The New Nation - Internet Edition

Doors to economic prosperity thru’ shipbuilding unfolded: Ananda Shipyard to handover first ship to Danish co May 15

BUSINESS REPORT

Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd, the country's first ship building and exporting company, is going to handover its first cargo ship, 'Stella Maris,' to the concerned sipping company of Denmark tomorrow (Thursday).

This was announced by Afruja Bari, Managing Director of Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd, at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium yesterday.

'For the first time Bangladesh is going to be known as a ship-exporting country in the world through the export of this ship. A golden-age of good fortune and economic prosperity is going to be unfolded with this first-ever export of ship to a European country," she said.

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman will formally handover the ship as the chief guest to the representative of Stella Shipping of Denmark at a function at Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd complex premises at Meghnaghat under Sonargaon upazila in Narayanganj at 11:00am on that day.

Dr Abdullahel Bari, Chairman, Ananda Group, who is also a naval architect by profession, also spoke at the press conference and replied to the queries of journalists.

Alauddin A Majid, Director (Finance), Mrs Fahmida Bulbul Kakoli, Director (Establishment), Md Rakibur Rahman Chowdhury, Director (Admn), Saiful Islam, Director (Technical) and A Ahsan Kabir, General Manager of Ananda Group were present.

Afruja Bari said her company signed a contract with Stella Shipping of Denmark on September 30, 2005 for building this cargo ship, having some 3,000 tonnes of carrying capacity. "This ship is equivalent to any modern ocean-going vessel," she said.

The Managing Director said the quality of the ship has been certified as 'satisfactory', and Ananda Shipyard was awarded with the Century Quality Award in Geneva on March 10, 2008 for maintaining quality in shipbuilding work.

She said Ananda Shipyard has received work-orders from the governments of Denmark and Germany of Europe and Mozambique of Africa.

"We have received work orders worth Tk 1,100 crore for exporting 20 ships in one year, and foreign currency worth more than Tk 200 crore of the amount has already reached the country," she said.

Afruja Bari said Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd built first class ship at its shipyard in 1992 and first international standard coastal ships in 1998. It has been using computer-controlled plate-cutting machines in shipbuilding industry since 2005.

Lankan co to invest Tk 100m in DEPZ

BUSINESS REPORT

Sri Lankan company M/s Screenline Embellishers (Bangladesh) Limited is going to set up an embellishers manufacturing industry in the Dhaka Export Processing Zone.

This 100 per cent foreign owned company will invest about Taka 10 crore and will produce Screen Printings, Motifs, Heat Transfer, Embroidery and Labels. The company will also create employment opportunity for 100 Bangladeshi nationals.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and the M/s. Screenline Embellishers (Bangladesh) Limited in BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on May 11.

Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA and Chairman of M/s. Screenline Embellishers (Bangladesh) Limited signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

BEPZA and other high officials of both sides were present on the occasion.

NBL, WU launch 'Road Show'

A 'Road Show' launching ceremony was jointly organised by the National Bank Limited (NBL) and the Western Union (WU) at the head office of the bank in the city recently, said a press release.

Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Md Yasin Ali inaugurated the 'Road Show' as the chief guest. Managing Director of National Bank Md Abdur Rahman Sarker presided over the function.

Deputy managing directors and executive vice president of the bank and country manager of the Western Union in Bangladesh were also present, among others.

The 'Road Show', a month-long business campaign, was ventured by the bank and the Western Union, in order to make the money transfer service more dynamic and popular and to bring the remittance service of the bank at the doorsteps of the people of Bangladesh.

The 'Road Show', started from Dhaka and Cox's Bazar, will cover 101 places in the country.

AB Bank launches service excellence programme

BUSINESS REPORT

AB Bank, in association with Amplitude Solutions Ltd., launched a two-day training programme on 'Service Excellence in Banking' at its training academy in the city on Sunday, said a press release.

Operation managers of 25 branches of the Dhaka region are participating in the programme.

The bank is committed to consistently providing 'quality service' to its customers and the programme has been accordingly designed.

Deputy Managing Director (Operations) of the bank Shamim A Chaudhury inaugurated the training programme. Among others, the inaugural session was attended by the bank's management committee members and facilitators from the Amplitude Solutions Ltd..

