The New Nation - Internet Edition

BB has pulled forex to safer places: Int’l money markets not yet ready for re-investment

Staff Reporter

Rather than profiting, Bangladesh is now trying to protect the principal amount of its investment in the plummeting currency markets of the developed world by shifting its foreign exchange to safer places.

Bangladesh has foreign currencies, amounting over five billion US dollar, invested in the money markets of UK and US which, the central bank officials say, are risk free.

According to a source in the Bangladesh Bank, the country has profited slightly for its investment in the US dollar, as the currency is becoming stronger than the euro and the pound sterling despite sliding of the US economy.

The central bank has invested 45 percent of its forex holdings in the US dollar, which was 26 percent a couple of months ago, he said.

A deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank yesterday said that its foreign currency reserves with the banks, mostly central banks, in deferent country's are "absolutely protected" despite overwhelming financial crisis there.

The central bank, however, is waiting for a suitable timing to reinvest the currency reserves, which it earlier diverted to safe deposits in the wake of global financial crisis.

"We'll have to do it… we'll do it as soon as we'll feel confident," Deputy Governor Ziaul Hassan Siddiqui told a press briefing at Bangladesh Bank yesterday.

He said the international money and capital markets bounced back only for last two days, which is not enough to consider reinvestment of the fund to get better returns. "At this moment, we're trying to protect our principal amount," he added, replying to a question.

The central bank invests the entire reserve of foreign currencies, which stands at US$ 5.6 billion as of yesterday, in the international money market at market rates.

The BB does not invest in risky ventures such as Lehman Brothers. BB invests in zero-risk US government treasury bonds.

But in the wake of global financial crisis, it started pulling the investments from the banks and financial institutions of different countries to the safe places of central banks of the respective countries, said the deputy governor.

He added that the rate of return on investment in the central banks would be 2 percent (average) lower than the market rates.

Asked whether Bangladesh Bank would go for rate cuts as many countries had done to face the crisis, Siddiqui said the ground reality was that many commercial banks went to the Bangladesh Bank on yesterday to deposit money. "It reflects that there is excess liquidity in the banking system."

Replying to another question, he said Bangladesh Bank would still maintain the cautious stance to avert any emerging situation although all the money has already been protected.

"There is no reason of adverse impact on the country's financial sector (due to the global financial crisis)," he said, mentioning the steps the central bank had taken long back.

Elaborating, he said the central bank has pulled the forex to safer places - central banks of different countries, while commercial banks have been asked to take necessary measures to protect their funds held outside the country.

Meanwhile, the countries severely affected by the financial crisis also assured that they would, by any means and whatever may be the cases, protect the deposits with banks and financial institutions of their countries.

"We're now in a position that we've bare, bare minimum risk even if the countries do not support us," said the deputy governor.

He rejected any possibility of affecting the country's capital market having foreign portfolio investment of 2.48 percent of the total securities. "Our market will not be affected even if the entire foreign investment (now in the country) goes away," he said.

Siddiqui, however, said he does not think that the investment would go away as Bangladesh's financial sector is much less risky than anywhere else.

Police escort cars for VIPs being withdrawn: Khaleda, Hasina will be no exception

Staff Reporter

Police escort vehicles for the VIPs including advisers will be returned to the DMP. So far these VIPs were provided twice the number of police escorts than during any elected government.

The Home Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Abdul Matin and Home Secretary Abdul Karim have already returned their police protection vehicles. However, plainclothes gunmen will provide protection to them.

The extra police protection vehicles for nine other advisers and five special assistants to the Chief Adviser will be returned to the DMP, source said without giving any specific date for the return.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had provided police pickup trucks for the VIPs' protection. Sources said even though the cabinet is one-fourth the size of the previous alliance government cabinet, members of this cabinet were using double police protection.

DMP sources said two pickup trucks with 16 policemen are provided to the Chief Adviser, while nine other advisers and five special assistants to the Chief Adviser use one pickup truck each and 144 policemen in total, the source said.

Only nine pickup trucks with around 70 policemen were used for protecting the 60-member cabinet of the last elected government. Three vehicles were used for the protection of the prime minister, one for the foreign minister, two for the opposition party leader and one for the state minister for home affairs.

The number of VIPs has almost doubled in this caretaker government.

At present, the president uses two police pickup trucks, former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina two vehicles each, the wife of the president one, wife of the chief adviser one, chief justice one, chief election commissioner (CEC) one, two election commissioners one each, speaker of the parliament and deputy speaker one each and the Army Chief uses one pickup truck along with the Army escort vehicle.

