The New Nation - Internet Edition

BTRC issues licences for call centres today

BUSINESS REPORT

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is likely to issue licences to 13 individuals and joint venture companies today to open call centers in the country for facilitating trade and commerce.

The BTRC is going to issue licences to these companies under the first phase. BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Manzurul Alam will handover the licences to the eligible companies.

Sources at the BTRC said they had, so far received about 35 applications from individuals and business concerns for setting up such call centers.

"We have examined the applications for the call centres in order to issue licences at the shortest possible time," said a BTRC official.

He said the BTRC would issue licences for call centers following the existing laws of Bangladesh.

"We believe that significant changes to the country's socio-economic condition will be achieved through the opening of these call centers," said Manzurul Alam.

"The business expansion of mobile phone operators and foreign IT firms through call centre business will obviously benefit Bangladesh's entry into the sector's booming multi-billion global market," a BTRC official said.

He, however, stressed the need for creation of market at home and abroad for call centre business and capacity building of workforce to reap optimum benefit. The aspiring call centre companies have already taken a move to create skilled human resource in the area through imparting training.

A call centre, which is a centralised office used for receiving and transmitting a large volume of 'requests' by telephone, is a booming business, and some Asian countries, particularly India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines are enjoying its full benefit with the help of a vast and cost-effective workforce of educated, English-speaking personnel, low-cost technology and state support. Of around US$40 billion global market, India alone fetches around $1.0 billion yearly. English speaking countries including USA, UK and Australia are major destinations of call centre business.

Call Centres are actually technology centres that can be used for many purposes including direct telephone answering, customers call into the center with specific issues or problems, developing potential sales opportunities, customers queries for rate quotes on products, handling sales generated from a direct mailing, television or other advertising program, email processing, answers to customers' specific problems or questions, interactive Voice Responses.

According to the guideline of BTRC, the licences for operating call centre will be of three categories - call centre, hosted call centre and hosted call centre service provider - and the licence fee will be Tk 5,000 for each category as one-time fee for an initial term of five years.

The licence shall be valid for five years, upon expiry of which the licence may be renewed for subsequent terms, each of five years' duration. The licensee will have to apply for renewal one month before expiry of the licence.

"Within six months from the date of issuance of licence one will require to start business of the call centre," another high official of BTRC said.

He said an individual could apply to obtain licence for operating the call centre with a copy of his trade licence and Tax Identification Number. "There is no restriction in operating call centres by mobile phone operators and foreign IT firms," he said.

Call centres are expected to help reduce cost of doing business by the local and foreign companies as well as contribute to the country's export earning.

He further said: "The call centres could earn a handsome amount of money even from local market by rendering services to local and multinational companies including bank, insurance, NGOs, and others."

Three branches opened Islami Bank contributing to country's development

BUSINESS REPORT

The Panthapath Branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was inaugurated as its 187th branch yesterday at West Pantahpath, Tridhara Tower, 67 Lake Circus, Kalabagan in the city.

On the occasion of this inauguration a function was held at the Branch Premises where Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Adviser for Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Education, inaugurated the branch as the chief guest.

Presided over by Prof Abu Nasser Mohammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, the function was addressed among others by Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Engr Mohammad Dawood Khan, former Director and Sponsor, M Fariduddin Ahmad, Managing Director, Md Abul Bashar, Executive Vice President and Head of Dhaka Central Zone of the bank.

Md Lutfur Rahman, Managing Director of Laaz Pharma Limited, Md Fakhrul Islam, Chairman, Metro Shopping Mall of Dhanmondi and Md Hemayet Hossain, renowned social worker also addressed the function among the local businessmen and valued personalities.

Two other branches were also inaugurated as 188th and 189th branches at Dohar of Dhaka and at Senbagh of Noakhali respectively on the same day.

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, in his speech, called Islami Bank as the efficient bank and admired the role of IBBL in the prosperity and development of the country. He hoped that the success and progress of IBBL would continue in future.

He said, "We want such prosperity of the country so that every individual can avail it. It is a matter of great satisfaction that Islami Bank has been able to become a topmost bank of the country with its 189 branches across the country."

He expected that the bank would go ahead and play more constructive role in the progress of the country.

He said that it is not a trifle matter that after overcoming lots of adversities Islami Bank is now inaugurating three more branches simultaneously. Though now the country is undergoing a temporary adverse situation hope of peace is awakened in the minds of the people. The dream that the people begin to cherish is not something unreal. "We have to prove unitedly that our country is not a land based on relief," he said.