JETRO pavillion at Int'l Apparel Machinery Show

BUSINESS REPORT

To showcase the latest and most advanced machinery and equipment from the Japan's leading manufacturers and suppliers, demonstrating highway innovative and cutting-edge technology that provides solutions for the apparel and textile industry, JETRO is pleased to announce its "JETRO Pavilion" at the 9th presentation of International Apparel Machinery Trade Show, JIAM 2008 in Singapore, one of the world's top three major apparel machinery trade fairs organised by Japan Sewing Machinery Manufacturers Association (JASMA) and Supported by JETRO from 13-16 May 2008.

The JETRO Pavilion at JIAM 2008 Singapore, under the theme, 'High Tech and High Touch' is made to present the very best of Japan's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), from Japan's apparel machinery industry.

Exhibitors range from makers of sewing machines and related components to fabric cutters and inspection instruments. The pavilion also features a "Business Corner, which includes various business resources and a space to Business talks.

"JIAM 2008" is being held for the first time in Singapore at Singapore Expo, Hall 2,3 and 4 owing to its strategic location as well as the growth of the apparel industry in South, Southwest, Southeast Asia (China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia etc).

Here more than 150 companies from 84 countries are taking up 1,109 booths. Out of the 1,109 booths, 670 booths are from Japan and the remaining are from other countries such as China, Hongkong, Italy, Malaysia, Sweden, Srilanka, Thailand, USA etc.

HAM was 1st organized by the Japan Sewing Machinery Manufacturers Association (JASMA) in 1984 at Nagoya, Japan to meet and support the needs of the world's users in the apparel industry, as well as its member companies.

Building on its track record over 24 years, JIAM has evolved into one of the world's top 3 major apparel machinery trade fairs.

Last JIAM exhibition (JIAM 2005) was a resounding success in Osaka, Japan and a gross area of 24,930sqm with 285 international exhibitors from 19 countries. JIAM 2008 is anticipating for a better showing with 30,000sqm.

We believe with Singapore's excellent connectivity and strategic location, JIAM will act as a bridge that links Bangladeshi apparel manufactures/exporters to the global apparel machinery manufactures to feed the booming apparel sector of the country, says JICA Office in Banglades in a press release.

Dhaka to take part in OIC Business Forum in Kampala

BUSINESS REPORT

Bangladesh will take part for the first time in the three-day Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Business Forum meeting starting from June 16 next in Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The Forum is the 12th private sector meeting for the promotion of trade and joint venture investment among Islamic countries.

Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda and Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) are jointly organising the meeting on the theme 'Discover the Resources and High Potentials of the African Market'.

Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will inaugurate the meeting.

The objectives of the meeting are to explore investment and trade opportunities amongst OIC member states, particularly Uganda, for mutual business benefit and to strengthen effective public private partnership mechanisms for capacity building through enhanced networking, entrepreneurial mentorship and information exchange among trade policy-makers, promotion agencies, relevant multilateral organisations, research and academic institutions as well as private sector partners.

'Africa is an unexplored market for Bangladesh. So, it would be a great opportunity for the business leaders to make an assessment of business climate in central African countries by joining the business forum," said Moniruzzaman, secretary of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

He said: 'Pharmaceuticals and Jute products have bright prospect in African countries. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs can fully tap the African market.'

Moniruzzaman said, trading system in central African countries is different than any other countries in the world as they have no cash in their hand.

Under the trading system, a businessman from abroad can obtain trading licence and set up industries either on joint venture basis or independently and then can pursue the business as importer in that countries, he said adding the traders are allowed to repatriate their profit.

Stocking of such kind of trading method of the central African countries, Indian traders are making substantial profit as many Indian nationals are permanent residents there, said secretary of the FBCCI.

Bangladeshi businessmen can also avail such opportunity and earn foreign currency for the country, he said.

Moniruzzaman said, 'We are yet to fix the date of departure as the invitation letters have been sent to various chambers and businessmen to seek their interest in attending the meeting. The response we are receiving is tremendous. The number of delegation will be around 10-12.'

The OIC Business Forum will be held concurrently with the 35th Foreign Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Kampala, scheduled on June 18-20.

Nearly 1000 participants are expected to attend the Forum from all over the world.

The forum will also facilitate one-to-one business making meetings with parties having same interest and a platform to meet potential investors and project financiers.

