The New Nation - Internet Edition

Business is for profit but profit is not for business: Chief Justice Syed JR Modassir Hossain tells at conference of industrialists and businessmen

BUSINESS REPORT

Industrialists and Businessmen Welfare Foundation (IBWF) organised a conference of industrialists and businessmen at the Institution of Diploma Engineer's Bangladesh on April 18 last.

Chief Justice Syed JR Modassir Hossain attended the meeting as the chief guest while Engineer Eskandar Ali Khan, Vice President of the organization presided over the conference.

Alamgir Mohiuddin, Editor of the Daily Naya Diganta, Anwarul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers And Exporters Association (BGMEA), Dr Md Shafiuzzaman, President of Bangladesh Medicine Industries Association, Md Jamal Uddin and Engineer Ahmed Ali, vice presidents of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) were present as special guests.

Syed Modassir Hossain said, "The businessmen and industrialists have to remain united to acquire a sound economy in Bangladesh."

He told that the businessmen have to remember that business is for profit but profit is not for business".

Burson-Marsteller establishes South Asia Network

Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, on April 17 announced formation of a 'Burson-Marsteller South Asia Network (BMSAN)' with the signing of strategic alliances with independent public relations companies across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The network will be coordinated through Genesis Burson-Marsteller, a wholly owned B-M company in India.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Bill Rylance, Vice Chairman, Global Development, and Chairman Asia Pacific for Burson-Marsteller, with Strategic Alliance, Sri Lanka; Mediators Pvt. Ltd., Pakistan; Cogito Marketing Solutions Limited, Bangladesh and Media Tech Associates for Nepal.

"Creating new avenues for growth and network expansion is our strategic priority and we see South Asia as an important growth engine.

The agreements signed today significantly strengthen our footprint and services in the region through Genesis Burson-Marsteller," said Bill Rylance.

The building-out of Burson-Marsteller's South Asia footprint recognizes the emerging economic strength of the region.

Growing at over six per cent per annum, South Asia's 2006 GDP stood at 5,161,067 million international dollars! (in purchasing power parity). The region has increased its share in world output from six per cent to eight per cent over the past decade.

"Our Indian and multinational clients are increasingly looking for public relations solutions and reach in the region.

The South Asia Network will offer clients the highest return-on-investment on their communication spends by combining the best available local expertise, seamless reach across countries and integration from India," said Ashwani Singla, Chief Executive, Genesis Burson-Marsteller.

Burson-Marsteller Worldwide CEO, Mark Penn, emphasized the significance of Burson-Marsteller's extensive affiliate network: "Our affiliates are value-added partners who enable us to meet the needs of our global clients anywhere in the world."

The Burson-Marsteller South Asia Network, part of the Burson-Marsteller global network of offices has been formed with the participation of leading public relations firms across the region.

These comprise Genesis Burson-Marsteller, India; Strategic Alliance, Sri Lanka; Mediators Pvt. Ltd., Pakistan; Cogito Marketing Solutions Limited, Bangladesh and Media Tech Associates for Nepal. The Burson-Marsteller South Asia Network will offer a full range of public relations services from media relations to Public Affairs.

Genesis Burson-Marsteller (www.genesisbm.in) is India's most respected public relations and public affairs firm.

The firm has 7 offices and a domestic affiliate network that reaches over 100 cities across the country. Genesis B-M is known for its insight-based strategies, innovative execution and strong focus on measurement of results.

Genesis Burson-Marsteller is the India operation of Burson-Marsteller.

IBA Alumni Association observes Alumni Day 2008

The IBA Alumni Association (IBAAA), Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka observed The Alumni Day 2008 at Radisson Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka on April 18 last.

Dr AB Mirza Md Azizul Islam, Adviser, Ministry of Finance and Planning attended the occasion as the chief guest while Dr Muhammad Z Mamun, Professor and Director, IBA, University of Dhaka was present as special guest.

The whole program was divided into three parts. The inaugural session started at 4:00pm with the welcome address by the president of the IBAAA Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed.

Dr AB Mirza Md Azizul Islam distributed scholarships to five students of BBA and MBA this year: The recipients of scholarships were: 1) Muhammad Asaduzzaman, MBA 41st Batch, 2) Muhammad Rezaul Islam, MBA 41st Batch, 3) Syed Zia Uddin, MBA 42nd Batch, 4) Jahin Mashnoon, BBA 15th Batch, and 5) Saif Ahmed, BBA 15th Batch.

