The New Nation - Internet Edition

Climate change: Dhaka plans int’l confce in Europe

Staff Reporter

Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Environment are working together to hold a major international conference in Europe in late February to draw donors' attention to the effects of climate change on the country, official sources said yesterday.

The Government decided to hold the moot, titled as "International Conference on the Impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh" after three natural disasters, including two floods and the devastating Cyclone Sidr, last year, which together killed over 5,300 people, affected some 20 million people and caused 20 million tons shortage of rice production.

The Government and experts have blamed the changes in the global climate pattern for the disasters.

However, the venue of the conference has not yet been finalised. Any of three European centers-Paris, London and Brussels-would be the venue of the conference.

"We are looking for a venue in a major European Union or Scandinavian cities to hold the conference in late February. Paris, London and Brussels are our main options," a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

"We will highlight the impact of climate change on the country. We will give them a detailed picture on the issue and hope to get donors assurance to overcome the disasters in a sustainable way," he said.

The country has been one of the worst victims of changes in global climate system, with floods and cyclones becoming a permanent feature in its annual calendar, putting at risk the livelihoods of millions of its poor people.

A senior official of the External Relation Division (ERD) said the Government would present a number of papers at the conference, outlining the future impact of the climate change in the country and possible measures to protect millions of vulnerable people and the ecology.

"Our aim is now to build a sustainable protection against recurring natural disasters," he added.

Call to reduce construction costs in housing sector

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable on Sunday called for a series of measures to reduce the cost of construction of housing with a view to implementing the fundamental rights of shelter of citizens of the country.

They underscored the need for government-private partnership to reduce the cost of housing and take it within the reach of average citizens.

The roundtable organised by housing magazine Ghorbari was participated by leaders of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), editors, senior journalists and social workers.

Prof Shamsher Ali, Vice-Chancellor, South East University attended as chief guest. Ershad Majumder, Chief Editor, Gharbari, moderated the roundtable which was presided over by Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor, The New Nation. Mokarram Hossain Khan, president, Tanvirul Haque Probal, general secretary, REHAB, Towfiq M Siraj, president, Institute of Planners, Alamgir Mohiuddian, Editor, Daily Nayadiganta, AKM Rafiqunnabi, Managing Director, Crescent Housing, FR Khan, Managing Director, Asset Development Ltd, Afsaruddin Ansari, senior journalist, Daily Ittefaq, Tazul Islam, Managing Director, Anwar Landmark, Habibullah, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Steel Mills and Re-rolling Association, took part in the discussion.

Earlier, Belayet Hossain presented a paper on behalf of Abdul Awal, Managing Director, Structural Engineers Ltd, at the roundtable.

They said that the government may help bring down the cost of housing by allocating Khas land free of cost or on a nominal price for constructing buildings. They opined that the government should not allocate extensive plot of land to the individuals any more and instead encourage builders of high-rise building to provide housing to many people on small plot of land. Rich people should be encouraged to live outside the capital. Transport facilities should be developed in a way that people living in sattelite towns outside the city can easily commute to and from the city.

They also called for reduction of duty on the import of raw materials and to reduce the production cost of MS rod, a vital material for construction of high-rise building.

They also urged the government to finalise and enforce a land use policy so that valuable agricultural lands do not continue to be encroached for construction of homes.

Khaleda’s nephew Tuhin gets 8 years for tax evasion

UNB, Dhaka

A fast-track court, trying high-profile corrupt suspects, Monday sentenced fugitive Shahrin Islam Tuhin, nephew of detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, to eight years for tax evasion.

Judge Tanzina Ismail of the special court, set up at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex, also fined Tuhin Tk 92 lakh, in default, to suffer nine months more in jail.

The sentence will be effective the day he will be arrested or when he surrenders to the court, court sources said.

Deputy tax commissioner Golam Kabir of the National Board of Revenue filed the case against Tuhin nearly two months ago, accusing him of evading Tk 8.18 lakh income tax between fiscal years 1998 and 2007 and concealing Tk 3.29 crore in his wealth information submitted to the NBR.

5th Int’l Textile, garment machinery exhibition begins

UNB, Dhaka

A four-day international textile and garment machinery exhibition began here Sunday, showcasing the latest fashion trends, new technologies and material services for textile in trade.

Textiles and Jute Adviser Mohammed Anwarul Iqbal inaugurated the 5th International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition '08 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center (BCFCC).

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and ES Event Management, SDN, BHD of Malaysia jointly organised the exposition.

