The New Nation - Internet Edition

WB Chief warns financial crisis has blocked global trade

AFP, Frankfurt

The global financial crisis has hit international trade because banks have become wary of financing deals, World Bank president Robert Zoellick said yesterday.

"Trade is largely financed by credit" which has become tighter as banks retrenched following the collapse of the US market for high risk, or subprime mortgages, and the failure of US investment bank Lehman Brothers, Zoellick said at the 10th German World Bank Forum.

Dow Jones Newswires reported Zoellick as saying that the World Bank was in discussion with the United States and China as well as other partners to work out how to finance trade. "This will be critical" in fighting the global economic slowdown, Zoellick said. Lars Thunell, head of the World Bank's private sector lending arm the International Finance Corp., said the IFC was providing banks with guarantee facilities to back loans for trade.

The World Bank meanwhile, forecast a decline of about 0.1 percent in economic activity in the developed world next year while the developing world's growth rate will slow to about 4.5 percent, down from the previous estimate of 6.5 percent.

Global growth will therefore be only "modest," Zoellick said.

In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the world's poorest countries called on rich nations Thursday to continue giving aid despite the global financial crisis.

The appeal from trade ministers and representatives from nearly 50 Least Developed Countries ended two days of talks in Cambodia's tourist hub to discuss trade and the credit crunch.

DCCI’s plea to keep office open on Saturdays in December

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) wishes to draw the attention of the government that there will be only sixteen working days in the month of December 2008 owing to many closed days including Eidul Azha, Victory Day, national elections and Christmas holidays besides regular weekly holidays.

December being the last month of the calendar year there will be lots of activities in banks, insurance companies and business houses including international business transactions.

The DCCI calls upon the government to take into account the amount of work involved in the year ending.

The publication of annual reports of companies including the yearly audits and accounts are huge tasks that put extra pressure on the concerned departments and the staff. While the closing documents take time' to be prepared and streamlined I normal business activities needs to be continued as well. This compounds the pressure on the entire company mechanism. Especially the manufacturing and export units have to maintain chain of production and shipment to meet deadlines.

Moreover the annual tax returns are also a concern that demands alternation of the business organizations.

The DCCI observes that two day weekly holiday has already taken a toll on the economy of the country.

Besides, the government may take note of the prevailing world economic melt down that started at the beginning of this year. The US economy has been badly hit due to huge financial crisis.

The impact has been felt worldwide. Banglades~ cannot expect to remain outside the influence of the global economic recession. Under these severe economic uncertainties we cannot afford to lose time in making up the losses we have already incurred.

In the absence of state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled manpower we are already under tremendous pressure in meeting our business requirements in terms of manufacturing, export and import.

The DCCI therefore calls upon the government to immediately consider declaring Saturdays open for the month of December 2008 only to allow all public and private organizations carry out their routine work and avoid losses that may result due to lesser number of working days. This should be done for the greater interest of the country's economy and welfare of the business sector.

Holcim holds mason meet in Khulna

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, the leading cement manufacturer of the country has recently organized a mason meet at country's Khulna district. In all around the country Holcim is well known for its quality and advance technology. Holcim has a tremendous demand in Khulna District. Holcim providing cement to Khulna district since from the very beginning and the good news is the people of Khulna district are using Holcim with a deep satisfaction and giving high priority to its quality.

Holcim always actively perform its corporate social responsibility along with its business activities. Under corporate social responsibilities Holcim organized this in Khulna District. Around 400 masons were present in this meet and many dealers and retailers joined the meeting from Khulna and adjacent district.

Masons are the key workers at construction sites, but they have long been considered as downtrodden section of the society, despite their large contribution towards the development of the country in general and construction in particular and realizing this reality; Holcim has come forward to extend all possible supports towards the improvement of this segment of the society. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Holcim had taken an initiative to provide insurance coverage for masons. Under this insurance program if any mason (i.e. enlisted under this program-) falls any accident and/or expires during construction work, the insurance holder will receive compensation of Tk 25,000-Tk 50,000 through fulfilling certain conditions. In this mason meet, many mason from Khulna division entry their name for registration for insurance policy. Scholarship money for the mason children, who will get by their brilliant result, is another extreme facilities Holcim Bangladesh Ltd is providing for masons.

