The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dallah Group of Saudi Arabia keen to recruit Bangladeshi workers

UNB, Dhaka

Alwa Kamel, President of Dallah Group, one of the largest manpower recruiting companies of Saudi Arabia, said that his company is looking to recruit some 5000 workers for their projects in Medinah and Makkah. He said this to media after holding talks with Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this (Thursday) afternoon. Over 15,000 Bangladeshis already work with the Dallah Group and all of them are happy and content, he said. The Foreign Adviser, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, said he hopped for continued recruitment of Bangladeshis into the Saudi market.

Help introduce IBBL model throughout Muslim world: IDB President urges Islami Bank

BUSINESS REPORT

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited organised a get-together and lunch on Tuesday at a local hotel in honour of Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of IDB, Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors and M Fariduddin Ahmad, Managing Director of IBBL addressed the function.

The function was attended by top executives of the government and non-government institutions, diplomats, academicians, editors of different national dailies, news agency and heads of electronic media.

Moreover, a memorandum of understanding of US$4.5 million for operating and administering the agricultural component of Fael Khair Programme for cyclone victims in Bangladesh was signed between Islamic Development Bank and Islami Bank Foundation at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of IDB and Shah Abdul Hanan, Chairman, Islami Bank Foundation signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. The function was attended, among others, by Prof Abu Nasser Mohammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of IBBL, Mir Quasem Ali, Member Secretary of Islami Bank Foundation and Member of IDB Group.

Seed, fertiliser, insecticides, agricultural machinery, livestock, small motorised boats and nets, fish feed will be provided to the affected families along with training for agricultural inputs recipients.

At the get-together, Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali said that with a view to effectively dealing with challenges the IDB Group had adopted poverty alleviation and the development of Islamic financial services as the two key strategic objectives in addition to promoting cooperation among the member countries.

He expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh government and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited for helping implement the services.

He said that Bangladesh has shown the world the process as how to reduce poverty by working with the poor and making them bankable. IDB chief urged Islami Bank helping them to introduce IBBL model and Islamic products througout the Muslim world.

He said, Islami Bank has gained recognition of a model in international Islamic economic arena as a source of knowledge and skilled manpower. He praised the Rural Development Scheme of Islami Bank.

He said, a rumour is being spread across Bangladesh that IDB takes interest. 'I like to inform the brothers and sisters of this country that IDB does not conduct any interest related service. All investments of IDB have done by Bi-Murabaha in Bangladesh.'

Prof. Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher congratulated the IDB President on behalf of his bank for helping the SIDR affected people of the country.

BRAC Bank signs MoU with JCI, Bangladesh : Create awareness about CSR among SME entrepreneurs

BUSINESS REPORT

BRAC Bank Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Junior Chamber International (JCI), Bangladesh recently to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The MoU was signed under the UN Global Compact agreement, adding that organisation is a platform that is promoting CSR agenda globally.

Under this agreement, the BRAC Bank-JCI, Bangladesh initiative will help SME entrepreneurs in the country to be aware about CSR. Three sectors: Poultry, Light Engineering and Plastic Recycling have been identified to promote CSR initially. Selected BRAC Bank's SME clients from the sectors will be given technical assistance, training and other necessary supports to improve their work environment towards changing the lifestyle of self and community as a whole.

Abedur Rahman Sikder, Vice President and Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of BRAC Bank Limited and Laila F Rahim, National Vice President of JCI Bangladesh signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

Mahbub Jamil, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Chairperson, SME Foundation was the guest of honour.

Farooq Sobhan, President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) and Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali, Managing Director, BRAC Enterprises was the special guests.

Kaiser Tamiz Amin, Acting Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank Limited, Graham Hanlon, 2008 World President, JCI were present at the signing ceremony. Farzana Chowdhury, 2008 National President, JCI Bangladesh, Data Magfur, Chairperson of JCI Bangladesh Training Institute, Aftab Mahmud Khurshid, Chairperson-Marketing, JCI Bangladesh and other senior officials of both the organisations were also present at the signing ceremony.

