The New Nation - Internet Edition

EVD fund for entrepreneurs in developing countries

BSS, Dhaka

The Netherlands Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) has launched a new fund for entrepreneurs in developing countries, including Bangladesh.

The EVD launched the fund 'Private Sector Investment Programme' (PSI) for Dutch and foreign companies for providing long-term cooperation in developing countries, said a press release.

The objectives of PSI are to stimulate financial growth, create employment opportunities and generate income in developing countries.

This is achieved by providing companies with an opportunity to make an innovative investment together with a local partner.

The EVD carries out the PSI for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Development Cooperation.

The closing date of the first PSI tender for 2009 is on February 2, 2009, at 17,00 GMT-1. The original documents must be received within time by the EVD. The maximum budget per project is 1.5 million Euro of which 50 per cent will be provided in the form of a grant.

The PSI has two granting procedures a year, the first PSI tender 2009 is on 2 February next.

The second PSI tender will be closed on 24 August 2009. The Intake documents and PSI programme guidelines can be found at www.evd.ni/psi.

President mourns deaths in Tangail road mishap

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday expressed his profound shock at the deaths of 24 passengers at a road accident at Garinda in Tangail district this morning.

In a condolence message, Prof Iajuddin conveyed his deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and prayed for peace of the departed souls.

He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment of the survivors.

REOPA opens opportunities for rural women

BSS, Dhaka

A government programme launched nine months back to create rural job opportunities appeared to have benefitted largely the poor rural women offering them scopes to live with dignity and comfort.

With European Union assistance, the government launched the Rural Employment Opportunities for Public Assets (REOPA) earlier this year in 388 unions of six districts with an initial cost of nearly Taka 174 crore to create livelihood opportunities under rural infrastructure building activities.

The subarban Narsingdi is one of the six districts where the project was operating in 70 unions of six upazilas of the district.

Under the REOPA project, the selected women in the district require to work from 8 am to 2 pm in exchange of Taka 100 each for earth work of different village roads identified by union parishads.

From the salary, Taka 70 directly goes to each women while Taka 30 goes to her Bank account which she will get together after the end of her job cycle in two years.

"I can now dream of continuing the study of my children and doing small business of my own after two years cycle of my job in REOPA ends with my savings," said Rashida Begum, the team leader of the women working in Sadarchar union under the programme as she was talking to BSS correspondent.

She was close to tears as she described her ordeals after her husband became mentally retarded and left her abandoning three children but a flicker of hope shine in her eyes when she tried to explain what benefits REOPA had brought for her.

Abdul Baset, a 50 year old farmer of Sukundi village of Sadarchar union, was visibly happy to see the destitute women of his area had now opportunities to earn their living. "REOPA has created a good opportunity for some of our poor women in my area to work and earn their livelihood and lead a more dignified and independent life," Baset said.

Their comments were echoed by local Union Parishad member Abdur Rahim as he said, REOPA already created lot of enthusiasm among the people especially the destitute women in the neighbourhood as they are getting jobs earning a minimum salary to meet their livelihood expenses.

REOPA's District officer Raju Jobed said, the programme in Narsingdi so far created job opportunities for 2100 destitute women for the next two years while "we are going to recruit 2100 more women to expand the opportunity for others after the present cycle of two years is over".

The local Project Management committee chairman Monowara Begum said that many of the destitute women under the programme were widows or were deserted by their husbands.

Under the programme design, she said, the lone earning member of a family were selected by lottery after inviting all the destitute women in the locality through mass campaign by Union Parishad to work in the project.

"It has already became a well taken programme in all the six districts in nine months of time and there is already a demand from the stake holders to extend the programme from four years," said REOPA's Project Director Akmal Hossain.

He said, the government and EC had signed the agreement for four years keeping provisions for extending the programme.

Rikkyo Varsity Vice President meet DU VC

BSS, Dhaka

Vice-President of Rikkyo University of Japan Professor Dr Kiyoshi Kasahara yesterday called on Vice- Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor SMA Faiz at his office today.

Dean of Dhaka University Social Sciences Faculty Professor Harun-ur-Rashid, Professor ABM Farook of Pharmaceutical Department , Chairman of the Department of World Religions Ms Eva Sadia Saad, Chairman of the Department of Population Sciences Ms Tehmina Ghafur, Chairman of the Department of Peace And Conflict Studies Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, chairman of the Department of Development Studies Dr Taiabur Rahman and Massaki Yamazaki and Dr Naseer Uddin Jamadar of the graduate School of Social Design Studies of Rikkyo University were present on this occasion.