Deputy Commissioner (protection) Ahsan Habib Palash told the New Nation that the DMP had already received two vehicles returned from VIP protection assignment.

According to sources, the DMP with around 23,000 policemen has only 564 vehicles and most of them are very old and in a dilapidated condition. Only 50 of these vehicles are new and the new ones are generally assigned for the protection of the VIPs.

Govt-BNP talks inconclusive

Staff Reporter

The dialogue of BNP with the Government was on an agreement to hold the general polls on December 18 in participation of all political parties but there was disagreement on the issues of withdrawal of emergency and deferment of upazila polls.

During the three-hour dialogue started at 11:15am at the Chef Adviser's Office in the city, the BNP reiterated its demand for withdrawal of the state of emergency, which the government side felt should continue in a relaxed way.

On upazila elections, now scheduled for December 24, the party made mention of some difficulties in holding the polls within such a short period after the parliamentary polls, which the government felt were possible to overcome.

However, both the Government and BNP agreed to sit again soonest to settle outstanding issues.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Government side in the talks while the BNP side was led by its Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain.

Briefing reporters at the CA Office, both the government and BNP sides said the dialogue was held in a cordial environment on relating issues concerning the forthcoming polls.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain said they tabled seven-point demand without implementation of which holding a free and fair elections which was discussed by both sides.

He said they tabled seven-point demand without implementation of which holding a free and fair election, which was discussed by both sides.

The issues include, the state of emergency, upazila polls, the Representation of People Order (RPO), post-election stability, transition through a qualitative political change, level playing field for all political parties and delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

"We think the implementation of the demands will help to create an electoral atmosphere. It is not possible to hold elections amid the state of emergency," he observed

Asked which issues were settled during the dialogue, he however, said the issues were not yet finalized. "It needs further discussion. It is difficult to say which demands have been met and which not. It can be ascertained after the final dialogue," he said.

He said, "We clearly apprised the government that BNP is very eager and serious about holding a fair and neutral elections on December 18."

"The government side assured us about the matter. More discussions would be held," he said.

Replying to a question on party registration with the Election Commission, he said the next dialogue will be held before the October 20 deadline for registration and hoped the issue would be solved then.

Adviser for Education and Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, who is acting as government spokesperson on national dialogue, said the BNP demonstrated their positive attitude towards the present caretaker government's effort to ensure post-election stability for transition into a qualitative polity as well as establishing a corruption-free society.

Replying to a question, he said the perspective of state of emergency as well as application of emergency has been transformed as many provisions of the sate of emergency have been relaxed.

"It is urgent to remove all restrictions to pave the way for carrying out political activities freely and, similarly, it is also urgent to make sure that voters can exercise their franchise freely without fear.

Those things would be solved through discussions," he said.

The Adviser said both formal and informal dialogues and discussions would continue with political parties and stakeholders concerned to solve all the outstanding issues step by step.

Replying to a question, he said in the wake of the prevailing global financial crisis Upazila election is urgent to turn Bangladesh into a medium-income country through expediting economic activities down to the local levels.

About BNP's request to create level playing field through necessary transfer of the government employees, he said they requested the BNP to give them specific information if they have any idea over any person.

Adviser for LGRD M Anwarul Iqbal and Adviser for ommunications Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader were also present from government side at the dialogue.

The 13-member BNP delegation also include Saifur Rahman, RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Khondoker Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, M Shamsul Islam, Sarwari Rahman, TH Khan, MK Anwar, Hannan Shah, Selima Rahman, Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy.

China, Bangladesh agree to narrow trade gap: Buying mission in Dhaka to find importable goods

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh and China have agreed to reduce trade gap through providing duty free access to more Bangladeshi products, representatives of two countries discussed it yesterday.

Bangladesh has been given duty free access to 84 of its products under Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) but it could not avail the opportunity as very few of those products was in her basket.

Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed told The New Nation yesterday that during the meeting with the Chinese delegation he has reiterated duty free access of 74 more products, export of which can narrow the trade gap.

The buying mission led by Deputy Director General for Asia region Liang Wentao also agreed that the two countries should narrow the trade gap and to this effect they came to Bangladesh to see what products they can import from here, Firoz Ahmed informed.

