The New Nation - Internet Edition

Publication of white paper on aid for Sidr victims demanded

nation BUSINESS REPORT

Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) yesterday demanded publication of a white paper on the first anniversary of cyclone Sidr on receipt and utilization of aid money that the government, NGOs and the UN organizations handled to rehabilitate the disaster affected people.

The leaders of the EJWG raised the demand at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) yesterday morning blaming the advanced countries for neglecting payment of compensation to mitigate the impacts of global warming and climate change.

The sea level rise and other environmental disorders are causing cyclones, floods and draughts in Bangladesh but the responsible 'exploiters and polluters' nations are not taking serious steps for paying the affected countries.

EJWG president Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said, the country sustained a loss of US$ 1.7 billion from cyclone Sidr but the assistance from the global community stood altogether at US$ 350 million.

It is 20.5 percent of the total damage, he said and poised the question who would make good the huge losses. In stead, they are increasing the carbon emission and making the sea-line countries like Bangladesh more vulnerable, he observed.

The EJWG functionaries also severely criticized US president George W Bush for convening the G-20 conference in Washington to rebuild and strengthen the World Bank and IMF in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

The present boundless consumption and industrial activities in the advanced nations are also responsible for growing global warming. They said the US president by calling the G-20 conference has in fact attempted to undo a similar conference of world leaders under the auspices of the United Nations.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has already set up a committee with Nobel Laureate and former WB chief economist Joseph Stiglitz to hold the world economic conference in an attempt to rebuild the global economic and financial system supportive to a new world order.

President Bush wants to keep the global system under US control in the form of unlimited market freedom based on unlimited profiteering, which accelerated the current meltdown.

EJWG demanded that the world leaders should reject the Bush initiative and work for creating a new global economic order, which will have some room for state intervention to protect market and public interest.

Select potential borrowers, try to enhance bank business : Pubali Bank Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury advises officials

nation BUSINESS REPORT

A workshop on 'Consumers Credit' for the officers of Pubali Bank Ltd was held at Pubali Bank Head Office. It was organised by Pubali Bank Training Institute recently.

Managing Director of Pubali Bank Ltd Helal Ahmed Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the workshop.

In his speech, Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said that Pubali Bank fixed the lowest rate of interest in competitive market position and it appeared to be the lowest in this related sector.

He stressed on selection of potential borrowers and try to enhance bank business.

Helal Ahmed Chowdhury urged upon all the agents to keep close vigilance by intensive supervision and close monitoring of the loan so that disbursed loans might not become overdue or classified.

He advised all officials to abide by the rules and regulations of Bangladesh Bank and other regulatory bodies since the Pubali Bank is a very compliant bank.

The Managing Director also advised everyone to study the changes being taken place in financial markets of the world and gather knowledge form them.

Principal of the Training Institute Badruddin Ahmed, faculty member DGM Sushil Kumar Paul and Division Head of Consumers Credit Division DGM Md Hafizur Rahman were present at the workshop.

KFC and Pizza Hut complete World Hunger Relief Campaign with WFP

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

KFC and Pizza Hut have successfully completed the World Hunger Relief Campaign jointly with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to raise wider awareness on hunger and support WFP to provide meals to children in schools, helping to ensure they achieve an education--one of the most critical steps necessary to overcome poverty and hunger.

In Bangladesh the fund raising and awareness program concluded on November 13, 2008.

WFP Representative in Bangladesh John Aylieff and Executive Director of Transcom Food Ltd Akku Chowdhury attended completion ceremony of the month long programme on November 13 at KFC in Dhaka.

KFC and Pizza Hut have arranged the program for consecutive second time in Bangladesh.

In the month long program, customers of Pizza Hut and KFC participated by donating cash amounting Tk 71,949 which was equally matched by Transcom Foods Limited, the franchisee of Pizza Hut and KFC in Bangladesh. They handed over total amount of Tk 143,898 to WFP.

"At WFP we believe that hunger is not acceptable in today's world. Together with our corporate partners we can deliver hunger solutions. We are happy that our corporate partners in Bangladesh are coming forward with innovative ways to show their solidarity and to raise funds to give poor children the daily meal they deserve at school," said John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh.

"With present global economic crisis and increase of staple food prices, hunger will become a concern for all.

Bangladesh has struggled hunger for ages and unfortunately, we still have not been able to solve that issue. We hope through awareness and working together we can face this crisis head on," said Akku Chowdhury, Executive Director, Transcom Foods Ltd.

Hunger relief program was celebrated internationally from October 14-November 13, by all the restaurants under the Yum! International. The campaign led by Yum! (A & W, KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)--a network of over 35,000 restaurants in 112 countries-and the UN World Food Programme worked to raise awareness about hunger, with all proceeds going to the WFP.

Food insecurity affects over 923 million people worldwide. It is the largest global health threat, ahead of AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. Each day 25,000 people die of hunger related causes.

Diversification of jute products stressed

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

Speakers at a workshop in the city yesterday stressed the need for diversification of jute products keeping in view that the golden fibre would bring a good fortune for the country. In this respect, they called for giving importance on foreign design and demand for diversified production of jute goods to feed the world market.

The workshop on 'Technical design of diversified jute goods and raising their production" was held and the head office of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) here.

Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) and the BSCIC jointly organized the workshop, a BSCIC press release said.

Executive Director of the JDPC Dr ABM Abdullah, among others, addressed the workshop with Director (finance) of the BSCIC ABM Khorshed Alam in the chair.

A total of 20 entrepreneurs are taking part in the 10-day workshop, the press release said.