During the meeting they discussed matters of mutual interests and signing of a MoU with the objective of establishing and promoting academic exchange and research programmes between Dhaka University and Rikkyo University, said a press release.

Under the MoU to be signed soon both the institutions will promote and develop cooperation for the upliftment and progress of academic and research activities and exchange of teachers, researchers and Ph. D Students between the two universities.

Dhaka University VC Professor Faiz thanked the Rikkyo University Vice-President for his interest in signing a MoU to carryout collaborative research and academic programmes with the Dhaka University.

JSL declares 20 pc dividend

BSS, Dhaka

Jute Spinners Ltd (JSL) of Khulna yesterday declared 20 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year 2007-2008.

The dividend was declared at the 29th annual general meeting of the company held at the CIRDAP auditorium here this morning, said a press release.

With Muhammad Shams-ul-Haque, chairman of the company in the chair, the AGM was attended, by directors of JSL Muhammad Shams-ul-Huda, Muhammad Shams-uz- Zoha, Muhammad Shams-ul-Kadir, AKM Shahjahan and Faizur Rahman Chaudhury, chief financial officer Toffazzal Hossain Bhuiyan, company secretary ATM Mostafa and a large number of Shareholders.

The AGM approved the annual report of 2007-2008 year and appointed auditor for next financial year.

The JSM chairman informed the shareholders that the company has earned a considerable amount of foreign currency and a significant profit by exporting jute yarn during the current financial year.

Wahidur Rahman made LGED Chief Engineer

Wahidur Rahman has been appointed Chief Engineer of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). He joined in his new workplace yesterday.

Former Chief Engineer Md Nurul Islam will go on leave preparatory to retirement from today.

Wahidur Rahman is a fellow of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB). He was elected Council Member of central committee of IEB in 2008. He is a member of Gender and Development department of Asia Development Bank of Manila and American Society of Civil Engineers of United States of America. Wahidur Rahman is the Vice-President of Jamaican Alumni Association of Bangladesh.

Rahman joined as Executive Engineer to LGED in 1982. He carried out responsibility of Project Director from 1993 to 2002. He was promoted to Superintendent Engineer in 2002 and joined as Additional Engineer of LGED in 2008.

He achieved annual prizes in three consecutive years from 2001 from ADB. Besides, he achieved prize from ADB in 2005 for Emergency Flood Damaged Rehabilitation Project.

He was born in December 12, 1953 in Jashpur village of Comilla. He achieved Honours' Degree in Civil Engineering from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology in 1977. He got MSC degree in Irrigation Engineering from Southampton University of United Kingdom in 1987.

Office-bearers of Dhanmondi Recreation Club

9th Annual General Meeting and election of new Executive Committee for the years 2009 & 2010 of Dhanmondi Recreation Club Ltd. held on 26th December, at the Club premises. The meeting was presided over by K.M. Zahid Uddin, the President of the Club.

The following office bearers have been elected committee members : Md. Furkan Uddin-President, Dewan Abdul Mannan-Secretary General, Mohammad Zahirul Islam-Treasurer and S.M. Waliar Rahman-Member, M. Hashem Ali-Member, Amir Hossain-Member, Harunur Rashid-Member, Noor M. Abdal-Member, Azizul Haque Ratan-Member, Amirul Islam-Member, Shahed Abdul Khaleque-Member, Mirza Md. Alamgir-Member, Mozammel Haque Alamgir-Member, Raquibul Islam Chowdhury-Member and Abduhu Khaled Mahmud-Member.

Moulana Ishaq visits ailing party Ameer

Staff Reporter

Ameer of Khelafat Majlish Moulna Mohammed Ishaq yesterday visited ailing Nayeb-e-Ameer of the party Moulana Emdadul Huq Araihazari in Ibn Sina Hospital in the city.

Moulna Ishaq spent few moments beside the ailing leader. He inquired the present condition of his health.

Central leaders Prof Muhammad Khalequzzaman, Amir Ali Hawlader and Moulana Muhiuddin were present, among others during the time.

Overseas Election Observer Team calls on Army Chief

Visiting International Election Observer Team of International Republican Institute (IRI) led by Dr Sukehiru Hasegawa paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed for 9th National Parliamentary Election at Army Headquarters, Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday, says a press release.

Leader of the team spent some time with the Chief of Army Staff. He exchanged greetings and discussed on matters of bilateral issue. Other members of the observer team were present at that time.

Muyeed elected Biman chairman

UNB, Dhaka

Abdul Muyeed Choudhury was unanimously elected Chairman of Biman Board of Directors at a meeting here Saturday.

Earlier, Chairman of the board and CA's Special Assistant Mahbub Jamil relinquished his position as Chairman and member of the board at the meeting held at Balaka Bhaban.

