The New Nation - Internet Edition

2 crore people suffering from kidney troubles

President of Kidney Foundation Prof Harun-or-Rashid
addressing a discussion meeting marking the International
Kidney Day at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city
on Thursday. Focus Bangla

BSS, Dhaka

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Post and Telecommunications and Social Welfare Brigadier General (retd) MA Malek on Thursday said the government would support private initiatives in setting up kidney hospitals in the country to make treatment for kidney diseases cheap and easily available.

The special assistant was addressing as the chief guest a discussion meeting to mark the World Kidney Day at Diploma Engineers Institute.

Bangladesh Renal Association, Kidney Foundation, Kidney Awareness, Monitoring and Prevention Society (KAMPS) and Bangladesh Paediatric Nephrology Society (PNSB) jointly organised the meeting.

Among others, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Tahir, President of Bangladesh Renal Association and Kidney Foundation Professor Harunar Rashid, KAMPS Chairman Dr MA Samad and PNSB General Secretary Professor Dr Mohammad Firoj Khan spoke at the function.

Brig (retd) Malek said doctors should not forget they have become physicians studying on people's money. The doctors should stay away from all illegal incomes, he added.

The more the doctors take care of patients, Brig (retd) Malek said, they would have more confidence in the treatment available at home and it would also cut down the patients' tendency to avail treatment abroad.

The special assistant urged the physicians to set up examples of honesty and love for the patients. The speakers told the meeting that about two crore people are suffering from some kinds of kidney troubles. Every year, 35,000 people die of kidney failure. The main reason for renal failures are nephritis, diabetes and high blood pressure. If the kidney troubles are detected early, the rate of kidney failures could be cut down through proper treatment, they added.

They said it was not possible for 95 per cent of people to continue with long term treatment because of expenses. So, prevention is the key to survival. They sought cooperation of all including the media to create mass awareness about kidney disease and its remedy, the speakers added.

Earlier, a rally was brought out from Matsya Bhaban to Diploma Engineers Institute to mark the day. The Kidney Foundation will transplant a kidney into a poor patient for free on March 16. It will also provide free treatment for about 500 patients at Chakulia village of Savar on Friday. Free medical camps will also be arranged to diagnose kidney disease in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Sylhet, according to press releases.

Crowley for strengthening democracy in Bangladesh

UNB, Dhaka

Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-chair of US Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, on Wednesday stressed the need to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh through free, fair and transparent election for continued US support.

"This is the best time to get things right in Bangladesh and there is an urgent need to strengthen democracy through free, fair and transparent election for receiving continued US support," he said this at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

Referring to the ongoing anti-corruption drive, he also suggested the need for maintaining due process of law during the trials of the arrested leaders.

Mentioning the vastness of change in Bangladesh, Congressman Sheila Jackson said that Bangladesh Caucus would work to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.

She appreciated the leadership of the Embassy in working with the Caucus.

Earlier, Co-chair of the Caucus Congressman Nancy Boyda expressed her keen interest in the developments in Bangladesh and assured the readiness of Bangladesh Caucus to extend all possible cooperation to Bangladesh in her efforts to strengthen democracy. Among the congressmen, Dennis Moore of Kansas, Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Michael A Arcuri of New York were present in the meeting. In his introductory remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Humayun Kabir termed the Congress Caucus as a strong pillar of support for Bangladesh in the USA and sought their support for promoting a mutually beneficial and dynamic bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and the USA.

During his presentation, Ambassador Kabir reiterated the commitment of the Caretaker Government to democracy and outlined the progress toward holding the elections before the end of 2008. He also highlighted the initiative of the Caretaker Government to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh, improve human rights situation including the progress toward the formation of the Human Rights Commission and efforts to improve workers' rights.

He sought the support of the caucus for post-Sidr relief package, which is being worked on in the administration, passage of NPDA to accord duty free market access to the US market and inclusion of Bangladesh in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Programme. Ambassador Humayun Kabir also sought US support for Bangladesh to deal with the climate change challenges on medium and long term basis. He also extended an invitation to the members of the Bangladesh Caucus to visit Bangladesh.

