The New Nation - Internet Edition

Construction work of 398 cyclone shelters to begin in August

UNB, Barisal

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will start construction work of 398 cyclone shelters in 12 Sidr-hit districts in August at a cost Tk 571 crore. According to the Barisal divisional LGED office, 77 shelters will be built in Barisal, 67 in Barguna, 10 in Bhola, 70 in Patuakhali, 54 in Pirojpur, 24 in Madaripur, 31 in Shariatpur, 12 in Chandpur, 40 in Bagerhat, six in Gopalganj, two in Khulna and five in Satkhira districts. Nurul Islam, additional chief engineer of LGED, said that 11 donor agencies will provide funds for the project, which will be completed by next two years. Besides this project, some other cyclone shelters will also be constructed with the financial assistance of World Bank and Japan. Hemayet Hossain, superintending engineer of Barisal LGED, said that these shelters will also help in expanding mass literacy, primary education as well as development of socio-economic condition of the local people.

10 best bank managers awarded

BUSINESS REPORT

Ten, out of about 7,000 bank managers of the country were awarded The Industry Best Bank Managers Award-2007 on May 7 at function held at a local hotel. The Weekly Industry on the occasion of its 17th anniversary organised the award giving ceremony for the managers, for whom the recommendations were made by the banks concerned on the basis of their performances.

Murshid Kuli Khan, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank attended the function as the chief guest, while Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director Kazi Md Shafiqur Rahman, BASIC Bank MD AH Ekbal Hossain, Pubali Bank MD Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, former MD of Mercantile Bank Shah Md Nurul Alam, Bank Asia MD Syed Anisul Huq, Exim Bank MD Kazi Masihur Rahman, and NCC Bank MD Nurul Amin attended the function as special guests.

Enayet Karim, Editor of the weekly presided over the function. The award recipient managers were: Hashem Chowdhury, EVP and Manager of Main Branch, Mutual Trust Bank, Tarik Morshed, VP and Manager, Babubazar Branch of Social Investment Bank, Shahidul Islam, Vice President, Prime Bank, Mirpur Islami Bank Branch; Ehtesham-Ul Huq Chowdhury, Asst General Manager, Pubali Bank, Gulshan Model Town Branch, Mehbub Benazir, FAVP and Sales and Service Manager, Shyamoli Branch, Eastern Bank; Abul Hasan Mia, SVP and Manager, Premier Bank Banani Branch, Shahabad Doza, Deputy General Manager and Chief, Shantinagar Branch, BASIC Bank, Mohammed Roshangir, EVP and Manager, Bank Asia, Agrabad Brnach, Khondoker Rumy Ehsanul Huq, EVP and Manager, Main Branch, Exim Bank, Mir Iqbal Hossain, SAVP and Manager, Islampur Branch, IFIC Bank.

Celebrates first year of operation in Bangladesh: Warid to invest $250m more in network expansion this year: CEO

BUSINESS REPORT

The fourth largest mobile operator 'Warid Telecom' has unveiled a US$ 250 million network expansion plan yesterday for the year 2008.

"Warid Telecom will make fresh investment of US$250 million to enhance network capacity and service quality for its growing subscribers demand," said Warid Chief Executive Officer Muneer Farooqui.

He was addressing a press conference at a local hotel, marking the first anniversary in Bangladesh as a mobile operator. During the conference, he has elaborated achievements of his organization during last year as well as their future plans.

"New $250 million investment will complement the existing network in the three CHT districts as well as to improve quality of services," Warid CEO elaborated.

He also stated that the Warid Telecom has contributed more than Tk 800 crore to the National Exchequer as direct and indirect taxes till April 2008.

It has also made significant contribution to the economy by creating jobs for over 5,500 citizens through direct and indirect channels, he further added.

General Manager (HR and Admin) of Warid Telecom Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, General Manager (Government and Operator Relations) Ashraful H. Chowdhury, General Manager (Sales) Mahboob Hossain, Deputy General Manger (IT Operations) Saad Ahmed also attended the press conference.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Muneer Farooqui announced a special offer for the general public. Under the offer, subscribers will get free handsets on buying a certain amount of talk-time.