The chief guest also distributed IBA Alumni Awards in five categories: Awards are: 1) Management Education and Development--Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan, Vice Chancellor of IUBAT, 2) Corporate Management -Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan, Managing Director of BOC Bangladesh Ltd, 3) Business Leadership-Md Fazlul Hoque, President of BKMEA. 4) Entrepreneurship Development-Salim Akhter Khan, Managing Director of Asset Developments and Holdings Ltd, and 5) Best Employer of IBA Graduates--Standard Chartered Bank.

The inaugural session was ended with vote of thanks by M Rafiqul Islam, General Secretary of IBAAA.

The 2nd part was AGM and the final part was cultural show followed by dinner. Another attraction of the event was raffle draw of fabulous prizes. Emirates sponsored Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka Air Ticket. Dragonair sponsored Dhaka-Hongkong-Dhaka Air Ticket; GMG Airlines sponsored Dhaka-Bangkok-Dhaka and Dhaka-Kathmandu-Dhaka Air Ticket along with other attractive prizes. The event was full of fun for the IBA graduates and their family members meeting old friends over enchanting songs and sumptuous dinner.

Warid offers lowest call rate for Zem prepaid subscribers

Warid Telecom brings the country's best call rate to its Zem prepaid subscribers with lowest flat rate to call any time to any operator.

Warid introduced the call tariff to fulfill its commitment of bringing the best offers for its valued customers.

All new and existing subscribers of 'Zem 24 hours' tariff plan will enjoy the lowest call rate of 89 paisa per minute for making calls to any operator round the clock. Any prepaid Warid subscriber can switch to this plan or any of the different tariff plans from the same single Zem SIM.

About the introduction of new call tariff, Senior Manager Marketing of Warid Telecom Zeeshan K. Huq said, "Calling any operator, anytime at a flat call rate is the demand of the day by mobile phone users. Warid introduced this new flat rate because it realizes the needs of its customers," he said, adding "We will continue to delight our customers through attractive offers in future too."

Warid Telecom expanded its network to 61 districts within six months of its launch in Bangladesh, emerging as the fastest growing mobile phone operator in the country.

Bangladesh Single Country Trade Fair in S'pore and Malaysia from June 13

BUSINESS REPORT

A 10-day long Bangladesh Single Country Trade Fair will be held in Singapore on June 13-15 and in Malaysia on June 19-22 2008 targeting to tap huge market of different Bangladeshi products and services.

The Fareast Trade Mission will start on 12 June 12 through June 22. The venue for the fair in Singapore is Ground of Mostafa Plaza (besides mosque) and Putra World Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

More than one hundred stalls and pavilions of Bangladeshi banks, life insurance companies, jute and jute goods, handicrafts, readymade garments, vegetables, frozen foods, spices, housing and real estate, soft drink and beverage, food stuff, toiletries and cosmetics, medicine, industrial products, computer software, tea, melamine and ceramic products, plastic and kitchenware and agricultural products will be accommodated in the fair.

Interested business houses are requested to contact for stall with Dhaka International Exhibition Company (DIEC), 62/1 Purana Paltan (4th Floor), Dhaka, Tel: 7163850, 01710852522.

Separate agreements were signed recently between Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation in Kuala Lumpur and Allyumi Enterprise, the nominated event management company of Serongun Fair ground of Singapore Government with Dhaka International Exhibition Company.

BP launches new lubricant Visco 3000 in Bangladesh

BUSINESS REPORT

BP has formally launching its advanced passenger car lubricant Visco 3000 with clean guard technology in Bangladesh market.

BP is one of the top energy company of the world and has been retailing lubricants in Bangladesh through Meghna Petroleum since 1985. BP enjoys high market share in Bangladesh lubricant market and BP lubricants brands are among the fastest growing brands in Bangladesh. Super V and Visco CNG are very popular BP brands, which are marketed in Bangladesh.