The members promised to support Bangladesh on these issues and expressed their intention to remain engaged in dialogue with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington.

It was the first time the Congressional Caucus sat with the Bangladesh Embassy in a formal setting, according to a message received here on Thursday.

Matin terms: Hasina's physicians 'partisan doctors’

UNB, Dhaka

Home Affairs Advisor Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin has termed 'partisan doctors' the physicians who suggested that detained ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be sent abroad for treatment of her damaged ear.

"Those who stated this are partisan doctors. We can't take actions on the opinion of partisan doctors. This much we can say that the government is very sympathetic. Appropriate steps will be taken at appropriate time," he told reporters responding to a question about Hasina's treatment abroad following the recommendations of her personal physicians.

Prof Modasser says: Home Adviser should beg apology

UNB, Dhaka

Renowned eye-specialist Prof Syed Modasser Ali said the Home Adviser should beg public apology for calling him and other personal physicians of Sheikh Hasina 'partisan doctors'.

Home Advisor Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin termed 'partisan doctors' the physicians who suggested that detained ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be sent abroad for treatment of her damaged ear.

"Those who stated this are partisan doctors. We can't take actions on the opinion of partisan doctors," Matin told reporters at the Home Ministry Thursday.

Reacting to the Advisor's remarks, Modasser told UNB yesterday evening, "None of us is related to any political party. We are for justice."

He pointed out that Vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof M Tahir also recommended that Sheikh Hasina should be sent abroad for her ear treatment as it is not possible in the country.

"Prof M Tahir is not personal physician of Sheikh Hasina. Prof Tahir was appointed Vice-chancellor by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's caretaker government," Modasser said.

He posed a question: "Does it mean the chief of a neutral caretaker government has appointed a partisan person as the Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU?"

He said when Kader Siddiqui and Kazi Zafar had been in jail, he had differed with the opinion of the government-formed medical board and the government finally had accepted his recommendation. "But the then government did not brand me partisan."

Professor Modasser observed that certainly some quarters gave wrong information about them to the Home Advisor.

"Those who gave the Advisor wrong information should be punished and the Advisor should seek public apology for his remarks about us," he said.

Dhaka College students demand release of Tarique

DU Correspondent

Students of Dhaka College yesterday formed a human chain to press home their demand for release of Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Around 1,000 students especially activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) participated in the human chain programme held at the college premises at 11:30am.

During the programme, Students showed various play cards writing with different slogans- stop repression in the name of remand and demanded clarification from the Government why Tarique Rahman was being detained without putting him in trial.

Specific policy stressed for managing waste

BSS, Dhaka

Environment experts at a workshop here on Thursday underlined the need for formulating a specific policy to manage industrial hazardous waste properly for ensuring sustainable and environment friendly development.

A specific waste management policy is needed as fast economic activities associated with industry, agriculture, health and other services generate chemical and hazardous waste which could lead to serious environmental problems threatening the public health.

The workshop titled 'Managing Hazardous Waste' was jointly organised by Department of Environment (DoE) and Waste Concern (WC) with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) at BRAC centre here.

The workshop was held under an ADB funded project titled 'Regional Technical Assistance (RETA)' on managing hazardous waste. The project is being implemented simultaneously in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan from the last year. Under the project, WC is assisting DoE to update the inventory of hazardous wastes to formulate a set of rules and regulations in this regard.

Director general of DoE Dr Khandaker Rashedul Haque spoke as chief guest while joint secretary of Industry Ministry M Abul Hossain spoke as special guest.

International Consultant of ADB Dr David Green and executive director of WC Maqsood Sinha gave separate presentations.

Director (technical) of DoE chaired the workshop while senior environment specialist of ADB Dewi N Utami and deputy director of Doe Masud Iqbal M Shameem and director of WC Iftekhar Enayetullah also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Khandaker said exclusive policy for handling hazardous waste would help the government to enforce existing environmental laws for ensuring proper treatment and disposal of waste to check ecological and health hazards.

