The New Nation - Internet Edition

Soyabean cultivation gaining popularity in Jessore

Soyabean cultivation is gaining popularity among the farmers of sharsha upazila day by day as some 13,075 farmers have changed their fate in last four years cultivating soyabean commercially. The farmers of 23 villages in 11 unions of the upazila are now engaged in soyabean cultivation. The production cost of soyabean per bigha is between Tk 2000 and Tk 2,500. They get seven to eight maunds from per bigha and sell at Tk 1500 per maund. In 1996, an international voluntary organization 'Japan Bangladesh Cultural Exchange Association' promoted soyabean cultivation among the farmers of the upazila. But farmers started cultivation commercially in 2004. The cultivation is increasing day by day. Some 1,234 kgs of soyabean were produced from 8.5 acres of land in 2004-05, 1,600 kgs from four acres in 2005-06, 9,422 kgs from 12.5 acres in 2006-07, 25,000 acres from 56 acres in 2007-08, sources said.

Farmers are cultivating soyabean twice in summer and rainy seasons and achieving good harvest due to its suitable soil and climate.

Country representative of Japan Bangladesh Agricultural Exchange Association Abdur Razzak said that demand of soyabean has increased across the country due to its nutrition value. "And to meet the increasing demand, the government has to import soyabean from abroad spending huge foreign currency," he added.

The country can meet the local demand by locally producing soyabean oil but it is not possible at present due to lack of technological know-how.

"If the government extends support in this regard the country will be able to produce huge edible oil from soyabean," he added.

HSBC tops Forbes 2000 list of world's largest companies

BUSINESS REPORT

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has jumped two places to top the latest Forbes 2000 list of the world's largest companies, the first time a non-US company has led the rankings since its launch in 2004.

The annual index surveyed blue-chip firms in 26 industries across 60 countries in the globe and ranked them according to a composite of sales, profits, assets and market value.

The HSBC is one of five high performers from the banking industry, having delivered 26 per cent annual average growth in revenue and 31 per cent in net income over the past five years.

In total, Forbes 2000 companies now account for US$ 30 trillion in revenues, $2.4 trillion in profits, $ 119 trillion in assets and $39 trillion in market value.

The companies employ over 72 million people around the world.

Measured by number of companies, 315, the banking industry has the biggest presence on the Forbes 2000.

Banking also dominates in assets, with total assets of $58.3 trillion, and profits, US$398 billion.

The 123 companies in oil and gas operations lead all industries in aggregate revenues, of $3.76 trillion, and take second place in total profits, of $386 billion.

The US still dominates in terms of geography but its influence is on the decline with 61 fewer entries than last year.

In contrast, China, India and Brazil are rapidly adding companies to the list.

The largest non-banking sector company featured this year is General Electric, which placed second.

Bank of America placed third while the last year's leading company, Citi Group, placed 24th.

Profit and loss account approved Agrani Bank earns : Tk 85.85cr net profit

BUSINESS REPORT

The 28th board meeting of Agrani Bank Limited was held on April 30. The meeting was chaired by its Chairman Siddiqur Rahman Choudhury.

Among others, directors AKM Shamsuddin, Nasiruddin Ahmed, Ranjit Kumar Chakraborty, Air Cdre Syed Imtiaz Hussain, Captain Jamilur Rahman Khan (retd), Aftab Uddin Khan, Muhammed Farhad Hussain, CEO-cum Managing Director Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed, DMD Syed Abdul Hamid and Fayekuzzaman attended the meeting.

The profit and loss account and distribution of profit for the period from May 17, 2007 to December, 2007 and the balance-sheet as on December 31, 2007 were approved and signed in the board meeting.

Net profit after provision and tax stood at Tk 85.85 crore.

DBBL achieves Bankers' Forum CSR Award-2007

BUSINESS REPORT

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited achieved CSR Award-2007 given by Bankers' Forum for its outstanding performance as the best bank on Corporate Social responsibility (CSR).

Md Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank received the award from Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at the award giving ceremony held at CIRDAP auditorium in the city recently.

While addressing the award giving ceremony Dr Salehuddin Ahmed lauded the philanthropic activities of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited and expressed the hope that other corporate bodies of the country would come forward with such programme in future.

In his speech, Md Yeasin Ali said Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has already achieved name and fame in the field of discharging Corporate Social Responsibility both at home and abroad. He said over and above its regular financial activities, DBBL always reaches to the destitute of the country by way of carrying out a wide range of community activities like education, health and extending financial assistance to distressed and calamity affected people etc.