Prof. Abu Nasser Mohammad Abduz Zaher said that Islami Bank has become a reference bank. "If all of us unite centralizing the flag the country will be a donor country instead of receiving country. The country will stand upright as a developed country with glory and respect in future," he said.

He said Islami Bank belonged to all irrespective of poor, rich, downtrodden, beggar, religion, color and creed. He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah.

Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin expressed his firm determination that branches would be inaugurated in all the upazillas of the country. He called upon all to acquire knowledge on Islami Banking and Islamic economics.

Engr Mohamd Dowood Khan said that it is Islami Bank that has been providing online service in 100 branches with its own software innovated by its own manpower. He urged all not only to deposit their fund in the Bank but also to take investment from the bank. Then, the conception on Islami Bamking will be clear.

Md Lutfur Rahman announced that he would divert all his business transaction with Islami Bank. He also requested others to involve their commercial transaction with Islami Bank.

He again expressed that he will urge all his officers and staff to involve with Islami Bank.

Md. Fakhrul Islam said from his practical experience in Islami Bank that there is no room of bribe in Islami Bank. This bank is the result of long cherished dream of the people.

City Bank holds confce on SME Banking Business

The City Bank Limited recently arranged a conference on SME Banking Business. It was participated by representatives and branch managers from all its 83 branches.

Programmes included an orientation course on SME Banking Business.

The conference was inaugurated by bank's Deputy Managing Director (Business) Sohail R. K. Hussain.

Also present were Deputy Managing Director (Operations) Raihan ul Ameen, Head of Credit Risk Management Ehsan Khasru and Head of SME Banking Business Badrudduza Choudhury.

German business team opens Alster Int'l Liaison Office

Christopher Conzen, Managing Director of Miles Fashion GmbH along with Roger Hubert Managing Director of Alster International, Norbert Gaensslen Purchasing Manager of Miles Fashion GmbH and Birgit Lang Production and Buying Manager of Greystone Textihandels GmbH began two-day visit in Alster International Trading Co. Pte Ltd, Bangladesh Liaison office. They are very keen to expand their garments business in Bangladesh.

They inaugurated the newly renovated Alster International trading Pte Ltd (Bangladesh Liaison Office) at Banani, Dhaka. Many garment entrepreneurs, fabric suppliers were present on the occasion.

UCEP donor consortium meeting held

The 16th Meeting of UCEP Donor Consortium was held on April 24 last at UCEP Head Office at Mirpur, Dhaka.

Representatives of Department for International Development (DFID), The Royal Danish Embassy (DANIDA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Save the Children Sweden-Denmark (SCSD) and Members of UCEP Board of Governors and UCEP Association were present in the meeting.

In his opening address, Chairperson of UCEP Board of Governors AGM Shamsul Kamal thanked the development partners for their financial support and guideline for taking UCEP programme to a new height of success.

He also categorically mentioned about the recent development in UCEP Programs like introduction of Integrated General and Vocational (IGV) Education in the general schools, inclusion of financial support to SSC (Voc.) students for Diploma in Engineering Courses, introduction of Child Rights and Advocacy Programme and inclusion of SME-Credit programme and Employment Support Activities for self-employment of UCEP students. Kamal thanked Ms. Mahal Aminuzzaman of Danish Embassy and also the outgoing Chair of UCEP Consortium for her tireless efforts in guiding UCEP. He also congratulated Ms. Barbara Payne of DFID as the new Chair of the Consortium.

Ms. Mahal Aminuzzman, Program Officer of The Royal Danish Embassy and outgoing Chair of UCEP Donor Consortium mentioned that the donor partners are giving utmost priority to technical education for alleviation of poverty from Bangladesh. The UCEP model of education should be replicated throughout Bangladesh to expedite the goal, she added. She also thanked UCEP Management for qualitative and quantitative changes in UCEP Programs during the last couple of years.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Barbara Payne, Senior Education Adviser of DFID and new Chair of UCEP Consortium said UCEP educational program is a model in the vocational education arena of Bangladesh and now in a position to train other NGOs in replicating the model. She also mentioned that as a donor partner of Bangladesh DFID is inspired to work with UCEP and expressed optimism about the future growth and leadership role of UCEP as a vocational education provider.

Continental Insurance holds get-together

On the occasion of 'Client Service Month-2008,' a get-together programme of Dinajpur branch of Continental Insurance Limited was held recently at Station Club Community Centre, Dinajpur.