Key benefits of Visco 3000 comes with Cleanguard Engine Technology which keeps engine cleaner and fights dirt varnish, carbon, even deadly sludge in vital oil ways. nCleaner engines last longer and run better and saves fuel. BP Regional General Manager Sujit Sen said, "We have launched Visco 3000 with Clean guard technology keeping in mind the increase in usage of new generation cars in Bangladesh market. BP Visco 3000 is very popular brand in Europe and Middle East and this is currently imported from abroad."

Soren Malekar, VP, IGSC, BP Lubricants said, "BP is keen to work closely with Meghna Petroleum Limited and offer world class lubricant to Bangladesh consumers. The advanced lubricants formulated in the Global Research Centers will help the users increase the life of their engines and also save fuel."

MA Wadud Khan, MD of Meghna Petroleum said, "At the moment Meghna is the highest seller of lubricants among the three national oil marketing companies in Bangladesh.

Meghna is proud to be associate with BP and would like to offer best quality international recognized BP products to Bangladesh consumers. Visco 3000 is available in all Meghna filling stations and key high street lubricants outlets of Bangladesh."

WINGS Certificate Awarding ceremony held

A certificate awarding ceremony took place at WINGS Centre on April 17 last. Professor Dr MS IIyas Dhami, Vice Chancellor (Acting) of The State University of Bangladesh, addressed the occasion as the chief guest.

Asif H. Choudhury, Managing Director of WINGS ELC also spoke on the occasion. He invited the employers as well as individuals interested for IELTS Preparatory courses and other professional development courses in English, to visit the new look and extended services of WINGS ELC. Prof. Husne Jahan Alam, Director, WINGS ELC, gave the vote of thanks in the ceremony.

AUST starts new journey from its newly constructed own bldg

All students including freshers were accorded a reception at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology on Saturday morning on its newly constructed own campus at 141-142 Love Road, Tejgaon I/A in the city.

AUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr M Anwar Hossain in his speech said that first step of the students to the newly built AUST Campus is undoubtedly memorable and this would be meaningful if they could serve the nation and the country being well educated getting quality education in this modern environment.

He added that overall development of a university is a continuous process. AUST has the action plan to open and introduce new departments and M.Phil and M.S courses in near future. To fulfill this desire people of all concerned should play the responsible and effective role. Through the cooperation of the teachers, officers, students and guardians AUST would march towards a centre of excellence of intemational standard.

The university was opened from 8:00am to 10:00am for the parents and guardians of all students so that they could visit the new campus where the modern facilities have been developed.

Prof. Dr. Kazi Sariful Alam, Treasurer, Prof Dr MA Muktadir, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Prof Dr SM Kabir, Dean, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, Prof Dr AM Shadullah, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Heads of the Departments, Registrar, University Engineer were also present on the occasion.

Novo Nordisk wins design award for medicinal innovation

Novo Nordisk has been awarded a 2008 Medical Design Excellence Award for NovoFine® Autocover®--a needle for insulin injection designed especially to reduce the risk of needle stick injuries and help people with diabetes who suffer from needle anxiety. Needle-stick injuries can expose patients and doctors to serious infections--as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV--and each needle-stick injury can be costly for society, even when no infection occurs.

NovoFine® Autocover® is designed to conceal the needle during injection and may therefore help diabetes patients overcome needle anxiety. As many as 10 per cent of people with diabetes suffer from a fear of needles, to the point where they actually avoid injections.

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 26,000 employees in 80 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries.

Apollo Hospitals Dhaka organises Heath Care Awareness programme

Apollo Hospitals Dhaka recently organised heath care awareness programme at Cemex Cement Bangladesh Limited where knowledge and guidelines was disseminated on how to lead healthier life to Cemex Factory staff. Dr. Md. Sadiqul Islam, Consultant -Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and Dr. Mohammed Mohiuddin Araf, Head of Physical Medicine of Apollo Hospitals Dhaka conducted the Program.

Gungchil celebrates 7th anniversary

'The journey of 7 years' anniversary of GUNGCHIL took place at 'Padma Resort,' a little far from Dhaka city on last Pahela Baishakh. The program was marked by cutting cake. Deputy secretary Dr Abdul Hoque Talukder was present at the program as te chief guest. DGM, Janata Bank Ltd Md Mobarak Ali Bhuiyan, Professor Salina Ahmed and designer Baby Kabir were present as special guests. Directors of Gungchil, guests and well wishers were also present at the programme.