The New Nation - Internet Edition

USAID to give 90,000 MT of food aid to Bangladesh

BUSINESS REPORTER

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide approximately 90,000 mts. of food aid worth $67.8 million to Bangladesh this year. One third of the food aid will be used to assist Cyclone Sidr affected people of Barguna and Bagerhat districts and the rest will be distributed as part of USAID's regular food aid programs in the flood prone and seasonally food insecure areas of the country.

USAID supported food aid programs target the poorest of the poor who live in the most food insecure and vulnerable areas of the country. USAID food aid assistance is designed to bridge the gap between disaster response and development by supporting planning and preparedness activities. USAID has helped build 245 multi-purpose disaster shelters, developed about 4,000 community-based disaster mitigation structures, and established a stockpile of emergency disaster kits for 30,000 families.

USAID provided training to local disaster committees, volunteers and school teachers in 271 of the country's 277 disaster-prone sub-districts. The program focuses on protection of assets by raising homesteads, and by building raised access roads to markets and schools. The program develops alternate livelihood options for the ultra-poor through activities such as poultry raising, dairy farming, and vegetable gardening.

The program also provides a safety net for the poor through food and cash for work projects. In all, program activities are helping 4 million people in more than 3,000 villages. USAID's $167 million Food Security and Disaster Management Program addresses disaster risk mitigation and adaptation to climate change threats over the next five years.

USAID has provided more than $19 million in emergency funds to support relief and early recovery activities since Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southern Bangladesh on November 15, 2007. The U.S. Government continues to monitor the recovery and reconstruction efforts to help rebuild the cyclone affected areas in Bangladesh.

USAID is the principal U.S. Government agency that provides development assistance in more than 100 countries around the world. From 1971 to 2007, USAID has provided more than $5 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh, with over half of that amount in food aid. In 2007, USAID provided $82 million in development assistance to the people of Bangladesh.

Shinepukur Ceramics gets Nat'l Export Trophy (Gold)

BUSINESS REPORT

The National Export Trophy awarding Ceremony for the year 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 was held at the Osmani Memorial Hall in the city on March 31 last. Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed was the chief guest at the occasion and distributed the trophy among the winners in the export sector of various products.

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman and President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Annisul Huq were present as special guest.

Osman Kaiser Chowdhury, Director BEXIMCO Group and· CEO Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd received the National Export Trophy (Gold) on behalf of Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd for achieving highest export of ceramic tableware from Bangladesh in the FY 2002-2003.

Faruque Ali, GM, Production, Ashek Alam, DGM and Head of Marketing, Luthfor Rahman, DGM and Head of F&A, Mizanur Rahman, Manager Porcelain and Khalilur Rahman, Manager, Bone China were also present on the occasion. During this financial year the company exported about 8.88 million pieces tableware worth US$ 10.44 million, which was about 48% higher in quantities and 18% higher in value than previous FY.

It may be mentioned that Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd had also been the highest exporter of ceramics tableware in the FY 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, though the EPB and the Ministry of Commerce did not declare Gold Trophy for those financial years.

Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd earlier received the National Export Trophy (Gold) for achieving highest export of ceramic tableware from Bangladesh in the FY 2000-2001.

Shinepukur Ceramics is the only ISO 9001:2000 Ceramic Tableware Plant in Bangladesh, and the largest producer of Bone China Tableware in the SAARC Region. The Company is expecting to hold their number one position in future and receive the trophy on regular basis, as they are exporting about 55% of the total Ceramic Tableware Products from Bangladesh.

HSBC holds Talent Hunt programme in Chittagong

BUSINESS REPORT

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Ltd in Bangladesh with Centre for Disables Concern (CDC) jointly organised a talent hunt programme for the Handicapped children in Engineers Institution auditorium in Chittagong.

The programme was inaugurated by M Monjur Alam, Acting Mayor of Chittagong, through a colorful street rally, participated by the handicapped children and their parents. More than 200 children from all over greater Chittagong participated in a singing, dancing and acting competition. The children staged a drama on location. Three members from Bangladesh cricket team including the coach, captain and another player also took part in the closing ceremony. The best prize winners were awarded prizes by the panel of judges including HSBC staff.

The Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong distributed prizes among the winners.

Speaking at the closing ceremony M Sami Hafiz, Head of Corporate responsibility and Communications Manager at HSBC said "the children through their various activities proved that they are not handicapped, rather as active and talented as normal children. HSBC is really proud to be apart of this event for the handicapped children."