Some 415 exhibitors from countries like the USA, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Korea, Singapore, China, India, Hong Kong, Turkey, Belgium, Canada, Taiwan, Australia and host Bangladesh have gathered in show in 'one stop selling and searching platform' with world-class latest textile machinery.

Describing the textile industry as the most vital sector in empowering the country's women, Anwarul Iqbal said this sector provides jobs to five million people of which 80 percent are women. "The sector contributes 13 percent to our GDP as 78 percent of the total export earnings come from textile and related products," he told the function.

Anwarul Iqbal said state of art technology is replacing the old ones in the textile and clothing sectors, boosting productivity, improving quality and increasing cost effectiveness.

"This exhibition will surely provide an opportunity to our people to witness the technological development taking place globally, as the exposition is being held at our doorstep," he hoped.

Speaking at the inaugural session, BTMA president Abdul Hai Sarker said the show has become an annual event of BTMA and this year's exposition has attained a far greater height compared to previous years' ones.

"This year some 415 exhibitors from 26 countries who are the major manufacturers of textile machinery are participating in this exhibition with 730 booths; Last year, some 236 exhibitors from 25 countries took part in the show," he said.

The BTMA president hoped that the exposition would provide a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs and textile and garment manufacturers to have a glimpse of the technological advancements taken place in the international textile trade.

City builders to keep people in mind while planning: Experts

Staff Reporter

Environmentalists, urban planners and experts at a seminar in the city said architecture and life are closely related with each other. While planning a city and designing any architecture, all should keep in mind the welfare of the people, socio-cultural environment and the cause of humanity.

People are becoming urbanised, which is making human life mechnaised, self-centred and detached from each other. For this reason, different social problems have been created in city life, which has influenced the urban lifestyle, they said.

This was said at the seminar on 'Pro-People Urban Design: Learning from Copenhagen' organised by WBB Trust at CIRDAP Auditorium yesterday.

Prof Dr Jan Gail, architect from Copenhagen of Denmark, presented a key-note paper, while Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Programme Manager of WBB Trust, moderated the session.

Dr Gail said, "To make Dhaka city environment-friendly we can follow the development of various cities like Bogotá and cities of Scandinavian countries. Although these cities were like Dhaka, now these became liveable cities in the world by following some planning."

Different countries across the world have increased walking facilities for pedestrians, use of bi-cycles and non-motorised vehicles keeping in mind the development of environment, energy, economy and health services, he said.

In Seoul, flyover on the river was dismantled to enlarge the width of the river. In Denmark, use of bi-cycle is 37 per cent of the total transports. The Danish government is planning to bring it to 50 per cent from 37 per cent, Dr Gail said and added, "If we plan to build a city, we should keep in mind the environmental development to keep the city clean and environment-friendly. For this reason, we should give priority while building any city."

Dr Rukshana Hafiz, Chairman of Department of Urban and Regional Planning of BUET, said, "Our cities are rapidly developing and changing. We have become more self-centred.

Our children are deprived of open space for playing in the city areas. As a result, their physical and mental development are hampered, she said."

Debra Efforemson, Regional Director of Healthbridge of Canada, stressed on making an environment-friendly city to develop the urban lifestyle.

Now the present transport planning is encouraging the use of private motorised vehicles, which will impact on our environment, economy, health, social-cultural condition and poverty. We should emphasise on building public places in urban areas," the speakers said.

Translated book of Dr Jan Gail titled 'Life Between Building' was launched at the seminar. The book was translated in 15 languages across the world.

Mohidul Hoque Khan, General Secretary of BAPA, Ifma Hossain of Peace, Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of WBB Trust, among others, spoke on the occasion.

REHAB fair ends in Chittagong: Developers asked to comply with building code

Chittagong Correspondent

General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 24th infantry division Major General Mohammed Abdul Mobeen said here on Sunday that the real-estate people and developers should strictly comply the building codes and the provisions of the state.

"We should take lesson from the countries like Malaysia and Singapore where the housing sector made revolution over the decades," he said urging the developers to work together for making the port city a model of greenery and biodiversity.

He was addressing the closing ceremony of the second REHAB fair held at the auditorium of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB), Chittagong as the chief guest.

President of the REHAB (Real Estate of Housing Association of Bangladesh) Mohammad Mukarram Hussein Khan presided over the closing ceremony while President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCC&I) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury addressed it as the special guest.

Chairman of the Fair Standing Committee architect Sayed Sirajul Haque, convener of the Fair Committee Kazi Aynul Haque, General Secretary of the REHAB Engineer Tanvirul Haque Probal and Joint Convener of the fair Mufakkharul Islam Khasru among others addressed it.

