The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tk 3.79cr diesel subsidy distributed in Chuadanga

Diesel subsidy money of about Taka 3.79 crore was distributed among 1,22,863 marginal and small farmers in four upazilas of the district. The upazilas are Chuadanga Sadar, Alamdanga, Damurhuda and Jibannagar.

Of them, about Taka 68.87 lakh was distributed among 28,445 farmers in Sadar upazila, official sources said.

While Taka 1. 61 crore was distributed among 44,924 farmers in Alamdanga upazila, Taka one crore among 36,811 farmers in Damurhuda upazila and Taka 44.46 lakh was distributed among 12,638 farmers in Jibannagar upazila. The payments of diesel subsidy money began on April 22 last.

Highspeed to build ships for Japanese company

BUSINESS REPORT

A MoA has been signed on June 18 between Japanese company Messrs Tokyo Freighting and Highspeed Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd of Bangladesh.

The MoA encompasses following major issues:

Highspeed Shipyard which has been building ships already will be expanded as per requirement of Japanese Class NK to build dry cargo vessels and tankers ranging in capacity from 2000 DWT to 5000DWT.

All design, marine package pertaining to the relevant vessels will be provided by Tokyo Freighting.

Highspeed Shipyard will build these vessels under constant supervision of a Japanese manager and vessels will be built under class.

All required capital machinery for the shipyard will be provided by Tokyo Freighting and will be paid for by Highspeed.

Shipyard development, as per the layout already approved, is now under process and expected to be completed by December 2008.

Building of vessels will begin from January 2009 and first four vessels in October, the remaining vessels will be delivered every six months.

The approximate cost of vessels shall vary from US$3.5 million to US$7.5 million each depending on size and category.

FBCCI President meets Turkish President

Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) has recently organised a grand business summit in Istanbul with a view to bringing together businessmen from Asia-Pacific countries.

TUSKON has been helping boost partnerships and business relationships between Turkey and the region.

A 28-member Bangladeshi business delegation led by FBCCI President Annisul Huq and TBCCI President-Fikret Cicek went to Istanbul to take part in this grand business convention. TBCCI made all the arrangements for the Bangladeshi businessmen .

TUSKON's one-week Turkey-Asia Pacific Foreign Trade Bridge II at Istanbul's WOW Convention Center where 465 businessmen from 20 countries of the Asia Pacific region found the opportunity to discuss joint business projects. The target of the forum was to have participants set up new business ties worth $550 million, TUSKON organizers say.

Annisul Huq, President of FBCCI who was representing Bangladesh in this grand business summit called on Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The Turkish President welcomed his guests very warmly and stated that Turkey has a special affection for the countries of Asian subcontinent and Pacific region.

In reply, Annisul Huq said: "I have seen many Presidents till far and generally they are used to be very old. I was also expecting a President with walking stick. But here I see a very young, smart and dynamic President who impressed me a lot."

After these words President Gul and all the members of the visiting group burst into a laughter. During these friendly conversations President Gul said that Turkey, currently the 17th biggest economy of the world and 6th biggest economy of Europe, is willing to improve economic relations with Asian countries.

Bangladeshi delegation visited some cities in Turkey to see factories and met with the local business chambers. Organiser of Bangladesh chapter of this summit, Fikret Cicek, President of Turkey Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI), said that the summit sets a very important step for the improvement of the business relations between Bangladesh and Turkey. He also said he was very glad to get the chance to show the Bangladesh's potential to Turkish business people.

IBBL holds review meeting

All the officials and staff of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited should remember that they are playing important role in methodical reformation with the objective of making Islamic Economics and Islami banking movement successful and do their respective works accordingly. This bank should be established as 'My Bank' to all through maximum service.

Prof Abu Nasser Muhamad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank said this while speaking as the chief guest at a day long Performance Review Meeting with the Heads of Zones, Corporate Branches and different branches of the bank.

Earlier, Moulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank inaugurated the function as the chief guest on Saturday at a local hotel.

