The New Nation - Internet Edition

Indian food festival at Westin Dhaka begins tomorrow

A ten-day long Indian Food Festival begins tomorrow (Wednesday) at The Westin Dhaka in the city's Gulshan area. The food festival styled 'The Journey to India' will jointly be organised by Le Royal Meriden, Chennai, India and The Westin Dhaka, Bangladesh.The festival will focus primarily on the authentic food dishes of India, which are expected to inspire the food lovers to elevate their senses of food items and culture of the country, the organisers said. The food festival, starting from tomorrow will continue through June 6 at The Westin Dhaka. The organiser will arrange a press conference at the Westin Dhaka in this regard today (Tuesday).

Bangladesh trade show begins in US in August: Three-day exposition 'Made in Bangladesh' to showcase local products and services

BUSINESS REPORT

The first-ever trade exposition, dubbed 'Made in Bangladesh' is going to be held in New York of the United States in the second week of August next.

The three-day exposition, which will jointly be organised by First Multipurpose Services, LLC (FMS), a company based in USA and Mattra, a Bangladeshi communication agency, will be held at Penn Pavilion Exhibition Hall, Manhattan, New York from August 15 to 17.

Hossain Jabbar, Founder-President of FMS, LLC announced this at a press conference at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

Anisur Rahman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mattra conducted the programme while Raghib Ahsan, Event Manager, FMS, gave vote of thanks.

Anwar Farooq, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Afzal Hossain and Sanaul Arefeen, Managing Partners, Mattra, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Channel I and eminent writer Imdadul Huq Milon, among others, were present on the occasion.

Hossain Jabbar said Bangladesh is emerging as an economic giant of South Asia. The USA is the single largest importer of Bangladeshi products. Exports from Bangladesh to the USA and other countries have significantly increased for the last one-decade. The volume of export to the USA market could be doubled if the entrepreneurs and government made concerted efforts.

He also observed that Bangladesh could easily enhance its export volume through diversification of exportable items to the US markets.

"The USA is the main importing county of Bangladeshi products. The expected growth in terms of export could easily be enhanced to that country," he said.

Mentioning the existing trade between Bangladesh and the USA, he said the exposition would help sustain and foster present growth of the trade between the two countries.

He also said that explore of newer avenues for promoting Bangladeshi products in the USA markets would boost further trade relations between the two countries and help attract possible US investment to Bangladesh.

Afzal Hossain said since its inception 'Mattra' has been trying to project the Bangladeshi products to other countries. He said necessary publicity is required for creating more popularity of the products.

"Bangladesh is gradually strengthening its position in the present competitive global economic market," he mentioned.

The products and services which are going to be displayed at the fair include readymade garments (knit and woven), home textile items, information technology, ceramic (tiles and tableware), melamine and plastic products, handicrafts including bamboo and wooden products, furniture, leather and leather products, agriculture products and processed foods, jute goods (yarn and carpets), spices and pickles, tea and allied products, recycled glass items, tourism and hospitality, housing and real estate, institutions/ agencies related to testing/ certification/ quality control/ survey of exportable and business-related organisations like banks, shipping agents, insurance companies etc.

Apart from providing the standard facilities, the organisers will arrange meetings between the participants and buyers/ prospects within the fair premises.

Adequate publicity will be made through Bangladeshi satellite channels that have high viewership among Bangladeshi living in the USA. Buyers and prospects will be contacted through direct mailers and electronic media.

During the fair there will be seminars on different issues such as real estate and IT sector. Free transport services will be provided to the participants. Besides, Bangladeshi living in the USA would also perform cultural show at evening.

Application in prescribed form (available in the website and Mattra office) for participating in this trade show, to be submitted to the organisation by 15 June 2008 along with application fee of US$ 3500 for a 10'x8' stall and US $ 9000 only for a 15'x15' pavilion.

There will be five pavilions and 109 stalls in the fair. The media partner of the event is Channel I.

In the year 2006-07 Bangladesh earned US$ 12.17 billion through export, which was 15.39 per cent higher over the preceding year. The country is maintaining a satisfactory export growth of approximately 13 per cent during the last one decade. The major importing countries are USA, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Belgium and some other Asian countries.

