The New Nation - Internet Edition

1st phase rehabilitation by army for Sidr-hit fishermen ends in Patuakhali

UNB, Patuakhali

The first phase rehabilitation programme of the army for cyclone Sidr-affected fishermen concluded on Thursday with the distribution of trawlers, boats and fishing equipment in Kalapara upazila.

Commander of local army camp Lt. Col. Shahadat Alam handed over the trawlers, boats and fishing equipment among the 270 fishermen families in the upazila under the 'Ashar Alo' project of the army.

Under the project, 521 trawlers and fishing nets have been distributed among the 2,031 fishermen families by army in the district so far.

Bangladesh needs support to cope with climate change: Large number of people to become environmental refugees, say experts

BUSINESS REPORT

Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday stressed the need for greater awareness about impact of global climate change on Bangladesh.

They also emphasised the need for development of appropriate policy responses to minimise the adverse effects of climate change.

These observations were made at a seminar on 'Climate Change, Migration and Bangladesh' organised by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) under the auspices of the DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty at the Dhaka University premises on Tuesday.

In his keynote address, Dr. Ahsanuddin Ahmed of Centre for Global Change drew attention to the fact that increased human activity in the last 50 years has resulted in major increase global temperature contributing to the process of climate change.

"If the human kind continues with the current level of consumption then doomsday will arrive within the next couple of hundred years," he warned.

Citing scientific research, he informed that the process of climate change would be accompanied by increased frequency and intensity of drought, floods, rainfall, cyclone and tornadoes, water logging and salinity. While all these will adversely affect livelihood and health of millions of people across the world, developing countries like Bangladesh will bear the major brunt, he noted.

In this context he demanded the developed countries should compensate to support adaptation efforts of the countries that would suffer from the process.

Journalist Afsan Chowdhury stated that climate change should not be viewed as a matter of environmental concern; it has major social, economic and political ramifications, he argued.

Chowdhury observed that in the absence of adequate livelihood options a large number of people would become environmental refugees, a phenomenon that will have grave implications for national security of states.

Prof Mizan R Khan of North South University underscored the need for national capacity building for effective bargaining in international negotiating tables. He demanded that the developed world, as major contributor to climate change, should consider special quota for environmental refugees from the developing countries like Bangladesh in the similar model that New Zealand accepts migrants from Pacific island state of Tonga that is threatened with extinction due to sea level rise.

In his concluding speech Dr CR Abrar of RMMRU lamented that policymakers were mainly engaged with short-term problems and thus far have paid only lip service to this impending disaster.

He called for incorporation of climate change issue in the national curricula, sustained engagement of the media and initiating a dialogue between scientists, social activists and policymakers to deal with the issue of climate change.

Among others, Prof. Dalem Chandra Barman and Obaidul Haque participated in the discussion.

The seminar was preceded with a screening of a documentary film "Does anybody care if Bangladesh drowns?' directed by Afsan Chowdhury.

It was attended by members of faculty and students of various departments of Dhaka University.

IBBL holds Board of Directors' meeting

BUSINESS REPORT

An emergency meeting of the Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) was held on Thursday, at the Board Room of the bank at Islami Bank Tower at Dilkusha Comercial Area in the city.

Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank presided over the meeting.

Foreign and Local Directors including Yousif Abdullah Al Rajhi, Representative of AI-Rajhi Company for Industry and Trade, K.S.A. were present at the meeting.

The meeting evaluated the performance of the bank and expressed its satisfaction over the success and progress achieved so far and took some important business decisions.

Etihad Airways signs catering deal with BFCC

BUSINESS REPORT

Etihad Airways, the national airlines of UAE, signed a deal with Biman Flight Catering Centre (BFCC) for cater meals for Etihad Airways flights from May 5. Etihad Airways is well reputed for its in-flight service.

Describing the signing ceremony a happy occasion Khondokar A Kabir the country manager of Etihad Airways said, 'Etihad Airways has chosen BFCC because of their world standard of food quality and hygiene. Biman has the experience of working with other international airlines and also meets necessary quality and requirements of Etihad Airways'.

In this regard, Dr MA Momen, Managing Director and CEO of Biman, said, 'BFCC provides quality and safe food to ensure safety and security of its customers. The relation with Etihad Airways will be furthered by excellent catering service of BFCC'.

