The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pubali Bank managers urged to raise business

BUSINESS REPORT

A two-day long conference titled 'Annual Managers Conference 2008' participated by all 361 Branch Managers, Regional Managers and Senior Executives of Head Office was held at Seagull Hotel, Cox's Bazar recently to motivate them to increase bank's business by rendering better services. Hafiz Ahmed Majumder, Chairman, Board of Directors graced the workshop as the chief guest while Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the workshop.

Directors of Pubali Bank Limited Moniruddin Ahmed, Sk. Wahidur Rahman, Giasuddin Ahmed, Monzurur Rahman, Ahmed Shafi Chowdhury, Fahim Ahmed Faruk Chowdhury, M. Faizur Rahman also attended the workshop.

In his speech, Hafiz Ahmed Majumder emphasized on expansion of foreign remittance business through better customer and modern banking services. He also advised all to work hard, look for new business avenues and adopt diversification and to take concerted efforts for achieving the target fixed for the year 2008. In the workshop the chief guest rewarded 26 best Managers for their best performances.

Directors of Pubali Bank Ltd also delivered their speeches. The Directors emphasized on expansion of the business at a very competitive price.

In the conference, Manager, Regional Managers and high officials of the bank exchanged their views with Board of Directors which are likely to produce positive results on the bank's business.

In his speech, Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, drawing the past heritage, history, culture of PBL, the first ever Bengali entrepreneurs bank, said that the management with the help of Board of Directors are doing its best for expansion of business, upgrading of customer services in all respect since privatisation of the bank in 1985.

He urged all officials to take concerted efforts for achieving the targets fixed for the year 2008 through modern banking services. The Managing Director said that Pubali Bank will open 10 new branches in this year and Bangladesh Bank has already accorded permission in this regard. Seven branches will be opened in rural areas and three branches in urban areas.

Helal Ahmed Chowdhury affirmed that Pubali Bank will render services to the remote areas of the country.

He also revealed that Pubali Bank is going to recruit 400 officers who would help serve the customers all over the country along with the present 5,500 employees.

Chief Financial Officer of Pubali Bank Limited ATM Hasanuzzaman delivered welcome speech on the occasion.

Heidelberg Cement opens second mill in Bangladesh: Production capacity increased to 2 million tones

BUSINESS REPORT

Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd inaugurated its second Mill on April 10 last which has been established at its Dhaka Factory at Kanchpur, Narayanganj.

Dr Bernhard Scheifele, Chairman of the Managing Board of Heidelberg Cement Group inaugurated the mill.

Dr Albert Scheuer, Member of the Managing Board of HC Group and CEO of Asia Pacific, Daniel Gauthier, Member of the Managing Board of HC Group and CEO of Northern Europe-Benelux-Africa-Middle East and HC Trading and Daniel Lavalle, President Director of Indocement and Chairman of Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh attended the programme held at the plant premises.

Prominent members from all segments of the society were also present on the occasion.

Jean Claude Jamar, Managing Director of Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd and all other officials of the company greeted the guests in the local traditional way in a highly festive mood.

Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd is a member of Germany based Heidelberg Cement Group, representing two reputed brands 'Scan Cement' and 'Ruby Cement.' The production capacity of the company has increased to 2 million tonnes with the inauguration of Kanchpur Mill II.

Prime Bank's investment amounts to Tk 6,000 crore: Celebrates 13th founding anniversary today

BUSINESS REPORT

Prime Bank Limited, one of the leading private commercial banks in the country, has so far made the investment of about Tk 6,000 crore in different sectors of the country's economy.

M. Shahjahan Bhuiyan, Managing Director of Prime Bank Limited, stated this while addressing a press conference on the eve of the bank's 13th founding anniversary at National Press Club in the city yesterday.

Prime Bank celebrates its 13th anniversary today (Thursday) after its establishment on April 17, 1995, achieving many successes during its long journey.

Additional Managing Director Nasiruddin Ahmed, Deputy Managing Directors Mahbubul Alam, RQM Forkan and Syed Mahbubur Rahman and other senior officials were present.

Explaining various programmes taken in celebration of the 13th anniversary, and the bank's success, present programmes and future strategies, the Managing Director said though Prime Bank is a conventional bank, it has introduced Islamic banking system, taking the demand of a large section of the country's people, who are Muslims and wish to nourish Islamic values.

"With view to provide services to the large section of people, Prime Bank has introduced five Islamic banking branches in the country," he said.

