Category: Industry

Stakeholders from both public and private sectors have urged the commerce ministry to include a proposal for setting up joint testing laboratories and introducing one-stop service for investors in the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India.

They made the call at the 3rd stakeholder consultation meeting, organized by the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) on CEPA on Sunday through a physical and zoom platform.

The meeting was solely focused on the trade in goods of the joint study, said a press release.

All the stakeholders hoped that the proposed CEPA agreement will result in removing the trade barriers and enhance higher volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.

Addressing the meeting Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said Bangladesh’s export growth performance in the Indian market has more potential.

He also highlighted that the country’s trade has been making a momentous contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh in terms of foreign exchange earnings, improving the balance of payments and faster creation of employment.

Md Jafar Uddin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the BFTI chaired the event and emphasized that an effective CEPA between the two countries would not only benefit both the countries in terms of enhanced employment generation and export earnings but also would help Bangladesh identify its untapped potential for export to India.

BFTI director Md. Obaidul Azam moderated the programme.

Dr Selim Raihan, lead consultant, CEPA joint feasibility study made his special remarks on the joint study at the beginning of the meeting.

Mr Mahtab Uddin, sectoral consultant of the study presented the key-note presentation at the consultation meeting.

High officials from public sector and private sector, business leaders, and academicians participated in the consultation meeting as stakeholders.

Among others, A.H.M. Ahasan, vice-chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Md. Hafizur Rahman, additional Secretary of ministry of commerce, Hafizur Rahman, director general of WTO Cell of the commerce ministry, Dr Md. KhairuzzamanMozumder, additional secretary, finance division, Noor Md. Mahbubul Haq, Joint Secretary, Sha Md. Abu Raihan Alberuni, member, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, Mohammad Jahangeer Kobir, Joint Secretary and Member, Bangladesh Land Port Authority and representatives from associations and chambers attended the consultation meeting.

The Centre for Regional Trade (CRT) under the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has been nominated to conduct the joint study from the Government of India.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A meeting of the board of directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) was held Sunday on a virtual platform.

Professor Md Nazmul Hassan, chairman of the bank, presided over the meeting.

IBBL vice-chairmen Yousif Abdullah Al-Rajhi and Md Shahabuddin, Dr Areef Suleman, foreign director and representative of Islamic Development Bank, attended the meeting.

Also, Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO of IBBL, and JQM Habibullah, deputy managing director and company secretary of the bank, were present, according to a media statement.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Many people keep pets as a hobby, and this pet once became the companion of all time. Although, this scenario might be common in first-world countries. Even a few years ago, rearing a pet was more like a luxury and troublesome hobby in Bangladesh. The main reason was the wide unavailability of pet food. However, over the last few years, the situation has improved. Having a pet is not a luxury anymore, and many people are buying and adopting pets. Furthermore, buying pet foods is not troublesome at all due to Chaldal.com’s vertical product line Pet Care.

Dogs and cats are on the list of many people’s favorites in Bangladesh as pets. But, it was difficult to find proper nutritious foods for the pets; many people refrained from keeping dogs and cats at home. So, for the pet owner’s convenience, online grocery shopping site Chaldal.com has created a special Pet Care category for dogs’ and cats’ food. From where customers get SmartHeart, Whiskas, Me o, Lara, Drools Fiskis, Mio, Delico, Purina, etc., for cats and Kennel, Bonacibo, Drools, SmartHeart, Maxi, Goodies, etc. for dogs. Let’s get to know more details about Chaldal Pet Care.

What is Chaldal Pet Care?

Pet Care is a new product line from Bangladesh’s largest online grocery shop Chaldal.com. The Pet Care industry has experienced a rise in the last few years. Chaldal’s Pet Care service came into action around 2014. When the Chaldal saw a growing demand for pet food as well as pet care items, they started the journey. Over the last few years, this product line has seen excellent growth. And currently, Per Care is one of the largest categories on Chaldal.

The company started this service with dog food initially and now sells pet foods alongside the accessories for dogs, cats, rabbits, and fish. Since the demand for pet foods is increasing, the company works hard to ensure the best quality product from authentic suppliers and sources. Nevertheless, they also ensure the best possible prices for pet owners.

Chaldal treats ‘Pet Care’ as a regular food category. So, it works as a demand pet food and products delivery service. The good thing is that anyone from all four markets- Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chittagong, and Jashore can access the pet food.

How does Pet Care source its products?

When Chaldal started the pet food business back in 2014, they struggled a lot to find the best quality product. As they were sourcing from the third party, the margin was low. Furthermore, the unavailability of the products was another concern.

But, in the last few years, they have improved significantly. They work closely with pet care products, pet food suppliers, and merchants in Bangladesh. They have built a strong supply chain. Further, they also work directly with the importers with a standard payment deal and buy upfront. Needless to say, Pet Care sources high-quality products and foods from reliable sources and then brings them to the warehouse to ensure quality and proper packaging.

The evolution of Pet Care

In the early days, Chaldal had seen a preview of the pet products prospect. The company realized that pet care products and foods would lead them to acquire a new market. But, the company took this new market seriously in 2016, and they decided to give importance to human products.

The company made a small team and a strategy for the business development. The team contacted the vendors directly and made sure of the consistent availability of the products. Further, the company also emphasizes marketing and managing. As the company learned about the market, they managed the inventory accordingly. And finally, they have seen some excellent results.

Chaldal’s Pet Care products grew significantly in 2016. After that, in 2017, they became the market leader in the online pet food business. However, they are yet to beat the largest offline pet care market, Kataban.

After seeing the prospect, the company set up a proper supply chain as well as a mechanism to manage the customers. Now the Pet Care category in Chaldal.com has everything related to pet care which includes food, toys, accessories, and more.

Challenges

While Pet Care aims to offer uninterrupted supplies, it faces some supply chain-related challenges. For example, sometimes the importers for the high demand products stop the operation or stop importing. Further, if an importer ends the agreement, the company faces a problem.

The shortage of supply has become a consistent challenge for the company during this coronavirus pandemic. It is because of the border closure and delay in international shipping. Hence, the company is facing issues to ensure the availability of popular products.

But they try to recover the issue by offering alternatives. However, they are working to solve those challenges.

The future

Having a pet has been becoming a norm in Bangladesh, especially in the posh area of the country. In the old days, people used to have local cats as a pet, which didn’t need much attention. However, a certain social class now adopts or buys foreign breeds, and special care is needed for them. And this is on the rise. Hence, pet foods and products will see a steady rise in Bangladesh. Currently, the pet market is worth BDT 5 crore and growing.

Nowadays, pet owners in Bangladesh treat their pets lavishly. Hence, the demand for different pet products will increase in the coming years. So, Chaldal’s Pet Care is a bright prospect. However, the growth of the market is lucrative, and many entrepreneurs have already emerged in the past few years. But, Chaldal doesn’t seem to pay much attention to the competitors as they are working hard to improve the service along with the quality.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Another case has been filed against 14 people, including Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin, chairman of the company, on charge of embezzlement and fraudulence.

Mohammad Quamrul Islam, another aggrieved customer and son of Junedul Islam of Old Paltan area, filed the case with Dhanmondi Model Police Station on Friday, said its officer-in-charge Ikram Ali.

Akash, vice president of Evaly, Tanvir Alam, senior accounts manager, Zahedul Islam, manager, Jawadul Haque Chowdhury, senior executive, are among the accused.

Earlier, on September 17, Rab personnel arrested Evaly CEO Rassel and his wife Nasrin, from their Mohammadpur residence.

Rassel and Shamima were arrested after an aggrieved customer, Arif Baker, lodged a case with Gulshan police station accusing them and few other company executives of embezzlement and fraudulence.

A Dhaka court on Friday placed them on a three-day remand.

Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), an arm of the Bangladesh Bank that specializes in financial crime investigations, directed all the commercial banks and financial institutions through a common letter on August 27 to freeze all the bank accounts operated by top executives of Evaly.

The Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection, a department under the Commerce Ministry, received allegations from consumers about “cheating” by Evaly.

Bangladesh Bank officials said one of the major allegations against Evaly is forcing its consumers to deposit their money in the e-wallet of the firm which was totally illegal.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The family of late Zahiduzzaman Faruque Sunday handed over budget documents and other economy-related books – collected by the economic journalist in the last 52 years – to the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) Library.

Faruque’s son Mohiuzzaman Faruque and daughter-in-law Farhana Khan handed over the documents and books to ERF President Sharmeen Rinvy and General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam at a ceremony at the ERF Library in the capital.

Economic journalist Faruque, who passed away on August 19, had worked for over four decades and would love to collect budget documents, other economy-related books and various data and information. He started keeping budget documents in 1968.

Mohiuzzaman said: “The passion and profession of my father was journalism. He also loved to do research and write on the various aspects of the economy. The purpose of handing over these books and documents is to ensure proper use of these resources.”

ERF President Sharmeen Rinvy said Zahiduzzaman Faruque had worked throughout his life to spread economic journalism in Bangladesh. “So, he collected various documents on the economy which will contribute to economic journalism in future.”

ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam said a separate corner would be set up at the ERF Library after the name of Zahiduzzaman Faruque where all the documents and books will be showcased.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Sunday among cyber security firm Backdoor Private Limited, legal service platform LegalX and Rotary Club of Uttara to create cyber awareness and ensure security primarily for the youth.

Under this MoU, the three organisations will set up a platform, called ‘Cyber Aid’ that envisages a help desk, a complaint cell and tools that promote awareness on cyber security, said a press release.

The MoU was signed at Backdoor’s office in Mohakhali DOHS, in the capital, regarding launching a help desk to help the victims of cybercrimes.

Director (Business Development) of Backdoor Private Limited, Nurfath Mahbuba Riha, CEO of LegalX Maliha Rahham and Secretary of Rotary Club of Uttara Arpita Chowdhury (Rupa) signed the MoU on behalf of the respective organisations while Tanvir Hassan Zoha, Managing Director of Backdoor, Muiz Shahab Uddin, Chairman of LegalX, Fabiha Nawar Chowdhury, COO of LegalX, M Abul Kalam Azad, CEO of Backdoor and Julhas Alam, President of Rotary Club of Uttara, were present.

“Rotary as an international organisation works in seven areas. Doing something good for young people is one of the major concerns. Since the youth are being victimised in various ways on digital platforms, we felt Rotary should do more for the youth. Rotary Club of Uttara found Backdoor and LegalX as the right partners to work in this field,” said Julhas Alam in his statement.

Tanvir Hassan Zoha said, “Digital Bangladesh is our dream, but it will be futile if we cannot ensure digital security. For ensuring digital security, creating awareness and providing proper legal advice is crucial, which is why LegalX, and Rotary Club of Uttara can make a difference through this partnership.”

Muiz Shahab Uddin said, “LegalX is glad to be a part of this project, becoming a part of Cyber Aid, to ensure proper and quality legal support to cybercrime victims. As cybercrime is a new phenomenon, we want to ensure that justice is served.’

He also said, “We must equip the future generation with skills and a mindset for safe internet usage. I am sure this platform will be a great addition to ensure cyber security.”

Cyber Aid will be a one-stop platform with experts in the field who strives to end the stigma that surrounds cybercrimes, the organisations said.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday asked District Register of Gazipur Ohidul Islam and his wife Khujista Akhtar Banu to submit their wealth statements.

Deputy Director of ACC Public relation office Muhammad Arif Sadeq told UNB, the commission has issued a notice in this regard.

The notice sought statement of their all immovable or movable property acquired by them and their dependents.

READ: Following complaints, ACC launches drive against Jibon Bima MD

The source of income and the detailed information on how those were acquired will have to be submitted to the ACC within 21 working days of receiving the notice.

If they fail to submit the statements within the stipulated time or submit false statement, action will be taken against them as per sub-section (2) of section 26 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Sunday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the assets and bank accounts held by Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif and its Pir Dillur Rahman and submit a report accordingly.

The court also directed Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC) of police to investigate if the Pir has any connection with any militant group.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order issuing a rule during a hearing on the writ petition filed by eight people harassed by false cases filed across the country by the Pir and his followers.

The court also directed the Criminal investigation Department (CID) to submit an investigation report within 60-days on all the false cases filed by the Pir and his followers.

In the rule, the court questioned why legal actions will not be taken against the accused for filing false, confusing and harassing cases making 20 including the senior secretary of the home ministry and police chief respondents.

Advocate Shishir Monir presented the petitioner’s side during the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar stood for the state.

On September 16, the eight victims filed the writ petition which said the syndicate of Pir Dillur Rahman violated their basic rights bestowed by articles 27, 31, 32 of the constitution in filing the false criminal cases against them.

Earlier on June 7, Ekramul Ahsan Kanchan, 55, resident of Shantibagh area in Dhaka filed a writ petition before the court to quash the 49 false cases filed against him across the country by syndicate of the Rajarbagh Pir.

Following which, the High Court directed CID to investigate the matter.

According to CID’s investigation report the Pir and his syndicate was pressuring Ekramul to handover a portion of his and his brother’s land in the name of Darbar Sharif which he denied.

Being upset Pir and his followers filed number of cases, including violence against women, rape, robbery, human trafficking against Ekramul in different districts.

On September 8, upon the submission of the report High Court expressed surprise over the Pir syndicate grabbing other’s lands and assets.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The indefinite bus strike that District Road Transport Workers’ Union enforced Sunday morning demanding an end to extortion from the bus drivers on Sylhet bypass road has been withdrawn.

Nurul Haque, general secretary of the union said the strike was withdrawn in the afternoon.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Md Jahangir Hossain and Additional Superintendent of police (Sadar) Jaynal Abedin held a meeting with the union leaders at noon where they assured the workers that they will take step to stop extortion on Sylhet bypass road.

The workers’ leaders then decided to withdraw the strike on condition of resolving the issue within three days.

Nurul Haque said they will resume strike if the issue is not resolved in three days.

DC Jahangir Hossain said hopefully the problem will be resolved once police are deployed in the area.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The good news is that in recent times the Bangladesh police published a new job circular for hiring new jobholders. If you are interested in Bangladesh police jobs 2021, please read the job circular in details below.

Recruitment circular has recently been issued for the post of Trainee Recruit Constable (TRC) in Bangladesh Police. Three thousand manpower will be recruited for this post. Of these, 2,550 are male and 450 are female. Applications are being made through the website police.teletalk.com.bd from September 10. The last date of application is October 8.

The applicant must be unmarried. Age 18 to 20 years. Must have passed SSC or equivalent examination, GPA at least 2.5. In case of general and other quotas, the height of male candidate should be 5 feet 6 inches. 5 feet 4 inches in case of quota for small ethnic groups and freedom fighters (except children of freedom fighters). The height of female candidates should be 5 feet 4 inches in case of general and other quotas. 5 feet 2 inches in case of small ethnic group and freedom fighter quota.

Candidates for the post of Trainee Recruit Constable will be selected in seven steps under the new rules. Detailed information regarding recruitment can be found on the official website of Bangladesh Police (www.police.gov.bd).

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has invited Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh and benefit from the attractive and investment-friendly environment here.

Economic viability, the purchasing power of people, demographic dividend and ecosystem are in favour of investment in Bangladesh, he added. “The country has been able to secure a prestigious position as a role model of development in the world with its consistent and remarkable economic growth and development performance.”

Faruque Hassan made the remark while addressing a reception accorded to him by the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Canada in Canada recently.

HM Iqbal, president of the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Canada, chaired the programme which was also attended by Nayem Uddin Ahmed, consul general of Bangladesh Consulate General in Toronto, and BGMEA director Abdullah Hil Rakib.

Faruque also encouraged non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), including those living in Canada, to promote the “Made in Bangladesh” brand in their countries of residence.

The NRBs living in Canada can play an important role to promote the interests of Bangladesh, especially those holding influential positions in their countries of residence, he added.

Also, the BGMEA president highlighted the prospect of investment in potential sectors, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles.

There are high potential areas for investment in man-made fibre-based yarns and fabrics, functional fabrics like polyester, viscose, spandex, and mélange, he said.

Apart from textiles, there are huge investment opportunities in other sectors which can substitute imports and complement industries in Bangladesh like spare parts, textile machinery, even light engineering, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and shipbuilding. The ICT sector is also a high potential sector for investment in Bangladesh, Faruque added.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Saturday alleged that Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the central bank sought the bank account details of 11 journalist leaders as part of a government move to gag the media.

“The government has long been enacting various black laws to suppress the media. They’re now trying to shut online news portals through court,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a protest rally in the city’s Nayabazar area, he also said the Bangladesh Bank has now started harassing journalists by sending letters to them (seeking their bank account details) to silence them. “Basically, they’re taking these steps to gag the media and suppress people.”

Local BNP leaders and activists arranged the programme protesting a ‘false’ campaign against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his family members.

The BFIU has recently issued letters to commercial banks asking for details of bank accounts of 11 journalist leaders.

Rizvi alleged that Awami League leaders — from the Prime Minister to ministers –have been carrying out propaganda against Zia and his family members to mislead people. “But people have turned down the false campaigns with hatred.”

He said the government has failed to deliver on all fronts as its main focus is on corruption, not on people’s welfare.

“The government set a new record of corruption in Bangladesh history during its current tenure. It has lost the ground beneath its feet. The global community has also turned its back on the government,” the BNP leader said.

Rizvi said different countries in the world are also calling for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh alongside the country’s people. “The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are mounting pressure for strengthening democracy in Bangladesh.”

He said their party together with people will force the current government to restore democracy in the country.

Source: United News of Bangladesh