The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rice prices go up again

BUSINESS REPORT

Prices of different varieties of coarse rice shot up again at wholesale markets mainly because of season-end and suspension of rice import from India, market sources said.

They said the prices of finer quality of rice like Miniket and Najirshail rose considerably following the price hike of coarse varieties.

As of Sunday, Pari, an Indian variety was selling between Tk 1204 and Tk 1220 per maund, up by Tk 80 each maund.

Swarna, another coarse variety is being sold at Tk 1140 each maund, up by Tk 90 each maund.

Miniket variety is being sold between Tk 1520 and Tk 1560 each maund at wholesale level while Nazirshail is being sold between Tk 1370 and Tk 1500 each maund.

While talking to The New Nation, Alamgir Hossain, a leader of Krishi Market Wholesale Rice Merchants Association at Shyamoli in the city, said the prices of coarse varieties of rice increased following end-of-season period and suspension of rice import by India.

"We are expecting the prices will go down soon after the new harvest," he added.

Traders said there is adequate stock of rice at the wholesale level in Dhaka and the supply will last for sometime.

Kazi Ismail Hossain, proprietor of Kazi Rice Agency at Krishi Market told The New Nation that they have sufficient stock, enough to meet the demand for the next few weeks.

"Those who have been procuring rice over the past two days, are buying it at higher prices. But, the number of such wholesalers are few in number in Dhaka," Ismail added.

Saiful Islam, owner of Islam Auto Rice Mill at Shantahar in Bogra, a miller, said the prices of Miniket and other local varieties will go down sharply by next two to three weeks when harvest of paddy begins.

Thailand donates 1000 tonnes of rice for Sidr victims

BUSINESS REPORT

Thailand donated 1,000 tonnes of rice for the Sidr-affected people of Bangladesh as a goodwill gesture.

Thai Ambassador in Bangladesh Chalermpol Thanchitt formally handed over the rice to Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Hussain Jamil at Chittagong port recently.

Regional Controller of Food M Sirajul Islam was also present on the occasion.

While speaking at the handing over ceremony, the ambassador said, "It is a great honour and privilege for me to act on behalf of the Royal Thai Government to present 1,000 tonnes of Thai white rice to the Sidr victims."

"We are impressed by the ability of the Bangladesh Government in effectively tackling and managing the crisis both before and after the cyclone as well as the fortitude and strength of the Bangladeshi people in going through that hard time and being back to their normal life."

He pointed out that for the major flood in Bangladesh in June last year, the Thai government provided 25,000 US dollars to Bangladesh as a gesture of goodwill towards the affected Bangladeshi people.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka also organised a charity fair in August 2007 that raised a sum of Tk 1,142,600 for the flood-affected people, he added.

For the most recent cyclone Sidr, relief materials were delivered promptly to Zia International Airport on November 27, 2007 by an aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force as an immediate assistance.

Besides, PTTEP, a Thai public enterprise, also contributed a sum of 30,000 US dollars to Sidr victims in January this year.

Earlier, the ambassador called on Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Commodore M Faroque at the latter's office. He also visited the Thai pavilion at the Chittagong International Trade Fair and Foy's Lake during his two-day official visit to Chittagong.

Shahjalal Islami Bank extends investment facility to SWMCH

BUSINESS REPORT

Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd (SJIBL) has signed an agreement with Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital (SWMCH) at the boardroom of SWMCH in Sylhet recently.

SJIBL Managing Director (MD) Muhammad Ali and Chairman of the governing body of Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital Dr Shafiqur Rahman signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations

Under the agreement, Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd will extend an investment facility worth Tk 100 million (Tk 10 crore) to Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital for purchasing educational materials and equipment and providing health services.

Manager of the bank's Sylhet branch Nazrul Haque, Manager of Darghah Gate branch Tofael Yakoob, members of the governing body of SWMCH Dr Fazlur Rahim Kaisar, Dr Albabur Rahman, Muzammil Ali, Emdad Hossain Chowdhury and Fakrul Islam were present on the occasion.

DCCI celebrates golden jubilee

BUSINESS REPORT

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised its golden jubilee celebration on Saturday amid huge enthusiasm and fanfare in the city on the occasion of its 50th founding anniversary and the completion of 400 years of Dhaka city being declared a capital.

The DCCI held a grand colourful and festive rally, with the participants wearing traditional masks, costumes and carrying fans and replicas of historical forts in Dhaka.

On the occasion, the chamber functionaries and members of the business community started the parade, accompanied by a band party, through the city streets from Armonitola, the site of the first office of DCCI, passed by the Muktangan and terminated at the present DCCI office at Motijheel.

School children from the old city took part in the rally giving it a very festive mood.

The DCCI leaders released balloons in the air and unveiled an insignia on the wall of the building as the rally reached the DCCI building.

On arrival at the DCCI office, the president of the chamber Hossain Khaled unveiled the new mnemonic of DCCI in front of the building.