Best Air kicks off its int'l journey May 25

BUSINESS REPORT

Best Air, a private airliner, is going to kick off its international journey on May 25 with operating a flight on Dhaka-Bangkok-Dhaka route.

At the initial stage, there will be four flights a week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday on the route.

The flight (Boeing 737) will leave Dhaka at 11 am and return at 4:55 pm everyday. It will take 3 hours and 20 minutes in its one-way journey.

"Initially, we're making schedules of flights for four days a week, but later we'll make it seven days a week," Best Air chairman Haider Uzzaman said.

Best Air will be the latest domestic carrier to fly on international routes after Biman Bangladesh Airlines and GMG Airlines.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, Thai Airways and Druk Air are operating flights on the Dhaka-Bangkok route.

This private airline launched its passenger flight in mid-January with a 118-seater Boeing 737-200 on the domestic route. The carrier is also expected to increase its fleet through adding another Boeing 737 this month.

Haider said, "We're happy that the government has given us the permission to operate flights to four countries as the third designated carrier from Bangladesh."

He expressed his optimism to expand its routes to India, China and Malaysia very soon.

Mercantile Bank, Naaz Exchange sign remittance arrangement deal

BUSINESS REPORT

Mercantile Bank Limited has recently signed an agreement with Naaz Exchange Limited,Canada.

MA Shahjahan, Deputy Managing Director of Mercantile Bank Limited and Ashraf Khan, President of Naaz Exchange Limited, Canada signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Dewan Mujibur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO, AKM Shahidul Haque, Additional Managing Director, Md Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, Senior Executive Vice President, MA Yousuf Khan, Senior Executive Vice President, Monindra Kumar Nath, Senior Executive Vice President and CFO and other executives of Mercantile Bank Limited were present on the occasion.

With this agreement Bangladeshi expatriates will now be able to remit their hard-earned money home from Canada easily and quickly.

SMC launches MoniMix

BUSINESS REPORT

Social Marketing Company (SMC) has launched its micronutrient programme in Bangladesh through introduction of MoniMix-a micronutrient powder for simple and convenient in-home food fortification of complementary food to address childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).

Ms Sheri-Nouane Johnson, Director, PHN Team, USAID, Dhaka and Jalaluddin Ahmed, Chairperson, Board of Directors, SMC, were present at the official launching programme on May 14, 2008 at SMC Head Office in the city.

The objective of the micronutrient programme is to help improve nutritional status of under-five children, particularly of those with childhood IDA, to increase knowledge and awareness among parents and health service providers about the importance of micronutrient containing food and adequate dietary intake, and. to promote exclusive breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding of nutrition rich foods.

In Bangladesh about 64 per cent of the children aged 6-23 months and 42 per cent aged 24-59 months suffer from IDA. The increased burden of anemia specifically among infants and children calls for urgent action, especially in view of the devastating impact on cognitive and motor development of an entire generation of children and the vast economic losses at present as well as in the future.

Responding to the challenge of devastating consequences of IDA, Sprinkles Global Health Initiatives (SGHI), University of Toronto, Canada developed 'Sprinkles', which was supported by global research and strong advocacy activities from leading international development agencies.

In Bangladesh Social Marketing Company (SMC) introduces 'Sprinkles' in the brand name of 'MoniMix' in manufacturing partnership with Renata Ltd. MoniMix is a small packet of micronutrient powder containing iron and some other essential vitamins and minerals, which can be easily mixed at home to fortify food of children.

In many countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, home fortification of complementary foods with powdered micronutrient powder has been adopted as a new public health strategy to control IDA among infants and children.

NBL holds customers gathering for shifting Satkhira branch

BUSINESS REPORT

Satkhira Branch of National Bank Limited has shifted its premises in the 2nd floor of the same building recently to serve their customers with better environment and modern facilities. A milad mahfil and customers gathering was held in celebration of 25 years and shifting of Satkhira Branch of National Bank Limited. Md Abdur Rahman Sarker, Managing Director of National Bank Limited inaugurated the new premises of Satkhira Branch as the chief guest.

