Barrister Tahmidur Rahman, an Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) accredited engineer and a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) holder, has been elected as the chairman of three standing committees of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). He will lead the standing committees on banking, energy, and entrepreneurship of the country's apex trade body. The announcement was made in a letter signed by FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir. Rahman, founder of TRW Law Firm and managing director of Fuelex Energy Limited, brings a wealth of experience to these roles. He has been serving as the director of D Smart Solutions and M Alam Group, said a press release here today. He also works as a Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. A computer science and engineering graduate from North South University, Rahman holds an LLB (Hons) from City University of London. Tahmidur Rahman is known for his commitment to strengthening a business- friendly environment for start-up e ntrepreneurs and improving governance in the financial sector. He is actively involved in various social and developmental activities. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Shafiqur urges British-Bangladeshis to send remittances thru legal channel
State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, MP, has urged the British-Bangladeshis to send remittances through legal channels for building the Smart Bangladesh announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "The money sent by expatriates in Bangladesh through legal channels will be protected and there is an opportunity to earn more profit from this money than other countries through saving and investing with government incentives," he said. The state minister made the remarks while speaking at the remittance fair as the chief guest organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Friday, according to a press release received here today. The state minister said, there is a plan to introduce 'Remittance Award' for those who send maximum remittance through legal channels and the proposal of increasing the incentive from 2.5pc to 3pc for sending remittances, which has been given by the representatives of various remittance sending institutions, that will be ra ised at the highest level of the government for consideration. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is implementing various measures for the welfare of expatriates and increasing their facilities," he added. Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem said in her welcome speech at the event, "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was launched Sonali Bank in the UK in 1974 and started sending remittances to Bangladesh through legal channels from the UK." Following the ideals and ethics of Bangabandhu, his worthy daughter incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various steps with utmost importance to provide expatriates with special privileges in various fields including 2.5pc incentive for sending remittances and CIP status. At the event, the representatives of various organizations sending remittances raised various proposals to take encouraging steps with special incentives for them. Sultan Mahmud Sharif, one of the organizers of Bangladesh's great Liberation War in the UK, and prominent community figure Syed Sajidur Rahman Farooq spoke as special guests at the event. To increase the flow of remittances to Bangladesh, the representatives of various organizations that send remittances also spoke at this special fair of the Bangladesh High Commission, London. A total of 14 leading sending remittance companies from the UK to Bangladesh participated in the fair and informed the visitors about the facilities and incentives for sending remittances through legal channels. Earlier, the state minister discussed various issues related to the interests and welfare of expatriates in an exchange meeting with British-Bangladeshi journalists. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
PRAN Dairy wins best exporter award
PRAN Dairy Limited, a sister concern of PRAN Group, has received "Standard Chartered-Channel i Agro Award-2023" for its outstanding contribution in agricultural sector of the country. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman handed over a crest and certificate to Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group, at a ceremony held at a hotel in the capital yesterday evening. This year, the award was given to some 11 individuals and institutions. PRAN Dairy bagged the award as the best agricultural exporter, said a press release here today. Managing Director of Channel i Faridur Reza Sagar, its Director and Head of News Shykh Seraj, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Naser Ezaz Bijoy and winners of different categories were also present at the programme. PRAN Dairy started its journey on 2001 to increase the milk production in the country. The dairy company has developed the 'Dairy Hub' concept for the first time in Bangladesh and is developing "Milk Collection Center" in the village area under the hub. The company is giving various supports and training to the farmers and collecting milk from them and marketing the dairy related products at locals and foreign countries. Now, PRAN Dairy has taken projects to become self-reliant in dairy industry and working to create huge market at foreign countries. Apart from this, the company is also manufacturing and exporting some other products including juice and beverage, biscuit and bakery, frozen snacks and confectionery items. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
