The New Nation - Internet Edition

President calls for increasing trade relations between Bangladesh and DPRK

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said there are considerable potentials in increasing trade relations between Bangladesh and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

He said that DPRK could import Bangladesh's world class pharmaceutical, leather, ceramic and readymade garment products at a very competitive price.President Iajuddin made the remark when the newly appointed DPRK Ambassador to Bangladesh Sin Hong Chol presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban.

He expressed his satisfaction at the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, saying that Bangladesh attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and cooperation with DPRK.

Dr Ahmed underscored the need for exchanging business delegations to explore new opportunities for further cooperation in trade and commerce sectors.

Dr Ahmed also conveyed his greetings through the envoy to the head of state of DPRK, Kim Jong Il and head of government Kim Yong Il.

He sought the envoy's cooperation to further strengthen economic and cultural bilateral ties between the two brotherly Asian countries. The DPRK envoy sought the President's cooperation in discharging his duties in course of his mission in Bangladesh.Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and the President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present.

Earlier, on his arrival at Bangabhaban, a smart contingent of the President's Guard Regiment gave the new DPRK envoy a guard of honour.

Int'l business confce begins today

Staff Reporter

A two-day International Business Conference begins in the city today to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the conference at 9:30am at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre while UNCTAD Secretary-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi will be the keynote speaker.

Leading economists, entrepreneurs, policy makers, trade ministers, Nobel laureates, chamber leaders and members of international media are expected to attend the conference.

The theme of the conference is "Next Fifteen Years: A Vision for Growth."

DCCI sources said, the conference event includes, four parallel roundtables, trade fair, a grand light and sound show at Lalbagh Fort depicting changes of couture and cuisine of Dhaka over the last 400 year, unwrapping of a book on 400 years of Commercial history of Dhaka and DCCI business awards.

Chargesheet against Saifur's son, Ex-MP Nadim, Taimur

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission is set to charge-sheet former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman's son Shafiur Rahman Babu, ex BNP lawmaker Nadim Mostafa and BNP leader Taimur Alam Khandaker in separate graft cases.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing Thursday that the anti-graft watchdog has approved the submission of charge-sheets against the trio.

Saifur's son Babu will be charge-sheeted in the case filed on April 29 this year for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 13.85 crore and concealment of information of assets worth Tk 1.22 crore.

The ACC will press charge against former BNP MP Nadim Mostafa (Rajshahi-4) for acquiring unearned wealth worth Tk 2.85 crore and hiding information of wealth worth Tk 2.52 crore.

Both the charge-sheets will be submitted under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 and section 15 of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

BNP leader Taimur Khandaker, also former chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), will be charge-sheeted in the case filed for not submitting his wealth statement to the Commission in due time.

Col Hanif told the briefing that the Commission has also approved submission of charge-sheet against Shahid Miah, an individual from Ganderia, in the case filed against him for offering bribe of Tk 49,400 to RAB members for getting the release of Nahid Miah, who was arrested with Phensidyl and cash.

Moeen seeks Korean help in dev defense capability

UNB, Seoul

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday met Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Korean Armed Forces General Kim Tae-Young and sought Korean government's cooperation in developing Bangladesh's defense capability.

During the meeting, General Moeen also proposed that Korean companies could set up joint venture companies in Bangladesh to produce armaments and vehicles, and requested for increased training opportunities for the officers of Bangladesh Army to receive training in Korea.

General Kim assured him of best possible cooperation from his side in this regard and appreciated the role of Bangladesh army in UN peacekeeping operations.

Earlier in an interview to the "The Korea Times", a widely circulated English newspaper, General Moeen highlighted the significant role of Bangladesh Armed Forces in maintaining international peace through participation in the UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

He also said Bangladesh has many things to learn from the miraculous economic development of Korea.

Later, General Moeen attended a dinner hosted in his honour by Bangladesh Ambassador to South Korea Shahidul Islam where representatives from Korean government, business community and civil society attended.

BKMEA president elected IAF board member

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) president Fazlul Haque has been elected a board member of International Apparel Federation (IAF).

The election was held at Maastricht in Netherlands on October 29 during the 24th World Apparel Convention of IAF, a largest global business body of readymade garments industry.

Over 120 business and industrial organisations, research and educational institutions of 42 countries are the members of IAF. It represents over 150,000 institutions through its members, said a BKMEA press release yesterday.

Biennial council of BFUJ today

UNB, Dhaka

The biennial council of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) will be held at National Press Club today.

Eminent educationist Prof. Anisuzzaman will attend the occasion as chief guest.

BFUJ secretary general Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan called upon journalists to attend the inaugural session of the council to be held at 10 am.

Int'l literature confce held at DU

UNB, Dhaka

English Department of Dhaka University organized a daylong international literature conference titled 'African Literature in English' at RC Majumdar auditorium yesterday.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr SMA Faiz inaugurated the conference, which was organized marking the 50 years celebration of the Nigerian renowned writer Chinua Achebe's modern classical novel "Things Fall Apart".

Prof. Dr Khondakar Ashraf Hossain, convener of the conference and chairman of English Department, gave welcome address.

Country's teachers, researchers and two representatives from India and Kenya attended the conference where 25 articles were presented in five sessions.

Later, a play was staged by theatre group Dhaka Padatik.

Minu to be charge-sheeted in graft case

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission is going to press charges in the graft case filed against detained former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor and BNP lawmaker Mizanur Rahman Minu for amassing illegal wealth and hiding information thereof.

ACC sources told UNB that the Commission has approved the submission of charge-sheet against the immediate-past RCC mayor, who was booked while in office during the countrywide purge in the interim period.

Minu will be charged with earning illegal wealth worth Tk 3.08 crore and concealment of information of wealth worth Tk 2.02 crore.

ACC deputy director Abdul Karim will submit the charge-sheet in Rajshahi. The case was filed with Boalia police station on November 18, 2007.

The charge-sheet will be submitted under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004 and section 15 of the Emergency Power Rules 2007.

Four firearms, 13 bombs recovered in Satkhira

UNB, Satkhira

Police seized four firearms and 13 home made bombs from Kashibati under Kaliganj upazila Wednesday night and arrested a man.

A police team raided the house of Lutfar Rahman of village Kahsibati village and seized three pipe-guns, one revolver and seven bombs, Lutfar was taken into custody.

Eight more bombs were seized in another raid in the house of Abu Bakkar in Nowapara village but none was arrested.