The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mobile court realizes Tk 1.75 lakh fine in Sylhet

UNB, Sylhet

A mobile court, in a daylong drive in the city on Thursday, realised Tk 1.75 lakh in fine from a clinic and 12 diagnostic centers on various charges.

The RAB-led mobile court, headed by Executive Magistrate Alauddin Ali, conducted the drive at Stadium and Osmani Medical College Hospital areas and realised the fine from the clinic and diagnostic centers for unhygienic environment, using date expired medicines and running business without renewing licenses and any pathologist.

The court also asked the management of the clinic and diagnostic centers to remedy their lapses within the next 15 days. Otherwise, they will seal off the clinic and diagnostic centers.

Turn BPC into self-governed body to draw foreign tourists: Govt urged at roundtable conference

BUSINESS REPORTER

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) needs to be turned into a self-governed and self-controlled body to make it a viable national tourism organization.

This was stated by particiopants at a roundtable conference on 'Immediate Need for the Development of Bangladesh Tourism'

organised by mobile phone giant Banglalink in cooperation with travel publication The Bangladesh Monitor and Bangla daily Samakal, at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel in the city yesterday.

Besides, the participants suggested to make the country's visa policy easier so that foreign tourists can visit Bangladesh without any hassles.

They also laid emphasis on announcing attractive packages on the occasions of major social and religious festivals like Pohela Boishakh, Biswa Ijtema, Durga Puja and International Mother Language Day so that tourists around the world feel attracted to visit Bangladesh.

At the same time, the particiapants called for branding Bangladesh promoting its image globally.

Taking part in the roundtable, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Jamil said countries around the world have taken their respective tourism industries as 'profitable ventures' although in the last 36 years Bangladesh has failed to do so. As a result, there is no reflection of tourism in this year's national budget.

"As the concept of economics has changed globally, we have to introduce public-private partnership in this industry also," he suggested.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Syed Mohammad Zobaer said Bangladesh is yet to develop adequate tourism products to attract foreign tourists.

He said the government is considering to brand the country so that it get positive exposure to the rest of the world.

Home Secretary Abdul Karim said the present caretaker government has made the visa regime more liberal than that of the past. The government is also considering to lower the existing rate of transit fee of US$40.

Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Shafique Alam Mehdi said the BPC needs to be turned into a self-governed and self-controlled body if the government wants to turn the tourism industry into a profitable venture.

He also called for creating 'tourist police' to ensure security and safety of foreign tourists coming to Bangladesh.

Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dr MA Momen said the country would have to fix its targets of attracting foreign tourists.

Besides, Bangladesh can attract a large number of foreign tourists every year through proper publicity and utilization of Biswa Ijtema, the biggest religious congregation of Muslims after the holy Hajj that takes place in the country.

Head of PR and Communications of Banglalink Solaiman Alam said Banglalink organised the roundtable conference as part of its initiatives to change the face of Bangladesh.

Chairman, Best Air Ltd M Haider Uzzaman said Bangladesh has huge resources to attract a large number of foreign tourists every year. "We need proper utilization of our resources to attract foreign tourists," he said.

Area Manager of Emirates Bangladesh Hanif Zakaria said Bangladesh needs to develop its tourist spots to attract foreign tourists.

He also proposed to branding Bangladesh as 'Undiscovered Gem of Asia' to change the image of the country and make the tourism industry a viable one.

Besides, Shahab Sattar, Managing Director, GMG Airlines, Hasan Mansur, President, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, DG, SAARC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Jahangir, Executive Director, Centre for Development Communication were present at the roundtable conference.

Prof Yunus addresses Brazilian Senate, meets President Lula

BUSINESS REPORTER

Brasilia, June 12: Professor Yunus is in Brazil from June 11-14 on invitation from the Brazilian Senate. Professor Yunus came to Brazil after the Senate passed a resolution last year inviting him to address the plenary session of the Senate. On 12 June, the regular proceedings of the Senate took a break and Professor Yunus was invited to address the plenary session when he briefed on the work of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, in speech that was telecast live throughout the country on the Senate TV Channel.

Following the address at the Senate, Professor Yunus was received at Alvorada Palace by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. During the two-hour long meeting attended by cabinet ministers and senators, they held discussions on development issues ranging from poverty alleviation, health care, the food crisis, ways of increasing agricultural productivity, climate change and the environment and other common issues facing both Bangladesh and Brazil.

