The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladeshi companies participated in Bahrain Autumn Fair, 2008 have received spot orders and signed bilateral trade agreements with various companies.

Three Bangladeshi commercial banks, two life insurance companies and one real estate company participated in the nine-day fair held at

Manama, Bahrain on January 22-30, said a press release.

Participating Pubali Bank, Prime Bank and Mutual Trust Bank Ltd finalised remittance drawing deal with several exchange houses and banks of Bahrain. These banks have opened hundreds of accounts for expatriate Bangladeshis and collected laudable deposits.

Pubali Bank Ltd finalized deal with Zenj Exchange, Bahrain National Exchange Company, while Prime Bank Ltd finalized to sign a deal with Bahrain Finance Company, Zenj Exchange Company, Bahrain National Finance and Exchange Company, Bahrain-India International Exchange Company and Nonoo Exchange Company.

Mutual Trust Bank Ltd agreed to sign deal with ICIC Bank, Dalil Exchange Company and UAE Exchange Company.

Among the life insurance companies, Fareast Islami Life Insurance

Company Ltd earned Tk 6 million premium by selling 350 policies while Meghna Life Insurance Company Ltd earned Tk 5 million selling more than 250 policies.

The only real estate company, Mission Energy and Properties, got booking for more than 50 flats and plots.

Bangladeshi participating companies had several meetings with the companies of Bahrain.

Pubali Bank Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director Kazi Shafiqur Rahman, Prime Bank Vice-President Sk Matiur Rahman, Meghna Life Insurance Ltd Chairman Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Fareast Islami Life Insurance Executive Vice President Matiur Rahman Sikder, Mission Energy and Properties Director Bazlur Rahman and Dhaka International Exhibition Company Managing Director Enayet Karim attended the meeting, while Charge d' Affaires of Bangladesh Embassy in Bahrain Saiful Islam and First Secretary (Labour) Shamim Al Mamun were present.

During the meeting, Bahraini businessmen showed keen interest to import Bangladeshi rice, readymade garments, shrimp, medicine, handicrafts, spices and food products.

They also expressed their interest in investment in Bangladeshi textile, bank and capital market.