Narrating various deposit and loan products of the bank as well as the newly launched ATM service and Roadshow activities, Shahjahan Bhuiyan said the bank launched it Roadshow activities on March 19, which will continue for the next four months.

"This Roadshow programme is being carried out in 11 branches in the city, while ATM service is being functioned in 10 areas in the capital. Three more ATM booths will be launched within a few days at Rampura, Pallabi and Mohakhali," he said.

In this regard, he also mentioned that a few days ago Prime Bank and another bank signed an agreement regarding the installation of ATM booths so that the clients of the two banks can get ATM services simultaneously.

Customers would be able to pay utility bill like telephone, gas, electricity, mobile phone bills and obtain full statement of their accounts through the ATM machines.

Apart from carrying out many commercial activities, the Managing Director said Prime Bank is also involved in various activities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

In order to perform CSR smoothly, the bank has established the Prime Bank Foundation. Through the foundation, the bank has been providing different short-term and long-term services to the community.

The foundation provides education scholarships among poor but brilliant students.

Shahjahan Bhuiyan said the Prime Bank Foundation's short-term activities include eye (cataract) operation and open-heart surgery of adolescents, while the long-term activities include educational support programme for poor but meritorious students for higher education.

Prime Bank Limited became one of the top private banks within a few years after launching its commercial operation on April 17, 1995.

The bank is providing various services to its clients styling doctor loans, home loans, car loans, marriage loans, student loans and others through its 61 branches. Its present capital is Tk 646 crore.

IUB welcomes Bangla New Year

This year Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) celebrated Bangla New Year, Pahela Baisakh through elaborate programmes which included staging of a lyrical drama, cultural function, Boisakhi fair, painting exhibition and drama festival. The programmes, held in the inspiring presence of Prof Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, Prof Omar Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Shoaib Ahmed, Treasurer, Dr Tanvir A Khan, Registrar and other faculty, would spread over a week.

The students of Bangla Literature course arranged a recitation programme of poems and prose passages on April 13. They also staged the well-known lyrical drama 'Mahuwa' by poet Dizo Kanai which depicts love, life and culture of rural Bengal.

The Division of Students Activities and Student Council jointly organized a cultural function and Boishakhi Mela on April 14. Songs, dances, recitations representing the coming of new Bangla year were performed which enthralled the audience. On the premises students setup stalls to display artifacts of rural Bangladesh. The busy stalls where the country cakes were sold, the female and male students, clad in festive dresses, moved around throughout the day. The students also brought out a colourful Boishakhi rally early in the morning on Monday. In the evening, a painting exhibition was inaugurated by renowned painter Shahid Kabir, now settled in Spain and painter Jamal Ahmed. The exhibition will continue for a week. Asstt. Prof. Nazir Ahmed coordinated the art exhibition.

IUB Theatre Club organised an inter-university drama festival participated by IUB, East West University, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh, Prime Asia University and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy which started on April 12 and will continue up to April 24.".

IBBL holds meeting in Malaysia

A meeting for exchange of views was held recently in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the inauguration of remittance management for the expatriates of Malaysia from Malaysia to Bangladesh through Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited.

The meeting was attended by M Khairuzzaman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Malyasia as the chief guest and Md Habibur Rahman, Deputy Executive President and Head of International Banking Wing, as special guest.

Md Siddiqur Rahman, Vice President and Head of Remittance Management Division of IBBL and Hemraz Dhakal, Managing Director of IME (M) SDN Berhad presented the remittance services on behalf of their respective institutions.

The meeting was attended, among others, by dignitaries of different professions including top officials of Bangladesh High Commission, leaders of businessmen of Bangladeshi expatriates, teachers of universities, doctors and engineers.

M. Khairuzzaman in his speech stresses the importance of foreign remittance and called upon the expatriates to send foreign currency to the country through proper channels. He admires remittance management of IBBL.

Md. Habibur Rahman urged the Bangladeshi expatriates to avail different sorts of services of IBBL for sending fund to their relatives safe and sound manner.

BTRC lauds Warid Telecom

Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Major General Manzurul Alam ndc, Psc (retired) on Tuesday expressed deep satisfaction over the activities of Warid Telecom Company.

While visiting different facilities of Warid Telecom, the top-brass of the country's telecom watchdog organization pointed out that they did not find any illegal activities by the mobile company. The BTRC chairman went to the fastest growing mobile telephone company's office as part of his ongoing visit to different telecom companies.