Commerce Secretary Feroz Ahmed was the chief guest on the occasion while the newly elected president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Annisul Huq was the special guest.

Among other, Ahmed Yayha Bawany, the third president and a founder member of DCCI, past DCCI presidents, incumbent Directors and members and a host of businessmen attended on the rally.

Ambassador of Thailand in Bangladesh Chalermpol Thanchitt is seen handing over the documents for 1000 tones of rice to Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Hussain Jamil as assistance for Sidr victims of Bangladesh at a simple ceremony at Chittagong port recently.

Independence Day Live Concert

"Independence Day" live concert will be performed at "Fantasy Kingdom"-the first & only theme park of Bangladesh on March 26. Popular signer Asif, Sujana and Momtaj will perform in the concert.

Entry fee for the concert is Tk 180/- per person for the general people and Tk 300/- per person for the VIPs. On the occasion of Victory Day a special offer 50% discount will be given on entry fee at Heritage Park.

Executive Committee meeting of AI-Arafah Islami Bank held

The 212th meeting of the Executive Committee of AI-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. was held at its head office on 16th March, 2008. Alhaj Abdus Samad, Chairman of the Committee presided over the meeting. The meeting reviewed the overall business and investment position of the bank. CoChairman of the Executive Committee Alhaj Abdul Malek Mollah, Chairman Board of Directors Alhaj Md. Anowar Hossain, Directors Alhaj Najmul Ahsan Khaled, Alhaj Md. Harun-ar-Rashid Khan, Alhaj Hafej Md. Enayetullah, Alhaj Kazi Md Mofizur Rahman, Alhaj Mir Ahmed Sowdagar, Alhaj Ahamedul Haque, General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Jb. Md.Amzad Hossain, Managing Director of the bank Jb. M.A. Samad Sheikh, Additional Managing Director Jb. ATM Haum Dr Rashid Chowdhury, Executive Vice Presidents Jb. Syed Emdadul Hoque, Sr. Vice President Jb. A. N. M. Abdus Shahid and Company Secretary & Sr. Vice President Th. Md. Mofazzal Hossain were present in the meeting.

Two-day job fair begins at DU

A two-day job fair began on the Business Studies Faculty premises of Dhaka University (DU) Saturday to collect resumes from graduates in order to provide them with jobs in various corporate houses as per their eligibilities.

Corejobs-bd.com, a new job site of the country, has organised the fair marking its launching on the day.

DU Vice-Chancellor SMA Faiz formally inaugurated the job site and the fair as the chief guest in the morning with Prof Habibur Rahman in the chair.

Business Studies Faculty dean Sirajul Islam, Core Resources Ltd managing director and CEO Md Mustafizur Rahman and marketing director Shah Syed Saiful Bari, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Twelve distinguished business organisations including Novertis, Southeast Bank, Citycell, Pran RFL, Dhaka Phone, Vertex Group and Core Resources Ltd have set up stalls at the fair to find out brilliant graduates to be recruited in their organisations later.

Four seminars on career guidelines were held on Saturday and another five were held yesterday on the occasion of the fair.

Seminar on 'Leadership Development Process'

The Faculty of Business Administration of Eastern University organised a seminar on "Leadership Development Process" which was held at Eastern University Auditorium in the city recently.

V Ramachandran, HR Director (Indian Sub-Continent), Motorola Inc. was the speaker. Ms. Fatima Shammi. Faculty Advisor, Business Forum of Eastern University coordinated the seminar. The seminar was presided over by Prof. Dr. Abdur Rab, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Eastern University.

Hera Furnishers' month-long 10% discount offer

Hera Furnishers inaugurated its 2nd showroom at 611, Kazipara in Mirpur in the city recently. Md Showayeb Hossain, Managing Director inaugurated the outlet of Hera Furnishers. Dr Muhammad Monjurul Islam Siddiqui, Peer Sahib of Manikganj Darbar Sharif, among others, were present on the occasion. Another showroom of Hera Furnishers is situated at Uttara. Furniture are making from Hera Furnishers by its own designers with using modern designs and also maintaining quality. Almira, sofa-set, dining table, bed and other furniture are making by Hera Furnishers. Hera Furnishers offer 10% discount on all designs of furniture only Kazipara showroom. This offer will be available up to 31march.

BTI holds Customer Relationship Day

It's amazing! A real estate company can arrange such event for their customers, we did not expect - one of the valued customers of BTI Liberty Homes project expressed their views about the Customer Relationship Day.

Recently Building Technology & Ideas Ltd. (BTI) has organised Customer Relationship Day at their Liberty Homes project at Mohammadpur which is first of its kind in the country. At this event the high officials of BTI were present along with the customers and discussed one-to-one about the requirement of the customers. BTI hope that this event will create strong bondage with the customers.

BTI has near about 25 years of experience in real estate sector. Today BTI is poised for a new phase of dynamic growth with a vision to be an example of a progressive company playing a dynamic role in the economic development of Bangladesh based on their experience, commitment to the customers and transparency.