BEPZA seeks more South Korean investment in EPZs, BEPZA EZ
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has invited South Korean investors to invest more in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of Bangladesh and BEPZA Economic Zone located at Mirsarai, Chattogram. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Md. Ziaur Rahman made this call as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Investment Opportunities in the Export Processing Zones and BEPZA Economic Zone of Bangladesh" held yesterday in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea. Korean Community in Bangladesh, Kido Industrial Co. Ltd. and Giant BD Company Ltd. jointly organized this seminar. Ambassador of South Korea to Bangladesh Park Young Sik and Ambassador of Bangladesh to South Korea Md. Delwar Hossain attended the seminar as special guests, said a press release. About 60 participants representing various South Korean investment organizations/industrial groups attended the seminar. In the seminar, BEPZA Executive Chairman provided a comprehensive picture of the favorable investment climate presently prevailing in Bangladesh, particularly for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He said, "Bangladesh has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade. The strategic geographical location, demographic dividend, large and expanding domestic market, stable socio-political environment, etc. are the key contributors to the rapid economic development of Bangladesh." Major General Kalam said that the main attraction of investment in Bangladesh is the most inexpensive, productive, abundant and easily trainable workforce. The minimum wage of the workers in Bangladesh is the lowest in Asia, he added. Highlighting the incentives and facilities provided by the present government to the investors, the BEPZA Executive Chairman said that Bangladesh has been consistently liberalizing its foreign investment policies over the time. "The government has formulated "One Stop Service Act" for the Investment Promotion Agencies of Bangladesh to provide faster and better services," he added. Mentioning the expansion plan of BE PZA the Executive Chairman said, along with the 8 operational EPZs, BEPZA is establishing an Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram which has already attracted 28 industries in its development stage, and few of them started production. Moreover, establishment of 3 new EPZs are also under process which will be ready for the investors by the end of 2025. He urged South Korean investors to come forward and explore the potentiality of investment in Bangladesh especially in these zones under BEPZA. Mentioning the long-standing friendly relationship between Bangladesh and South Korea, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Bangladesh Park Young Sik, highlighted Bangladesh's remarkable success story in the garment sector. He informed the South Korean investors regarding investment opportunities in Bangladesh focusing its gradual progress in all sectors including infrastructure, graduation from LDC status and the nation's vision to build Smart Bangladesh. Ambassador of Bangladesh to South Korea Md. Delwar Hossain me ntioned the various steps of the government to create investment friendly Bangladesh and urged Korean investors to invest more in Bangladesh. In the welcome speech, Chairman of KIDO Bangladesh Jang Hee Park, a South Korean investors of Adamjee EPZ highly appreciated the services provided by BEPZA in setting up factories at EPZ of Bangladesh. He urged Korean investors to be benefitted by investing in the EPZ of Bangladesh. The seminar was ended with a lively question and answer session where the BEPZA Executive Chairman along with Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion), Fazlul Haque Mazumder, Additional Executive Director (Investment Promotion), and Ali Istiak Chowdhury, Director of BEPZA answered various questions of the participants. BEPZA gets positive feedback from few investors who expressed their interest in investing in Bangladesh soon. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
India allows export of onion to Bangladesh, other 5 countries
India has allowed export of 99,150 tonnes of onion to six neighbouring countries including Bangladesh despite the ban of shipments, an official statement of Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said today. The five other neighbouring countries are - the UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Indian government has imposed ban on onion export on December 8, 2023 to ensure adequate domestic availability against the backdrop of estimated lower Kharif and Rabi crops production in 2023-24 as compared to previous year. Following the ban, the onion prices in Bangladesh shoot up causing sufferings to the consumers. The statement said the quotas allocated for export to the six countries are being supplied as per requisition made by the destination country. The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), the agency for export of onion to these countries, sourced the domestic onions to be exported through e-platform at L1 prices. The NCEL supplied to the agency or agencies no minated by the government of the destination country at the negotiated rate on 100% advance payment basis, it added. The offer rate of NCEL to the buyers takes into account the prevailing prices in the destination market and also international and domestic markets. As the largest producer of onion in the country, Maharashtra is the major supplier of onions sourced by NCEL for export. Besides, India had also allowed export of 2000 MT of white onion cultivated specially for export markets in Middle-East and some European countries. Being purely export oriented, production cost of the white onion is higher than other onions due to higher seed cost, adoption of good agricultural practice (GAP) and compliance to strict maximum residue limits (MRL) requirements. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