Aktel Dhaka travel fair begins

Staff Reporter

The three-day international tourism fair titled "Aktel Dhaka Travel Mart 2008" began at a city Hotel yesterday.

Syed Mohammad Zobaer, Secretary of Civil Aviation and tourism formally inaugurated the exhibition.

He said, the Government is going to introduce a new tourism act. A proposal will also be submitted to the Government to allocate special budget in the next fiscal year to develop the tourism sector. Along with the government, individuals should come forward to develop the sector.

He called on the people to vote for Cox's Bazar and the Sundarban to have place in the World's 7 natural wonders competition.

Shafique Alam Mehedi, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, said, according to the new act that is going to be introduced the commercial activities of Parjatan Corporation will be handed over to the private sector for the betterment of tourism sector. Domestic tourism is gradually increasing in our country. He termed it as positive.

The Bangladesh Monitor, travel and tourism publication, and cell phone operator Aktel are jointly hosting the fair. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, Eastern Bank Ltd, Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) are acting as premium partner. Channel-I, Radio Today and The Daily Star are the media partner of the fair.

Total 44 organisations from different countries including Bangladesh are taking part in the fair, which includes National Tourism Organisations, Airlines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Travel Trade bodies, Financial, and Educational institutes.

Javed tariq, Head of Commercial Affairs of Aktel; Dr MA Momen, Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; Shahab Sattar, Managing Director of GMG Airlines; Ali Reza Iftekher, Managing Director of Eastern Bank Ld, among others, were present in the inaugural ceremony.

The fair is open for visitors from 10am to 8pm all the three days for an entry fee of Tk 20.

Probe report on Niko case : Involvement of Khaleda found

UNB, Dhaka

The investigation report on the Niko graft case filed against detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia and four others was submitted yesterday to the Anti-Corruption Commission recommending submission of charge sheet against 14 people, including the five charged initially.

"ACC assistant director Sahidur Rahman, the investigation officer (IO), today submitted the memo of evidence (investigation report) with the Commission," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal, also the Commission's spokesperson, told UNB.

About the number of people recommended to be included in the charge sheet, he said, "The report was submitted at the end of the day. So, I can't tell you about the number."

But, a competent source close to investigation told UNB that the IO has recommended submission of charge sheet against 14 people, including the five accused in the first information report (FIR)."

Replying to a query, the source said, "Yes, the IO will recommend charge-sheeting former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and other initially four accused, as their involvement was found during investigation." Apart from the initially accused ones, the other persons recommended to be charge-sheeted include businessman former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, former Dhaka Club president Selim Bhuiyan and Law Ministry joint secretary Noren Das.

On December 9, ACC assistant director Mahbubul Alam filed the case with Tejgaon police station against Khaleda Zia, former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam and vice-president (South Asian Affairs) Niko Resources Bangladesh Limited Kashem Sharif.

They were accused of signing the "illegal" deal with Niko through corruption that inflicted a loss of Tk 10,000 crore on the State.

During the investigation that lasted for 60 working days, the

investigation team has recorded the statements of more than 50

people, including Khaleda, Moudud and AKM Mosharraf.

Obama tax plan stresses inequality, Hillary focuses on behaviour

Bloomberg.com

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both propose significant changes to the tax code that would add to its complexity. His plan emphasizes income inequality, while hers seeks to change Americans' behavior.

Obama's proposal would shift the tax burden toward the rich from low- and middle-income workers. Clinton proposes targeted tax breaks designed to change the way Americans use energy, save money and care for elders.

Obama, 46, "seems to have focused on redistribution," said Michael Graetz, a professor at Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, and a former Treasury official.

Clinton, 60, "is proposing tax credits for everything short of flossing your teeth," said Lee Sheppard, a tax lawyer and columnist at Tax Analysts in Falls Church, Virginia.

The two candidates' plans-especially Clinton's-would further complicate a tax system that experts say is already Byzantine. Obama would tweak and augment current laws, while Clinton would introduce even more rules by adding at least nine new credits with complex qualification requirements, phase-outs and sliding scales.