The mission discussed increase of export of leather and leather goods, frozen food and raw jute alongside incorporation of new products in Bangladesh's export to China. They also discussed raising Chinese investment in Bangladesh's infrastructure, power, energy and some other sectors.

According to the statistics available, trade gap between China and Bangladesh is increasing day by day alongside increasing of latter's export. Bangladesh has imported Chinese goods worth USD 3,103.79 million and exported goods worth USD106.95 million during the fiscal year 2007-08. The last year's trade gap between the two countries rose to US$2996.84 million against its previous year's US$2444.17 million.

AL’s no to national govt move: PM-level security for Hasina, Khaleda demanded

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League will submit its registration form to the Election Commission on Tuesday morning within the previously-set deadline after provisionally amending party constitution in preparation for the December elections.

Acting general secretary of the party Syed Ashraful Islam Tuesday said they welcomed the extension of the timeframe for registration, which they think in no way cause deferment of the general election set for December 18.

Talking to reporters at party's Dhanmondi office he said they would have no problem following the deferment of the registration date as they want all political parties to get registered with the Election Commission and participate in the parliamentary polls.

"We do not believe it also that extension of the registration date will create any possibility of deferment of the parliamentary polls," he said.

He noted as the Chief Adviser and the EC are repeatedly assuring the nation of holding the elections on the declared date, there is no scope for harboring doubt about the elections on December 18.

"The December 18 elections cannot be deferred even for a single minute," he said.

Ashraful also suggested the government to provide Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the two former premiers, with special security ahead of the national elections being held at a critical time in the country's political history.

He made the demand when a journalist questioned if they are apprehending any militant or terrorist attack on Hasina on her return from the United States, where she has been staying since her release from prison on parole for treatment.

Ashraful asked the government to give the two leaders special security like prime minister of the country.

Awami League will formally approach to the government for Hasina's security after she returns from America.

Ashraful said Hasina might return on October 26, but the date is tentative.

The journalists asked him to respond to Monday's remarks of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) that the political parties should show specific reasons why the state of emergency would have to be lifted ahead of the polls.

Ashraful Islam said firstly, under the state of emergency, general elections would not be acceptable to the national and international communities and secondly, political parties might use the emergency law as an excuse to boycott the elections.

"These reasons, I think, are enough to remove the state of emergency fully before the polls," he said.

He said the coming general election is very much important in regional and global political context and the whole world would keep an eye on the Bangladesh polls.

"The global community will be eager to see what changes in the country's socio-politico arena have come in the last two years. Such an important election cannot be held under emergency," he said.

The emergency law is the biggest obstacle to having a free and fair general election, he remarked.

When journalists reminded him about the Awami League's participation in the four city corporation and nine municipality elections under the emergency, Islam said local elections and the general election are not the same thing.

He said there is no need to keep the emergency law in force during the polls as country's police and special forces like Rab are very much capable of maintaining law and order.

Asked if Awami League would join the polls if the government remained rigid on arranging the polls under the emergency law, he replied the government did not come up with such a stand yet.

Ashraful also informed that formation of the planned grand alliance would be finalized after Sheikh Hasina's return.

He said Awami League would start talks with its 14-party alliance in a day or two on the pros and cons of the grand alliance to give it a final shape.

About HM Ershad-led Jatiya party's seat distribution among its candidates in the 300 constituencies, though it is considered a component of the grand alliance, Ashraful said it is the seat distribution of a single party, nothing else.

Final voter list submitted: CEC confident about JS elections by Dec

Maj Gen Shafiqul Islam handing over the final
voter-list to the Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul
Huda at the Election Commission Secretariat on Tuesday.
Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain and M Shakhawat
Hossain were present. FocusBangla

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said with a firm confidence that the commission would be able to hold the parliamentary polls within December as they got the final countrywide voter list within the specific timeframe.

He expressed the optimism after receiving the final voter list at the EC secretariat where secretary the Army Headquarters Maj General Shafiqul Islam submitted the list to the commission with a total of 8,11,30,987 voters enrolled across the country.

Election Commissioners M Sohul Hissain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, EC secretary M Humayun Kabir and EC officials concerned were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh Army had started off the voter-listing operation through registering some 46,000 voters on June 10, 2007 from a pilot project in Shreepur upazila in Gazipur district and completed the field-level registration activities on June 30 this year.

There were over 9.3 crore voters found on the voter list 2006, which was the bone of contention as the then opposition Awami League complained about huge fake voters that eventually led to the political crisis and changeover in January last year. The list was cancelled as also was the general election set for January 22, 2007.

