The New Nation - Internet Edition

Domestic investment shows steadily upward trend

BSS, Dhaka

Domestic investment in the economy showed steadily upward trend in past two years despite a decline in the overall investment registration, mainly resulting from a slow down in the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI)

The size of the country's economy and especially its growth horizon has phenomenally expanded in recent years with a total of Taka 24,986 crore investment proposals recorded during fiscal 2007-08.

"It is rather a smaller figure down from Taka 43,356 crore investment proposals recorded in 2005-06 both from domestic and external sources. However, this is a temporary phenomenon and the flow of FDI would soon pick up," BOI executive chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed told BSS explaining the country's latest investment situation.

He said, the recent slow down in FDI is just a temporary phenomenon and expected to make a turn around soon. On the other hand, domestic investment proposals to the tune of Taka 19,553 crore in 2007-08 are quite on the high side.

It was Taka 19,658 crore and Taka 18,370 crore in 2006-07 and 2005-06, he said and added, it means business moved upward in the country belying the fear that the political transition may have bad effect on it.

The BOI chief said, way back in 1991-92, domestic investment and FDI together was only Taka 660 crore against a total 258 projects. It multiplied in the meantime both in terms of number of projects and volume of investment.

Last year, total investment proposals recorded with BOI was 1,758 of which the number of externally funded projects stood at 143. The investment registration are also given by BEPZA and BSCIC.

Kamaluddin Ahmed said, the country witnessed a steady rise in domestic and external investment since 1991 and it did not come as a surprise. It occurred with significant rise in the country's human resource development and investment climate.

The BOI executive chairman said, Bangladesh is having a very attractive investment protection laws. Its position in starting business, getting credit and paying taxes are also much better.

Kamaluddin Ahmed said, investors can easily repatriate profits and income from here. The country also provides significant fiscal incentives to both foreign and local investors.

Here the cost of energy and workers wages are less and investors can get enough skilled and dynamic professionals to run business, the BOI executive chairman said and added, they can also take advantage of GSP facilities, besides duty free market access to many export destinations.

Foreign investors are taking interest to relocating business here as the economy is steadily becoming more global, the BOI chief said focusing on the recent trend and the need for proper projection of the country case at global level.

The BOI needs to be reformed and strengthened to deliver the goods, he emphasised.

Referring to recent slow down in FDI, he said, much of it may be blamed for poor infrastructure facilities such as shortage of gas and electricity.

Jamaat meets today to finalise candidates

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will hold parliamentary board meeting today to finalize the party list of the candidates to contest the 9th national election slated for December 18.

Earlier, a three-member panel has been formed for each parliamentary seat on the basis of the opinion of grass-root level party persons to make the list.

All the concerned have been requested to attend the meeting at 4 pm today, said a press release.

Russian envoy meets Hasina

BSS, Dhaka

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Gennady P Trotasenko yesterday said that his country would send poll observers during the upcoming general election.

"If we get a formal request from Bangladesh we would definitely consider to send poll observers," he said.

The Russian Ambassador said this to the journalists after his meeting with Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence here.

Trotasenko said major political parties have responsibilities to take decisions which would help ensure stability of the country and expressed hope that political parties would play a responsible role in the coming days.

The Russian Ambassdor said that they have wide range of discussions on issues relating to bilateral interest between the two countries.

Polls related issue: Political parties urged to reach consensus

Staff Reporter

The ninth parliamentary election will not be acceptable if all political parties do not take part in it, said speakers at a discussion in the city yesterday.

They called upon the political parties to reach consensus and common understanding among themselves with a view to ensuring the parliamentary elections free from controversies and establish democracy on strong footing.

They opined that the democratic process of the country would be jeopardised if an unilateral election was held in the country.

Their observation came at the discussion on " Preparedness of 9 th Parliamentary Election" organised by Universal News Agency (UNA) at its Dhanmondi office in the city.

Justice Sultan Hossain Khan, former Chairman of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and Chairman of UNA presided over the discussion.

Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf, former chief election commissioner said it would be difficult to maintain the election schedule as the Election Commission (EC) is yet to finalise electoral procedures and send voter lists to the respective areas.

Prof M A Mazed, former adviser of the caretaker government, Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury, former Vice Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University, Prof Monirul Huq, VC of Darul Ehsan University, journalist Sadek Khan, Dr Tareq Shamsur Rahman, former member of the University Grand Commission (UGC), Brig (Retd) Safayat Ahmad, adviser of Rtv, poet Isharaf Hossain, Executive Chairman of UNA, Qazi Junnon Basri, Chairman, Total Group, Salauddin Khan Alamgir, publisher of daily Sangbadpatra and business Mostaqur Rahman, among others, attended, the discussion.

Arrest warrant against MDs of 2 powdered milk companies

UNB, Dhaka

A court here yesterday issued arrest warrants against the Managing Directors of two companies for selling three Chinese brands of powdered milk without displaying registration numbers and expiry dates on their containers.

Those against whom the arrest warrants issued are Managing Director of All Way Trading Limited Belal Ahmed Sharif and Managing Director of Mou Enterprise MA Rahim.

The arrest warrants were issued in the afternoon after Director of Public Health and Nutrition Institution Prof Dr Fatema Begum filed two cases with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in the morning.

The complainant alleged that the two companies are illegally selling Yashlee-1 and 2 and Sweet Baby-2 violating regulations of Marketing Ordinance in recent days when the government has imposed a ban on import of three Chinese brands of the powered milk.

BKP nominates 43 candidates for JS polls

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh Kallyan Party (BKP) has nominated 43 candidates to contest the 9th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election.

The BKP announced the names of the candidates, including its chairman Maj Gen (retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim, Bir Pratik, who will contest from the two constituencies in Dhaka, said a party press release yesterday.

Other candidates are: Syed Mohammad Ibrahim (Dhaka-13 and 17), BKP acting Secretary General Sadek Ahmed Khan (Dhaka-9), Mohammad Mobinul Haq (Dhaka-2), Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman (Dhaka- 4), M Ibrahim Adil Khan (Dhaka-7 and Khulna-2), KH Nazir Ahammed Muktar (Gazipur-3), Muhammad Abdus Sobhan (Narayanganj-5), Shahidur Rahman Tamanna (Comilla-6), Colonel (retd) Mostak Hossain (Comilla-9), Mohammad Nazrul Islam (Brahmanbaria-4), Alauddin Didar (Feni-3), Tofazzal Hossain Akand (Sherpur-1), Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman Mintu (Netrakona-4), Mosharraf Hossain (Faridpur-1), Tushar Kanti Baruri (Madaripur-2), SM Shariful Islam (Rajbari-1), Mohammad Aminul Ehsan (Kishoreganj-5), Mohammad Kahir Mahmud (Sylhet-1 and 6), Moulavi Mohammad Helaluddin (Sylhet-4), Shuvashish Samoddar Shuva (Barisal-1), Tapan Kumar Mitra (Pirojpur-1), Md Abdul Gaffar (Pirojpur-3), MHR Sayem (Patukhali-1), Mohammad Shajahan Ali (Begerhat-2), Mohammad Yusuf (Chittagong-1), Shahzada Alam (Chittagong-10), Mohammad Golam Ishaq Khan (Chittagong-13), Lt Col (retd) Enamul Haq Chowdhury (Chittagong-14), Fariduddin Khan (Chittagong-7), Mohammad Ilias (Chittagong-8), Advocate Syed Junadeus Salam (Chittagong-9), Obaidur Rahman Chowdhury (Cox's Bazar-1), RAM Ismail Faruk (Cox's Bazar-3), Mohammad Salauddin Biswas (Rajshahi-1), Mohammad Ferdous Alam (Chapainawabganj-2), Mohammad Sadruzzaman (Chapainabaganj-3), AKM Shariful Islam (Bogra-1), Mohammad Ekramul Haq (Nilfamari-3) and Mohammad Ali Sarkar (Kurigram-3).