NSU Foundation Chairperson gets Begum Rokeya Shining Personality Award 2007

Mrs Rehana Rahman, Chairperson of North South University Foundation, founder of North South University, received Begum Rokeya Shining Personality Award-2007 for significant contribution to Business Administration.

The Narikantha Foundation presented the awards at Dhaka Ladies Club on May 2 evening. On the occasion of award giving ceremony, Deputy Chief of Staff, Forces Commander of Liberation War Air Vice Marshal AK Khondker (Retd) was present as the chief guest. Former Army Chief Lt Gen M Harun-Ar-Rashid (Retd), Professor and UGC Rokeya Chair Dr Najma Chowdhury, eminent writer Ms Selina Hossain and First Secretary of European Commission Charles Whiteley also spoke on the occasion. The event was presided over by Executive Director of Narikantha Foundation Ms Farhana Reza.

Oriental Bank turns into ICB Islamic Bank

BUSINESS REPORT

The Extraordinary General Meeting of The Oriental Bank Limited was held on April 30 at the BDR Darbar Hall, Pilkhana in the city. The Extraordinary General Meeting was presided over by Tan Sri Dr Hadenan A lalil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank. Others present were directors, Yap Yong Hoon, Ms Hashima Binte Ismail, Abdul Hafiz Chowdhury and Abdul Latif Bin Yahya, Managing Director of the bank. The meeting was also attended by Md Ebtadul Islam, General Manager, Bangladesh Bank as an observer to the Board of Directors.

The Extraordinary General Meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and was participated by a large number of shareholders who approved the proposed name 'ICB Islamic Bank Limited' together with the other agenda of the meeting.

5 officials of IBBL promoted to EVP

BUSINESS REPORT

AKM Harunur Rashid, Head of Barisal Zone, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Head of Rajshahi Zone, Mohammad Abdul Jalil, Incharge, Foreign Exchange Department, Local Office, Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Head of Treasury and Fund Management Division, International Banking Wing, Head office, Abdus Sadeque Bhuiyan, incumbent of the Head Office Complex Branch promoted to Executive Vice President from Senior Vice President of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited recently.

AKM Harunur Rashid

A.K.M. Harunur Rashid is discharging as Head of Barisal Zone of the Bank. He was born in a respectable family ofHaimchar in Chandpur District in ] 950. He started his banking career by joiningSonali Bank as a Probationary Officer in ] 978 and joined in Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in 1985 as a Senior Officer. He discharged as the Manager at various important Branches and served the Bank in different important ranks. He served as a Head of Branch Regulation department. He is trained up from various training institutes home and abroad.

Md. Mahfuzur Rahman

Md. Mahfuzur Rahman is discharging as Head of Rajshahi Zone. He was born in a respectable family of Daulatkhan in Bhola District in 1954. He obtained Masters Degree with first class from Dhaka University in 1977 and started his banking career by joining Agrani Bank as a Probationary Officer. Later he joined Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in 1990 as a Senior Principal Officer. He served ,the Bank in different important positions including as the Manager of Jubilee Road Branch, Chittagong, Islampur Branch and Dhanmondi Branch, Dhaka. He obtained professional Banking Diploma from the Institute of Bankers including special award scoring highest number in 'Agricultural Loan'. He was trained up from various training institute home and abroad and participated a training course in India on 'Higher Bank Management Training'. He compiled many books on the Banking i.e. 'A Text Book on Islamic'Financial System for MBA Students' 'Islami Banking-e Shari'ah: Poripalon O Proyog O Poddhoyty', 'Bankers ACR X-Ray', 'Somoy Babosthapona O Peshagoto Safolloy.'

Mohammad Abdul Jalil

Mohammad Abdul Jalil is discharging as Incharge, Foreign Exchange Department, Local Office. He was born in a respectable family at Kawkhali in Jhalokati District in 1957. He obtained Masters Degree in Economics from Dhaka University and joined 1slami Bank Bangladesh Limited as a Probationary Officer in 1984. He served the bank in different important ranks. He was trained up from various training-institutes. He visited a large number of countries for attending seminars and workshops including the USA, Nepal, India, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. He obtained professional Banking Diploma including special award 'Agrani Bank Prize' for scoring highest number in Monetary Policy.

Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam

Md Mahbub-ul-Alam is discharging as Head of Treasury and Fund Management Division, International Banking Wing Head Office. He was born in a respectable family in Comilla in 1956. He obtained Masters Degree in Marketing from Dhaka University and joined Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited as a Probationary Officer in 1984. He served the Bank in different important ranks including Foreign Exchange Department, incharge, Local Office and as an incumbent of Paltan Branch and Nawabpur Road Branch. He was trained up from various training institute including Institute of Bankers. He obtained Banking Diploma, Diploma in Islami Banking and attended seminar in Malayasia.