This time 'Holcim' organized the mason meet within the whole Khulna Division around the different district. In this mason meet, Achinto Kumar Roy, Senior Executive--Customer Support, Moinul Hossain Shimul, Senior Executive - Customer Care from Holcim Bangladesh Ltd were present. Khulna District Dealer, owner of Alim Enterprise, Nazmul Alam Shawpon and another owner of the Alim Enterprise and Khulna District Mayor from Panel 1 Azmal Ahmed Tapan and other well-known dealer and retailer were present in the meeting.

All the masons who were present in meet express their gratitude and thanked Holcim for arranging these meet and making their life easy. After the program there was a nice cultural show for all of them.

EBL organizes training on Foreign Exchange

NATION BUSINESS REPORT

EBL has recently organised a day long training session on Foreign Exchange Transactions and Reporting Technique. The training session was inaugurated by EBL Managing Director & CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar.

General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Foreign Exchange Policy Department Khandaker Khalidur Rahman was present as chief guest at the event.

EBL DMD Muklesur Rahman and other high officials were present in the training session.

Trainers from Bangladesh Bank and EBL conducted the session which focused on foreign exchange policy and recent changes in different areas, staff from different EBL departments participated in the training session.

'Zak Garmentech Bangladesh’ tradeshow to begin in January

The 8th international Garment & Allied Machinery and Accessories trade show is going to be held on 13-16 January 2009 at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre Dhaka. Zakaria trade and fair international of Bangladesh and Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. of India is jointly organising this mega event attracting more than 250 international companies all over the world and expecting draw attention of more than 30000 visitors from Dhaka and neighbouring region.

ZAK Garmentech Bangladesh has emerged as the premier international Apparel Technology Trade Show of Bangladesh. It has served as an ideal platform for the Bangladesh apparel industry to update and upgrade their technology.

Tipu Sultan, General Manager of Zakaria trade and fair international said" Our country's main export product is garments and this trade is rapidly progressing and modernizing. If we stand this trade is international market than we need new technology & for this reason the international apparel & technology fair Garmentech is held."

More than 250 exhibitors of 30 leading Garments Technology manufacturing countries all over the world will attend with their latest technology related with sewing, knitting, Embroidery, Laundry, Finishing, Dyeing, Cutting Machines, CAD/CAM and leading Fabrics, Accessories and Support services sector.

The main objective to organize this fair is to provide the Bangladesh garment industry a form to develop new alternate sources of suppliers, make new contacts and to discover and capitalize on the new opportunities that will be brought to the industry by means of this trade fair.

International seminar and workshop will be held with the participation of world famous technologist and consultants.

It's a perfect meeting place for buyer and seller related with garments sector. Producer, exporter & importer of world famous garments machinery from USA, Europe, Canada, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, India, Korea will participate in the trade show which had already been conformed to the organizer.

Joint venture investment will get preference in the work shop. This technology fair for the first time can accommodate more than 250 exhibitors, all leading names in the respective field under one roof, making it the largest technology trade fair in Bangladesh beating out own record.

ATM Booth of Prime Bank opened at Bashundhara

Nasiruddin Ahmed, Additional Managing Director of Prime Bank Limited inaugurated Bashundhara Branch ATM Booth on November 19. Md. Jasim Uddin, SEVP and Md. Amzad Hossain, SA VP and Head of Bashundhara Branch were also present on the occasion.

Through this ATM service, customers can draw money from these ATMs 24 hours a day, will be able to know account balance and at the same time can have a mini statement of their account.

For any reason, if the customer wants to change his/her ATM code he/she can do the same through the ATM Booth. Other than these, Fast Cash service and drawing own choice of notes will also be available.