Delwar asks Govt to meet demands within deadline

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain yesterday urged the Government to realise the four-point charter of demands of the Four-party alliance within the deadline for holding free, fair and all parties' participatory elections on December 18.

The leader of the Four-party alliance and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Monday made it clear to the government that the alliance would not join in the forthcoming parliamentary elections if the Government fails to realise their four-point demand within 48 hours.

"Realise our demands within 48 hours and make way for us to take part in the elections," Delwar told the reporters at the party's central office at Nayapaltan in the city.

Asked about the preparedness of the alliance for the polls, he said, "We are fully prepared for the election race".

He said the BNP is an election oriented party and believes that transfer of power to an elected government could only be possible through holding free and fair election.

"We are always in favour of election and it is the responsibility of the Government to resolve the problem," he added.

When asked if the government fails to realise their demand the Secretary General of BNP said, " If they (government) fail to realise our demands then we would go for movement."

The demands of the alliance include total withdrawal of the state of emergency immediately, holding of upazila elections after 30 days of general elections, amendments to Representation of People's Order (RPO) including the removal of its clause 91 (E) and changing the election schedule for ensuring the voting rights of Hajj pilgrims.

Meanwhile the Secretary General of BNP yesterday lifted the expulsion order from Md Khurshid Alam (Bachchu) ofChaipainawabganj and gives back his membership of the party.

Bangladesh-SA 1st Test begins today

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Cricket team led by Mohammad Ashraful will face South Africa National Cricket team in the first Test, which begins today at 2.30 PM at the Oval in Bloemfontein of South Africa.

Earlier, South Africa clinched the ODI series 2-0.

After getting Test status in 2000, Bangladesh had played against South Africa in six Test matches so far. Of them, Bangladesh lost to South Africa in all games.

The cricket lovers of the country do not expect that Bangladesh will win against their mighty opponents but they hope that their team should show consistent performance in three departments (bowling, batting, fielding).

Jatiya Jukta Front launched

Bikalpa Dhara President Prof AQM Badruddoza
Chowdhury and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain jointly
launched a political alliance 'Jatiya Jukta Front' at a
press conference at a city hotel yesterday. NN
photo

Staff Reporter

Prof Dr AQM Badrudduza Chowdhury, President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and Dr Kamal Hossain, President of Gono Forum, yesterday jointly launched the third political alliance of Bangladesh "Jatiya Jukta Front" at a press conference at the Imperial Hotel International in the capital.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Gono Forum, Bangladesh Kallayan Party, Labour Party, Forward Party, Jaker Party, Islami Shasantantra Andolan (Charmonai) are included the new alliance.

Dr Kamal Hossain delivered the welcome speech at the press conference and Badrudduza Chowdhury delivered the main speech.

Major Gen (Retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim (Bir Pratik), Chairman of Bangladesh Kallayan Party, Advocate ABM Mostafa Amin, Chairman of Forward Party, Gulam Rabbani, leader of Kansat Movement, Abdun Nur Tushar, media personality, spoke at the programme.

Major (Retd) Adul Mannan, Secretary General of Bikalpa Dhara, Mahi B Chowdhury, Organising Secretary of Bikalpa Dhara, among others, were present at the programme.

Badrudduza Chowdhury said when the politics of Bangladesh has proved as failed, then this alliance was launched to be united the people of the country.

Jatiya Jukta Front was formed to resist the politics of ruining, hartal and strike, he added.

Dr Kamal said the discrimination in Bangladesh is increasing day by day for our weak politics.

He also said our politics has polluted by mixing melamine.

Jatiya Jukta Front was announced with seven points. Those are: Politics for establishing leadership of honest, brilliant and patriotic politics for creating working place, politics for avoiding terrorism, corruption and politics for ensuring the security of life and wealth.