During the visit, he held meeting with top officials of Warid Telecom and inquired about the technical as well as operational aspects of the company.

In his brief comments, the BTRC Chairman said they will welcome any move to introduce new technologies in the telecom sector. He urged all concerned to abide by the rules and regulations of the land and also stressed on continuing registration of mobile users. He also appreciated the CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities of the company.

Welcoming the BTRC Chairman, Warid Telecom's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muneer Farooqui said Warid is committed to bringing qualitative change in the country's telecom sector.

He vowed to provide better services to its customers by maintaining best network quality. Highlighting overall activities of the company, Farooqui said the Warid Telecom already invested about US$500 million in Bangladesh. "We will make further investment in near future," he added.

Following the meeting, the BTRC Chairman and Warid Telecom CEO exchanged crests. Among others, BTRC Commissioner S M. Monir Ahmed, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Warid Telecom Amyn Merchant, General Manager (HR and Admin) Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, General Manager (Government and Operator Relations) Ashraful H Chowdhury, General Manager (Sales) Mahboob Hossain, Chief Information Officer Yasir Z. I. Ansari, Chief Technical Officer Farhan J. Khan and Deputy General Manager Mian Omer Shah attended the meeting.

Role of Cost and Management Accountants praised

A delegation of the 13th Council of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) headed by its President Zahir Uddin Ahmed, FCMA called on Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at his office on Sunday.

The ICMAB President apprised the Commerce Adviser about the Institute and role of Cost and Management Accountants and their contribution towards the establishment of transparency, accountability and corporate governance in the business and industrial sectors of the country. He also sought active guidance and support of Adviser for development of CMA Prafession and ICMAB.

The Commerce Adviser appreciated the role of Cost and Management Accountants for the establishment of good governance, transparency, accountability and financial discipline in the business and industrial sectors of the country. He also urged the Cost and Management Accountants to play due role for the economic development of the country. He assured all possible help and assistance for the development of the Institute as well as the CMA profession.

Commerce Secretary Feroz Ahmed was present in the meeting. Among the ICMAB delegates, Vice Presidents ABM Shamsuddin, FCMA, AKM Delwer Hussain, FCMA, Secretary ASM Shaykhul Islam, FCMA, Treasurer Md. Jasim Uddin Akond, FCMA, Executive Director of the Institute MA Matin, FCMA and Addl Director, Mofazzal Hossain were present in the meeting..

Krishi Bank board meeting held

The 455th Board Meeting of the Board of Directors of Bangladesh Krishi Bank was held in the Board Room of the Bank on 15 April, 2008. Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank chaired the meeting. The Directors of the Board of Directors, Managing Director, Deputy Managing Directors, all the General Managers of Head Office, the Secretary of the Board of Directors and concerned Deputy General Managers were present on the occasion. Some important decisions on the various affairs of the bank were taken at the meeting.

Sonali Bank observes business development month

With the recent structural changes that turned Sonali Bank into a public limited company and consequent appointment of a renowned banker S. A. Chowdhury as its contractual CEO/Managing Director, Sonali Bank Limited has started setting foot as a truly competitive commercial bank, a press release said.

Making positive changes in the biggest bank of the country he has taken the task of creating real competitive edge in its banking products and services. "While a few new banking products have already been introduced and others are to hit the financial market soon, the bank is now observing 'Business Development Month' throughout April.

The month is being ceremoniously observed in all of its 1181 branches throughout the country with due importance and special emphasis on mobilisation of deposit and other businesses like loans, inland remittance, export, import, foreign remittance and recovery of classified loans with active participation of the employees from all tiers.

K. C. Dey Road Corporate Branch, the oldest and main branch of the bank in the commercial hub and port city of Chittagong, led by its Deputy General Manager Mesbah Ul Haq, has taken a massive programme to make the event successful.

Colourful decoration of the branch premise, introduction of Help Desk to meet various queries of the clients and to guide them for delivery of various bank services, opening of Opinion Book, distribution of the bank's 'Citizen Charter' among the clients, promoting new banking products, formation of task forces for business development, recovery of bad loans and improvement of customer service, distribution of complimentary items among valued clients, persuasion of NRBs (Non Resident

Bangladeshis) for increased foreign remittance, meeting with potential and valued clients and a formal gathering of bank customers are but a few that the branch besides its usual operational activities is moving forward with during the month.