The number of voters on the remade photo-voter list, prepared under army guidance under a donor-aided project in the interim period, came down by around a crore and half.

The CEC said the accomplishment of the voter list has removed the people's doubt, confusion and debates over it. "Today is our day for joy and pride," he said.

He said the transparent voter list is a fundamental ground for holding a free, fair and acceptable election. "About 1.5 crore voters were found less on the newly finalized voter list, and most of them were fake voters," he told the journalists.

Describing the previous voter list as fake, Dr Huda said people harbored doubt over the previous voter list and the election on January 22, if held, would have come under question. "Now we're sure that there's no faking in it," he said.

The CEC forecast that there's no possibility of fake voting this year as the voter list with photographs was made.

Dr Huda urged the country's voters to go to the vote centers without getting intimidated and expressing fear and confusion for casting their valuable vote. "There's no chance here to cast fake vote," he said.

Replying to a question he said the commission has tried to cover all competent citizens, including slum-dwellers, prisoners and gypsies in the rivers, in registering as voter through making liberal interpretation of the constitutional rules.

Referring to the constitution, the CEC said it is stated in the constitution that people should have minimum an address to get registered on the voter list.

Asked about the case of ex-PM Khaleda Zia, who had earlier refused to be voter from within jail, Dr Huda said she would be able to be voter anytime when she likes as her case is special one. "She was asked to be voter. She will be voter when she likes," he said.

He, however, said the ordinary people who remained left out from the voter registration would not be drastically enrolled before the ninth parliamentary elections, set for December 18.

Replying to a question the CEC said the voter list would be updated every year, beginning from January 2, 2009, and then the new voters would be included in the list. "Voter-registration will not be possible during the period from announcement of the election schedule till the election date," he said.

The CEC expressed gratitude to all concerned, including army, officials and development partners, for their efforts to accomplish the gigantic task of voter registration across the country.

After handing over the voter list to the commission, Maj Gen Shafiqul Islam said the voter list made by the army was comparatively more sophisticated and flawless digital list than other countries in the world.

"Now we feel comfortable as we've completed this gigantic task in time," he said.

DSE shares gain Investors cautioned about overpriced issues

UNB, Dhaka

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) registered substantial gains for the second consecutive day yesterday, with investors regaining confidence over the panic-stricken market.

Brokers, however, cautioned investors about overpriced issues to avert possible losses.

They said the market was rising significantly after overcoming the panic generated from the global financial crisis, but the already overpriced shares were gaining further. "Any heavy price correction could cause substantial losses to the investors," said one of them.

Brokers said few shares having good fundamentals but remained under-priced since long were seen coming up to the forefront during the day's trading.

Govt-Jamaat talks termed fruitful

Staff Reporter

The caretaker government held dialogue with the Jammat-e- Islami Bangladesh yesterday at the Chief Adviser's Office aimed at resolving some outstanding issues for holding free and fair elections in the country.

The two hours long dialogue started at 3:15 pm and lasted at 5:15 pm.

Both the government and Jammat leaders termed the dialogue as 'fruitful and cordial'. They unanimously agreed that the parliamentary elections must he held on December 18.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakruddin Ahmed led the government side. Five Advisers Major General (Retd) Ghulam Quader, AF Hassan Ariff, Anwarul Iqbal, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowhury and Hossain Zillur Rahman were present in the dialogue.

Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ameer, led the delegation of Jammat.

Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, Secretary General, Moqbul Ahemd, Naeb-e- Ameer, Moulana Delwar Hossain Saidee, Executive Member, Assistant Secretaries Generals Moulana Abdus Sobhan, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, Abdul Qader Mollah, ATM Azharul Islam, Barrister Abdur Razzak, Moulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Executive Member and Jasimuddin Sarkar, Executive Council Member were present during the dialogue.

After the meeting, in a joint press conference Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told the media that they had held a very constructive and fruitful dialogue with the Jammat delegation.

" We have discussed different issues and believe that all the outstanding problems could be resolved through discussions," he said adding that both the government and political parties have to play an important role in helping the country for overcoming the democratic transition of power.

Dr Zillur reiterated that the parliament elections will be held on the scheduled date.

" The government has created an atmosphere conducive for elections and we firmly believe that it will be held on scheduled date," he said.

On the issue of lifting of the state of emergency he said the government has placed its logics for the continuation of state of emergency.