The Business Forum will create a platform for sharing experiences and identification of investment opportunities in Africa with the 57 members of OIC that includes countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kuwait, Libya, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Brunei, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt and Bahrain.

UCBL signs deal with LEADS Corporation

BUSINESS REPORT

Among the first generation banks in the private sector of the country United Commercial Bank Limited (UCBL) established a large network of 84 branches, said a press release.

The bank decided to use 'NCR ATM' and 'Card Personalisation Solution of Datacard' from LEADS Corporation Limited.

Both NCR ATM and Datacard, are the brand leaders in financial market across the world.

An agreement to this effect was signed between UCBL and LEADS in the city recently.

Assistant Managing Director of the bank M Shah Alam Sarwar and Managing Director of LEADS Corporation Limited Shaikh Abdul Aziz signed the agreement on behalf of their respective companies.

High officials of both companies were also present on the occasion.

Youth Brand Fair in city from June 26

BUSINESS REPORT

With a view to raising awareness and popularizing the brands of different companies among the youths of the country, the first ever Youth Brand Fair-2008 is going to be held in Dhaka.

The three-day Youth Brand Fair 2008 will begin on June 26 and continue through June 28 at Bashundhara City where some 80 companies are likely to take part. Gmaks Event, an event management organization, will organize the fair at Level-7 of Bashundhara City. 'Any company manufactures products for youths or provides services can take part in this fair,' said Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Executive Director of Gmaks Event, while addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium yesterday. The entry fee would not be more than Tk 10, he said. In order to make students enthusiastic about the event, Gmaks will organise typical road shows in university campuses of Dhaka city. It will also arrange seminars and workshops. Besides, there will be a raffle-draw, game show and marketing activities of different companies. Among others, Mahmuda Aktar, Chief Creative Officer, Niamul Kadir, Chief coordinator, Sheikh Rashed Hossain, Administrative officer, Robbins, Legal Adviser of Gmaks attended the programme.

Completion of 10 years of Loko Bima of MLI celebrated

BUSINESS REPORT

On the occasion of completion of ten years of Loko Bima Division of Meghna Life Insurance Company Ltd, a colourful programme has held recently at the Water Kingdom of Fantasy Kingdom where all levels of officials of Head Office of Ekok, Loko, Islami Bima and Islami Khudra Bima (Takaful) and a large number of Field Officers of Branch/Zonal offices including staff/officers of administration participated.

The Chairman of Meghna Life Insurance Co. Ltd. Nizamuddin Ahmed, Managing Director, Ekramul Ameen, FCA Director Hasina Nizam, Director (F&A) MA Majid, FCA, Director (Marketing) Company (Retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Director Nasiruddin Ahmed, Director Riazuddin Ahmed, Project Director of Loko Bima Hemayetullah and other senior executives were present at the function.

The chairman of the company and other high executives delivered speeches addressing a large number of Field Officers present on the occasion.

Chairman Nizam Uddin Ahmed said in his speech, "You should keep in your mind that the low and middle low class people take the policies of Khudra Bima. They take policies of Khudra Bima with the hope that they would be benefited by giving small amount of premium. You must keep an eye always so that their hopes and aspirations are not affected."

Senior Executives of head office also advised them to inspire this large number of people and give them proper direction to create new policy holders under this insurance and to work with all.

On this occasion co-operation of all was sought to achieve the fixed target of Tk 100 crore of Loko Bima for the year 2008.

The function was ended followed by a colorful cultural programme.

MIDAS opens its Booth Office at Comilla

MIDAS Financing Limited (MFL) has recently inaugurated its Booth Office in Comilla at 258, Ahammad Mansion (1st Floor) Mogoltuli, Comilla.

Md. Abdur Rashid Gazi, Managing Director of MFL inaugurated the Booth Office and graced the occasion as the chief guest. The Managing Director welcomed the guests and delivered speech on company's activities. Shafique-ul-Azam, General Manager (D&P) and Md. Din Islam Miah, General Manager (FA&T) and CS also spoke on the products and services of the company. Huge number of invited guests like prominent business personnel, doctors, bankers and other different professionals were present at the inauguration ceremony.

General Secretary of BSCIC Industries Owners Association and Executive Member of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Comilla Md Shahjahan Shaju, a distinguished businessman presided over the programme.