Weather update: Chances of storm at some places of Koshi and Sudurpaschim
Kathmandu: The country is still experiencing partial influence of westerly wind and local wind. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather of hilly areas of Koshi Province and Sudurpaschim Province has remained partly cloudy and mainly fair weather in rest of the country. The sky in hilly regions of Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province would remain partly cloudy and mainly fair in rest of the country this afternoon. Brief rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of hilly regions of Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province and at one or two places of the hilly region of rest of the country, shared the Division. Similarly, light snowfall has been forecast at one or two places of high-hilly and mountainous region of Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province. There is also possibility of storm at some places of Lumbini Province, Sudurpaschim Province, Gandaki Province and Koshi Province. Tonight, the weather in Koshi Province, Gandaki Province and Karnali Province would remain partly cloudy and partly cloudy to mainly fair in rest of the country. Brief rainfall/thundershower is likely to occur at one or two places of hilly region of Koshi Province, Gandaki Province and Karnali Province. Likewise, there is also chances of light snowfall and rainfall at one or two places of high-hilly and mountainous region of Koshi Province, Gandaki Province and Karnali Province. Brief rain with thunder and lightning has been predicted at some places of hilly region of Koshi Province, Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province in next 24 hours. Source: National News Agency RSS
By-election held with peace and enthusiasm-Election Commission
Kathmandu: The Election Commission said the by-election was held in Ilam and Bajhang in a peaceful and enthusiastic manner. Issuing a press release on Saturday evening, the EC said the by-election in Ilam House of Representatives (HoR) constituency-2 and Bajhang HoR Constituency 1(a) was conducted peacefully and enthusiastically. The EC has extended its gratefulness to the Nepal government, province government, local elvel, employees, security personnel, political parties, voters, observers and candidates as well as all sectors and communities for their role to make by-election a success. Source: National News Agency RSS
Vote counting to begin tonight in Ilam
The turnout in by-poll held in Ilam constituency-2 for House of Representative (HoR) remained 59.79 per cent, the Office of the Chief Election Officer said. The Office said that details from all polling centres were received and altogether 69,287 voters cast their votes in the HoR by-election. As shared by the Office, 35,135 men, 34,150 and two others voted in the by-polls. In the HoR elections held in November 2022, the voters' turnout was 57.44 in Ilam constituency no-2. Chief District Officer of Ilam, Indra Dev Yadav, said that the by-election was held peacefully. He said that preparations are ongoing to begin vote counting tonight. The Office stated that the ballot boxes would be brought to the district headquarters by 11:00 pm and the counting will be started tonight after holding an all-party meeting if the ballot boxes were received. It is said that it could take some more time to bring the ballot boxes from Chulachuli, Mangsebung and Phakphokthum rural municipalities. The counting of the vote s would be done at Gautam Buddha City Hall in Ilam Municipality-7 and the area has been fenced there. Likewise, 11 CC cameras have been installed in the vote counting site. Source: National News Agency RSS
Policy clarity imperative for boosting investment in Nepal: US Ambassador
Kathmandu: US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson has stressed the need of policy stability for any country to gain economic prosperity. At an interaction 'Advancing U.S.