The New Nation - Internet Edition

Call to create scopes to expand trade ties with Pakistan

BSS, Chittagong

Speakers at a seminar here yesterday emphasised the need for formation of joint trade facilitation committee and arrangement of a special fund between Bangladesh and Pakistan for promotion of tourism and agriculture.

They also pleaded for signing a bilateral trade agreement to boost economic ties between the two countries.

The seminar on "Trade prospects between Bangladesh and Pakistan under the framework of SAFTA" was organised jointly by Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh.

CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Director General of Foreign Trade Institute of Pakistan, Dr. Safder A Sohail presented two separate key-note papers at the seminar at CCCI conference room.

Commerce Secretary of Pakistan High Commission to Dhaka Rubina Towfiq Shah, former President Eng. Ali Ahmed, BGMEA First Vice President M A Salam, Industrialists Sufi Mizanur Rahman and Taher Sobhan, Dean of commerce faculty of Chittagong University Prof. A K M Mohiuddin and Dean of commerce faculty of Southern University Prof. Sawkatul Meher ,among others, took part in the discussion.

CCCI President in his key-note paper observed that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan had not been increased up to desired level in the past despite ample scopes.

He put importance on giving duty-free access facilities to Pakistan market for 73 Bangladeshi products under 9 categories, scrapping potential Bangladeshi exportable items from sensitive list, introduction of simplified tariff schedule, relax in the rules of origin and recognition of each others testing certificates against export goods to push the volume of trade between two countries at one billion dollar mark.

The CCCI President also called upon the Pakistani entrepreneurs to set up industry on prospective sectors like textile, lather goods , agro-products, light engineering , and IT on joint venture basis by taking advantage of duty and quota- free market access facilities given by various developed and developing countries for Bangladeshi goods.

Dr. Safder A Sohail in his paper said time has not come yet to evaluate properly the activities and fruits of SAFTA as its activities ware still limited.

He said long sensitive product lists, clumsy rules of origin, huge non-tariff barrier, complicated geographical reality, old mind set and lack of effective institutional cooperation among the SAARC countries have created doubt among many about the success of SAFTA.

Dr. Sohail suggested that more exchanges of trade related information, introduction of direct shipping link, launching of sufficient cargo and passenger flights and establishments of broader understanding on expanding overall relations for escalating further the trade ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Warm clothes distributed in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The Gopalganj District Administration has distributed warn clothes among the cold hit people in Bedgram, Ghosherchar, Manikdha and Char Manikdha villages under Gopalganj Sadar Upazila adjacent to Gopalganj town and among the prisoners of the Gopalganj Thana Hajat, patients of the Gopalganj Sadar Hospital and prisoners of the Gopalganj District Jail on January 25 and 26 on Friday and Saturday) midnight.

Abu Mohammed Abdur Rahman Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj and Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Superin-tendent of Police Gopalganj, Narayan Chandra Dev Nath ADC (general) distributed the warm clothes. Mohammad Akteruzza-man NDC Gopalganj, Mozzaffar H. Nannu Chairman Latifpur Union Parishad, under Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, Mozammel Hossain Munna Gopalganj district Correspondent Daily Janakontha, Muhabub Hossain Sarmat Gopalganj district correspondent Daily Amar Desh and NTV, Proshun Mondal Gopalganj district Correspondent RTV were also present on the occasion.

Mass awareness to check spread of leprosy stressed

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Speakers at an opinion sharing meeting in observance of World Leprosy Day have emphasised for creating public awareness to check the spread of leprosy.

Health and Environment Journalists' Forum (HEJF), Rajshahi organised the meeting at its office at Ghoramara of the city on Sunday morning.

The speakers mentioned, the leprosy is now a 'completely' curable disease. Though the spread of the disease has now abated substantially, it is still posing a threat for the patients as well as people of the society, they said.

Presided over by Monjuara Khatun, executive member of HEJF and Rajshahi Correspondent of the Financial Express, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Professor Fazlul Haque, President of SUPRO, Rajshahi as the chief guest, Jasemine Akhter Panna of TIB and Golam Mostafa Mamun, Editor of Weekly Uttar Janapad as Special Guests, Shamsun Naher Mina, Focal Person of HEJF, Azizul Islam, Staff Reporter of the Dainik Barta, Shahnaz Begum of Hi-care School, Soma Hasan of Trinamul, Jabid Apu of the daily Samakal, Mainul Islam of the daily Sunshine and Ashfaqul Ashekin.

Alamgir Kabir Tota, Barendra Correspondent of the daily Karotoa delivered the welcome speech in the meeting.