Currently BFCC serves British Airways, Dragon Air, Yemen Air, GMG Airlines, Best Air are uplifting full catering from BFCC. BFCC also providing cabin dressing services to Air India and Emirates.

High officials of both BFCC and Etihad Airways were present in the signing ceremony.

Dnata moves into luxury hotel representation

Dubai, UAE

Dnata Travel Services has announced a further expansion of its portfolio of luxury products and services with the creation of Luxury Hotels by Dnata.

The new division is dedicated to representing the world's most luxurious hotels in the Middle East and will offer sales, marketing and PR support to raise their profile in the region.

Veronica Posteraro, Product Development Manager, Luxury Hotels by Dnata, said: "The Middle East is becoming an increasingly important market for top end luxury hotels around the world. The focus of attention is shifting towards this region, where there is a wealth of travelers for whom the option of staying in luxury surroundings in niche, boutique hotels is more important than the cost.

"At the same time, these hotels sometimes have very little experience of this market and that is where Luxury Hotels by Dnata comes in. At Dnata we have unrivalled local knowledge, experience and expertise in the region, together with an unbeatable portfolio of products and services, many of them at the luxury end of the market.

"Luxury Hotels by Dnata has very strict guidelines for the type of hotel we will represent, because we want to ensure each hotel is truly special. We are not looking to work with global chains, but rather with niche, boutique hotels, which have 5 stars and less than 300 bedrooms.

"We will only represent a maximum of three hotels in anyone location and initially we are looking at destinations which are easily accessible from Dubai.

"I am confident that Dnata's expertise in the Middle East travel industry together with some of the most desirable properties in the world will prove to be an unbeatable combination."

This move completes the luxury offering for Dnata's retail clients who can now book a private jet from Luxury Air Travel by Dnata, choose their hotel from those represented by Luxury Hotels by Dnata and book the hotel in The Holiday Lounge by Dnata.

ICMAB Workshop on Key Performance Indicators-A Tool of Management held

The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) arranged a Workshop on "Key Performance Indicators (KPI) - A Tool of Management" on May 8, 2008 at ICMAB Ruhul Quddus Auditorium, ICMA Bhaban, Nilkhet, Dhaka.

Golam Mainuddin, Deputy Managing Director, British American Tobacco Bangladesh was present as Session Chairman while Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, FCMA, Finance Director, Unilever Bangladesh Ltd. presented the technical paper on the topic as Resource Person. Abu Sayed Md. Shykhul Islam, FCMA, Secretary of the Institute presided over the Workshop and spoke on the occassion.

Md. Abdul Aziz, FCMA Past President and Chairman of the Seminar and Conference Committee gave welcome address while Md. Mamunur Rashid, FCMA, Vice Chairman, Training and Workshop Committee proposed vote of thanks.

The workshop was organised with a view to develop the humen resources and to make aware and to train up the members of the ICMAB with modern corporate management and about the situation of changing competetive world.

Members of the Institute, Participants from different Organisation and Senior Students attended the workshop and some of them took part in the floor discussion.

Replacing hazardous chemicals: Enzyme based solutions for textile processing industry

BUSINESS REPORT

Advanced Enzyme Technologies Limited (AETL), India's leading industrial enzyme manufacturer, hosted a product launching ceremony at Dhaka Sheraton, on Ecosafe Solutions for the textile processing industry where new eco-friendly enzyme based solutions were introduced which could replace hazardous chemicals with cost effective and safer options.

The key focus of this programme was on 'green' processes where hazardous chemicals were replaced with eco-safe enzyme based solutions which saves energy and also reduces effluent load. It is estimated that the textile industry would benefit from cost savings of up to 25 per cent depending on plant, process and finish by using enzyme based solutions. The programme also emphasized on the significant energy saving benefits in denim processing.

Speaking at the programme, CL Rathi, Managing Director, AETL said, "We spent close to eight months understanding this market and have designed customised solutions as per the primary market need.

We are very encouraged by the fact that our products have done exceedingly well which shows that the textile industry is welcoming eco-friendly solutions."

