The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh, Turkey share many commonalities

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan met on the margins of the OIC meeting here discussing greater cooperation between the two countries.

They agreed that in December a Joint Commission could be held in Ankara to give effect to that natural aspiration. The Turkish Foreign Minister offered that the Turkish International Cooperation Agency have certain funds with which Turkey wishes to support development if Bangladesh wishes as such. The Foreign Adviser stated that there are several projects in Bangladesh and appropriate areas could be identified through consultations for funding by TICA. Both appreciated each other of recent political developments including the reform measures being undertaken in their respective countries.

Iftekhar appreciated Turkey's efforts to continue her linkages with traditional friends as she negotiates entry into the European Union.

Revenue earning rise by 24.17 pc in current fiscal

UNB, Dhaka

Government revenue income has increased by 24.17 percent during the first eight months of current fiscal compared to the corresponding period previous year.

Revenue collection stood at Tk 27,061.44 crore during July-February to the satisfaction of the exchequer, according to the preliminary estimate available from NBR yesterday.

The collection was Tk 21793.88 crore during the same period last fiscal year.

Of the total, Tk 5,725.91 crore came from import duty, Tk 5,049.38 crore from VAT at import level, Tk 1,131.29 from supplementary duty at import level.

The collection from excise was Tk 139.56 crore, VAT at local level Tk 5,326.94 crore and supplementary duty at local level Tk 3,752.31 crore and Tk 2.85 crore from turn over tax.

From Income Tax sector, NBR collected Tk 5,632.12 crore while Tk 110.04 crore from travel tax and Tk 0.34 crore from other taxes.

Revenue income target was set at Tk 43,850 crore for the current fiscal year that ends in June next.

Jamaat leader Shajahan Chy charge-sheeted

UNB, Chittagong

Two charge sheets were submitted against 36 persons, mostly Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, including former MP and Jamaat Amir of Southern Chittagong District Shajahan Chowdhury, in two separate cases for extortion and attempt to abduct.

SI of Satkania Thana Niamatul Karim submitted the charge sheets to the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court yesterday against the 36, including Upazila Jamaat Amir of Satkania and Sonakania union Chairman Dr Nurul Haq, Jamaat Secretary of Satkania and Kanchana UP Chairman Maulana Muzaffar Ahmed and Chairman of Madarsa union and Jamaat President of the union Faridul Alam.

Of them, Shajahan Chowdhury and Dr Nurul Haq are in jail while the rest absconding.

Nur Ahmed and Jamaluddin filed the two cases against a total of 84 persons with Satkania thana on May 14, 2007.

In his complaint, Nur Ahmed alleged that the accused demanded Tk 5 lakh from him last year while Jamaluddin alleged that the accused demanded Tk 5 lakh from him and also "tried to abduct" him twice.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Shamsul Alam Khan ordered the charge sheets to be sent to the trial court.