Presided over by M Fairiduddin Ahmad, Managing Director of the bank the meeting was addressed by Md Shamsul Haque, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Investment Wing, Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Investment Wing, Md Habibur Rahamn, Deputy Managing Director and Head of International Banking Wing and other top executives.

Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher said, officials, staff and deposit and investment clients of all segments of the bank are the believers of Allah, obedient to the rules of Allah, willing to go the Heaven and fear of the torment of Hell. That is why, they are playing vital role in representing Islami Bank to mass people.

He said, IDB President Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ali recently addressed Islami Bank as Model Bank in IDB Conference. IDB and CIBAFI are appealing Islami Bank to take over the responsibility of launching Islami Bank in different countries of the world including the Sub-Continent. To perform the job competently we have to take preparation from now on. Meanwhile, our officials have commenced to perform the job in different countries including Africa.

EBL opens women entrepreneurs' cell

To facilitate women entrepreneurs and to support growing Women entrepreneurs' business needs Eastern Bank Ltd.(EBL) has opened a Women Entrepreneurs' Cell under SME Banking division at its Dhanmondi Branch premises.

In a simple ceremony, EBL Deputy Managing Director & Head of SME banking Muklesur Rahman inaugurated the cell yesterday. At the ceremony, Muklesur Rahman handed over the first Women Entrepreneur business loan "EBL Mukti" to Ms Shahana Quader, Proprietor of a renowned boutique house-Motif.

EBL Managing Director & CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar, Deputy Managing Director Mamoon Mahmood Shah, high officials of the Bank and valued customers were present among others at the function.

Starting its journey in 2006, EBL SME Banking offers 6 lending and 1 deposit products for the customers which are available through its 17 SME Centres country wide.

Standard Bank holds 129th Board Meeting

The 129th Board Meeting of Standard Bank Ltd was held on June 17 at the Board Room of Head Office of the bank. Chairman of the Board of Directors Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed presided over the meeting.

It was attended by Vice-Chairman Alhaj Mohammad Shamsul Alam, Director Messers Kamal Mostafa Chowdhury, Abdul Ahad, Alhaj Nurul Haque Sowdagor, Ferdous Ali Khan, Farzana Yousuf, Md Ziaul Haque Khondker, Shaikh Mesba Uddin and SS Nizamuddin Ahmed.

Among others, Managing Director (CC) SA Farooqui, DMD Md Nazmus Salehin and Board Secretary AFM Nizamul Islam Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.

The Board 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.

Affected One Bank shareholders threaten legal action

STAFF REPORTER

The effected companies and NRB sponsor shareholders of One Bank Limited have informed Bangladesh Bank in writing through their respective legal counsels that the titles of the shares held by them in One Bank Limited belongs to them both legally and beneficially. They are neither an agent, nor a proxy nor acting under any other authority to hold the shares for the benefit of any undisclosed person or entity.

The sponsor shareholders are surprised and extremely aggrieved that no notice whatsoever was received by them from Bangladesh Bank other than a copy of the letter dated June 3, 2008 addressed to Sayeed H Chowdhury, chairman of One Bank Limited, which in turn was forwarded to them. Their names are in the share register of One Bank Limited and yet Bangladesh Bank did not write to them.

As shareholders, they are legally entitled to enjoy all rights and benefits deriving from the ownership of the shares. They have proprietary interest vested and granted by law.

The shareholders further informed Bangladesh Bank that Sayeed H Chowdhury is neither the legal nor the beneficial owner of any of their shares. Hence, a notice to Chowdhury, as far as ownership of their shares are concerned, would not lawfully bind them and they would in due course seek an exemplary order from an appropriate court against a regulatory authority's blatant abuse of authority.

They termed Bangladesh Bank's action in this regard is fundamental misconceived and asked Bangladesh Bank to refrain from undertaking any action which is arbitrary, ultra vires of authority and/or abuse of its regulatory authority, repugnant to their proprietary interest.

Mushtaque Ahmed new GM of Sonali Bank

Mushtaque Ahmed has recently been promoted as General Manager of Sonali Bank Limited. Prior to his promotion he was the Deputy General Manager of the bank.