Claiming Chittagong as a city of natural beauty, the Chief Guest said that the REHAB should care for the protection and improvement of the natural beauty when it goes for housing projects.

"We must think far ahead because we don't want the port city to become a jungle of concretes like the capital," he said urging the developers to take up projects for low and middle-income people.

President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said that the fair had answered the questions of the clients and it created a scope for clients to choose and pick depending on variety of issues.

He said that cost of building materials had gone up remarkably taking the apartments beyond the reach of the potential customers. He also pledged all possible support to the budding sector from the chamber.

Trial of Bijoy TV graft case continues

Chittagong Correspondent

Hearing of the graft case filed against Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and its two top officials was held yesterday and January 28 had been fixed as next date of hearing.

The CCC mayor and two other accused - Chief Engineer M Moktar Alam and Chief Executive Officer were produced before the court of Chittagong Division Special yesterday.

Judge SM Solaiman urged the lawyers of defense to submit original copy of High Court's directives regarding staying the proceedings of the case.

Earlier, hearing of the graft case could not be held on January 17 and Judge of Chittagong Divisional Special Court SM Solaiman re-fixed January 21 for next date of hearing.

Chittagong special judge's court on January 13 framed charges against the three accused including Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

Judge of Chittagong Divisional Special Judge's Court SM Solaiman framed charges against the CCC mayor, former Chief Executive Officer Imtiaz Hossain and Chief Engineer Moktar Alam for embezzling corporation's fund in the name of transmission a private satellite TV channel - Bijoy TV and hearing started on January 15 last.

The three accused of the case are now in jail. As many as 30 people had been made witnesses in the case. Deputy Director of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Chittagong wing, Abu Mohammed Aref Siddiqui filed the case on May 27, 2007 with Kotwali Police Station against the three accused.

Investigation officer and ACC assistant director Abul Kalam Azad submitted the charge sheet on Nov 21 last year.

Case against Hasina: SC hearing on govt petition against HC order Jan 24

BSS, Dhaka

The Appellate Division (AD) of the Supreme Court on Monday set January 24 as the date for hearing a petition by the government seeking a stay on a High Court (HC) order that halted the proceedings in an extortion case against former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and others filed by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

The date was fixed when a petition was moved before the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice M Abdul Matin.

The judge referred the petition to the full court for hearing without passing any interim order.

A two-member bench of the High Court Division comprising Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Justice Shahidul Islam on January 17 stayed the proceedings of the extortion case till disposal of a writ related to the case now pending with the High Court.

CA leaves for Davos today: Dhaka to join for first time WEF meeting

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is scheduled to join this week the World Economic Forum (WEF) Meeting in Switzerland to represent Bangladesh for the first time in the high-profile global platform of political, business and economic leaders.

The Chief Adviser is to leave here today on a four-day visit to Swiss city of Davos, the WEF headquarter where 2,500 participants from 88 countries including 27 heads of state or government, 113 cabinet ministers, top executives of global corporate bodies, social entrepreneurs, economists and religious and media leaders are expected to meet.

"This is an opportunity to pursue our economy and diplomacy," a Foreign Ministry official said as asked to explain the significance of Bangladesh's participation in the meeting.

He said, this will be an event where Bangladesh would get the scope to interact with the global political and business leaders while WEF officials said at this year's meeting in Davos, the world leaders were expected to review "The Power of Collaborative Innovation" through greater interaction between the advanced North and developing South.

Dr Fakhruddin is set to join the WEF plenary on January 24, hold an informal meeting with world economic forum leaders, address a press conference for international media and join several other programmes on the sidelines including a meeting with the Asian Development Bank President.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim are among the members of a small official entourage of the Chief Adviser.

Several other leading personalities and social entrepreneurs including Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, whose experiment of poor men's banking earned Bangladesh the fame of being the home of micro credit, are also to join the Davos meet to make it more important from Bangladesh perspective.

Conference organisers in Davos said, around 60 percent of the participants were to be business leaders drawn principally from the Forum's members - 1,000 of the foremost companies from around the world and across all economic sectors.

"The unique combination of the world's top business and political leaders, together with the heads of the world's most important NGOs, and religious, cultural and media leaders allows us to approach the problems that face the world in a systematic way and with an eye to tackling the major issues that face us all," a conference organiser said.

"The Annual Meeting gives all of us a chance to understand and shape the Global Agenda for the year ahead and beyond, serving global society by making sense of a rapidly changing world and harnessing collaborative innovation to the benefit of us all," WEF's Founder and Executive Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab said in a press conference earlier this week in Geneva.

