and corruption must be given a sustainable shape.

The chief adviser asked the police to take comprehensive initiatives to establish a knowledge- based honest, skilled and enlightened police service to ensure justice, good governance and a peaceful democratic society.

He directed them to take initiative for bringing all police stations and units under computer network and said information, research and intelligence systems have to be strengthened to get a clear picture of the causes of crimes, their nature in different areas and how to control them.

Communications Adviser Maj. Gen. (retd) MA Matin, Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder, Home Secretary Mohammad Abdul Karim, Inspector General of Police Noor Muhammad, Additional IGP Naba Bikram Krishak Tripura and Special Police Super of Special Branch Golam Rasul, addressed on the occasion. Joint Commissioner of Police Mili Biswas conducted the function.

BSS, Dhaka

The draft Coal Policy review committee in its final report has recommended that use of natural gas in different sectors including power should be gradually lessened side by side with increasing the use of coal and other substitute fuel sources to ensure energy security in the country.

The report was yesterday handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Mohammad Mohsin, with a provision for forming a public sector organisation named "Coal Bangla" to develop the coal sector, an official handout said.

The Secretary received the report from committee chairman Professor Abdul Matin Patwary. The 10-member review committee, formed on June 21 last, finalised the report after reviewing the overall draft coal policy in as many as 19 sittings, it said.

The committee felt that ensuring energy security through the speedy development of the coal policy is its main objective, the handout said.

Professor Nazrul Islam, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ismail Faruq Chowdhury, Professor Nurul Islam, Journalist Ataus Samad, Professor Mostafizur Rahman, Nazrul Islam, Mohammad Maqbul-e-Elahi and Mohammad Ehsanullah were present during the handing over of the report.

Officials of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were also present on the occasion.

UNB, Dhaka

The World Bank has projected Bangladesh's economic growth to 5.5 percent for 2008, lower than domestic estimates, due to political tensions, severe flooding and Cyclone 'Sidr'.

A stepping up of inflation, potential threat to exports, increase in the food and energy prices, and pressure on external balance would have an adverse impact on the economy, according to World Bank's Global Economic Prospects 2008 (GEP 2008) released Wednesday.

Bangladesh Bank as well as independent domestic resear-chers estimated that the GDP growth would be over 6 percent in 2008. According to the GEP, South Asia's regional GDP was vibrant at 8.4 percent growth in 2007, easing only moderately from the 8.8 percent outturn of 2006.

The regional growth is expected to pick up to 8.1 percent by 2009, as recovering growth in the OECD firms up external demand and as receding oil prices ease pressures on the import bill.

In 2008, global growth is expected to be 3.3 percent.

"Heightened political tensions and severe flooding were curbing demand in the second half of 2007 and will contribute to a full percentage point reduction in growth to 5.5 percent for 2008," said the World Bank outlook. It said tighter domestic credit conditions in Bangladesh induced a softening in investment growth, while net exports turned negative, explaining the slight moderation in growth from 6.6 in 2006 to 6.5 percent in 2007.

European and U.S. restrictions on some categories of Chinese textile and clothing exports will be lifted at the end of 2008, and increased competition in 2009 could hurt regional exporters.

The GEP said potential effects might be discerned by examining developments in Canada, which has not imposed safeguard restrictions on China: Bangladesh's share of Canada's textile and clothing market declined from 7.4 percent in 2005-06 to 6.9 percent over 2007 to date.

It said high, and in some cases increasing, commodity prices also present a risk for the region's economies.

Sharp gains in international food prices are a growing threat in a region where food imports represent 11-20 percent of total merchandise imports. In case of Bangladesh, food imports represent 19 percent of its total imports.

The GEP noted that world growth slowed modestly in 2007 to 3.6 percent compared with 3.9 percent in 2006, a downturn due largely to weaker growth in high-income countries.

It said a weaker US dollar, the specter of an American recession and rising financial-market volatility could cast a shadow over this soft landing scenario for the global economy.

These risks, it added, would cut export revenues and capital inflows for developing countries, and reduce the value of their dollar-investments abroad.

In this context, the GEP projected that the reserves and other buffers that developing countries have built up in past years may be needed to absorb unexpected shocks.

Aside from putting increased pressure on external positions, the World Bank report said higher international food prices carry potentially serious implications for the poorest members of these societies, including Bangladesh.

The higher food prices could strain government coffers and generate increased inflationary pressures given widespread food subsidies, it added.

"Similarly, further increases in energy prices remain a risk for the region, which is highly dependent on oil imports."

Staff Reporter

Implementation of election roadmap announced earlier by the Election Commission (EC) to hold the next general elections by the end of this year would not be affected following the resignation of a group of Advisers of the caretaker government at a time. The election would be held in time.

Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain stated this while talking to reporters at his office yesterday.

We are doing our duties independently. The Advisers of the caretaker Government never interfered in our tasks. They did not create any pressure on us. So I hope that change in the Advisers Council will have no impact on the polls roadmap, he said.

The Election Commissioner said the resignations would also not affect the government administration relating to the separation of the EC secretariat from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Replying to a question on Awami League's demand to hold the general elections by June-July, he said the work of voter list has to be finished before holding the elections.

As soon as the voter list was be ready, the EC would inform the government that the Commission was now ready to hold parliamentary elections, he said. Sohul Hussain said the elections would be held in time if the preparation of voter list is completed before the scheduled time, he said.

Asked about the EC plan to hold dialogue with BNP, he said the decision would be taken in line with the court directories, as the High Court is expected to complete the hearing of the appeal of the EC's invitation to the reformist BNP faction to electoral reform talks today.

"The commission will hold dialogue with the faction of BNP that get the court verdict. The court verdict will be considered final, in this regard " he said.

About the EC's second-round dialogue with the political parties, he informed that the second round of talks with political parties would be held in a single day next month.

"If any party raises objection to sit with all parties, then the Commission will consider it," he said.

Sohul Hussain said the draft of the proposed electoral reform would be finalised after the second round of dialogue with the political parties.

He said the delimitation work of the constituencies has been started.

The Election Commissioner apprehended that difficulties may arise centering the delimitation work and the commission is ready to accept any logical demand in this regard.

BBC Online

A 16-year-old boy scout in the Maldives who has been hailed a hero for saving the president's life has said that he acted "out of instinct".

Mohammed Jaisham Ibrahim injured his hand while thwarting a man who tried to knife President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the north of the islands on Monday.

"It all happened so quickly I didn't have time to think about it," he said.

The attacker lunged at the president after he had got off a boat during a visit in the north of the archipelago.

"As we were queuing up to shake hands with the president, I became aware of a man who was jostling in the crowd behind me," the teenager told the Haveeru newspaper. "He asked me to get out of the way just as I was shaking hands with the president. He produced a large knife which he was concealing under a Maldives flag and lunged towards the president shouting 'Allah is great'.

"Fortunately I was able to fend him off with my left hand and his attempt to stab the president in the stomach was foiled."

The student said the incident happened so quickly that he did not have enough time to think about the risk he was taking.

His left hand was badly cut in the incident - for which he received hospital treatment in the capital, Male, before being discharged on Wednesday.