The USA alone accounts for approximately 34 per cent of Bangladeshi export and hence the biggest trading partner of Bangladesh at present.

EBL declares 34pc stock dividend: One right issue against two existing shares also announced

BUSINESS REPORT

Eastern Bank Ltd, one of the leading private commercial banks of the country has declared 34 per cent Stock Dividend (Bonus Share) and one Right Issue against two existing shares at par for the year ended on December 31, 2007.

The declaration was made at the 16th annual general meeting (AGM) of the shareholders of EBL held on Sunday at the BDR Darbar Hall, Peelkhana, Dhaka.

AQI Chowdhury, OBE, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company presided over the meeting and presented the Directors' Report and Financial Statements for the year 2007 before the shareholders. Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director and CEO replied to various questions from the shareholders.

Amid intense competition among the existing banks, EBL continued to maintain its growth both in terms of business volume and profitability. The year 2007 saw an impressive growth in operating profit by about 37.72 per cent and total assets of the company stood at Tk.42.58 billion at the end of 2007 which is 18.37 per cent higher than the previous year.

During the year, the profit before tax (PBT) grew by 13.33 per cent to Tk 1,285.66 million.

The AGM was attended by a large numbers of shareholders, members of the Board of Directors and high officials of the bank.

Tk 19cr grant given for JDS programme

The Government of Japan and the Government of Bangladesh signed agreements in Dhaka on May 25 on the Japanese grant aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) programme for the next year amounting to 294 million yen (approximately Taka 19 crore).

Masayuki Inoue, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of their respective governments.

The Government of Bangladesh will start recruiting candidates for 8th JDS in July this year. The total number of 20 persons will be selected for studying in Japan for two years from July 2009.

JDS programme was established by the Government of Japan in 2001. In the last six years, a total of 127 JDS fellows were sent to Japan, and 91 JDS fellows have returned to Bangladesh, contributing to the development of Bangladesh. The Government of Japan has been providing academic opportunities for the Bangladeshi scholarship holders to study various fields in Japanese higher academic institutions. JDS is designed to contribute to enhancing the knowledge and skills of young Bangladeshi people.

It aims at government junior officials who are expected to play leading roles for the development of Bangladesh after completion of their studies and to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

The fields of study offered under this programme are public administration, economics, international relations and environmental policy.

IBBL opens branch at Dagonbhuiyan

BUSINESS REPORT

Dagonbhuiyan Branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was inaugurated as its 193rd Branch on May 25, 2008 at Ishaque Shopping Complex, Feni Road, Dagonbhuiyan.

Md. Masum Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Feni inaugurated the Branch as the chief guest while Md Abdul Wadud, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Dagonbhuiyan, Md Akbar Hossain, Chairman of Dagonbhuiyan Municipality and Abdul Hai Sabuj, Chairman of Purbochondrapur Model Union were present as special guests.

Presided over by Md Shamsul Huda, FCA, Director of the bank the function was addressed, among others, by Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Deputy Managing Director and Md. Najibur Rahman, Executive Vice President and Head of Comilla Zone and among the local elites Md. Nazmul Huda Iskandar, President of Dagonbhuiyan Businessmen Development Committee, Alhaj Mohammad Abdullah, Chairman of Dagonbhuiyan unit of BRDB and Md. Nurunnabi Dulal, businessman.

Md. Masum Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Feni in his speech thanked Islami Bank authorities for starting interest free banking system and opening branch in Dagonbhuiyan. He urged the bank authorities to play important role in national development like the past.

Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star campaign announced

BUSINESS REPORT

Pespi, a soft drink brand, announced the launching of a unique promotional campaign dubbed 'Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star' targeting mainly the younger generation of the country.

The launching of the campaign was announced to enhance Pepsi's popularity among the youth at the National Press Club in the city yesterday.

The "Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star" will provide with once-in-a lifetime chance to seven lucky winners to feature in a TV commercial starring international football icons such as Beckham, Messi, Ronaldinho, Fabregas, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard. Besides, one lucky winner will get to travel to Barcelona to meet with Thierry Henry.