" As they (Jammat) placed logics for lifting the state of emergency and we also put the rationalities for relaxing the state of emergency," he said.

He, however, said the Government is gradually relaxing the state of emergency in phases.

" We also discussed with them as how the mass people could exercise their franchise without any fear or intimidation," he added.

Post elections stability, creating culture of politics of tolerance and tendency to accept the results of elections have also discussed in the meeting, he mentioned.

Mentioning the Government's neutrality during the elections the Commerce and Education Adviser said the Government has started reposting officials of the field level administration.

Terming the meeting with the government as 'fruitful' Moulana Nizami said they had held a constructive dialogue with the government.

On the issue of elections he said " There is no alternate of general elections and it is essential to hold all parties participatory parliamentary polls on announced date in the interest of the people and country,".

"Ensuring favourable atmosphere for holding elections, lifting state of emergency, withdrawal of cases against political leaders and activists, fixing a rational date for upazila elections from parliament polls, necessary amendments of the Representation of People Order (RPO), giving scope to agriculture and house loan defaulters to be election candidates, creating level playing field for all political parties in elections, restore the 'National Revolution and Reconciliation Day' on November 7 as government holiday are among the issues that the Jammat leaders have discussed with the government.

Mujahid and dialogue with Govt

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Jamaat
Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami at the joint press
conference after holding the dialogue at the Chief Adviser's
Office on Tuesday. Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan
Mohammad Mujahid was present. Fo

Staff Reporter

Jammat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujaheed could attend yesterday's dialogue with the government despite there being a warrant of arrest against him as the trial court has asked him to appear by October 16, Barrister Abdur Razzak, assistant secretary general of the party said.

As the question was raised in the post dialogue joint press briefing Barrister Razzak said there was nothing illegal in Mujaheed's attending the meeting.

Jamaat Secretary General ali Ahsan Mujahid who is under warrant of arrest for involvement in Barapukuria Coalmine Graft Case led 11-member delegation along with Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami in scheduled talks with the government to resolve the present political issues relating to holding coming December 18 parliamentary polls under recently amended RPO.

The dialogue was hosted by the Government at the CA's office at Tejgaon. Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Government delegation.

Mujahid's bail petition was rejected by a High Court division bench earlier and he was asked to surrender in the trial court. The police in their report submitted to the court said, Mujahid was not found at his house at Uttara what they said during their raid.

The law-enforcers chargesheeted him as an absconder in the court. Mujahid was also found in holding meeting at Faridpur and Satkhira. DMP Commissioner Naeem Ahmed said they were examining the legal aspect of the warrant of arrest.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the dialogue that lasted for more than two hours from 3pm, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur informed that fruitful discussions were held on logical issues as the both sides want to push forward the ongoing election process.

He said that the both sides need to be reasonable on logical demands and all would have to make contributions to the transition of a successful election. The government will keep its doors open for any future discussions on specific logical matters.

On the critical issue of lifting the state of emergency, Hossain Zillur admitted the fact that emergency rules are great obstacles to political activities. But the government side raised the background of the promulgation of the state of emergency, he said, adding that in the past, the emergency was relaxed on different occasions.

The Adviser assured that the government would look into the specific provisions that obstruct healthy political activities. It must also be ensured that voters can vote without fear and intimidation, he said.

He added that a congenial atmosphere for free and fair election would be created through discussions.

On deferring dates of Upazila elections, the Adviser said the government side explained that it would be practical to hold the Upazila polls on the announced dates. However, he said that if there is problem, more discussions could take place on the subject.

Hossain Zillur said that during the dialogue, the two sides agreed that a neutral administration is important to ensure fair polls. The government would look into any logical suggestion from parties regarding the transfer of government officials.

The questions like acceptance of election results, avoidance of force and practicing the culture of tolerance were also discussed during the dialogue.

The dialogue held at the CA's office was led by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed from the Government side.

UK minister due today

UNB, Dhaka

UK Minister of State for Asia, Africa and the UN Lord Mark Malloch Brown arrives here today (Wednesday) on a 3-day official visit to Bangladesh.

The British Minister will call on the Chief Adviser, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, the Home Affairs Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff and senior figures from two main political parties during the visit Brown will also meet a range of senior civil society figures, as well as meet Bangladeshi members of UN Peacekeeping forces, and hold a roundtable with human rights defenders Ahead of his visit, Brown said, "At this critical point in Bangladesh' s history, attention has to be on achieving a smooth, peaceful transition to an elected government in 2008 and securing lasting, sustainable democracy thereafter. "

He said the UK's interests in this country, like those of the Bangladeshi people, depend on establishing a stable and democratic Bangladesh.