Badrudduza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal replied the questions of journalists. Replying a question, they said the upcoming election have to be held in declared time to protect our democracy.

Action on climate change urged

Our Correspondent

Gaibandha, 18 November: Enlisting the help of elephants, cows, donkeys and horses to get their messages across, more than four thousand people took part in a colourful march and rally in Gaibandha, northern Bangladesh, to raise awareness of climate change, and its impact on the most vulnerable communities.

Many in the crowd wore head banners reading "Stop harming, start helping". They are calling for richer countries, who are primarily responsible for most of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to cut their national carbon emissions. They want more help for poorer countries like Bangladesh to undertake adaptation measures to reduce their vulnerability to the negative impacts of climate change.

Two elephants joined the crowd, one bearing the national flag of the United States, symbolizing the slow progress made by the world's leading industrialized nations to take steps to reduce global warming, which was blocking the development of poor countries like Bangladesh.

Among those taking part were farmers, carrying agricultural tools, and women living in char areas (islands of silt created within river systems), who have been forced to move their homes many times because of river erosion, caused by flooding and heavy rainfall. Climatic changes, they said, had made it harder to farm and feed their families.

The mass mobilization is the first of a series organized by Oxfam and its key partner, the Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), ahead of the United Nations conference on climate change in Poznan, Poland, next month (December 1-12)

In the last few years Bangladesh, already prone to cyclones and other weather-disasters, has seen an increase in the intensity and frequency of climate related problems. Changing conditions have meant weather-related disasters have become less predictable and more difficult to manage. A lack of information and resources makes it harder for the poorest communities to prepare or respond to increased hazards.

Scientists have predicted that Bangladesh could lose up to seventeen per cent of its land by 2050 because of rising sea levels due to global warming.

Govt mulls over 4-party’s demands: Hossain Zillur

Staff Reporter

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said yesterday that the Government was considering the four-point demand put forward by the BNP led four-party alliance.

"The government would discuss the conditions and give a decision in time," he told the journalists after the inauguration of a workshop on ' autism' at the RAOWA Club in Mohakhali.

"We want all political parties taking part in the polls and the government has been trying its best to keep promises on schedule," he said.

Terming BNP and the alliance's stance 'positive' the Adviser said the nation is now relieved that BNP will participate in the election despite their press for the fulfilment of certain conditions.

Dr Zillur said the main aim of the government is to bring all political parties in the forthcoming parliamentary polls. The government will take all necessary initiatives in this regard.

He also said the time limit specified by BNP was not the main concern but with the right approach and a view to resolve the complications of all problems could be settled.

On the issue of changing the electoral schedule he said the government would make a decision after discussion.

It is mentioned that the four party alliance leaders Begum Khaleda Zia on Monday gave an ultimatum to the government to realise the demands within 48 hours as a precondition for contesting in the polls. The deadline of the ultimatum is going to be expired on today night.

The demands of the alliance include total withdrawal of the state of emergency immediately, holding of upazila elections after 30 days of general elections, amendments to Representation of People's Order (RPO) including the removal of its clause 91 (E) and changing the election schedule for ensure the voting rights of Hajj pilgrims.

Mentioning autism, Dr Zillur said it is no more a minor problem considering its gravity and number of sufferers.

"It is a big problem," he said adding that, " We have to have joint initiatives to bring the autistic children in the mainstream of economy".

He said the autism deserves more attention from all quarters including the government.

Call for sustainable sanitation, waste management

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar urged the government and non-government agencies to take effective measure for sustainable sanitation and waste management in the country.

They said this at a seminar on "Sustainable Sanitation and Waste Management in Bangladesh" at LGED Bhaban Seminar Room. The Bangladesh Association for Social Advancement (BASA) and Practical Action (AP) jointly organised the seminar.