He started his banking career as Senior Officer (on probation) in 1979. During his 29 years' long career Mushtaque has worked at Calcutta Branch, India, Local Office, Dhaka, and at Staff College, Dhaka as principal. He also worked at different divisions of the Head Office and branches of Sonali Bank Limited. Mushtaque obtained his Master degree with Honours in Economics from the University of Dhaka in 1976. He hails from Comilla.

Krishi Bank holds workshop on SME Finance and Development

BUSINESS REPORT

A workshop on SME Finance and Development was held at Krishi Bank's Board Room in the head office on June 18 last.

Md Mukter Hussain, Managing Director of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, was present as chief guest and inaugurated the workshop.

Syed Aminul Kabir, Chief Representative in Bangladesh of ICICI Bank delivered a key-note presentation on their experience and success in SME.

Md Jainal Abedin, Deputy Managing Director of Krishi Bank, concerned General Managers, Deputy General Managers and other officials were present on the occasion.

Benajir new chairman of Lions Past District Governors Forum

Benajir Ahmed, a renowned industrialist and social worker of the country has elected as Chairman of Lions Past District Governors Forum (PGD Forum), of Lions Club International, Multiple Dist-315 Bangladesh, in the Annual General Meeting of Lions PGD Forum held on June 16 last at Gulshan Club in Dhaka.

Lions PDG Forum represents all past and present Districts Governors of Lions Clubs International Multiple Dist-315 Bangladesh since inception of Lions Clubs in Bangladesh from 1958.

Ahmed is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Governors of North South University Foundation. He is one of the Founder and Life Member of North South University Foundation.

Benajir Ahmed was elected District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 315Bl, and Bangladesh 1996-97. He was also Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Lions Foundation for 1995-96 and Vice Chairman, Lions Clubs International, Multiple Dist-315 Bangladesh for 1997-98. Ahmed also attended a meeting with UN Secretary General at UN Headquarter in New York in 1992 as delegation of Bangladesh Lions.

Benajir Ahmed is the Chairman and Managing Director of Raymond Group of Industries. He was elected as the President of Dhaka Chambers of Commerce and Industries. Benajir Ahmed was awarded CIP (commercial important person) for several times. He is the President of BGMEA Institute of Fashion and Technology. He was also Director of Bangladesh Employers Federation, Member, General Body of FBCCI, Vice President (Finance) of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing & Exporters Association, Director, Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd, Director Bangladesh Shippers Council and Director, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

Ahmed attended 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, organised by UN in 1992, 10th UNCTAD Conference organised by UN in 1999 at Bangkok as lone representative of the private sector of Bangladesh. Ahmed also attended WTO Ministerial Conference in Seatle, USA in 1999 and in Doha, Qatar in November 2001 as representative of the private sector. He attended Asia Pacific ILO Conference on Child Labour issue organised by UN at Jakarta in April, 2000. Ahmed visited USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Japan and most of the European and Far Eastern countries in different times as member of the Bangladesh trade delegation or his business promotion. For his contributions in the social services, Ahmed has been awarded with Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque Award, Micheal Modhusudhan Award, Maulana Bashani Padak and Bangladesh Education Trust "Gold Medal" Award. He is the Managing Editor of 'The Daily Purbavas' and Chairman, MY TV, a satellite TV channel.

Benajir Ahmed is happy home with wife Mrs Nasrin Ahmed, a reputed social worker and an industrialist and blessed with two sons and two daughters.

Holcim teams up with new distributor

Holcim, the leading cement company, operating in more than 70 countries in the world, started producing cement in Bangladesh from 2000. Since then Holcim is delivering cement to every part of Bangladesh. Holcim launched its distribution activities in greater Sylhet in 2003. Recently Holcim Bangladesh Ltd teamed up with a new distributor, 'Messrs Akter Traders', a very renowned and resourceful distributor in Sylhet. Through its strong distribution channel, Holcim always aims at reaching to as many consumers as possible with the best cement Jashim U Khandaker, GM Customer Care, Holcim Bangladesh Ltd handed over the agreement to Zamal Ahmed Chowdhury, proprietor of M/s Akter Traders.