The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A book on the "Commercial History of Dhaka" will be launched on November 1 at the concluding ceremony of the International Business Conference at Hotel Radisson Water Garden.

The book will be launched on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) this year.

In association with Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (ASB), the DCCI is publishing the book highlighting different phases of commercial and industrial history of the region.

A chronological order has been followed in describing the commercial aspects of Dhaka, with chapters describing the business history of Dhaka from 1947 to 1971, major shifts in the industrial and commercial life of Dhaka, Dhaka's business as seen by the elderly entrepreneurs as an oral history, while a separate chapter deals with the origin, development and the role of DCCI in the economy of Bangladesh.

The publication coincides with the historic celebration of Dhaka's 400 years of glorious existence as the capital.

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Awami League's Tofail Ahmed has welcomed the Election Commission's assurance that the schedule for national elections will be announced on Nov 2, saying timely polls are now certain.

"The decision has removed all the doubts over holding the national elections slated for Dec 18," AL presidium member Tofail told reporters yesterday after a meeting of the 14-party alliance at the party office.

The EC had said earlier in the day that it would announce the schedules for both national and upazila polls on Nov 2, but the AL leader made no mention of the latter.

The party has been opposed to the upazila polls being held under the tenure of the caretaker government.

"We hope the government will press forward for a fair election by implementing the issues we have discussed in the talks," Tofail said.

Asked about the agenda of yesterday's alliance meeting, he said: "We discussed how we can keep the alliance united."

Tofail was hopeful of creating a larger electoral alliance prior to the Jatiya Sangsad elections. "The greater alliance will be formed with progressive and democratic forces."

He showed annoyance when asked whether party chief Sheikh Hasina would be able to participate in the elections.

"If someone is barred from participating in the elections by force we have to take it that the government does not want the elections to go ahead," the AL leader said.

He added that Hasina faced no legal obstacle in contesting the elections.

"Advisers cannot say who are allowed to join the elections and who are not."

"Only the constitution can decide it," he said.