Country Director of Practical Action (AP) Veena Khaleque, Executive Director of BASA AKM Shirajul Islam, M Iqbal Karim, team leader of PA, Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan of BASA, Abdullah Al Mamun of PA, MA Gofran addressed in the seminar. Besides representatives from different countries including Bandula Chandrasakar of Srilanka, V Ganapathy, Madhaba Nayak and Anslem Rosario of India, Leo De Castro and Augusto Camba of Philippine, Pham Thi Anh and Le Thi Kimoanh of Vietnam, Lilliana Abarca and Arjan Ileurink of Netherlands described their experience in the field.

Veena Khaleque said that over 1.6 million children are attacked with diarrhoea every year due to lack of sanitation system in the country.

She was of the view that the sanitation goal could be achieved for all through affordable technologies of effective measures by the government and non-government agencies.

MA Gofran said that waste management is a great problem in the urban areas of the country.

Urban waste can be managed properly by setting up biogas plants, he added.

Former ambassador given prison term despite HC rule

Staff Reporter

The Special Judge Court 9 has awarded punishment to former ambassador Nazim Ullah Chowdhury even after the High Court issued a rule suspending the proceedings of the corruption case pending the hearing of the rule.

Lawyers of Chowdhuty are preparing to file a contempt of court case against the judge concerned.

The court awarded Nazim Ullah Chowdhury five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him TK 21 lakh and in case of failure to pay the fine to suffer another year in prison.

The corruption case was filed by Abdullah Al Zahid, deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission with the Shahbagh Thana on 14 May this year. In the case Chowdhury was accused of misappropriating TK 20 lakh of the state when he was on duty in the United Arab Emirates. Nazim Ullah Chowdhury's lawyers Ahsanul Karim told newsmen that the High Court stayed the case on 12 November upon a petition filed on behalf of the accused. The government and the Anti-Corruption Commission were also asked to show cause as to why the case should not be declared to have been initiated and being continued without lawful authority and is of no legal effect.

He said since the attested true copies of the High Court order was not available lawyers informed the trial court through a certificate of the High Court order.

Public prosecutor Harun-or-Rashid received the certificate form him. But the court on November 16 awarded punishment to the former ambassador disregarding the High Court order, the lawyer said.

Obama's team of rivals

Agency, Washington

There is increasing speculation about Hillary Clinton's possible appointment as secretary of state.

Reports are coming out that a serious vetting process is under way to determine the possible pitfalls of such an appointment.

Obama's team is unlikely to be looking for an excuse to shoot down the idea, but rather genuinely making sure all the bases are covered before any firm jobs offer or announcements are made.

While the story continues to be carried forward based on unnamed Democratic officials quoted in the US media, it is probable that Obama would have found a way to quash it if there was not some truth to it.

"No one has called to say 'Don't go too far on this'," said James Carville, a long-time Clinton friend, quoted in the Washington Post.

Other names have been mentioned over the last few weeks for the position of Secretary of State, such as Senator John Kerry, from Massachusetts, who ran for president in 2004.

Bill Richardson, New Mexico's governor, even went to Chicago last week for talks with President elect Barack Obama, reportedly about the position of secretary of state.

Former Secretary of State and Nobel prize winner Henry Kissinger said it would be an "outstanding" appointment.

It is likely to heal the rift inside the Democratic party caused by a bruising primary campaign.

By giving Mrs Clinton a top cabinet job, Obama would come across as a confident leader, not afraid to reach out to rivals and surround himself with strong personalities.

The US media is full of stories about how Obama may be seeking to create a "team of rivals", bringing in his opponents to promote creative debate inside his team, much the same way that Abraham Lincoln did.

Obama made a reference to that style of governance in an interview with CBS's Katie Couric earlier this year

Furthermore, the economic crisis will be a priority for Obama at the start of his presidency. But with the US involved in two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the whole world seemingly waiting for the US to engage with it, foreign policy cannot be put on the back burner.

The former First Lady would be able to hit the ground running. She would have instant international stature and recognition as secretary of State, and world leaders would welcome her.

She also has the needed experience, knowledge and contacts that would allow Obama to rely on her while he's busy fixing the country's economy.