The New Nation - Internet Edition

IBBL renders services to 40 lakh depositors

On the occasion of 25 years completion of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited a reception for the accountholders who opened accounts with the bank on the inaugural day in 1983 was held on August 12 at a local hotel in the city.

Presided over by Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank the welcome address was delivered by M Fariduddin Ahmad, Managing Director of the bank. M Azizul Huq, First Chief Executive Officer also addressed the function while Md Mozammel Hoque, Executive Director of Index Group and Prof Serajul Islam addressed expressing their feelings on behalf of the accountholders. Principal Moulana Zainul Abedin, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank conducted doa and munajat.

Commodore Ataur Rahman (Retd), Shah Abdul Hannan and Nazir Ahmed, former Chairmen, Board of Directors, Mominul Islam Patwary, Chairman, Executive Committee, Kazi Harun-ar-Rashid, Chairman, Audit Committee, present and former Directors, Members of Shari'ah Council and present and former top executives of the bank also attended the meeting.

Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher in his presidential speech said that Islami Bank provides the best service to the clients with its modern technologies. The bank has the largest online network throughout the country where 101 branches are equipped with online system out of 196 branches. Islami Bank is rendering its sincere services to 40 lakh depositors and 5 lakh investment clients with the extended network and online system. The service is dispersing all over the country.

Islami Bank has emerged as the leading bank in the country in import and export business and remittance in 2007. Recently, National Bureau of Revenue has announced Islami Bank as the fourth largest tax payer organisation.

He said Islami Bank is conducting small and medium investments as well as big investment for the socio-economic development of the country. For the development of rural areas the bank is providing investment to the poor people of the villages. The bank does not confine its investment to a limited number clients but it has extended its investment to all stages of people considering the size, geographical areas, profitability and capital security of the investment.

He said, manifold investments and welfare oriented activities of the bank in socio-economic development of the country created a new dimension. Observing the success and realising the reality of Islami Banking several Islami Banks have been established in the country and some banks have introduced Islami Banking Windows side by side conventional banking. Islami Bank enjoys glorious fame, distinguished status and enviable success not only in the country but also in abroad.

The journey of Islami Bank commenced with the aim of establishing the order of Allah Subhanahu ta-ala that ''Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury" in 1983 as the first interest free Islami Bank in the South East Asia.

"You cooperated with us by opening accounts in the very inaugural day of the bank. So we are receiving you with profound reverence as well as we are recollecting them with due honour who are absent today. With your cooperation Islami Bank has been flourishing since the very beginning day and now Islami Bank has been established as the best bank in the country. The seed you sowed 25 years ago has now emerged as a vast tree. The fragrance of the tree has scattered in the international sphere transcending the national boarder of the country. Allah has granted your dedication. Alhamdulillah.

He 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 afraid of the punishment of Hell.

That is why, they are playing vital role in representing Islami Bank to mass people. Board of Directors of the Bank comprises local and foreign directors. All of our aspiration and spirit is same and it is nothing but the development of the country and the bank and establish justice in the society.

He said, IDB President Dr. Ahmed Muhamed Ali recently addressed Islami Bank as Model Bank in IDB Conference. IDB, CIBAFI, AAOIFI and IICRA are appealing Islami Bank to take over the responsibility of launching Islamic Banking 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. Al-Hamdulilah !

Emphasizing upon the awareness of Islami Banking, he said if the clients can be made aware of Islmai Banking in a year it will be the greatest achievement. We have to do the work. He said, Islami Bank is growing larger day by day through success and progress. It's dimension is becoming large. Hence, we have to take greater responsibilities. He urged all to create entrepreneurs and employment facilities with a view to eradicating unemployment from the county.

He said Islami Bank is now a reality. Banking activities are being carried out with the aim of developing of the country. The service of the Bank is open for all irrespective of religion, colour and creed. The aim of the Bank is to present Islami Bank through it's service in such a way that mass people can realise that Islmai Bank is My Bank and it is the Bank of general people. Branch Managers should play pioneer role in this respect.

He said, people of all segments irrespective of their views and ideologies have reliance, love and corporatipn with the Bank. Our dream is nothing but the prosperity of the country, our struggle is to elevate the status of the people and our promise is to strengthen the independence, sovereigny and flag of the country.

He said, Islami Bank has been performing corporate social responsibility since the inception of the bank through Islami Bank Foundation which is being praised across the country. Following the social welfare activities of Islami Bank Foundation many a Bank has started such sort of program which is playing significant role in social development.

M. Fariduddin Ahmad in his welcome speech expressed his gratitude to the accountholders.

He said, "Your relation with the bank is not just like the relation maintained in the conventional Banks. You are our business partners. It is your cooperation which escalated Islami Bank as the best bank in the country."