"The inevitable consequence," said Joel Slemrod, an economist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, "is to complicate the process."

Both candidates would allow President George W. Bush's tax cuts to expire for workers in the top two tax brackets and set the estate-tax rate at 45 percent with a $7 million exemption. Obama wants tax rates on capital gains and dividends to rise from the current 15 percent rate to perhaps as high as 28 percent, the rate under former President Ronald Reagan.

Clinton spokesman Brian Deese said the New York senator would also raise the rate on investment income, though she hasn't provided details.

The centerpiece of Obama's tax plan is a $1,000 tax cut for workers that would cost more than $80 billion annually and effectively eliminate all taxes for about 10 million low-income Americans.

That tax cut is "the signature difference," said Jared Bernstein, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington research center funded partly by labor groups. "That costs some serious money."

The Illinois senator would also offset the cost of his cuts by eliminating "corporate loopholes," including one that allows executives of hedge funds and private-equity firms to pay a 15 percent capital-gains rate on most of their income rather than the 35 percent regular income-tax rate, and by cracking down on overseas tax havens.

Obama also offers a 10 percent mortgage credit that can be claimed by people who don't itemize deductions and eliminates taxes for senior citizens who earn less than $50,000. His approach is aimed in part at giving a boost to workers whose incomes have been stagnant in recent years by allowing his $1,000 credit to offset payroll taxes as well as income taxes, which means it will reach lower on the income scale.

"That's a problem that faces a pretty wide swath of the population," said Austan Goolsbee, the candidate's chief economic adviser and an economics professor at the University of Chicago. "Targeted credits do not properly deal with that problem."

Clinton, by contrast, proposes credits and deductions targeting specific groups or activities. She offers a $3,000 "caregivers credit" to offset the cost of caring for an elderly or disabled relative, a refundable credit "to make health care affordable," and a $1,000 credit for people who save in a retirement account.

"For tens of millions of families, Senator Clinton's plan would provide more tax relief," Deese said.

Clinton also proposes credits for those who make homes and offices more energy efficient and for small businesses that provide health insurance to employees.

"These provisions certainly seek to use the tax system as a principal vehicle to deliver social policy," Slemrod said.

Obama's plan includes targeted tax provisions, too, including a $4,000 college credit and an extension of the renewable energy credit, though not as many as Clinton's.

The candidates' plans differ as to which income groups they help most, says Margaret Simms, director of the Low-Income Working Families Project at the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan economic and social-policy research center in Washington.

Clinton's plan "seems to be more pitched toward middle- class families," Simms said. "Obama's appears to be slightly more tilted to lower-income families."

Neither plan will be approved by Congress in current form, even if Democrats increase majorities in both houses, Bernstein said.

There will be an opportunity to overhaul the tax code when many of Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire in 2010. The next president will face pressure to renew some of the breaks to avoid a sudden across-the-board tax increase that could disrupt the economy.

Officials including Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Representative Charles Rangel, the New York Democrat who heads the House Ways and Means Committee, have put forth proposals to redesign the system.

Clinton and Obama, however, haven't focused on streamlining the federal tax code, which runs to more than 66,000 pages when regulations and rulings are counted, said Chris Edwards, director of Tax Policy Studies at the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington.

The Democrats' proposals "would add thousands more pages," Edwards said.

Govt completes negotiation on $35m IDA credit

UNB, Dhaka

The government has completed negotiations for an IDA credit of US$ 35 million to increase the use of social and rehabilitation services by persons with disabilities, vulnerable children and adolescents.

The two-day negotiations with the World Bank for the interest-free credit concluded on Wednesday, said a statement on Thursday. The proposed Disability and Children-at-Risk Project (DCRP) seeks to improve health, education and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, including raising public awareness for their empowerment.