MDG3 global call to action

BUSINESS REPORT

To make a special effort to promote the Millennium Development Goal-3 (MDG3- to promote gender equality and empower women), Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ms Ulla Ternres has established a MDG3 Champion Network. The Network consists of internationally prominent politicians, public and private sector leaders and civil society representatives. Besides advocating for women's empowerment and promoting the creation of a Global Coalition in support of the MDG3, the network will also launch the global MDG3 Champion Torch Campaign.

Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Muhammad Yunus is one of the several Global Champion Torchbearers. The Campaign was kicked off on March 7 in Copenhagen by Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ms Ulla Ternres, where Dr Yunus lit the first torch from Bangladesh. In his commitment to do something extra, Professor Yunus will continue to empower women by providing more opportunities for women to benefit from the micro-credit. Now more than 100 MDG3 Torches are travelling around the world to promote women's empowerment and gender equality.

From Bangladesh former government Adviser and founder and managing director of an advertising firm in Dhaka Geeteara Safiya Choudhury is participating in the Global Network of prominent individuals who are ready to do something extra for the empowerment of women. Together with the rest of the network Geeteara Safiya Choudhury has committed to do something extra by advocating for women's rights all over the world and in Bangladesh.

As a part of the MDG3 Champion Torch Campaign, the Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in Bangladesh was handed over the first torch to support the initiative and commit to "Do Something Extra". In an informal occasion, Danish Ambassador Einar H Jensen handed over the MDG3 Torch to Professor Yunus at the Grameen Bank Office on May 7 last. Later, the MDG3 Torch was also handed over to Ms Geeteara Safiya Choudhury by Professor Yunus in the presence of the Danish Ambassador in Bangladesh.

A UN High level MDG meeting in September 2008 regarding the MDGs will be the target for the MDG3 Campaign, where the torch will be carried forward. In September 2008 Denmark will invite all UN members to participate in a special meeting, where the UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-Moon, will be invited to light the last torch and receive the result of the MDG3 Network's first task: 100 concrete and binding proposals on how women's situation can be improved.

International Leasing okays 30pc dividend for 2007

BUSINESS REPORT

The shareholders of International Leasing And Financial Services Limited at their 12th Annual General Meeting held on 24th April declared 30% dividend for its shareholders. 20% in the form of Cash and 10% in the form of Bonus Share for the financial year ended 31 December, 2007.

Gavin J. Walker, Director presided over the AGM held at National Shooting FederationBangladesh, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212. It was attended by large number of individual shareholders along with representative Directors of Sponsor Shareholders, namely - Singer Bangladesh Ltd., Shaw Wallace Bangladesh Ltd., Jamal Uddin Ahmad Mustafizur Rahman, Managing Director and Nehal Ahmed FCA, Company Secretary were also present in the General Meeting.

U:uring the year 2007, the Company went to public through Initial Public Offering (IPO) of shares for Tk. 112.50 million. The Company purchased a membership of Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited through public auction in order to start Stock Brokerage operations. The meeting has been informed that Company's fully owned subsidiary, International Leasing Securities Limited is expected to start operations very soon which will be notified in due course. The company has made lease and term loan disbursement of Tk. 1.16 billion and Tk. 1.15 billion respectively. Gross disbursement amount stands at Tk. 3.39 billion. Total portfolio size stands at Tk. 8.16 billion. The company also made income of Tk. 52 million from Primary Dealership Operations and Tk. 62 million from Investment in shares.

Cfhe Company has also embarked on diversification plan by opening a branch in Chittagong, opening of Brokerage House and starting Real Estate Finance.

The shareholders appreciated the performance of the Company for the year 2007, which have shown growth in all major areas.

HSBC launches One World

BUSINESS REPORT

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Ltd in Bangladesh has launched One World, enabling Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) residing in the UAE to send free remittances to HSBC accounts in Bangladesh by using their HSBC Personal Internet Banking (PIB) or ATM.

HSBC Bangladesh formally launched this service at the 'Bangla Mela' event in Dubai on April 18 last and in Abu Dhabi the following day.