Certificate Award ceremony at BAF Academy held

Certificate and Trophy Award Ceremony of No. 56 Flight Cadet Course was held at BAF Academy in Jessore on Monday. Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations and Training) Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari attended the ceremony as chief guest and gave away certificates. He also distributed trophies, says a ISPR press release.

A total of 30 Flight Cadets received certificates. Pilot Officer Akterul Alam received Commandant Trophy while Pilot Officer Syed Abdullah Al Mamun got Chief of Air Staff's Trophy. Pilot Officer. Md. Tanwir Adeeb was awarded with Bir Shreshtho Matiur Rahman Trophy.

Speaking on the occasion Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari said that there is no other alternative for enhancing professionalism through time befitting knowledge and training. He further said that BAF officers must acquire knowledge and professional acumen, so that they can lead our beloved Air Force to the path of glorious success. Among others, senior BAF officers were also present on the occasion.

Abducted treenage girl rescued in Satkhira

BSS, Satkhira

Locals rescued a teenage girl from New Market area of the town here on Sunday when some traffickers preparing to send her to India alluring to arrange her marriage there.

They also detained one of the traffickers while others managed to escape.

The rescued girl was identified as Monira Sultana ,15, daughter of Muzibur Rahman of Ramzan Nagar village of Shyamnagar Upazila of the district.

Re-union of Ctg correspondents of Sargam held

A conference and re-union of Greater Chittagong Correspondents of Sargam, the only regular monthly magazine on music of Bangladesh, was held at the Buddhist Foundation auditorium. Nandan Kanon, Chittagong on 25th January last, says a press release. Dr. Anupam Sen, renowned social scientist and Vice Chancellor Premier University attended the programme as Chief Guest while Quazi Rownaq Hossain, Editor Sargam was the main speaker. The function was attended by Ustad captain Azizul Islam, promising classical vocalist Swarnamoy Chakraborty, cultural activist Susit Bhattacharya Dolon and others.

News briefs

Pry textbooks distributed

SHERPUR, Jan 30: About two lakh books will be distributed free of cost among 74,000 students of primary schools in three Upazilas of the district. District Primary Education Office sources said, students of 162 government, 63 registered, 61community and 157 NGO-run primary schools will get the books. Upazila Education Offices have already distributed books among the students of the government, registered and community primary schools, reports BSS.

Two houses gutted in Meherpur

MEHERPUR, Jan 30: Two houses were gutted in a fire at Amjhupi village under Meherpur Sadar Upazila on Monday night. Two people were injured in the fire while they were trying to extinguish the blaze. Fire service sources said the fire broke out from an electric short circuit. Fire fighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, reports BSS.

One electrocuted in Jamalpur

JAMALPUR, Jan 30: A lineman of Jamalpur Palli Bidyut Samity was electrocuted in Melandah Upazila on Monday evening. Police said, the lineman, Ariful Islam, 26, while setting up an electric transformer at Bandharoha village came into touch with a live electric wire at around 3.30 PM on Monday. Local people rushed Arif to hospital, but he succumbed on the way. An unnatural death case was filed in this connection, reports BSS.

Warm clothes distributed

CHUADANGA, Jan 30: Warm cloths were distributed among 364 poor and destitute people of Jibannagar Pourashava areas and four other unions of Jibannagar Upazila on Sunday. A total of 244 pieces of blankets and 120 pieces of wrappers were distributed among the cold-hit people, reports BSS.

3 cheats arrested

SATKHIRA, Jan 30: Three alleged cheats were arrested for blackmailing at Ghutirdanga area under Sadar Upazila of the district on Sunday. Police said the arrested persons were identified as Robiul Islam, 27, son of Sultan Dhali of Mahajonpur village under Asashuni Upazila, Golam Mostofa, 25 son of Abdus Samad Morol of Kadabati village and Abdul Jalil, 26 son of Anser Sarder of Gunakorkati village, reports BSS.

Indian saree seized

BOGRA, Jan 30: Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) of Naogaon 28 Rifle Battalion seized 170 pices of smuggled Indian sarees from a coach at Puran Bogra point on the Naogaon-Bogra highway in the outskirts of Bogra town on Sunday afternoon. Police and BDR sources said, acting on a tip off, a patrol party of BDR intercepted a Dhaka bound coach from Naogaon at the point and seized the smuggled Indian saree from the coach. Later, BDR filed a case in this connection with the concerned police station, the sources said, reports BSS.

Obituary

NILPHAMARI, Jan 30: Maulana Mozaharul Islam, Principal of Domar Islamia Senior Madrasa, died here of a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. He was buried at his family graveyard at Village Boro gacha under Domar Upazila in the district following a Namaz-e-janaza, reports BSS.