Through these ATM machines, customers can pay their utility bills like - gas, electricity, water supply, mobile phone etc very soon.

Besides, VISA Card and Master Card holders can avail their required services through these A TM Machines and A TM Card holders will be able to use those in the shops and markets for shopping through POS machines.

DBBL organises workshop on 'operation of SME service centre'

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited organised a day-long workshop on 'Operation of SME Service Centre' for designated executives and officers of concerned Divisions of Head Office' and branches of the bank. AHM Nazmul Quadir, Additional Managing Director of the bank inaugurated the workshop held at Bank's IT Training Centre, Dilkusha, Dhaka on November 15.

The workshop aimed at familiarizing the participants with the conceptual aspects on operation of SME Service Centre, SME products and services, ATM and deposits Kiosk, account opening software, cash transaction and deposit Kiosk related transaction etc.

In his address, Nazmul Quadir informed the participants that Dutch-Bangla Bank is going to open five SME Service Centers to provide prompt retail banking services to the small entrepreneurs across the country. He also mentioned that through the SME service Centre the Bank will disburse the loans and advances to the small entrepreneurs and collect the deposits. Customers can open accounts in rural area for which the economy will be benefited at large, he added.

Among others, Deputy Managing Director Abul Kashem Md Shirin and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mr Khan Tariqul Islam also spoke on the occasion.

Dekko Foods Ltd holds training for its leaders

Dekko Foods Ltd, a fast-growing FMCG-foods company in the country organised a three-day long training programme titled 'Leadership and Sales Management' for its sales and marketing personnel at its headquarters at Suvastu Zenim Plaza, Dhanmondi in the city recently.

The main theme of the training programme was 'Aiming High, Reaching Higher'.

The objective of the programme was to reinvigorate the spirit that the sales personnel need everyday. About 40 personnel of sales management team participated in the training programme.

Managing Director M Shahadat Hossain Kiron, in his speech, said, 'Only 20 percent of people are doing 80 percent of work of whole world with their sincere and dedicated efforts. Let us be a part of them with our positive attitude and a strong mindset. If we have a goal, we have to achieve it."

The training programme included topics like 'Leadership and Sales Management Development'.

Executive Director N Amin Sheikh imparted whole part of Leadership and Marketing Strategies and Vice President of Avenue Seven Business Solution Salauddin Chowdhury conducted the Sales Management part of the training while Deputy Sales Manager Khawaza M Rahman, Brand Manager Md. Tareq Uddin and Asst Brand Manager Md Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan imparted training on other areas of their respective fields.

Khanbahadur Ahsanullah Gold Medals for Sahabuddin Ahmed, Kazi Fazlur Rahman

As a recognition to social service and significant contribution to the development of education. prominent social worker, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited Founder Chairman and Dutch-Bangla Bank Foundation Chairman M Sahabuddin Ahmed and former Adviser to the caretaker government, former Education Secretary and educationist Kazi Fazlur Rahman have been selected for the Khanbahadur Ahsanullah Gold Medal Award 2006 and 2007 respectively.

They will formally awarded with gold medals at a function on November 29 next.

Since 1986 Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been giving this award in the name of renowned educationist, social reformer, spiritual sufist and former Assistant Director to Public Instruction of Bengal and Assam in British India Khanbahadur Ahsanullah.

Up-till now 15 renowned persons of the country have been awarded with this gold medal among which names may be mentioned of Mohammad Ferdous Khan, Dr Mohammad Ibrahim, SM Al Husseiny, Syed Ali Ahsan, Principal Dewan Mohammad Azraf, Azizul Huq, Dr MR Khan.

Justice Mostafa Kamal, Muhammad Shams-u-Huq, Prof Dr Wahid Uddin Ahmed, Dr Sirajul Haq, Dr Fashi Uddin Mahtab, Dr Md Shamser Ali and Professor Dr. M.H. Khan.