Speaking about the launching, Head of Personal Financial Services, HSBC Bangladesh, Shafquat Hossain said, "One World is a great example of HSBC leveraging its global distribution network to help NRBs send their hard earned money to their home country safely, efficiently and affordably.'

To commemorate the launch of this special service for NRBs, the first 100 HSBC customers in Bangladesh to receive free remittances through One World may be eligible for round-trip tickets to Dubai. The campaign will run from May to August 2008.

Further details about One World and the special launch offer are available at all HSBC branches.

StanChart signs deal with Rahimafrooz CNG Ltd

BUSINESS REPORT

Standard Chartered Bank has recently signed an agreement with Rahimafrooz CNG Limited. Under this agreement, Rahimafrooz CNG Ltd will offer exclusive discount and special services on CNG conversion for Auto Loan customers of Standard Chartered Bank.

Tarek Reaz, Head of Mortgage and Auto of Standard Chartered Bank and Shahzad Akhter, Director and COO of Rahimafrooz CNG Ltd signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Among others, Md Shah Shuja Bin Jabber, Sr Business Manager, Mortgage and Auto of Standard Chartered Bank, Kazi Hamidur Rahman, Asst Manager--Marketing and Products, Mortgage and Auto of Standard Chartered Bank, Mahmud Bin Alam, Head of Sales and Marketing of Rahimafrooz CNG Lt and Goswami Ashim Ranjan, Executive, Sales and Marketing of Rahimafrooz CNG Ltd, were present on the occasion.

Krishi Bank board meeting held

The 457th board meeting of the Board of Directors of Bangladesh Krishi Bank was held in the board room of the bank on May 8 last. 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, Secretary of the Board of Directors and concerned Deputy General Managers were present on the occasion. Some important decisions on various affairs of the bank were taken at the meeting.

Holcim's insurance policy for masons pays compensation

Holcim, the leading cement manufacturer of the country, has recently paid compensation of Tk. 50,000/- to one injured mason namely Nurul Islam, of Rajshahi. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Holcim had taken an initiative to provide insurance coverage for masons in 2003. Since then about 4,000 masons from all over the country have been brought under this insurance programme. Holcim had made this insurance arrangement with Pragati Insurance Ltd, the leading insurance company of the country and paid full premium for the coverage of 4,000 masons. Under this insurance programme if any mason (i.e. enlisted under this programme) falls any accident and/or expires during construction work, the insurance holder will receive compensation of Tk 25,000-Tk 50,000 through fulfilling certain conditions.

Mason Nurul I slam got injured while he was performing construction work.

Jashim Uddin Khandaker, GM--Customer Care of Holcim Bangladesh Ltd, handed over the cheque to Mrs Meherun, wife of Nurul Islam at an event held at Bogra.

Besides insurance programme, Holcim offers scholarships for mason's children, imparts training on construction work. Speaing on the occasion, a high official of Holcim said, "Masons are the key workers at construction sites, but they have long been considered as downtrodden section of the society, despite their large contribution towards the development of the country in general and construction in particular. Realising this reality, Holcim has come forward to extend all possible supports towards the improvement of this segment of the society."

About 200 dealers, retailers and masons attended this event. Among others, Alhaj Shahidullh Shelu of M/s Asadullah and Brothers, premium dealer from North Bengal, and Saiful Islam of M/s Saiful Traders were present at the time of handing over the compensation. Besides, Saraj Kumar Barua, Sr Executive--Customer Care, was present at the event.

Celebrating Centres of Excellence at Apollo Hospitals Dhaka

Apollo Hospitals Dhaka continues celebrating its Centres of Excellence with the 4th day-long event for community doctors from different healthcare organizations to commemorating its 3rd anniversary at the hospitals auditorium.

The programme started with the speech of Dr Azizul Hasan, Consultant and Coordinator, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Dhaka highlighting the services and facilities of the hospitals. Prof Dr Anisur Rahman, Coordinator and Consultant-General and Lap Surgery and Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Coordinator and Consultant-ENT, delivered speeches on Centres of Excellence in their respective departments.

Dr Hillol Chowdhury from Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd, co-sponsor of this particular event delivered a short speech on their products and specialty. The day-long event ended with facility tour in the hospitals for the community physicians.