Brown said "What's at stake - the future development of Bangladesh and its people - is too important to risk a return to the politics of violence and confrontation. That's why we encourage all sides to create conditions conducive to holding credible elections, to engage constructively with the democratic process, to commit to participation in elections, and to embrace and consolidate the positive institutional reforms that have taken place during the last two years."

The British Minister said strong democracies need strong institutions. They also need parties that are prepared to work with others constructively and consensually.

Brown's visit to Bangladesh is the sixth by a UK Minister in the last ten months, underlining the importance attached to the bilateral relationship between the UK and Bangladesh, and the new heights that it has attained.

Zardari seeks Chinese cash

Agency, Beijing

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in China on his first state visit abroad.

He hailed China as "the future of the world" before departing Islamabad on a trip that is expected to see him seek much needed financial help.

He has stressed that building economic links with Beijing would be his top priority during his four-day visit.

China is one of Pakistan's oldest allies and the visit is the president's first since taking office in September.

"China is the future of the world. A strong China means a strong Pakistan," the Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted Zardari as saying in an interview on Monday ahead of his departure.

Zardari's four-day visit to Beijing is at the invitation of Chinese President, Hu Jintao.

Pakistan and China are traditional allies with long-standing economic and commercial relations.

The president is likely to sign many agreements during his visit Beijing is also Islamabad's biggest weapons supplier and is helping Pakistan to build a nuclear power plant-the second such project between them.

Pakistani officials say "important agreements will be signed" during President Zardari's visit to enhance co-operation in various sectors and seek China's help in the current economic crisis.

The visit comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with the US have been strained.

Taylor hits ton NZ clinch ODI series

New Zealand Cricket team poses for a photograph with
the winners trophy of the BRAC Bank ODI Series at the Bir
Sreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on
Tuesday. FocusBangla

UNB, Chittagong

A brilliant ton by right-hand batsman Ross Taylor enabled visiting New Zealand to clinch the three-match BRAC Bank ODI Series 2-1 beating Bangladesh by 79 runs in the 3rd match at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chittagong on Tuesday.

After winning the first match by seven wickets, there was a very good chance for the Tigers to clinch the series against a strong team like the Kiwis, but they were not able to avail the opportunities.

Chasing a target of 250, Bangladesh's hope for their first series win against a Test-playing nation other than Zimbabwe was shattered as they were able to manage 170/8 in the allocated 50 overs. Tamim Iqbal, the local boy, raised expectations with a brisk 35 runs, but he was one of four batsmen to fall in the space of just 10 runs. Later, Nayeem Islam with his unbeaten 46 helped the hosts take the total to near the 175-mark.

Although Bangladesh made a patient start, but Junaid Siddiqui fell early to Kyle Mills for 1.

Debutante Imrul Kayes was the 2nd man to go for 12 when Jacob Oram, who failed earlier with the bat, struck in his first over, having Kayes caught behind with Bangladesh score at 49.

Then Tamim on the same score of 49 returned to the pavilion nicking Jeetan Patel to McCullum. Then an ambitious shot from skipper Mohammad Ashraful (8) against Oram led to his downfall, and a slog-sweep from Shakib Al Hasan (1) made it two wickets for Patel as well.

After that newcomer Nayeem Islam's not out 46 along with tail-ender Abdur Razzak's 27 and Mushfiqur Rahim's 15 helped the hosts to cross the 150-mark.

Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram and spinner Jeetan Patel played their part with the ball claiming two wickets each to notch a morale booster series victory before the test matches.

Earlier, after winning the toss for the first time, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori didn't hesitate to bat first. And with Taylor's scintillating century along with a useful fifty from number three Jamie How the touring side posted 249 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs.

The early loss of openers Jesse Ryder 3 and Brendon Mc Cullum 6 with team total at 13 hinted at yet another top-order collapse, but Ross Taylor and Jamie How ensured that the task of batting out the overs do is not left to the lower-order batsmen in the series-decider.

Taylor's 3rd ODI century of 103 and How's 73 came at a quick pace to boost New Zealand to a defendable score, but it was a still not-so-convincing batting performance, with the rest of the top seven failing to make more than 12.