At the announcement ceremony of the campaign, Golam Quddus Chowdhury, Executive Director, Transcom Beverage Ltd, said, 'The 'Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star' campaign gives a never before platform to Bangladeshi youth to achieve superstardom by drinking Pespi. Pespi has always been providing unique international platform for our younger generation and this campaign is another step towards that.'

Ravi Kapoor, General Manager (Marketing), East Region, Pepsi International, Ferdous Hasan Neville, General Manager, Asiatic MCL, Tahsin Sayeed, Executive Director, Asiatic Events Marketing Ltd and Arif Hossain, Marketing Development Manager, Transcom Beverages were present in the function.

To participate in the 'Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star' campaign one needs to buy a bottle of Pepsi. This will fetch a scratch card carrying a unique code. The consumer needs to either send the unique code to 6161 through SMS or call at 01732868690 or 01732868692 to know their lucky prizes.

The eight lucky winners will be identified in two stages. In the first stage from a nationwide pool of 600 lucky consumers, to be identified via scratch cards and 30 finalists will be selected. These 30 finalists will be identified through a skill selection round to be held in each of the six different divisional areas of the country. In the second stage the 30 finalists will appear in a gala raffle draw in Dhaka where the final eight Pepsi superstars will be selected.

Apart from these consumers can get lucky with every swig of Pepsi and win several cool prizes such as mobile phones, DVD players, MP3 players, Pepsi brand footballs and much more besides getting a guaranteed gift of an exclusive football superstar poster with every purchase.

Urging the country's youth to participate in this 35 days campaign Khurshid Irfan Chowdhury, General Manager, Transcom Beverage said, "In carbonated beverage market Pepsi is number one in quality.

The 'Ek Chumukei Pepsi Star' campaign will bring Pepsi and younger generation closer and give them new ways to interact. The Bangladeshi youth feels very strongly about expressing themselves and this campaign provides several such opportunities."

Standard Bank holds 52nd EC meeting

BUSINESS REPORT

The 52nd meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Standard Bank Ltd was held on May 18 last in the Board Room of Head Office of the Bank. The Executive Committee Chairman Kamal Mostafa Chowdhury presided over the meeting. It was attended by members of the committee Farzana Yousuf and Md Ziaul Haque Khondker. Among others, Managing Director Mosharraf Hossain, DMD SA Farooqui and Md. Nazmus Salehin and Board Secretary AFM Nizamul Islam Chowdhury were present at the meeting.

The EC 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 in the meeting.

Mirpur Agora gives prizes of mega offer campaign

BUSINESS REPORT

Mozammel Haque, a shopper of Agora, country's largest chain superstore, has won one-year free shopping facility from the superstore.

Two other shoppers, Ferdous Zahan Sweety and Humayun Kabir have got six-month's and one-month free shopping benefit respectively.

The shoppers won the facility in a raffle draw organised with the lucky coupons provided by Agora Mipur outlet for purchase of goods worth taka 1000 during the "Mega Offer" campaign organised on the occasion of Agora Mipur outlet its launch and the Independent Day.

There are other winners in raffle draw. Sayeed Ashraf won the fourth prize (a pressure cocker), Nasim Alam the fifth prize (a blender), and five shoppers-Ruhul Amin, Md Selim, Elein, Israt Zahan and Md Linkon won the sixth prize (a crockery's set each).

Agora General Manager Kishwar Imdad and Marketing Manager Ruhel Abedin handed over the prizes to the winners at a function at Mirpur Agora on Thursday. Mirpur Store Manger Faizul Haque Rani, other senior officials of the company and a large number of customers were present at the prize giving ceremony.

True Communication signs deal with New Sathi Traders

TRUE Communication has signed a corporate agreement with New Sathi Traders as a distributor for high-speed internet connectivity and IT solutions. TRUE comes with a promise to the customers with 24-hour high-speed internet connectivity at their homes and offices and is offering a complete solution for IT services along with dedicated customer service.

At the corporate head office of TRUE, Ghalib Ahmed Ansari, Chief Operating Officer of TRUE signed the agreement with Md Jashim Uddin, owner of New Sathi Traders on May 25 in the presence of Emon Kalyan Dutta, Head of Sales and Marketing, TRUE, other officials of both the organizations.