Southeast Bank Ltd holds workshop on risk management

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

Syed Imtiaz Hasib Deputy Managing Director of Southeast Bank Limited and Focus Group Member of Bangladesh Bank on Foreign Exchange and Asset Liability Risk Management while inaugurating the workshop emphasised the need for evolving appropriate steps for efficient implementation of Information and Communication Technology Risk Management.

He also urged the participants for the need of updated knowledge and continuous training on Information and Communication Technology Risk Management and other Risk Management areas so that they can handle clients' problems and mitigate banking risks effectively.

NESL gets Tk 7cr contract to build trawler Fish Mark-1

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

Narayanganj Engineering and Shipbuilding Ltd (NESL) has obtained a Tk 7 crore contract for building a deep-sea fishing trawler, Fish Mark-1, from a Bangladeshi sea-fish catching and preserving company named 'Fish Mark Complex.'

Maj Gen (Retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim BP, Managing Partner of Fish Mark Complex and Saiful Islam, Chairman of NESL yesterday inaugurated the keel laying of the trawler at NESL's shipyard premises at Nabiganj, Narayanganj.

All the deep sea fishing trawlers engaged in deep sea fishing in the coastal waters of Bangladesh are imported. But this will be the first time that a shipyard in Bangladesh has designed and is building this fishing trawler, which is capable of both bottom and surface water fishing. The trawler would cost two times higher than that of present price, if it were imported from abroad.

Saiful Islam said the same quality boat would cost about Tk 14 crore if Fish Mark were imported from abroad.

He expressed gratitude to the banks that agreed to finance both of the companies. "Due to the cooperation of AB Bank and Prime Bank huge amount of foreign currencies is saved."

Saiful Islam confidently said that the NESL would be able to deliver the trawler in time and maintain international standard.

He seemed to be worried about the critical situation of the country. "The image of the country tended downward four years from now. But the shipbuilding industry changed it. I am urging the future government to sustain that image", said the Chairman.

Ibrahim mentioned that they are saving one million dollar foreign currency by building this vessel in Bangladesh.

He hoped that Bangladesh would be able to manufacture ship of international standard.

NESL sailed its journey as SK Banerjy Shipyard in 1928. It was named Narayanganj Dockyard in 1951. Since then it has been manufacturing ferry and pontoon for BIWTA and Road and Highways. It started anew journey with new management and named it Narayanganj Engineering and Shipbuilding Ltd (NESL) in 2003.

DBBL opens 57th branch at Shahzadpur in Sirajganj

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited yesterday opened its 57th branch at Shahzadpur in Sirajganj district (Noor Super Market, Monirampur Bazar) with truly on-line banking facilities from the very opening day of the branch.

The branch was inaugurated by Md Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank. Ali also opened an ATM booth at the banch premises to facilitate round-the-clock banking services to the customers-like cash withdrawal, balance enquiry, mini-statement, payments of utility bills etc.

The opening ceremony started with a Milad-Mahfil seeking blessings of the Almighty Allah for successful operation of the branch, prosperity of the business community, depositors of the bank and stakeholders. The distinguished guests of inaugural ceremony opined that, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited is not only rendering present-day customers need banking services but also the Bank spends a significant portion of its annual profit for carrying out a wide range of philanthropic activities from which the society is at large benefited.

The local elites, business personalities, bankers, educationists and local journalists were present at the inaugural ceremony. The respected guests, residents of the locality and owners of business houses/shops showed their spontaneous enthusiasm by opening account with the bank.

BTCL awards Frontline for Logo making

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTRC) has awarded the Frontline Communications Ltd, an advertising agency for making its logo. For this purpose BTCL handed over the certificate of honour and award cheque to the company, says a press release.

Managing Director of BTCL Ashraful Alim formally handed over honorary certificate and award cheque to Ferdous Alam Mojumder, Chairman and Managing Director of Frontline Communications Ltd at Telecommunications Bhaban yesterday.

Members of BTCL Syed Mamun Akter, Ratan Chandra Bhowmik, Saleh Ahmed Hakim, Zahid Hasan Khan, Secretary of company AA Md. Moyasir, Director PR Sayeeda Haque and creative and client service officials of Frontline Communications Ltd were present.

It may be mentioned that after TNT Turned into BTCL, the board invited logo for the new company. Forty-seven organizations participated in the competition. The authority finally chooses the logo of advertising agency Frontline Communications Ltd.

Naymul Abedin also awarded at the same ceremony for slogan making, the press release further said.

Auction of 91-day and 364-day treasury bills held

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday held the 41st auction of the Treasury Bills of different maturities at its head office here.

Taka 255.25 crore and Taka 286.75 crore, in grand total Taka 542 crore, were offered for the 91-day and the 364-day bills respectively, a BB press release said.

Of the bills, Taka 105.75 crore and Taka 36.50 crore, in grand total Taka 142.25 crore, were accepted while Taka 144.25 crore and Taka 213.50 crore were developed on Primary Dealers for the 91-day and the 364-day bills respectively.

The range of the implicit yields of the accepted bids were 7.90-7.92 percent and 8.57 percent per annum, the press release said.

BTRC puts draft guideline on IPTSP on website

Nation Business Report

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) put draft guideline of Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP) on its web site to gather public opinion.

Any one could submit his or her opinion about draft IPTSP through iptel@btrc.gov.bd within November 30. the final guideline will be published considering the opinions.

BTRC in a press release said IP Telephony becomes one of the best technology as telephone structure in telecommunication sector. ISP service providers would be able to provide opportunity to its subscribers through ICX and IIG legally.

Maj Gen (Retd) Manjurul Alam, Chairman of BTRC said Value Added Service could be provided through IP telephony technology. Subscribers could make both national and international call at cheap rate using this technology.