Three areas to be focussed under the project are disability services, awareness and capacity building; children-at-risk services; and capacity building of the Ministry of Social Welfare. National Foundation for the Development of Disabled People (NFDDP) would implement the first focus area, aimed at transforming the agency into a centre of excellence for disability services. NGOs with a disability focus would undertake awareness activities through area-based performance contracting, training and support to Partner Organisations, and innovation grants, to be approved by the NFDDP Board.

Under the children-at-risk services component, services for very vulnerable children and adolescents, primarily in urban and metropolitan areas, would be scaled up with the help of experienced NGOs.

It envisages supporting awareness campaign, including shelters for street children, drug abuse prevention and counseling, orphanages, foster care, campaigns against child abuse and hazardous forms of child labour.

The Social Welfare Ministry's capacity would be increased by undertaking activities such as surveys, censuses, and needs assessments of People with Disability (PWDs) and very vulnerable children; training for ministry staff and its social workers. It would also provide technical assistance for medium to long-term implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People, which Bangladesh has signed recently.

Islami Bank’s total investment stands at Tk 17,974 crore

Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammed Abduz Zaher, Chairman,
Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited
addressing 'Meet the Press' organised on the occasion of the
Silver Jubilee of the Bank on Thursday at Sonargaon Hotel in
the city. NN photo

Staff Reporter

Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd (IBBL), a leading private commercial bank of the country, witnessed its total investment amounted to Tk 17,974 crore, registering a staggering growth of 34 per cent compared to last year.

On the other hand, the bank, which is operated upon Islamic Shariah law, witnessed its total import business growth by 42 per cent, or Tk 13,709 crore, while total export business growth by 30 per cent, or Tk 6,669 crore in 2007.

These unprecedented achievements were disclosed by Prof Abu Naser Mohammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman of board of directors of IBBL, while addressing a crowded press conference at Sonargaon Hotel in the city yesterday.

Quoting statistics, Prof Zaher said the IBBL's total foreign exchange business growth amounted to Tk 28,792 crore, or 43 per cent, while total remittance growth amounted to Tk 8,414 crore or 56 per cent against the national growth of 19.77 per cent.

The IBBL is going to complete its 25th founding anniversary on March 30. Executive President M Fariduddin Ahmad also spoke at the press conference.

Prof Zaher said Islami Bank has been making significant contribution to the country's industrialisation by investing some 45 per cent of its total investment to the industrial sector.

"The country has been earning huge amount of foreign currency through the ready-made garment sector. Besides, the sector has created huge employment opportunities, especially for women. Islami Bank has been playing a pioneering role for the development of this sector," he said.

Moreover, Islami Bank has been playing an important role in flourishing the country's textile industry and bridging the gap between the backward and forward linkage industries.

The chairman said the expatriate Bangladeshis wanted to send their hard-earned remittances through legal banking channels showing patriotism for the country. "Islami Bank respects this patriotism and has opened expatriate welfare desks at each of its branches. The bank has also introduced new products to send the remittance amounts to their recipients quickly using modern technology," he said.

Prof Zaher said seven representatives of Islami Bank were working for expatriate Bangladeshis in four Middle Eastern countries. Representatives would also be sent to several countries soon. Islami Bank has established correspondent relationship with 870 houses in 90 countries of the world.

"Islami Bank is improving day by day with the support of people from all strata of the society," he further said.

Kazi Harun-Ur-Rashid, Chairman of Audit Committee, Monirul Islam Patwary, Chairman of Executive Committee, Maulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of IBBL, among others, were present at the press conference.

Private airliners to get govt help

UNB, Dhaka

The government would help the private airliners boost their business in and outside the country so that they could effectively compete with foreign airliners, said Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahbub Jalmil yesterday.

"The government has taken initiatives to build a modern, service-oriented and profit-making airline system in the country to compete with other international airliners," he said. He was addressing a meeting with high officials of private airliners at the Industries Ministry's conference room. Mahbub Jalmil assured the executives of the private airlines that the government would help them like national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited to increase their competitive edge.

