The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Economists and business leaders have welcomed Chief Adviser's address to the nation and suggested to start implementation process of his commitments for stabilising business and politics.

The Chief Adviser in his address to the nation on Wednesday announced to open dialogue with political parties, promised to end the ban on indoor politics across the country, pledged to ease emergency rule in phases and above all made it clear that the polls will be held by the end of 2008, if possible, well ahead of the deadline.

Speaking of the economy, Dr Fakhruddin admitted that the prices went beyond control. He pledged to take steps to help agriculture and power sectors. Economists and businessmen welcomed these pledges of the chief executive.

President of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed said stable politics is important to stabilise the economy and business. So the Government and the political parties should sit in dialogues with open heart for removal of the deadlocks.

He said business confidence should be restored. But the anti-corruption drive should not be stopped.

Truth commission or any other acceptable mechanism should be introduced to fade away fear factors from business. The better business forum should start to function to find out a reasonable.

The economist suggested intensive market monitoring both in the cities and rural areas to curb prices of essentials. At the same time import of food grains should be increased. At least 1 million ton rice should be imported to ease the market.

"The CA addressed well the issues of agricultural rehabilitation. Now his announcements should be materialised," he said.

Noted economist Dr Atiur Rahman said, "the CA himself is an economist and naturally economy dominated his speech. I think his speech will be helpful to ease tension both in political and economic field."

Political uncertainty is a barrier to business activities. The CA wanted to open dialogue with the parties and that should not be delayed. The fear factors should be removed and the better business forum should start to work immediately, he suggested.

President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) Hussain Khaled said, "Definitely the Chief Advisers speech is positive. It would be better if the Government started to do earlier what the CA is saying now."

He said there were some suspicions, confusions and mistrusts in people's mind about future of the Government. The Chief Advisers speech would help remove these confusions. But it depends on ensuing actions of the Government.

Now the Government should start implementation of the commitments made by the Chief Adviser he said adding "We do not want talks; we want to see the deeds."

Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus held talks wi M Haider Uzzaman, Chairman of Best Air and IPSSL Groupth in his office of Grameen Bank Bhaban, Mirpur on 8th January 2008 .

Professor Yunus lauded the role played by the young, self made ambitious business personality for his contribution towards the country by creating job opportunities for thousands.

Professor Yunus welcomed Haider's role in promoting Bangladesh in different parts of the World with his outstanding contributions.

Professor Yunus learnt with keen interest the "Vision 2020"plan of Haider for the development of Aviation Industry in Bangladesh.

They shared the common ideas and measures for the poverty alleviation, job creation, health care, boosting up new ideas in attraction of foreign direct investments, development of modem infrastructure and logistical facilities in Bangladesh to make it an attractive region business hub. Professor Yunus highly appreciated the plan of Haider setting up an Aviation Academy in Bangladesh to train up large numbers of Aviation work force including Pilots, Engineers, Technical and Non Technical human resources including Cabin Crew, which has a large market with high salary in the Middle Eastern market, Africa, and the largest aviation market in China and India who are struggling for such kind of human resources at the moment. Higher end human resources like this can earn at least 10,000 US Dollar a month, which is many times more than the unskilled work force.

Professor Yunus and Haider agreed to work closely in future on different development fields for the rapid development of Bangladesh economy with dynamic vision.

Professor Yunus expressed his appreciation to Haider and his Best Air for the gesture of honor for life long respect compliments in all the Best Air flights. Professor Yunus also expressed his deepest satisfaction for honoring the freedom fighters keeping a seat reserved for the freedom fighters with compliments and gesture from Best Air, and wish Haider and ventures all the best

Dutch-Bangia Bank donated Tk. 9.73 crore to Dhaka University for constructing 'Dutch Bangia Bank Centre for Advanced searc in Arts & Social Sciences Bhaban'. The Board of Directors of DBBL in its 7th meeting held on January 14, 2008 decided to donate Tk. 9.73 crore to Dhaka University for constructing an 11th storied research centre named 'Dutch-Bangia Bank Centre for Advanced Research in Arts & Social Sciences Bhaban' in the university campus.

It needs be mentioned that this type of Research Centre would be the first of its kind not only in the Dhaka University Campus but also in the country as such. The authority of the Research Centre is of the opinion that this Centre will playa vital role for higher study in human and social sciences. Researchers/ Scholars from home and abroad will be awarded Scholarships/Fellowships for conducting higher study leading to M. Phil & Ph. D degree from this Centre. The centre will run under the supervision of the renowned scholars, teachers and researchers of the country.

Dutch-Bangia Bank Limited, as an Institution with strong sense of corporate social responsibility has come forward with a donation of about Tk. 10.00 crore for constructing the Centre which would be turned into a Centre of Excellence in the country. It is widely known that DBBL carries out diverse philanthropic and social activities for the betterment of the society.

A Chinese (Hong Kong) Company in the name and style M/s. Newtop Textile BD limited is going to set up a Textile Industry in the Adamjee Export Processing Zone.

This 100% foreign owned company will invest US$ 25.531 million and will produce 32,500 yards fabrics annually. The company will create employment opportunity for 842 Bangladeshi including 04 foreign nationals when in full operation in our alloted land space.

An agreement to this regard was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and the M/s. Newtop Textile BO Ltd. in BEPZA Complex, Dhaka today (13-01-2008). Prasanta Bhushan Barua, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA and Tang Qun, Managing Director of M/s. Newtop Textile BD Ltd. have signed the lease agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Among others Brig. General Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf, Executive Chairman, Member (Engineering) Md. Farhad Uddin, General Manager (Investment Promotion) AZM Azizur Rahman and other officers of BEPZA were present at the signing ceremony.

Two day-long Annual Branch Managers' Conference of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was concluded on 12 January 2008, Saturday in the Multipurpose Hall of the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh. Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank was present in the closing session as the chief guest. Presided over by M. Fariduddin Ahmad, Executive President of the bank , the session was addressed by Kazi Harun-ar-Rashed, Chairman, Audit Committee of the bank as the special guest & addressed, among others, by Md. Shahidul Islam, former Director & Najibur Rahman, Executive Vice President and Head of Comilla Zone of the bank. Present and former directors, members of Shari'ah Council, top executives, zonal heads and branch managers of the bank were present in the conference. Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman of the bank inaugurated the conference on Friday, 11 January 2008. Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zahir said that Islami Bank has been providing it's services for the development of the country since the inception of the bank. It is playing vital role in the development of the life standard of the people of the country through industrialisation, rural development and commercial investment. Islami Bank is conducting different investment programmes along with Rural Development Scheme among the landless, shelterless and downtrodden people with a view to alleviating the poverty from the country.