After losing two quick wickets, How along with Taylor put up 125 runs in the 3rd wicket to steady the ship for the tourists.

How was lbw to off spinner Nayeem Islam at the score of 138/3 in 36.1 overs. Taylor then took charge, and the scoring-rate was kept above six as New Zealand pushed for a total of around 250.

Two quick wickets hampered their chances of pushing the run-rate in the third power play (overs 35-40). Taylor fell to Mashrafe soon after his third hundred - his first since February 2007-with only 44 of his runs coming in boundaries.

Vettori not out 19 and Kyle Mills not out 18 chipped in with useful contributions at the end, adding 30 in the last three overs.

Spinner Shakib Al Hasan and pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged two wickets apiece for 41 and 50 runs respectively for the hosts.

Subrata confesses involvement in political killings

Mamunur Rashid

Subrato Bain, known as the "terror" of Moghbazar, confessed to his involvement in hundreds of political killings in the country during his interrogation by Kolkata police.

Bain is wanted in at least 17 criminal cases, including five murders in the country.

He was produced in court yesterday and remanded to police custody for 14 days. Bain was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and two rounds of bullet. The charges against him are under the Arms Act and Foreigners Act. Although Kolkata Police claims to have arrested him on Saturday from the area where chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's residence is located, there are reports that he was under detention since Friday.

Born in Barisal, Bain, 39, is an accused in the August 21, 2006 assassination attempt on Awami League chief and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Twenty-four people died in the bomb attack, which was allegedly planned at the then operational headquarters of the ruling party. A day before the assassination bid, Bain, along with five other Bangladeshi nationals, entered the country from India and were housed in the apartment of Indrani Hawladar, a model girl and a mafia don of India, in the posh Banani area in the city.

Those who accompanied him were Sohail, Apollo, Gujja Biplab, Madhu Babu and Mollah Masud. Masud managed to escape arrest when Bain was arrested by the Kolkata Police.

Acting on a "tip off," Kolkata police raided the apartment. Two other persons, including a driver and the driver's helper, were not taken into custody. Bain purchased the property at 9/3, Palm Avenue a couple of years back and rented it out to another person recently.

The arrest appears to be significant for the caretaker government. The Advisory Council would be only too glad with Bain's arrest since it began a crackdown in 2006 on suspected criminals who are also Awami League and BNP activists hiding in India.

The arrest assumes importance in the wake of preparations for National elections scheduled for December 18 followed by 482 upazila polls.

First quarter: VAT collection Tk 2460cr less than target

Shamim Jahangir

National Board of Revenue (NBR) could not achieve its first quarter target of revenue collection this fiscal due to increase in the price of cell phone SIM by mobile companies in the country, according to NBR sources.

The NBR has collected revenue of Tk 11,165 crore against its target of Tk 13,625 crore from July to September this fiscal.

The Grameen Phone Limited, a major cell phone company has paid VAT of Tk 277.66 crore to NBR for the first quarter (July to September) of this fiscal.

It had paid Tk 282.65 crore in the first quarter of the last fiscal 2007-08, sources said.

The company has paid Tk 5 crore less as VAT to NBR due to poor sale of SIM cards since September, sources added.

Banglalink (Sheba Telecom Private Ltd), another cell phone company had paid Tk 49.75 crore as VAT in August while it paid Tk 17.79 crore in September after the increase in the price of SIM card.

Following the price hike of SIM card, the sale of SIM has fallen substantially, sources said. It directly affected revenue collection target, NBR sources added.

Cell Mobile Phone Company ATM International Bangladesh Limited (AKTEL) provided Tk 61.11 crore in the first quarter of 2008-09, while it had paid Tk 66.26 crore for the same period in the previous fiscal year as VAT.

Warid Telecom International Limited has paid VAT of Tk 49.11 crore from July to September this fiscal while Tk 72.38 crore for the same period last year.

Teletalk Bangladesh Limited has paid Tk 2.38 crore less as VAT for the first three months of this fiscal.

Koko’s parole extended

UNB, Dhaka

The government yesterday extended the parole of Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's, by a month.

According to the home ministry, the parole of Koko has been extended till November 16 on health ground after his lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokan prayed for it on Monday. Terms and conditions of the parole will remain the same.

Koko, who was released on two-month parole on July 17 on health grounds, is now undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok.

Khaledza Zia, her elder son Tarique Rahman and younger son Koko were arrested on September 3, 2007.