Sonali Bank observes April 2008 as Business Development Month

BUSINESS REPORT

Sonali Bank Limited started observing April 2008 as Business Development Month.

The prime objective of the observance of the month is to ensure better customer services to the clients of the bank. SA Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the bank inaugurated the grand occasion at its Local Office premises yesterday. Md Shafiqur Rahman, General Manager, Local Office presided while Md Humayun Kabir, Deputy Managing Director and other officials of the bank were present at the inaugural ceremony.

Bank Asia's Foundation Training for its officers

BUSINESS REPORTER

In an effort to augment the professional efficiency, Bank Asia has recently organised a three-week long Foundation Training for its 20 officers. The concluding ceremony was held on March 27 last at the Corporate Office of the bank.

Syed Anisul Huq, President and Managing Director of the bank, handed over certificates to the participants of the 13th Foundation Training Course at the concluding ceremony.

Bank Asia always lays paramount importance on the training of its employees as a continuous process of human resources development, says a press release.

BUET students participate in ACM-ICPC World Finals

BUSINESS REPORT

ACM-ICPC Asia Region Dhaka site champion team BUET Sprinter is leaving Dhaka for Banff, Alberta, Canada to participate ACM ICPC World Finals. ACM or Association for Computing Machinery is the world's first and largest scientific and educational computing society. International Collegiate Programming Contest or ICPC operates under the auspices of ACM is the top most programming contest of the world for university and college students. From 6,700 teams representing 1,821 universities in 83 countries competing at 213 sites from September to December 2007 worldwide, one hundred teams have advanced to the World Finals. Awards, prizes, scholarships, and bragging rights will be at stake for some of the world's finest university students of the computing sciences and engineering. The 2008 ACM-ICPC World Finals will be held April 6-10, 2008, at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, hosted by the University of Alberta. BUET Sprinter team consists of three contestants: Sabbir Yousuf Sanny, Md. Mahbubul Hasan, and Shahriar Rouf and one coach Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir. North American Bangladeshi Islamic Community (NABIC) has sponsored four Dhaka Calgary-Dhaka air-tickets for the team. Computer Science and Engineering or CSE students of BUET are participating in the World Finals every year since 1998 and NABIC is regularly sponsoring the air tickets for BUET ACM ICPC World Finalist team.

ICMAB delegation leaves for SAFA Conference in Lahore

A four-member delegation of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) led by its President Zahir Uddin Ahmed, FCA, FCMA left Dhaka on April 1 for participating in the SAFA Conference on Value Creation by Professional Accountants and the SAFA Committees meeting to be held on April 3-5, 2008 in Lahore, Pakistan. Other members of the delegation are AKM Delwer Hussain, FCMA, Past President & Vice President, Md. Jasim Uddin Akond, FCMA, Treasurer and Md. Ishaque, FCMA, Past President & Council Member of the Institute. The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan are the main host of the SAFA Conference.

Kazi Emdadul Haque elected VP of ALFA

Kazi Emdadul Haque, Managing Director of Premier Leasing and Finance Limited has been elected Vice President of Asian Leasing & Finance Association (ALFA) for 2008-2010 terms in the 53rd Governing Council Meeting held on March 13-14, 2008 at Taipei, Taiwan.

Renowned banker Hoque obtained his M.Sc degree from Dhaka University in 1970. He started his banking career with Uttara Bank Limited in 1973 as a Probationary Officer on recruitment by the Bankers Recruitment Committee of Bangladesh Bank and served various managerial positions in many important branches until he joined Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in 1984. After four years continued successful service with Islami Bank, Hoque joined The City Bank Limited in 1988 as Assistant Vice President and served in different important branches including Head Office till 1995. Hoque joined Phoenix Finance & Investment Limited (former Phoenix Leasing Company Ltd) in 1995 as Vice President and subsequently, promoted to the rank of Deputy Managing Director. During this long tenure in the fields of financial sector, his personal qualities, hard work, intelligence, visionary mind, depth of professional knowledge, innovative concept etc have helped him to become a perfect and dynamic leader in the financial sector of the country.. Hoque participated in various professional training courses and seminars organised by reputed training institutions at home and abroad. He is involved with multifarious social works for the distressed people in the country. He attended many international Lions Forum and seminars and General Assembly Meeting of ALFA in abroad and traveled many countries including UK, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Philipine.