He said, the meeting's programme would follow five conceptual pillars that are high on the global agenda in 2008.

The WEF Chief said, these would range from "Economics and Finance: Addressing Economic Insecurity" to "Business: Competing while Collaborating" and from "Geopolitics: Aligning Interests across Divides" to "Science and Technology: Exploring Nature's New Frontiers" as well as "Values and Society: Understanding Future Shifts".

The opening session of the Annual Meeting will address two of the key issues facing the world, climate change and terrorism.

All participants of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 can watch the responses to The Davos Question and are encouraged to reply directly to questions from the wider public in the first YouTube video booth set up for this purpose in the Congress Centre in Davos. Some of the best contributions will be used in key sessions in the programme. Of the top 100 companies identified by the Financial Times, Fortune and Forbes, 74 will be represented at the Annual Meeting, with more than 1,370 executives at the level of CEO or chairman taking part this year. People were asked to click on the picture to watch a 7-minute interview about the Annual Meeting with Lee Howell, Senior Director and head of the Annual Meeting Programme Team.

According to WEF documents released ahead of the meeting, a variety of trends and assumptions was expected to drive the development under the principal theme of " The Power of Collaborative Innovation".

Matin distorting: Liberation War history: Suranjit

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League presidium member Suranjit Sengupta yesterday blamed Adviser for Home Affairs Maj General (Retd) MA Matin for distorting the history of Liberation War by saying Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence of the country.

He said Matin has challenged the stand of the present caretaker government that authored textbooks that said Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.

Adviser Matin has to clarify if he spoke on behalf of the former BNP led four-party alliance government, Suranjit told reporters when his attention was drawn to the statement of Home Adviser.

Earlier yesterday Matin in a statement said Bangabandhu is the founder of Bangladesh and former President Gen Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence and people joined the liberation war following the proclamation of war.

The reaction of the Awami League leader came after the meeting of party's sub-committee on relief.

Adur Razzaq who presided over the meeting informed that they would distribute TK 40 lakh for rehabilitation of Sidr affected distressed people in the districts of Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali. Another Tk 10 lakh will be given for rehabilitation of agriculture in those districts.

Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Mukul Bose, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rahman, Mahamudur Rahman Manna, Aktaruzzaman, Mustofa Jalal Mohiuddin, Prof Nazma Rahman, Abdul Mannan Khan, Dr Abdur Razzaq, KM Jahangir, Col (Retd) Faruq Khan and Dr Dipu Moni were present at the meeting.

Dr Aziz flays Sonali Bank for poor show

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam Monday expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the newly transformed Sonali Bank.

"I must say the performance of Sonali Bank Ltd is not satisfactory at all," the Adviser said inaugurating a daylong conference at a city hotel.

Asking for the removal of lengthy process of disposal of loan applications Dr Aziz said, "It takes one year to dispose of loan applications in some cases in Sonali Bank. I hope it will be removed immediately."

After waiting three months a loan applicant goes to the private commercial banks to get quick service, he said.

Dr Aziz also asked the bank to become a pioneer in narrowing the gap between the deposit and lending rates through reducing the lending rates.

He advised the bank authority to improve efficiency in all aspects of financial soundness, including capital adequacy, and banking services like quick disposal of loan proposals with a client service attitude. The finance Adviser said the state-owned commercial banks would not be able to sustain the present-day competitiveness through continuing the present sorry state.

He advised them to take the services to a level where bank customers will be considered royals.

Dr Aziz asked the bankers to look into the weak points of the bank, including loans and advances, export financing, rising classified loans and sharing much less than overall growth in remittance inflow, to ensure faster growth of the bank.

He, however, appreciated increase in deposits, investment, import financing and operating profit during the year 2007. Sonali Bank earned an operating profit of Tk 601 crore last year against the yearly target of Tk 452 crore.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin advised the denationalised

Sonali Bank to become a trendsetter in reducing interest rate and the lending rate gap through improving its efficiency to force other banks, especially the private commercial banks, to reduce their lending rates.

"Take a look at the service taking the clients into confidence," he told the bankers, advising them to simplify credit procedure as one of the means to improve operational efficiency.

He advised the bankers to remain alert about the possibility of long-term loans becoming classified. He also advised banks to focus on providing loans to small and medium enterprises.

The Bangladesh Bank Governor said the central bank was planning to completely release the government's treasury function gradually to the state-owned banks. Sonali Bank is currently operating part of the function.

Sonali Bank Chairman Ali Imam Majumder and Managing Director SM Aminur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.