The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORTER

Islamic Development Bank and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited expanded their hands of cooperation to rescue the distressed people who were affected by cyclone Sidr. As a part of this cooperation, Islamic Development Bank has offered residence facilities for the 120 distress families and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited is playing the duty of implementing the project. AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser of Law, Religion and Land Ministry of Caretaker Government handed over the key of the houses through a function held on 17 October at Matherpar Village, Khontakata Union under Sharankhola Upazilla of Bagerhat District. Presided over by Kazi Harun-ar-Rashed, Chairman, Audit Committee the function was attended as Special Guest by Dr. Mohammad Hasan Salem, Chief of Special Assistant Division of Islamic Development Bank.

Earlier, they inaugurated the 'Fael Khair Program' of 45 dollars for the Sidr affected areas in a function. Under the supervision of Islamic Development Bank and Islami Bank Foundation the project was formally commenced through distributing profit free investment among 10 women with a view to making them solvent at Sharankhola of Bagerhat. The function was addressed among others by Md. Saif Uddin, Representative of IDB for Bangladesh, Aparup Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat District, Md. Awlad Ali Fakir, Superintendent of Police, Md. Nurul Islam, Executive Vice President of IBBL and Moulana Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of Khontakata Union Parishad.

Under the program profit free Investment amounting Taka ten thousand to taka seventy five thousand will be distributed among the cyclone affected farmers of 12 districts to buy Seeds, fe11ilizer, pesticide, agricultural tools, domestic animal, fishing boat, fish meal. They are expected to be solvent with the profit free investment.

A. F. Hassan Ariff, Adviser of Law, Religion and Land said that the nation couldn't be developed without the development of agriculture. We have to be affluent by cultivating every inches of land. The farmers should be trained effectively regarding the procedure how three crops can be cultivated instead of one in the same firm land. For this reason, he welcomed the endeavour of IDB and Islami Bank Foundation and called upon the local administration to extend their coopel1ation.

Dr. Mohmmad Salem said, a ultra-modern Cyclone Centre will be built with the donated amount of money at the vicinity of sea shore. This Centre will be used not only as Cyclone Centres but also as Primary Schools, High Schools and Madrasahs. The Cyclone centres will be designed in such a way that not only the affected people but also the domestic animals can take shelter there. This program will be started soon with help of Bangladesh Government.

He called upon the local administration, local government and local people to expand co-operatation to implement the agricultural progamme for making the village folks solvent conducted by Islami Bank