Professor Yunus briefed on the programmes of Grameen Bank. President Lula briefed on the poverty alleviation programmes of the Brazilian government. He sought assistance from Professor Yunus to develop microcredit programmes for the poor in Brazil, particularly for the poorest regions of the country. Professor Yunus briefed the president on health care initiatives of Grameen and sought President Lula's advice and assistance based on Brazilian experience to bring health care for the poor in Bangladesh.

The President immediately called his health minister to join the meeting. The minister was travelling but sent the Vice Minister Dr Gerson Pennay who joined the meeting to brief on government health care programme in Brazil. President Lula promised to send his health minister to Bangladesh in the near future.

The agricultural minister also joined the meeting when discussions turned to the food crisis and how to increase agricultural productivity in developing countries such as Bangladesh.

Professor Yunus told President Lula that he represented the voice of all developing countries of the world on environmental issues and the rights of the poor. For his part, President Lula said Brazil had a lot to learn from the successes in Bangladesh.

Professor Yunus will leave Brazil on 14 June.

Bata declares 250pc cash dividend for 2007

BUSINESS REPORTER

The 36th Annual General Meeting of Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Ltd was held at Dhamrai on June 12 last. The meeting was presided over by Jorge Carbajal, Chairman of the company. The Board of Directors of the company declared in the Annual General Meeting a 250 per cent cash dividend comprising a final dividend of 105 per cent and interim dividend of 145 per cent for the year 2007.

The meeting was attended by a large number of shareholders and the audited accounts for the year 2007 were approved at the meeting.

Mr. Carbajal, in his address to the shareholders, reported that the company's turnover increased by 18 per cent despite global economic recession and its harmful impact on the economy of Bangladesh. He further stated that the company's turnover in retail grew by 20 per cent against 2006 and the growth in wholesale was 15 per cent. The company achieved a net profit of Taka 324.85 million in 2007. During 2007 the company contributed Taka 979 million to the national exchequer in the form of corporate tax, VAT, custom duties and other taxes.

Mr. Carbajal also told shareholders that at the end of 2007 the total number of retail outlets of the company stood at 237 and, among the Non Retail Channels 420 Registered Wholesale Dealers and 566 DSP (Dealer Support Program) outlets.

J D Hearns, Managing Director, as well as other Directors of the company also attended the meeting.

Cesar Alex Panduro Arevalo, CFO and Md Hashim Reza, Company Secretary and other senior executives of the company also attended the AGM.

In conclusion the Chairman conveyed his sincere thanks to the valued shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees and the government for their support, which they have continued to extend to the company.

BA summer fare offer extended

AVIATION REPORTER

British Airways has extended its summer special fares up to September 30,2008.

Under this season special, British Airways is offering discounted fares from Bangladesh to London, Europe and North America. With fares starting from US$699 to London and US$ 1099 to the US customers can also get upgrades to premier economy starting from additional US$150 only. This offer is now valid till September 30, 2008 and travel must commence before this date, taxes and charges are extra.

Customers can contact British Airways directly or book their tickets online by simply visiting become. Payment is easy, customers can pay online for their tickets if they have an international credit card or pay at the nearest Standard Chartered Extranet outlet.

British Airways operates non-stop full service flights from Dhaka to London Heathrow three times a week offering three long haul cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premier economy class) and World Traveller (economy class).

Pragati Insurance declares 35pc stock dividend

BUSINESS REPORTER

Pragati Insurance Ltd declared 35 per cent stock dividend for the year 2007 at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held on June 12 at Jamuna Resort Ltd, Bhuapur, Tangail.

The meeting was presided over by Chairman of the company Alhaj Khalilur Rahman. Members of the Board of Directors and a large number of shareholders attended the meeting.

During the year 2007 the company earned gross premium of Tk 802.76 million which was 15 per cent higher than the previous year. Profit before tax was Tk 176.84 million against Tk 121. 97 million of the previous year. Net claim settled during the year was Tk 58.42 million against Tk 63.04 million in 2006. The company's total asset at the end of the year stood at Tk 2449.50 million.

The chairman, in his address, said that the company had maintained its growth and its earnings were higher than the previous year.

He said Pragati Insurance Ltd achieved international award in recognition to its quality of services which was our pride. He expressed the hope that the progress of the company will continue in future with the active support and cooperation from all concerned.