He called upon to be more attentive in abiding by the principles of Shari'ah. He urged all to accelerate the speed of success and progress of the bank.

Emirates' Travel Agent Workshop 2008 showcases airline's thrust on technology

Emirates, the airline of choice for Bangladeshis, announced its plans to invest in cutting-edge technology at the recently-concluded Emirates Travel Agent Workshop 2008.

At the workshop held every year to update the travel trade about the award-winning airline's latest products and services, Emirates' Area Manager for Bangladesh shared details of the airline's recent investment in technologically-advanced fleet and in the new, world-class terminal at Dubai International Airport.

Emirates took delivery of its first new-generation Airbus A380 aircraft on 29th July 2008 at the planemaker's Jürgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre in Hamburg, Germany. Emirates is due to receive five superjumbos in the current financial year, which ends 31 March, 2009, and receive the remaining 53 by June 2013. Emirates inaugurated its first A380 commercial flight on 1st August 2008 when the superjumbo departed for John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. The technologically-advanced aircraft was also showcased to travel trade and media in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Besides the Dubai-based airline's state-of-the-art fleet, the Bangladeshi travel agents were also briefed on Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. Boasting an annual capacity of 60 million passengers, the new terminal, dedicated exclusively for Emirates' flight operations will help meet Dubai and Emirates' robust growth projections.

In 2007-08, Emirates carried 21.2 million passengers. By 2012, the airline will have more than 200 aircraft in its fleet and is expected to carry in excess of 30 million passengers.

Terminal 3 will have 27 gates, including five dedicated for Emirates A380s, 180 check-in counters, a new light rail system allowing convenient transport around the airport and many other facilities.

The workshop also offered Emirates management an opportunity to brief agents on Emirates Holidays' TradeNet system which helps agent search for pre-built packages, create tailor-made quotations, check availability of flights and hotels and has the facility to communicate with Emirates Holidays via messaging system. The travel agents can also view the latest Emirates Holidays Newsletter on TradeNet.

The travel agents were also introduced to Farelogix, an internet-based system which allows authorised agents to access Emirates' reservations systems directly to check seat availability, make bookings, and issue tickets for their customers.

Mr. Zakaria noted: "Emirates' strategy has always been to invest in new technologies and methods to ensure a world-class product as well as to make our products more easily accessible to our customers and travel partners. We are delighted to share these new developments with our partners in the Bangladesh travel industry."

New procedures for visas at Dhaka's international airport, latest online fares of Emirates and its new routes for 2008 were also discussed.

SS Rahman (Poonam), Marketing Officer, Kazi Tarik Mahmood, Emirates Holidays Tours Executive, Mofizur Rahman, Senior Sales Support, AKM Junaied, Airport Services Officer and Md Saki, Pricing Executive, Emirates, made presentations on all the above topics.

Rupali Life Insurance makes business of Tk 78cr in 2007

BUSINESS REPORT

Rupali Life Insurance Company Ltd made a business worth Tk 78 crore in 2007, while the company achieved a growth rate of 28.36 per cent.

These were disclosed at the Annual General Meeting-2008 of Rupali Life Insurance Company Ltd held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the city.

Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of the company, presided over the meeting.

Golam Mustakim, Chief Insurance Controller of Directorate of Insurance and Additional Secretary of Ministry of Finance was present as special guest.

Abdul Matin, Technical Director of the company, was present.

Besides, a large number of shareholders, officials and employees of the company were present.

Mahfuzur Rahman said, "We have achieved the success because of unquestionable hard work of all the senior and junior officials of the company. I hope all concerned will extend all-out cooperation by all concerned of the company."

Golam Mustakim said, "The succession of Rupali Life Insurance Company will contribute to vibrating the country's economy. I believe the officials of the company will continue their jobs with honesty and sincerity."

Later, Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of the company gave away gold medals along with certificates to the highest premium-earning officials of the company. A colourful cultural programme was performed after the meeting

Premier Bank signs deal with Ania Trade

The Premier Bank Limited has appointed Messrs Ania Trade as an agent of the bank for marketing and recovery for CSS vehicle car loan under the bank's Consumer Credit Scheme. Initially Messrs Ania Trade will be allowed a revolving credit limit of Tk 20 crore.

An agreement in this respect was singed by the both organizations at the bank's Head Office at Banani in the city on August 11 last.

Premier Bank Managing Director Khondker Fazle Rashid, and Tipu Sultan, proprietor of the Messrs Ania Trade signed the agreement on their respective organizations.

Among others, Additional Managing Director of The Premier Bank Ltd Md Mokhlesur Rahman, Head of Credit Division of the bank Sahdat Hossain and other high officials of both the organizations were present on the occasion.