-Nepal Commercial Relations', hosted here today by the US Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Nepal, he laid emphasis on clarity in policy for boosting domestic or foreign investment. A transparent, stable and predictable policy is a must for enabling environment for economic prosperity, he said, calling for paying attention to that end. "The United States and Nepal have a long-standing relationship and the US would like to see Nepal progress in the fields of prosperous democracy, economic growth and development and human rights and social justice," he said. Economic prosperity could be attained with the prevalence of democracy and social justice, the US envoy claimed. Ambassador Thompson said the US government has been supporting small enterprises run by women, as well as flowing investment in infrastructure sectors including electric transmis sion lines, roads of late. Senior Vice President of South Asia US Chamber of Commerce, Atul Keshap said such an event would impart a positive message on the eve of the investment summit beginning in Nepal tomorrow. Noting that Nepal has huge potential for investment in digital economy, information technology and agriculture sectors, he said prosperity would be achieved in the country through the development of these sectors. He also echoed the need for policy clarity to increase investment and expressed the confidence that huge investment would come in if an investment-friendly environment was created. "Currently, US investment shares only 3 per cent of total foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing to Nepal which he said can be augmented in coming days if there is an investment-friendly environment and policy." Chairman of American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Nepal and Vice President and Managing Director of MetLife Nepal, Nirmal Kajee Shrestha said Nepal is a country with great investment potentials. "Nepal is a country with investment potentials, our current priority is to make the current investment sustainable and increase US investment in the coming days," he said, adding support from all partners is needed for this. ' USAID Nepal has been working in collaboration with the public and private sectors in the fields of tourism, information technology, agriculture and clean energy for Nepal's economic development. He also said that there is a huge potential in Nepal's tourism sector. "Nepal's tourism sector is moving forward in a new way and there is a huge potential in the tourism sector. Economic development can be achieved by investing in tourism," he said. Director of US National Security Council's South Asia Regional Affairs Seamas Whitesel stressed that national security would be strengthened if economic prosperity prevailed. Nepali entrepreneur Sujeev Shakya stressed Nepal should utilize its present position of demographic dividends. "Nepal is amidst two large economies like China and India. Th e country now has the same potentials as it has a large number of young people," he said. On the occasion, representatives of US-funded projects in Nepal shared their experiences on the opportunities and challenges of working in Nepal. On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the US Chamber of Commerce Nepal and the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration on US Trade and Investment Strategic Cooperation. AMCHAM Chair Shrestha and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis Heather Helm signed on behalf of the International Trade Administration. Source: National News Agency RSS
DPM Yadav off to US
Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav has left here for the United States of America (USA) this evening. As a representative of the government, Minister Yadav will take part in the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Population and Development to be held in New York from April 29 to May 3. Minister Yadav is scheduled to return home on May 7. Meanwhile, the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal's publicity department chief, Purna Basnet, told the RSS that JSP Chairman Yadav has assigned party central executive committee member Rajendra Prasad Shrestha as the Acting Chairman of JSP, Nepal. Source: National News Agency RSS
49.12% turnout in Bajhang by-poll
Altogether 30,328 votes cast their votes in the by-election held in Bajhang-1 (A) for the province assembly on Saturday. Chief Election Officer Sudarshan Lamichhane said the by-polls in Bajhang recorded 49.12 percent turnout in the polls happened from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Likewise, Lamichhane said that voting was completed peacefully in 74 polling stations and 93 polling centres. Eleven candidates are vying for the province assembly member. UML's Daman Bahadur Bhandari, Nepali Congress Avisekh Bahadur Singh and CPN (Maoist Centre)'s Janak Bahadur Budha are the candidates in the by-poll. Source: National News Agency RSS
NC President Deuba extends gratefulness over peaceful conduction of by-election
Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended gratefulness to all sides over the peaceful conduction of by-election in Ilam and Jhapa on Saturday. Issuing a statement today, President Deuba thanked all actors involved for the accomplishment of by-election in the Ilam House of Representatives (HoR) constituency-2 and Bajhang HoR constituency 1(a) in a peaceful atmosphere. He also said enthusiastic participation of the voters has once again expressed the deep and unwavering trust of the Nepali citizens to democracy. President Deuba expressed the belief that the by-election results would help the country build an equitable and just society based on democratic culture. "I express my gratitude and gratefulness to the voters of Ilam and Bajhang for casting their votes with patience. It is believed that the active participation of the voters in the by-election will further contribute to strengthening and institutionalizing the federal democratic republic". Li kewise, the NC President thanked the Election Commission, civil service employees, security personnel, political parties participating in the election and media persons for their roles in successfully holding the election in a peaceful and fearless environment. Source: National News Agency RSS