The New Nation - Internet Edition

Swedish Co 'Gunnebo Sweden' now in Bangladesh

BSS, Dhaka

A Sweden-based conglomerate, Gunnebo Sweden, has launched its venture in Bangladesh to provide world- class security and safety cabinets for business lines like banks, retailers and other business bodies. Safe Mode Commerce Limited (SMCL) is the local agent of the Gunnebo.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Industries Mahbub Jamil was the chief guest at the launching ceremony of the company at a city hotel recently.

Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Britt F Hagstrom attended the function as the guest of honour.

The function was addressed, among others, by SMCL chairman Lutfar Rahman, managing director Kazi Zubayr Naheen Ekram, directors Lailun Nahar Ekram and Rashadur Rahman and heads of different financial and commercial institutions.

The special assistant said Bangladesh would be a middle- income country by the end of 2015 coinciding with achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said an investment friendly atmosphere is prevailing in the country as the government has taken various steps in this respect during one and a half years. Britt F Hagstrom said the existing economic ties between Bangladesh and Sweden would be strengthened in the days to come.

Ken Thng of Gunnebo Sweden, giving an overview of the Gunnebo products, said some 110 companies in 29 countries have been maintaining utmost security using safe and secure Gunnebo products.

Kazi Zubayr said security has become a major concern in the present global village, where the Gunnebo products offer optimum protection against theft of cash, documents, vital records and other valuable items, and fire incidents in banks, stores, restaurants, small business and houses.

Bangladesh Navy inaugurates tree Plantation drive-2008

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Navy has lunched a massive tree plantation drive at all naval bases and other shore establishments in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Mongla, Kaptai and various places in the coastal belts as part of the 'Tree Plantation Campaign-2008'

Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam formally inaugurated the programme by planting an 'Araucaria' sapling in the Naval Headquarters Compound at Banani on Tuesday.

Later, he joined a munajat for the success of the campaign.

The Navy Chief called upon all individuals and organizations to successfully implement the tree plantation programme taken by the government, an ISPR press release said on Tuesday.

Massive tree plantation in coastal belt will reduce the magnitude of damage caused by natural calamities like devastating cyclone SIDR and tsunami, he added.

This year Bangladesh Navy is going to plant about 3 lakh saplings of fruit, timber and medicinal trees.

Among others, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) Commodore Commanding Farid Habib, all principal staff officers of Naval Headquarters, senior military and civil officers and sailors of Dhaka Naval Area were present on the occasion.

President, CA greet Ethiopian counterparts

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Tuesday felicitated their Ethiopian counterparts on the occasion of the Victory (National Day) of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia today.

"I am confident that the friendly relations that so happily exist between our two countries will be strengthened in the days ahead," President Iajuddin said in a message to Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis.

He wished good health and happiness of Wolde-Giorgis and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the Ethiopian people.

Dr Fakhruddin in his message to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said, "I am convinced that the bonds of friendship and cooperation that so happily exist between our two friendly countries will be further expanded in the years to come."

He wished good health and personal wellbeing of Zenawi and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Ethiopia.

Embassies in Malaysia urged to 'follo Bangladesh's lead'

BSS, Dhaka

SUHAKAM commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam of Malaysia has said that other embassies in the country should follow the Bangladesh High Commission in setting up a separate camp to help their citizens who are looking for employment and face problems in Malaysia.

The Star, a widely circulated English national daily of Malaysia, reported recently that the Bangladesh mission not only looked after housing and welfare of Bangladeshi citizens but also helped to find alternative jobs for them.

He said the Indian High Commission should also look into setting up such a camp for its citizens who have been cheated even though they have valid work permits, said the report headlined "Follow Bangladesh's lead, embassies urged".

He was speaking to reporters in Teluk Intar about a recent case where 500 Bangladeshi workers were brought into the country with the promise that they would be paid RM 26 per day, do eight hours' work and be paid overtime, but were only given RM20 per day.

Workshop on children women at PIB today

BSS, Dhaka

A planing workshop on 'Children and Women Affairs' will be held at the conference room of Bangladesh Press Institute (PIB) at 9.30 am today.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information Md Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury will inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest while Director General (PIB) Mohammad Nazrul Islam will chair the function, said a press release.

Joint Secretary of the ministry of information and National Project Director(NPD) Kamal Uddin Ahmed and UNICEF Communication section Chief Christine Jaulmes expected to attend the workshop as special guests.

Information ministry officials, representatives of the project implementation agencies and journalists will take part in the workshop.

More budgetary allocation for disabled sought

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a meeting here yesterday urged the government to make adequate allocation in the next national budget for the persons with disability, and integrate them with the mainstream of development.

Bangladesh Disability Forum and Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP) jointly organised the exchange of opinion meeting titled 'Recognition of the Rights of Disabled People in Formulation of National Development Policy and Budget' in CIRDAP auditorium.

About 10 percent of the total population are disabled, the speakers said and stressed the need for enhancing the amount and number of allowances for them in the next national budget.

Chaired by National Disability Forum President Khandaker Zahurul Alam, the meeting was attended by eminent economist Prof Anisur Rahman as the chief guest.

BUP Chairman Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad presented the keynote paper while former Education Minister Dr Osman Farruk, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, National Disability Development Foundation President Dr Mohammad Farash Uddin, former MPs Col (Retd) Faruk Khan and GM Quader, National Disability Development Foundation Managing Director Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, National Disability Forum Secretary General Jawaherul Islam Mamun, Mahbub Kabir of ActionAid Bangladesh, dumb architect Osman Khaled and visually challenged Sarwar Hossain, among others, took part in the discussion.

Prof Anisur Rahman urged the government to take up well planned programmes to involve the people with disability in the mainstream of development and make adequate allocations for them.

He appreciated the government for making arrangements for allowances for the people with disability in the budget last year, and urged the government to enhance the amount and number of the allowances in the next budget.

Dr Kholiquzzaman said the disabled people are citizens of this country and the state must ensure their rights. Their rights to food, education and health should be given importance, he added.

Dr Osman Farruk said politicians would have to be more conscious about the welfare of the people with disability.

Rashed Khan Menon stressed the need for proper use of allocations for the poor people in the national budget.

Dr Farash Uddin suggested multifarious programmes for welfare of the people with disability in both public and private sectors and proper use of the money allocated for them.

Faruk Khan said healthcare services for the people and welfare of the people with disability should get importance in election manifesto of the political parties.