A number of shareholders participated in the discussion and expressed their full satisfaction with the performance of the company. Managing Director AKM Rafiqul Islam replied to various questions raised by the shareholders to their satisfaction.

The meeting reelected four directors from Group 'A' shareholders namely A Monem, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Mohammed A Awal and Md Syedur Rahman Mintoo and two directors from the public shareholders namely-- Zakaria Taher and Mrs Razia Sultana Shimul.

Akij cement factory visited by PWD engineers

Engineers of Public Works Department (PWD) headed by Additional Chief Engineer Md Anwar Hossain visited the factory of Akij Cement situated at Naraynganj. The engineers were pleased to notify the sophisticated technology and quality consistency of the factory.

The engineers praised highly on the use of Akij Cement for the construction of electric poles, pre-stressed concreting and heavy construction works. A meeting was held focusing on necessity to use Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in different national works for ensuring more durability.

General Manager (Factory) AFM Mizanur Rahman and Manager (Marketing and Sales) MM Jasim Uddin exchanged views with the engineers of structure and design department on the necessity of using OPC for the important projects under PWD.

Mintoo elected Pragati Insurance chairman

Abdul Awal Mintoo, a sponsor director of Pragati Insurance Limited, has taken over as the chairman of the company on June 12 last. He replaces Alhaj Khalilur Rahman who is the chairman of the KDS Group of Industries.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, former President of FBCCI carries with him a commendable experience in the field of trade, industry, shipping, banking and insurance. Currently, he is the Chairman and CEO of Multimode Group of Companies, Director Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd, Chairman, Lal Teer Seed Ltd and North-South Seed Ltd, Indpendent Director, Pragati Life Insurance Ltd, Chairman, MF Consumer Ltd, Chairman, Jamuna Resort Ltd, Chairman MNT Life Science Centre, Chairman, Mintoo Nasreen Trust, President, International Life Science Institute Bangladesh, Past Chairman, National Bank Ltd, Life Member of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Past Chairman of Bangladesh Association of Banks, Past Chairman of the Bangladesh Employers' Association, Member, Board of Governors of Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka, Independent University, Bangladesh, Public Administration Training Centre, Sonargaon Hotel and Academy for Planning and Development besides being closely associated with a number of other social organisations. He is the author of Bangladesh Anatomy of Change. Abdul Awal Mintoo has obtained his graduation and MSc degree from State University of New York. Mintoo has three sons. His wife Mrs Nasreen Fatema Awal is the Managing Director of Consumers Ltd, President of the Women's Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh, Past Director, FBCCI and Past Chairperson of SAARC Women Entrepreneurs Council.

Dhrubo to market India's Fevicol footware adhesive

BUSINESS REPORTER

Fevicol Footwear and Leather Product adhesive from the world famous Pedilite Industries of India, has signed an agreement with Dhrubo Trade Castle for marketing of their product in the organised and local markets of Bangladesh. Very soon Dhrubo Trade Castle will start operating their professional activities to make Fevicol Leather adhesive available. A signing ceremony took place where Manoj K Chandnani (Area Sales Manager of Pedilite Industries Ltd) and Sarwar Murshed, CEO of Dhrubo Trade Castle, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective companies. Chandon Ghosh, Senior Sales Executive of Pedilite Industries in Kolkata was also present.

Body Shop & Spa opened

The Body Shop is one of the famous brand cosmetics in the world. The Body Shop always says, love body, clean body, and fresh body & mind and enjoy the natural beauty. We are trying to work on this saying through the products of Body Shop and going to introduce Massage, Facial and Spa by using body shop products.

There is no animal fat in The Body Shop products and there are no harmful ingredients for skin. As it is full of natural ingredients, which helps to keep beautiful, fresh, young and confident. Our customers are normally getting body massage, facial lotions and cream treatment, body treatment, scrubs, body butter treatment lightening, aromatherapy uplifting and hand foot care and Spa. We have various kinds of facial like tea tree, jojoba, alovera, vitamin e and c. we have also some exclusive facials which removes excess oil, remove top layer of dead skin cells and enhances cellular renewal without dehydrating the skill. Whitening treatment product is very useful to skin glow in two three sitting. Body butter massage with alovera, Lavander oil, to provide care and nourishment keep the skin healthy and firm and reduce fat by using round body brush and soap. Hair Serum treatment massage will help you to stop hair fall and remove the dead cell to work and hair will be silky and shiney. Since The Body Shop open new here, we offer customer some facilities: