The New Nation - Internet Edition

EPZ, river port at Noakhali urged

BSS, Dhaka

The leaders of Dhaka based-Companyganj Samity Limited (CSL) urged the government to set up an export processing zone(EPZ) at Noakhali and a river port at Companyganj. They made the call while a reception was accorded to president of Noakhali Zila Samity in Dhaka Mohammad Shahab Uddin, who received national export trophy this year, a press release said yesterday .The function was held at a local hotel here yesterday. " There was a river port in Companyganj during the British rule, but that was later devoured by river erosion," Shahab Uddin said. Mentioning contribution of the businessmen to Noakhali region, the samity leaders said job opportunities would be created for youths and the economic development would be accelerated if an EPZ was established in the district. The function, presided over by president of CSL Kazi M A Karim Belal, was also addressed,among others,by Belayet Hossain Swapan,Mohammad Mofiz Uddin, Dr.Nazrul Islam,Mohammad Ismail and Moksudar Rahman Manik.

Export earnings record 14.66pc rise in 10 months: But decline by 2.40pc against target during July-April 2007-08, export earnings of engineering products, jute goods, handicrafts,

ECONOMIC REPORTER

Country's real export earnings amounted to 11,365.73 million US dollars during the last ten months (July 2007-April 2008) against the export target of 11,644.95 million US dollars, said Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) yesterday.

Though the amount was 2.40 per cent less than the target, it was 14.66 per cent higher compared to the export earnings of the same period of previous year, said the EPB in a press release.

Giving an analysis of the export performance of the last ten months (July-April) of fiscal year 2007-08, the EPB said that the country 's export earnings amounted to 1,203.97 million US dollar in April 2008, which was 37.59 per cent higher, compared to the export earnings of 875.04 million US dollars in April 2007.

The products recorded growth over the last year's performance and also over the target were petroleum byproducts and knitwear, agricultural products including vegetables, tobacco and others, and tea.

Besides, primary commodities like cut flower and foliage, agro processed food, textile fabrics and raw jute recorded growth over the last year's performance and also over the target.

During the July 2007-April 2008 period of the current fiscal year of 2007-08, export earnings in areas like knitwear, woven, agricultural products, home textiles, hides and skins, petroleum products, shoes, raw jute, ceramic goods, frozen food, electronics, terry towels, textile fabrics, chemicals, other primary products and industrial products were increased compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year of 2006-07. But the export earnings in these areas could not cross the targets.

However, export earnings in areas of engineering products like bicycle, iron chain and others, jute goods and handicrafts, computer services recorded sharp decline over the last year's export performance and also over the target.

During the July-April 2007-08 period, index by price in total export fell by 1.07 per cent compared to the previous year, while the index by volume increased by 15.73 per cent. In primary products, export index was increased by 11.73 per cent while volume index was increased by 11.13 per cent.

On the other hand, in manufactured products, export index was declined by 2.02 per cent, while volume index was increased by 16.07 per cent.

Hong Kong co to invest $7.278m at Comilla EPZ

BUSINESS REPORTER

Messrs Brilliant Packaging (BD) Limited, a Hong Kong based company will set up a garments accessories manufacturing industry in the Comilla Export Processing Zone.

This 100 per cent foreign-owned company will invest about US$7.278 million (Taka 50 crore) in setting up its plant and will produce woven labels, offset tickets, care, printed, integrated labels and tickets. The company will create employment opportunity for 260 Bangladeshi and two foreign nationals.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and the Messrs Brilliant Packaging (BD) limited in BEPZA Complex, Dhaka today (15-06-2008). Md. Farhad Uddin, Member (Engineering) of BEPZA and Chu Oi Fung, Managing Director of Messrs Brilliant Packaging (BD) limited executed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Brig General Jamil Ahmed Khan, ndc, psc, Executive Chairman of BEPZA and other officials of both sides were present on the occasion.

Bank officials must have clear idea of core risk management: Pubali Bank Managing Director tells at workshop

ECONOMIC REPORTER

A workshop for the officers of Pubali Bank Ltd on 'Internal Control and Compliance' was held in the Pubali Bank Head Office recently. It was organised by Pubali Bank Training Institute.

Managing Director of Pubali Bank Ltd Helal Ahmed Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the workshop.

In his speech, Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said that internal control and compliance risk is one of the six core risks according to Bangladesh Bank.

He said internal control is the process, where the board of directors, senior management and all levels of personnel, implemented and designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, the reliability of financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies.

The Managing Director asserted that in the competitive global banking arena to become a successful banker, all bank officials should have a clear concept about Core Risk Management. He advised all officials to abide by the rules and regulations of Bangladesh Bank and other regulatory bodies since the Pubali Bank is a very compliant bank.

Principal of the Training Institute Badruddin Ahmed and faculty member DGM Sushil Kumar Paul were present at the workshop.

Grameenphone CEO opens GPC, CICs in Khagrachari, Rangamati

BUSINESS REPORTER

Grameenphone Ltd inaugurated a Grameenphone Centre (GPC) and two Community Information Centres (CICs) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts on Sunday. Grameenphone recently completed providing network coverage in the three hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari.

The Grameenphone network now covers all 64 districts of the country, bringing almost the entire population under its coverage. There are more than 11,000 base stations in over 6,200 locations in operation in the Grameenphone network.

Grameenphone CEO inaugurated a Grameenphone Centre and a CIC at Rangamati on Sunday.

Vice-Chairman, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board SM Ashraful Islam, Khalid Hassan, Director Corporate Affairs, Rubaba Dowla, Director Marketing and Mohd Aulad Hossain, Head of Regional Sales Chittagong of Grameenphone were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Earlier in the morning, Grameenphone CEO Anders Jensen inaugurated a CIC at Khagrachari to provide access to the Internet and other information-based services in the area. Khagrachari Zilla Parishad Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura was also present at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion the Grameenphone CEO said that it is truly an exciting time, and that 'as (Grameenphone's) subscriber base expands in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, new subscribers will experience access to information that would have been impossible without mobile networks.'

Grameenphone Centers are Grameenphone's flagship sales and service points. It is a one-stop shop, manned by professional sales and service people, to help customers pay their mobile bills, change a subscription, buy a new connection or replace a mobile phone, and more, all under one roof.

A Grameenphone Community Information Center is a shared premise where rural people may access a wide-range of state of art services such as Internet, and other web-based information services. Set up with technical assistance from the GSM Association, Grameenphone Community Information Centers are equipped with the minimum of a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and an EDGE-enabled modem, to access the Internet using Grameenphone's nationwide EDGE connectivity.

Money Gram remittances now available at Standard Bank Ltd

BUSINESS REPORTER

An agreement between Standard Bank Ltd and Money Gram Payment Systems Inc USA was signed recently at the bank's Head Office for drawing arrangement of inward foreign currency remittance.

Former Managing Director of Standard Bank Ltd and Capil Chugh Relationship and Business Development Manager of Money Gram signed the agreement on their respective behalf.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Standard Bank Ltd Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed was present on the occasion, while Managing Director (CC) SA Farooqui, DMD Md Nazmus Salehin, EVP Md Abul Hossain, VP Md Nazrul Islam, SEO and In-charge of Remittance Department Ms Rebeka Sultana and Saiful Azam, Money Gram local representative were also present at the signing ceremony.

Under the arrangement, Bangladeshis living in the USA, UK, Middle East and other 1000 locations all over the world will be able to remit their money to their relatives and other stakeholders living in Bangladesh for personal and official needs to promote inflow of foreign currency into the country.

Citycell pays tribute to Sugota Chakma

A recent television commercial featuring Citycell's expanded network in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has gained widespread popularity, particularly due the soundtrack featuring a local song from Rangamati. The commercial which is running on television as well as radio, has received much appreciation and has become the talk of the town especially in the Hill Tracts region.

Sugoto Chakma, Director of Upojatiya Shankskritik Institute - Rangamati, is the lyricist of this song.