He said that in 1983 National Bank Limited, a private commercial bank was established with 100 per cent Bangladeshi ownership. This bank has been playing an important role in the national economy for the last 25 years.

Md. Sirajul Islam, Senior Vice President and Head of Khulna Region presided over the meeting and Kashi Nath Das, Manager of Satkhira Branch delivered his vote of thanks.

Among others, Sk. Ashraful Hoque, Chairman of Satkhira Pourashaba, Monsur Ahmed Ex. MP and Sk. AZaher Hossain Ex President Satkhira Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Md Mahbubur Rahman Bishwash also spoke on the occasion.

Elites and businessmen in the area were also present in the ceremony.

Janata Bank holds Branch Managers' Conference in Barisal

BUSINESS REPORT

SM Aminur Rahman, CEO and Managing Director of Janata Bank Limited has inaugurated the Branch Managers' Conference 2008 of Barisal Area held at BDS Club, Barisal.

The CEO instructed all to increase deposit and increase investment in small and medium enterprise financing programme.

He also advised for creating remittance proceeds to beneficiaries account at the earliest.

Shihabuddin Md Shahjahan, GM, Head Office, Md Nuruzzaman GM of Khulna Division and other executives were present on the occasion.

Standard Bank holds 126th board meeting

BUSINESS REPORT

The 126th board meeting of Standard Bank Ltd was held on May 8 in the Board Room of Head Office of the bank. Chairman of the Board of Directors Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed presided over the meeting.

It was attended by Vice-Chairman Mohammad Shamsul Alam, Director Kamal Mostafa Chowdhury, Abdul Ahad, Alhaj Nurul Haque Sowdagor, Ferdous Ali Khan, Farzana Yousuf, Md. Ziaul Haque Khondker and Shaikh Mesba Uddin. Among others, Managing Director Mosharraf Hossain, DMD SA Farooqui and Md Nazmus Salehin and Board Secretary AFM Nizamul Islam Chowdhury were a present at the meeting.

The board took various important decisions regarding the bank's investment policy in the field of trade, commerce and industries and approved proposals received from different branches in respect of financing of working capital for industries and other import, export and commercial trading businesses.

Md Nazmus Salehin joins Standard Bank as DMD

BUSINESS REPORT

Md Nazmus Salehin, a top notch public sector banker of the country, who has been active in banking service for the last 30 years, has joined Standard Bank Limited as Deputy Managing Director recently.

Salehin started his career with Sonali Bank in 1979 as a Probationary Officer after receiving his Master degree in Physics from Dhaka University. He held all the senior and top management level executive positions in many high profile branches, zonal offices and head offices of the three major nationalised commercial banks i.e. Sonali, Agrani and Janata Bank. Because of his meritorious performance and distinctive competence in banking career lastly he was the Deputy Managing Director of Janata Bank. Prior to this he was the General Manager of Sonali and Agrani Bank respectively. He participated in many training programmes on different areas of banking in different institutions at home and abroad.

He is actively associated with many socio-cultural organisations and travelled many countries on personal and professional trips.

Salehin hailed from Khoksha Upazila of Kushtia bears an amiable and pleasant personality and blessed with one daughter Dr. Dilshad Afroze and one son Musfequs-Salehin, a BBA from DU serving in Bangabandhu Medical University and British American Tobacco Bangladesh respectively.

Apollo Hospitals hold health and mental care counseling

Apollo Hospitals Dhaka has recently organised health and mental care counselling on adolescent issues at Bangladesh International School (BIS) on behavioral patterns of the students, emotional crisis, physical changes and relationship with teachers parents peers.

At the programme, knowledge and guidelines were disseminated on how to handle the adolescent issues on daily school activities to the section heads and student affair teachers.

In addition, the programme was aimed at raising awareness level of adolescent healthcare issues to ensure the proper upbringing of the adolescents of the society. Counsellor Ms. Farhat Hasan of Apollo Hospitals Dhaka conducted the programme.