Abdus Sadeque Bhuiyan

Abdus Sadeque Bhuiyan is discharging as Head of the Head Office Complex Branch_ He was born in a respectable family in 1959. He obtained Masters Degree in Social Science from Dhaka University and joined 1slami Bank Bangladesh Limited as a Probationary Officer in 1984. He performed different important duties including the Incumbent of Local Office, New Market Branch and Gulshan Branch. He was trained up from various training institutes including" Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management, 1slami Bank Training and Research Academy and attended seminar in Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Malayasia and Thailand.

Dhaka Bank gets Best Bank Award

BUSINESS REPORT

Dhaka Bank Limited, one of the leading private commercial banks of the country, has recently received 'The Best Bank Award' year 2007-08 in the best performing local bank category, for its outstanding performance in the corresponding year.

Managing Director of Dhaka Bank Limited Shahed Noman received the award from Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Executive Chairman, Board of Investment (BoI), at a function organised by the Financial Mirror at the Banquet Hall of Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre on April 27 last.

IIBL board meeting held

The 90th meeting of the Board of Directors of Islami Insurance Bangladesh Limited was held recently in the Head Office of the company at BIWTA Bhaban, Motijheel in the city.

Alhaj Mohammad Sayeed, Chairman of the company presided over the meeting. The meeting was attended by other members of the Board viz. Alhaj M Tajul Islam, Vice Chairman, Alhaj Md Ismail Nawab, Vice Chairman, Tofazzal Hossain, Chairman- Executive Committee, Nur Mohammad Mamun, Director, Abdul Halim, Director, Nur Mohammad, Director, M. A. Hannan, Director, Abul Kalam, Director, as well as, Managing Director Md. Zainul Huda and Deputy Managing Director Md. Shamsuzzaman.

The meeting reviewed the overall performance of the company and formulated certain guidelines for business promotion of the company. The meeting also made some important decisions for the progress and improvement of the business of the company after evaluating different programmes.

Rahimafrooz launches Lucas Hybrid CNG and Spark Taxi CNG Battery

Rahimafrooz has launched the first ever Lucas Hybrid CNG and Spark Taxi CNG battery in the Bangladesh market recently. On this occasion Rahimafrooz Director Mudassir Moin, Director Munawar M Moin, Parvez Saiful Islam, COO of Rahimafrooz Distribution Limited, Sayeed Hassan-COO, Rahimafrooz Batteries Limited along with high officials of the company as well as more than 100 dealers from cross the country were present.

Lucas Hybrid CNG and Spark Taxi CNG battery are the first ever in Bangladesh and the latest addition to the existing ranges of battery coming from the house of Rahimafrooz. The battery is a design for especially high temperature proof, long lasting & environment friendly for CNG fuelled vehicles.

On this occasion, Yeamin Sharif Chowdhury, General Manager (Marketing) explained the product, while Jasim Uddin Sarker, National Sales Manager briefed on Sales & Distribution plan. The Lucas Hybrid CNG and Spark Taxi CNG batteries are now available in the market at Rahimafrooz's outlets, dealers and retailers all over the country.

Benchmark teaming up with TBWA/Worldwide

Benchmark Ltd, an ad agency in Bangladesh, teams up with TBWA/Worldwide, one of the most creative ad agency networks in the globe and will operate as TBWA/Benchmark. The re-branding will be unveiled on May 6 at Sonargaon Hotel in the city.

Describing the partnership as 'a significant move,' Ashraf Kaiser, Managing Director and CEO of Benchmark Limited said, "It will not only enhance the capacity of Benchmark but also bring international quality for Bangladesh advertising industry'.

He added, "We are very excited about the great potential we see in joining hands with an advertising network that has built powerful brands like Adidos, Apple, Absolut and made an enormous impact in global advertising scenario.

Benchmark sailed its brand communication voyage in 2001. It currently deals with some major local and International brands Like, Pizza Hut, Aktel, Standard Chartered Bank, Etihad Airways, Singapore Tourism Board, and ABC Radio.

TBWA||Worldwide (www. tbwa.com) creates disruptive ideas for global clientele including Absolut, adidas, Apple, Beiersdorf, Henkel, Mosterfoods, McDonald's, Michelin, Nissan, Samsonite and Sony PlayStation.