A former government secretary, Choudhury earlier served as Chairman of the National Board of Revenue and Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. He was an adviser to the caretaker government in 2001.

Besides, Choudhury worked as the Executive Director of BRAC and Chairman of SME Foundation after leaving government service.

Asia Foundation team satisfied with poll preparation

UNB, Dhaka

A delegation from Asia Foundation Election Observation expressed its deep satisfaction at the preparations taken by the Caretaker Government for holding national elections on Monday.

The three-member delegation comprising Baroness Paula Manjila Uddin, Baroness Sandip Verma and Dr Anwara Ali made the observation when they called on Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury in his office on Sunday.

British High Commissioner Stephan Evans was also present during the meeting.

Speaking to the media, Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said: "All preparations to hold free, fair and credible elections have been completed and this team has told me they were satisfied.

He added: "We hope all goes well tomorrow, and all of us see the dawning of a sustainable democratic era for Bangladesh."

UP chairman killed in encounter with RAB

Barisal correspondent

A union parishad (UP) chairman in Barisal, was killed in a shootout during a RAB-police joint operation at Muripara of Ujirpur upazila yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Zafar Mollah, 42, chairman of Satla union and a leader of the outlawed Sarbohara Party.

Police said Zafar was arrested from Banaripara along with his three associates on Friday night.

Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) took the UP chairman to Muripara for recovering hidden arms in yesterday.

"As soon as they reached the spot, Zafar's associates opened fire on the law-enforcers forcing them to fire back, RAB sources said.

He was caught in the line of fire while trying to flee and died on the spot, the source added.

One LG, two revolvers, one sharp weapon and 12 rounds of bullet were recovered from the spot.

Minor boy received splinter injuries

Staff Reporter

A minor boy received splinter injuries when a homemade bomb what off while he was playing in front of his house in city's Jurain area yesterday.

Witnesses said 8-year old Hasan, a student of a local NGO-run school, was playing with his friends at Jurain Commissioner Road under Kadamtoli police station at about 11:00am. Splinters hit his left arm as the bomb suddenly exploded near him.

Hasan who was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Hasan's mother, Sima Begum, told reporters at the hospital that her son was injured when the bomb was hurled during the game.

A case was filed with the Kadamtoli Police Station in this connection.

PID media centre at Hotel Sonargaon

BSS, Dhaka

The Press Information Department (PID) yesterday opened a media centre at Hotel Sonargaon to facilitate the election coverage by local and foreign journalists today.

The media centre, at the first floor of the hotel, will remain open round-the-clock until Tuesday, senior deputy press information officer Zainal Abedin told BSS.

The Information Secretary Jamil Osman visited the centre yesterday evening to see the facilities being provided there. The Principal Information Officer Iftekhar Hossain was present.

According to PID, the centre has 20 computers with internet connections and international telephone call facilities for the use of journalists covering the elections.

A hotline there would facilitate collection of news directly from the Election Commission, it said.

The centre can be contacted on phones: 8140228, 8140230, 8140231, 8140232 and 8140234 and faxes: 8140227 and 8140229.

Absconding JMB cadre arrested in Kurigram

BSS, Rangpur

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested an absconding cadre of outlawed militant organisation Jama'atul Mujaheedin Bangladesh (JMB) from the outskirts of Kurigram town on Sunday afternoon, RAB sources said.

A RAB team led by ASP Rakib from Rangpur camp conducted a drive and arrested JMB cadre Akhteruzzaman Farid, 26, from his house at village Khalilganj Adarshapara under Sadar upazila of Kurigram.

The arrested JMB cadre had been absconding and a warrant of arrest was pending against him with Kurigram Sadar thana for a long time.

After primary interrogation, the RAB handed over the arrested JMB militant to Kurigram Sadar police station, the sources added.

12 Shibirmen held, released later on

DU Correspondent

The police yesterday arrested 12 activists of Bangladesh Islami Chattra Shibir with hock sticks and rods while they were holding meeting in a room at Sir Salimullsh Muslim Hall of Dhaka University, although they were released immediately after their arrest at the recommendation of hall provost GM Chowdhury.

Bangladesh Chhattra League (BCL) brought out a procession and held a rally protesting the biased attitude of Hall Provost towards the Shibir activists.

According to Shabagh Police station, the Shibir activists were planning of creating violence and anarchy on the Election Day and to forcibly capture polling both at room no 90 of SM hall.

Rezaul Karim, Officer in charge of Shabagh Police station, said, " Being informed by Proctor of the university, we went there and arrested them. After that we released them on the recommendation of hall provost."