Md Nabil Haque Molla Deputy Commissioner, Dinajpur, was present as chief guest. Md. Hashmat Ali, Managing Director of the company presided over the function. Md.Rafiqul Islam, President, Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and former MD of RAKUB Md Ashraf Ali, Consultant (Business Promotion) of the company were present as special guests. High officials of the company Md. Aminur Rahman, EVP and Incharge (PUD) and overall incharge, Dinajpur branch, Major Md Shafiullah, EB (Retd), VP and Incharge (Admn & Estt.), Dipak Kumer Das,SAVP and Incharge (P.R.D) and Ahsan Habib Chowdhury, Incharge, Dinajpur Branch were also present.

Businessmen, bankers, and senior officials of the company attended the function.

Md. Hashmat Ali, in his brief speech, assured the clients of best services including prompt settlement of claims. He said the company made tremendous progress within a short period because of untiring efforts of the company's branch Incharge and development officers and patronization and unflinching support of the clients.

Janata Bank holds 14th managers' induction course

S M Aminur Rahman, CEO and Managing Director of Janata Bank Limited inaugurated the 14th Managers Induction Course as the chief guest at Janata Bank Training Institute, Kakrail, Dhaka on April 27 last.

Rahman instructed all to enrich their conceptual skill by acquiring knowledge and thereby render qualitative service for development of the bank.

Md NazruJ Islam, General Manager, presided the inaugural session.

Mrs. Samsad Begum, HR and Training Adviser ME JB Project and other executives were present on the occasion.

Mad rush at Concord's Baishakhi Property Fair

Every New Year comes with new dreams, new hopes and new expectations. Concord is one of the leading conglomerates of the country, having more than 35 years' experience, unmatched goodwill and trust in the field of construction in Bangladesh and is offering a great opportunity to its prospective purchasers to have their own home by arranging Boishakhi Property Fair 1415 from April 16-April 30. A lot of clients have already booked apartments, shops, showrooms and office spaces at special discounted price in the fair. This fair offers not only attractive discount but also confirmed gifts like 21" color tv, laptop computer or LCD tv for every booking. In this fair the clients have been getting the opportunity to purchase apartments at lake city concord only @ 2218-2295/= per sft., at Uttara @ 3200/= per sft. and at Azimpur @ 2790-3240/= per sft. The apartments, office space, showrooms and shops are also available at discounted price at Motijheel, Hatkhola, Rokeya Sharani, Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Chatteswari Road in Chittagong.

Int'l Intellectual Property Day 2008 observed : Call to set up Intellectual Property Protection Centre

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry-DCCI and Ministry of Industries held a seminar on 'IPR for Encouraging Innovation' on the occasion of International Intellectual Property Day-200B on April 26 at the DCCI Auditorium at Motijheel Commercial Area in the city.

The purpose of the seminar was to discuss protection and enforcement of the IPR law so that innovation and investment in this sector could be improved. Terming DCCI the most effective organisation, the past president of DCCI and former president of the AmCham Aftabul Islam, who attended the seminar as the chief guest, called upon the government to set up a centre at the DCCI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industries, for protection of intellectual property.

He said that the DCCI has been celebrating this day with the Industries Ministry and working towards implementing the laws for protection of intellectual property.

He further said, "If we don't take effective measures to implement intellectual property protection law Bangladesh will experience more brain drain and thus lose huge intellectual property."

Senior vice-president of DCCI, Jalauddin Abdullah, who chaired the seminar, said, "Since we're lagging behind in development programmes, we should pledge to invent new products utilizing our intellectual property."

He also said, "Today Bangladesh is branded as a net food importing country and we import almost everything to meet our needs. But if we can utilise our talents we can change the present scenario of our economy." He also said 90 per cent of the country's entrepreneurs are the SMEs and all assistance should be provided to protect these SME entrepreneurs for innovation of new products and protection of rights, design, patent and trademark technology in order to be more competitive in the international market.

The keynote paper was presented by Mesbahuddin, Registrar, Patent, Design and Trademark Directorate. Ministry of Industries, GoB and Mustafa Jabbar, President of Bangladesh Computer Samity.

Others who took part in the discussion were, DCCI Past President Benazir Ahmed, Vice -President Khondokar Shahidul Islam, DCCI Directors, Syed Moazzem Hossain, Shekil Chowdhury and Mohammad Sharfuddin, Deputy Registrar (patent) Engineer S M Enamul Haq, Deputy Registrar (Trademark), Shahidul Islam, Barrister Tanzibul Alam, Member Copyright Board, Nurul Huda, Advocate Niamat Hossain and Ahmed Hossain Mazumdar.