The meeting elaborately discussed the existing problems facing by the private airliners and the possible solution to the problems. The representatives of the private airlines urged the CA's Special Assistant to take steps so that all concerned abide by government rules in operating flights on international routes, infrastructure development in airports, increase bonded warehouse facilities and the workforce of the Civil Aviation, reduce landing fees, navigation and space hiring charges and introduce a easier process in providing license for pilots.

Technical corrections force DSE to fall for 3rd consecutive day

Staff Reporter

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed bearish trend yesterday, continuing index downfall for the third straight day.

Technical corrections, weekend profit taking phenomena as well as post-dividend price adjustment of Prime Bank shares was held responsible for this bearish trading move.

But experts have termed it normal in stock business and have forecast healthier trading at the beginning of coming week.

The price of Prime Bank shares fell Tk212.50 each to close at Tk640 per share due to adjustment of cash dividend at 10 per cent and stock dividend at 25 per cent for the year 2007.

The DSE General Index (DGEN) dropped 39 points or 1.29 per cent to close at 2,969 points on the last day of the week, while the All Share Price Index (DSI) fell 32 points or 1.25 per cent to close at 2,508 points.

The total turnover declined to Tk279 crore as against Tk293 crore on Wednesday. Of the total 254 issues traded on the day, 139 gained, 105 incurred losses while 10 remained unchanged.

Spitzer woman named

Agencies, New York

The prostitute at the centre of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's sex scandal has been named by US media.

The woman, named in court papers as Kristen, is Ashley Alexandra Dupre, the New York Times reported.

Ms Dupre, 22, told the Times she did not want "to be thought of as a monster", but gave no comments on her alleged relationship with Spitzer.

He resigned after evidence came to light that he was the client of a high-end prostitution ring. The scandal erupted on Monday when federal investigators revealed that a wiretap had caught the 48-year-old arranging to meet "Kristen" at a Washington hotel on 13 February. Flanked by his wife, Spitzer told a news conference on Wednesday that he could not allow "private failings" to disrupt public work. He is to hand over power on Monday.

Spitzer again apologised for not living up to the standards he demanded of others - but he gave no details of the allegations against him.

Allegations based on law enforcement sources quoted by Associated Press and New York Times

Ms Dupre was born Ashley Youmans. She left home in New Jersey at the age of 17 and moved to New York where she hoped to become a singer, the Times said.

Ms Dupre did not comment when asked by the newspaper when she first met Spitzer and how many times they had met.

"This has been a very difficult time. It is complicated," she told the Times.

It is not clear whether or not Ms Dupre will face charges but she is reported to have hired a lawyer.

Federal investigators have alleged that a wiretap caught Spitzer arranging to meet a $1,000-an-hour prostitute named Kristen who worked for the Emperor's Club VIP prostitution ring.

Spitzer is reported to have paid thousands of dollars over 18 months to the ring.

He could be charged with soliciting and paying for sex, breaking banking laws and with transporting someone across state lines for immoral purposes.

He could also lose his license to practice law in New York.

It marks a spectacular downfall for the man once known as the "Sheriff of Wall Street" for his investigations of organised crime, financial crime and prostitution.

The father of three teenage girls is a leading supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton in her battle against Senator Barack Obama to become the Democratic Party's candidate for president.

Spitzer's deputy, Lieutenant-Governor David Paterson, is to take over on Monday, to become New York's first black governor as well as its first blind governor.

20,000 mts rice from Myanmar

Staff Reporter

The Advisers Committee on Public Purchase has approved two tender proposals, opened to import some 20,000 metric tons of non-boiled (Aatap) rice from Myanmar as part of the Government initiatives to control its elevated prices.

The meeting held yesterday presided over by the Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam.

The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management will import the rice to be supplied by two private firms of Myanmar. Each firm will supply 10,000 mts of rice at US$ 395.50 per ton.

The committee, known as Cabinet Purchase Committee, also gave its nod to another proposal placed by LGRD Ministry to appoint a consultant for Chittagong WASA's Karnaphuli Water Supply project involving Tk43.57 crore.

Japan International Bank for Cooperation (JBIC) will finance the project.