Bangladesh has over 1,000 textile processing units which comprise garment as well as knit-processing. With a projected industry growth of about 22 per cent, Bangladesh is slated to be the fastest garment economy after China. Some of the hazardous materials commonly used in processing of garments are Caustic Soda, Chlorine bleaching agents and surfactants.

These chemicals while being carcinogenic (cancer causing) also decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. This affects water quality making it non-potable and hence there is a growing need for safer eco-friendly solutions.

AET is focusing on Bangladesh market expansion. To support this expansion, AET has decided to establish formulation and manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh under with local partners.

Prof Abdur Rob new VC of Manarat Int'l University

Dr Mohammad Abdur Rob, Professor of Geography and Environment of Dhaka University, and a renowned environmental scientist and educationist being appointed by the chancellor of the private universities and President of Bangladesh joined Manarat International University as the Vice-Chancellor on May 7.

Dr Rob has been serving at Dhaka University as a teacher for the last 27 years. He has got about 50 publications in the national and international journals to his credit.

He has authored 12 books, of which two have been published by the Bangla Academy.

Dr. Rob made excellent results in all the public examinations. He was born in 1955 at Tillabari a village of Golapganj upazila in Sylhet district.

As the Honoarary Chairman of the BDRCS Dr Rob is trying hard to stream-lime the humanitarian organisation by his sincerity, devotion and honesty. As for his personal life, his wife is also engaged in teaching profession and he is a father of two daughters and a son.

Shahjalal Islami Bank's new Chairman, Vice Chairmen

Akkas Uddin Mollah was re-elected unanimously as chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited in the 92nd meeting of the board of directors held on May 13 at its board room.

It was presided over by Sajjatuz Jumma, founder chairman of the bank. In the same meeting, Mohammad Farooq was newly elected and Syed Nurul Arefeen was re-elected unanimously as the vice chairman of the bank.

The re-elected chairman Akkas Uddin Mollah is a renowned industrialist and businessman. He was born in a respectable Muslim family of Nababgonj, Dhaka. After completing education, he started readymade garments exporting business and established a number of garment industries. He is the chairman and managing director Russel Spinning Mills Ltd, Russel Garments Ltd, Ekram Sweaters Ltd, Russel Knitting Ltd, Russel Washing Plant. Shahan Colours Ltd, Tania Cotton Mills Ltd and PnR Fastener Co Ltd. Renowned industrialist and social worker, Mollah is the chairman of Osman Memorial Hospital and Osmania Madrasa. He also travelled many countries for promotion of his business.

Newly elected vice chairman Mohammad Farooq is a renowned industrialist and businessman. He was born in a respectable Muslim family and started his business in 1964. He is the proprietor of Famous Perfumery Suppliers. Directors of Famous Printing and Packages Limited. Famous Iberchem Flavours and Fragrances Ltd. and Matcon Limited. Chairman of F.S. Printing and Packaging Ltd. He is also the managing director of Famous Group of Companies and Famous General Agencies and former President of Bangladesh Chemical and Perfumery Merchant Association. Renowned social worker Farooq is the founder of some mosques, madrasas. orphanages at different places.

The other re-elected vice chairman Syed Nurul Arefeen was born in 1962 in Pach Elachin village of Delduar upazila under Tangail district. He obtained honours degree in Accounting from Dhaka University in 1988 and MBA from Deemed University, Lucknow, India. He is the distributor of Birla Tyres of India and proprietor Solar Trading Co, Solar Precured Tyre Retreating Co and Solar Transport Co. He is also managing partner of Solar Autos Co. and Solar Telecommunications and acting managing director of Universal Yarn Dyeing Ltd. He is a member of DCCI and life member of Tangail Zilla Samity. Prominent social worker, Arefeen is the Governor's Adviser of Lions Club International-District 315 B/3 and Treasurer of Gregorian Association. He is the member of different clubs including Uttara Club.

Janata Bank training on 'Basel-II: Technical Issues and Challenges'

Mohammad Al Maruf Khan, FCA Director, Board of Directors, Janata Bank Limited inaugurated the training course on 'Basel-II Technical Issues and Challenges" at Janata Bank Training Institute, Dhaka on May 13. Md. Nazrul Islam, GM presided over the occasion.

Musaddeque-Ul-Alam, AGM incharge, JBTI and other officers were present on the occasion.