Higher educational institutions implement Oracle to raise efficiency

More than 24 leading colleges and universities worldwide recently purchased, implemented or upgraded Oracle® Applications and infrastructure software to increase operational efficiency and better serve students, faculty, staff and alumni. Several institutions have upgraded and/or implemented additional applications from Oracle to streamline processes deliver advanced self-service capabilities and help optimize system performance to better meet institutional goals.

In Pakistan, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) recently signed an agreement with Oracle partner, Techlogix, to implement Oracle's PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and PeopleSoft Enterprise Human Capital Management. Earlier, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) had also signed with Techlogix for implementation of Oracle's PeopleSoft Campus Solutions at its affiliated universities.

"The implementation of the PeopleSoft Campus Solution will help our universities streamline their processes, enhance administrative efficiency and ease the universities' interaction with existing and prospective students making education processes more productive," said Dr. Sohail Naqvi, executive director for Higher Education Commission.

Takaful Islami Insurance hands over Tk 50 lakh cheque to AIT

Professor Md Fazle Azim, Chairman of Takaful Islami Insurance Ltd handed over a cheque of Tk 50 lakh on August 12 to Mir Quasem Ali, Chairman of Agro Industrial Trust (AIT) and Chairman of Management Committee of Diganta Media being payment against a marine cargo claim of M/s Agro Industrial Trust.

On this occasion were present Abul Kashem Chowdhury, Managing Director of Takaful Islami Insurance Ltd, Md Shahidur Rahman, Senior Vice President and In-Charge of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, Mouchak Branch, Executive Director Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Director Dr Sanaullah, CEO Major Mohammad Atikul Hafiz (Retd) of M/s Agro Industrial Trust and Mohammed Selim, AGM and In-charge (Claims and R/I) of Takaful Islami Insurance Ltd.

Pakistan Dates Show-2008 Aug 18, 19

Pakistan High Commission, Dhaka in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Government of Pakistan, is organizing the 5th Pakistan Date Show at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on the 18th & 19th August 2008. Prominent Date growers and exporters from Pakistan will be exhibiting their products and varieties. The target audience of the show will be the fruit importers, dealers, wholesalers, distributors, super stores, retailers and consumers of the product. Dr. C.S Karim, Adviser, Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will inaugurate the Show.

Pakistan produces more than 6,00,000 metric tons of dates and is among the top 5 producers of date in the world. Pakistan supplies both dry and fresh dates. Pakistan's total export of dates has crossed US$ 36 million in 2006-07. For the past some years, exporters and growers of dates have been visiting Bangladesh. Due to its climate and soil conditions, dates in Pakistan ripe earlier than other date producing countries. Therefore these are available in time for the forthcoming Ramadan season. Pakistan has increased its share of date exports to Bangladesh from significantly. Bangladesh is one of the largest importer and consumer of Dates in the world, and an important non-date producing country.

Date varieties like Aseel, Muzawati, Karbala, Fasli and Kepro of Sindh, Begum Jangi etc. are being exported, in keeping with the growing demand for fresh dates, the first of the season from Pakistan.

The 10-member Date Delegation of Date exporters from Pakistan will arrive on 15th August 2008. Besides participating in the Date Show they will also visit the Badam Talli Date market and meet the small and medium importers of the dates as well. The exporters will also have individual business meetings with local importers of dates. If any importer of dates wish to seek a meeting with the delegation they may contact Commercial Counselor of Pakistan High Commission at the following address or email at pakcom.bdg@tdap.gov.pk .

Certificate awarding ceremony of PC and Internet for Women Entrepreneurs

A certificate awarding ceremony of a two-day training programme on "PC and Internet for Women Entrepreneurs" organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) was held on August 10 at Knowledge Center of DCCI Business Institute (DBI).

Khandaker Shahidul Islam, Vice-President, DCCI while giving certificates to the participants said that computer must be used as a very effective business communication tool to be competitive in the business.

He assured the participants of all cooperation from the DCCI. He suggested for using the infrastructural support provided by the DCCI as well as Knowledge Center facilities to collect all related updated business information.

The participants while explaining their experience from the training requested the chamber to organize long duration training on PC and Internet, they viewed short programme was effective one but because of shortage of time they could not practice more.

Ms Ferdaus Ara Begum, Additional Secretary (R&P) and coordinator of the training programme was also present in the ceremony.

In her speech she said that DCCI is very much willing to help the women entrepreneurs and also willing to organise two weeks or even if required month long training programme for women entrepreneurs.

Shamsuddin Azad, Deputy Secretary (MIS) and Hasan Iqbal (MIS) conducted the programme as resource person while Mrs. Rabeya Akhter of DCCI Research Cell also helped to coordinate the training programme.