Mohammad Monir Hossen Sikder, Citycell's Manager for Brand & Communication Strategy recently visited Sugoto Chakma at the Upojatiya Shankskritik Institute in Rangamati. On behalf of Citycell, he expressed appreciation for Mr Chakma's contribution and also handed over a complimentary handset with Citycell connection. Joseph Mir - Art Director of Interspeed Advertising Ltd. was also present on the occasion.

Sugoto Chakma thanked Citycell management for broadcasting his song, which he believes opens a new dimension in popularizing the tribal culture of Bangladesh. Being a relentless cultural activist, Sugoto Chakma is working with the development of tribal arts and cultures for a long time. He believes that good understanding and proper utilization of the tribal culture and instruments can enrich Bangladesh's mainstream culture, and that initiatives should be taken from all quarters.

It may be mentioned that Citycell has meanwhile already established network coverage in Rangamati, Khagrachhori and Banderban Districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, bringing all 64 Districts of the country under its network.

Business team leaves for Turkey to take part in trade convention

A 28-person delegation mainly consisting of important businessmen of Bangladesh has departed for Istanbul, Turkey this morning from ZIA International Airport to participate in 'Turkey-Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge' convention. This big event is going to take place between June 16 and 21 through the collaboration of TUSKON (The Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists) and through coordination of Turkish Prime Ministry Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade. This summit will be held through participating Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers, top bureaucrats from 22 countries like India, New Zealand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Brunei, Vietnam. Bangladesh is also one of the participating countries. The Bangladeshi delegation teamed up through the coordination of TBCCI (Turkey-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

FBCCI president Anisul Haque is in the Bangladesh delegation. Uttara Apparels Ltd, DK Group, Development Design Consultants Ltd , Conexpo, SS

Trading International, Energypac, Divine Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Lead Pharmaceuticals are among the team members.

TBCCI president Fikret Cicek said this programme consists of an exhibition and densely planned bilateral business talks 1,500 businessmen participating from Turkey in this summit will be having business talks with foreign businessmen. "I hope this convention will play an important role to improve the business relations between our countries, Bangladesh and Turkey," he said.

Dr Zillur Rahman promoted as DMD of Rupali Bank

Dr Md Zillur Rahman joined Rupali Bank Ltd on June 12, 2008 as Deputy Managing Director on promotion. Prior to this position he was General Manager of Rupali Bank as well as General Manager (CC) of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Comilla. He served at Bangladesh Krishi Bank as Chief Regional Manager in both Comilla and Dhaka.

Dr Rahman received professional trainings both at home and abroad on Project Management System and Monitoring, Project Appraisal Course, Training Course of Trainers (TOT) conducted by various training institutes. He also participated in training course on Entrepreneurship Development, University of Philippines in 1985. He attended a seminar in Hong Kong for Head of International Division in 2005, EURO Trade Seminar in American Express Bank, Frankfurt, Germany in 2006 and International Banking Seminar Bangkok, Thailand in 2008. He honoured as Guest Lecturer of BIBM and several Banks Training Institute. He was also the examiner of Banking Diploma Examination.

Dr. Rahman obtained PhD Degree from the Institute of Bangladesh Studies under Rajshahi University in 1998 on Agrobased Industrial Credit Management. He has, in his credit, a brilliant educational background securing 2nd and 6th positions in SSC and HSC Exams (Commerce) from Rajshahi Board in the year 1970 and 1972 respectively. He is the Diplomead Associate of Institute of Bankers Bangladesh.

Interventional Cardiologist from USA now at Square Hospital

Chairman of Monroe Cardiovascular Associates of Louisiana, USA and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Rezaul Islam, MBBS (DMC) MD (USA), FACC, American Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, is now in Square Hospital from June 14 to 19 and June 22 to 26. During his visit to Square Hospital, he will exchange views with local cardiologists about recent developments of cardiac treatment and will provide consultation to a limited number of cardiac patients on the above dates from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Interested patients can call Square Hospital for appointments.