The New Nation - Internet Edition

Islami Bank to invest on food import: Plans to help country cope with present food crisis and keep prices of essentials stable

BUSINESS REPORT

'Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited will invest on priority basis to import, purchase and sell food and other essentials in the context of the present food crisis and keeping the price of essentials stable.'

Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank stated this while speaking at the inaugural session of Performance Review Meeting of the bank at the Board Room of Islami Bank Tower yesterday.

Presided over by M. Fariduddin Ahmad, Executive President, the meeting was attended by top executives of the Head Office and heads of Zone and Corporate Branches including Mohd. Shamsul Haque, Mohammad Abdul Mannan and Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Executive Presidents of the bank.

Mominul Islam Patwary Chairman, Executive Committee of the bank was present as the chief guest at the closing session of the meeting.

Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin, in his speech, urged the bankers to play a responsible role for keeping the prices of essentials stable and mitigate the sufferings of the country's people.

Besides, he called upon all to continue the speed of development of the country.

He urged all to make Islami Banking system popular. He also emphasised on compliance of Islami Shariah properly.

While speaking as the President, M. Fariduddin Ahmad urged all to increase skill of the employees and officials, mobilize new investment clients, arrest default culture and to enhance best investment.

The meeting disclosed information that the total deposit of the bank reached at Tk 173,177 million as on March 31 last, showing a growth rate of 22 per cent, against the corresponding period of the previous year. The total investment has reached at Tk 183,662 million, showing a growth rate of 34 per cent and the bank handled Foreign Trade and business amounting to Tk 111,059 million showing a growth rate of 26 per cent against the corresponding period of the previous year. The bank has maintained the top position in overall performance during the discussed period.

DCCI-AmCham India sign MoU : Bangladesh has skilled manpower to meet Indian IT sector needs

BUSINESS REPORT

A business meeting between the members of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and AmCham India was held to identify potential business sectors and expanding existing businesses.

KN Memani, President AmCham India with his 24-member delegation interacted with the DCCI business entrepreneurs. Jon F. Danilowiczs, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America, Sudhakar Dalela, Counselor (E&C), High Commission of India and Syed Ershad Ahmed, President, AmCham Bangladesh were present in the meeting. Hossain Khaled, President DCCI chaired the meeting. A MoU was signed between the DCCI and AmCham India after the meeting to explore more businesses.

Memani, in his speech, mentioned that they were almost ignorant about the availability of skilled IT-based human resources and strength of private sector of Bangladesh. Referring to several meetings, which they attended so far during their short stay in Bangladesh, he said there are tremendous opportunities to go for joint business and investment.

He said Bangladesh and India has long historical, cultural and social relation, the key issues lies in confidence building and for this relation between industry-to-industry, government-to-government contacts have to be strengthened.

Memani said, "Both the governments and trade groups should work together to exploit the huge investment opportunities."

He said with the change of global mindset, both the chambers of the two countries should work together. They are very much positive in this respect, he added.

Hossain Khaled, referring to the number of incentives and liberal FDI policies, requested to invest in the IT sector and other potential sectors.

He said, "Establishment of an ICT R&D Centre in Bangladesh similar to that of IBM R&D in India, China, Philippines, Malaysia and even Nepal could be very helpful for Bangladesh."

The DCCI President informed that there is cost-effective skilled manpower who are intelligent and intellectually superior, and at the same time dedicated and sincere.

Jon F Danilowiczs also spoke on the occasion and expressed his willingness for facilitating private sector to develop farther.

Sudhakar Dalela said Indian economy has been growing from the present 9 per cent to 10 per cent annually.

He emphasised the need for strong connectivity in respect of road, rail, waterways as very important component for development of trade and joint businesses.

Syed Ershad Ahmed said that the delegation visited Export Processing Zones of Bangladesh and was satisfied with their infrastructure. If anybody is interested to set up joint business in the EPZs can express their willingness.

A Aziz, MD Leads Corporation, said India as the 'most powerful member of SAARC and big brother can do a lot for the other members who are relatively weak.'

Referring to a statistics of NASCOM, he said India will run short of IT manpower soon, which could be mitigated by Bangladesh's young IT graduates as at the moment Bangladesh has huge manpower in this sector.

Among others, DCCI Past Presidents M H Rahman, Benajir Ahmed, RM Khan, former Director Attiqu-e-Rabbani, Ms Luna Shamsuddoha, Convener, Women Entrepreneurship took part in the discussion and pointed out several issues for Bangladesh-India and US-based businesses in Bangladesh.

First Security Bank holds Managers’ Confce :Recovery of classified loans, mobilisation of deposit urged

BUSINESS REPORT

Managing Director of First Security Bank Limited AAM Zakaria yesterday emphasised on recovery of classified loans, mobilization of deposits and disbursement of SME and agricultural loans.

Quarterly Manager's Conference-2008 of First Security Bank Ltd was held yesterday at the Head Office of the bank.

The conference was presided over by AAM Zakaria, Managing Director of the bank. The Deputy Managing Directors, all branch managers and divisional heads of the Head Office attended the conference.

The conference reviewed the quarterly performance of individual branches for the period of January-March 2008.

The Managing Director in his inaugural speech emphasised on recovery of classified loans, deposit mobilisation, disbursement of SME and agricultural loans.

The conference ended with a vote of thanks to all.

Premier Bank’s monthly managers' meet held: Branch managers directed to fulfill budgetary target

BUSINESS REPORTER

The Monthly Managers' Meeting of The Premier Bank Limited was held at bank's executive floor, Head Office yesterday.

B.H. Haroon, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Premier Bank Ltd was present in the conference as the chief guest. Managing Director of the bank Khondker Fazle Rashid was present as special guest.

B.H. Haroon expressed his satisfaction about the progress made by the bank. All participants vowed to work yet harder to bring about improvements in customer services in the coming days.

Khondker Fazle Rashid, in his speech, urged the branch managers to fulfill the budgetary target for the year 2008 and stressed the selection of potential borrowers and recovery of overdue and write-off loans on priority basis.

He also emphasized on inspiring services at any point to upgrade the image of the bank in the finished market.

Among others, Additional Managing Director Md. Mokhlesur Rahman was present at the conference. All branch managers and divisional heads at the Head Office were also present at the meeting.

SIBL holds Quarterly Managers’ Conference : Call to work with dedication to attain business targets

BUSINESS REPORT

Managing Director of Social Investment Bank Limited (SIBL) K. M. Ashaduzzaman yesterday called upon all the branch managers to work with dedication and sincerity for achieving the business targets of the bank.

He was addressing a Quarterly Business Conference of SIBL which was held in the Board Room at the Head Office of the bank in the city.

It was presided over by Managing Director K. M. Ashaduzzaman.

In the conference, the overall performance of all the branches was discussed in length and the targets and strategies for the remaining months were adopted.

The Managing Director advised the branch managers to work with total commitment to achieve the business targets.

He also stressed the need for participation of all officers and employees of the bank in all activities so that targets fixed for the year are achieved.

Deputy Managing Director Abu Sadek Md Sohel, senior executives of bank's Head Office and all branch incumbents were present in the conference.

Jamuna Bank launches VISA Card

VISA Card Launching was held on April 1 last at a hotel in the city.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jamuna Bank Limited Nur Mohammed inaugurated the VISA Card in presence of a large number of customers and well-wishers.

Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jamuna Bank Limited Md Sirajul Islam Varosha, Managing Director Mohammed Lakiotullah, Additional Managing Director Md. Motior Rahman, Branch Managers, Divisional Heads of the Head Office of Jamuna Bank Limited and Dr. Quazi Saifuddin Munir, Managing Director and CEO of ITC Ltd were present at the inauguration ceremony.

Initially JBL launches Visa Electron (Debit Card), VISA Classic (Credit Card), Gold (Credit Card), Dual Credit Card (International). This Card will facilitate the cardholders of JBL to transact money round the clock. Debit Transaction, Cash Withdrawal, Credit Transaction, Fund Transfer, Account Information, Mini Statement, 24 Hours Banking, Cheque Book Request, Pin Change, Any Time Anywhere Banking, Utility Bill Payment. Jamuna Bank Limited will go for more attractive package in future with the customers.

Radial Coronary Angiography: The Easier Route to the Heart

BUSINESS REPORT

The Department of Cardiology of Apollo Hospitals Dhaka has introduced a new service called 'Radial (Wrist Artery) Coronary Angiography'.

The Conventional Method for Coronary Angiogram is via the Groin i.e., the Femoral Artery. Although this allows easy passage for larger catheters, Femoral Angiogram carries certain problems namely, enforced rest for the patient in 'LYING DOWN POSITIONS' for 6-8 hours which causes some inconveniences to the patient. A large number of patients in this country have experienced with femoral angiography and hence know the problems attached to the procedure.

In Radial Angiography, a small sheath is placed via a special hydrophilic wire in the radial artery (Artery of the Wrist) and the coronary angiogram is performed using specially shaped catheters. The same route can be used for Coronary Angioplasty also. It is an ambulatory 3-4 hours day admission procedure. After the procedure, sheath is removed and a small arm band compression device is kept for few hours. Patient can walk out of the cardiac catheterization lab and what is more, he can be freely mobile and ambulatory. The patient is also entirely pain free. The 'Radial Coronary Angiography' at Apollo Hospitals Dhaka is already successfully functioning and has been received well by patients who experienced it.

Chinese Cuisine at Westin from Beijing Whampo Club

The Westin Dhaka will be promoting a Modern Chinese cuisine with Beijing Whampao Club-Bejing from 5 to 13 April, 2008.

The foods and flavors of China have found an eager audience in Bangladesh. The Chinese culinary is indeed very successful not only in Bangladesh; it is all over the world. The diners of Dhaka will have the opportunity to feed their body and nourish their soul with authentic yet modern Chinese food here at the Westin Dhaka.

From 5 to 13 April, very talented chef Yap Poh Weng and his team chef Chen Chun Mei and chef Zhang Rui Feng will preside over the all-day dining restaurant "Taste" as guest chef, bringing with them the expertise and passion of Chinese cuisine. Yap has started his career in the year of 1987, since then, he has spent more than a decade to offer from Chinese kitchen.

Chef Yap is a renowned name in Beijing for his outstanding culinary skills; he is a specialist rewarded chef, won the International Chinese Culinary Art Competition Gold Award in 2005. Currently Yap is working as Executive Chef with Whampoa Club, one of the vibrant culinary outlets in Beijing. Whampoa Club's fame continues in 2008 with multiple accolades: "50 Best Experience 2007" from Food & Wine Magazine, "40 Trips of A Lifetime 2007" from Conde Nast Traveler, "Best Restaurant in China 2007" from Modern Weekly, "Best Restaurant 2008" from Shanghai Tatler, "Most Innovative Cuisine" and "Best Interior Design" of Eating Out Award from TIMEOUT.

Chef yap and his team will entertain the guests with refreshing salads and soups. Try a range of salads from Spicy chicken salad with bean jelly flavored with roasted peanuts, to 'You Mak' vegetable salad roll with spiced sesame dressing, Refreshing cucumber salad with Pacific clams and shrimps in a mild garlic dressing and Black fungus salad with chrysanthemum petals.

Enrich your spirit with soups from Double-boiled free range chicken and wild mushroom consommé served with truffle dumpling, to Hot and sour soup with lobster and squid roe, Sweet corn cream and minced chicken broth served with corn crackers.

Take a new course in main dishes. What could be the better way to treat yourself with Wok-fried beef tenderloin with Pistachio nuts and garlic shavings, Sautéed Australian beef strips with a honey pepper sauce, Roasted lamb leg with cumin spices, served in its own juices, Wok-fried diced chicken with pickled red peppers in spicy sauce, Sautéed chicken with fresh mango and assorted peppers in a savory sauce, Stir-fried minced pigeon with fragrant pear in crispy wrappers, Deep-fried king prawn coated with a wasabi dressing, crisp prawn flakes, Sautéed king prawns with ginger and garlic in Shandong soya sauce, Steamed scallops with tofu topped with a duo of crisp and sautéed garlic, Shandong style poached red spotted garoupa in a vinegar spiced consommé, Red braised, spring onions with sea bass, Poached with pickled red peppers cod fish.

There will be an array of noodles and rice; Beijing style fermented bean paste and pork with hand made noodles, Lobster and hand made chili noodles braised with hot bean paste, Tea smoked mushrooms served with hand made cep noodles topped with five spiced crushed ice and Stir-fried vegetarian fried rice with fresh ginger grains

Why not try Soup Dumplings; Seafood and squid ink dumplings served in golden broth, Spinach and vegetarian dumplings served in mushroom broth, chicken and vegetables dumplings served in Chinese ham consommé, Beef and watercress dumplings served in hot and sour broth, and Carrot, tomato and chicken dumplings served in chicken broth.

Or Dim Sum; Pan-seared chives and pork dumpling, Beijing style, Fluffy sesame dumpling filled with pork floss and onions, Crispy onion pancakes, Beijing pancakes filled with goose liver and pork fillings, Steamed BBQ chicken buns, Steamed Chicken with shrimps dumpling (Siew Mai) and Steamed Prawn dumpling with water chestnut.