Category: Industry

A new passenger terminal building (I) was inaugurated at Integrated Check Post Petrapole – on India’s side of the Benapole border -on Friday in a major boost to modernization of border infrastructure and to further strengthen Bangladesh-India connectivity.

ICP Petrapole, the largest land port in South Asia, is the most important port for passengers’ movement between the two countries.

It is also the ninth largest international immigration port of India, handling about 23 lakh passengers annually.

Built by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), the new PTB (I) is spread across an area of 1,305 Sqm and is designed to handle around 550 passengers at any point of time.

The new PTB (I) will facilitate smooth and comfortable movement of passengers and is equipped with facilities such as Immigration, Customs and Security under one roof.

The Terminal Building is also equipped with 32 immigration counters, 4 customs counters, 8 security counters and has adequate office spaces for allied stakeholders.

Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Nisith Pramanik, Minister of State for Home Affairs joined from the Indian side while Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister of State for Shipping, joined from Bangladesh side at the function.

Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Aditya Mishra, Chairman, LPAI, and Md. Alamgir, Additional Secretary and Chairman, Bangladesh Land Port Authority were also present on the occasion.

As Bangladesh and India celebrate fifty momentous years of diplomatic partnership, all the guests at the inaugural ceremony reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship and putting in place requisite modern infrastructure facilitating greater people-to-people connectivity.

LPAI is also in the process of constructing a new state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building (II) at ICP Petrapolewhich is planned to cater to half a million handling capacity.

The construction work commenced in February 2020 and is expected to be completed by end of 2022.

During the inaugural ceremony, the guests also laid the foundation stone of a common second cargo gate along the India-Bangladesh border.

By setting an example of strong Border Agency Coordination between LPAI and BLPA, this move is expected to speed up the release/clearance of goods at the border crossing through a better institutional arrangement and further enhance bilateral trade and connectivity between the two countries.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court placed Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin, the chairman of the troubled company, on a three-day remand on Friday, a day after the couple was arrested on charges of embezzlement and fraudulence.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Atiqul Islam passed the order after rejecting their bail plea on Friday noon.

The couple was arrested by Rab on Thursday from their flat in Mohammadpur.

They were produced before court at noon.

Aminul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Gulshan Police Station, said police sought 10-day remand for Rassel and Shamima for quizzing them over the allegation that they misappropriated several hundred crores of taka taken in advance from the e-commerce company’s customers and deceiving them by not delivering the products.

During interrogation after arrest Rassel informed that Evaly has liabilities of more than TK 1,000 crore, Khandaker Al Moin, Rab’s Legal and Media wing director revealed during a press briefing at the elite force’s headquarters on Friday.

The Evaly couple was held after an aggrieved customer Arif Baker lodged a case with Gulshan police station accusing Rassel, Shamina and few other company executives of embezzlement and fraudulence.

Sub-inspector Ahidul Islam, the investigation officer of the case, said the case was registered over the allegation of embezzlement of money and fraudulence.

Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), an arm of the Bangladesh Bank that specializes in financial crime investigations, directed all 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, also received allegations from consumers about “cheating” by Evaly.

Bangladesh Bank officials said that 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

Walton has targeted exporting “Made in Bangladesh” products worth $100 million to the global market in the fiscal year (FY) 2021-22.

Golam Murshed, managing director and chief executive officer of Walton Hi-Tech Industries, announced the target recently on the closing day of a two-day “Walton International Business Summit 2021” in Sreemangal.

Walton International Business Unit (IBU) organised this summit as part of the implementation of the roadmap of the company’s “Vision – Go Global 2030.”

Setting targets of exporting products worth $100 million by 2022 and initiating other plans for export expansion were highlighted at the summit, according to a media statement.

At the summit, Golam Murshed said: “Walton products now have a combined market value of about $1 billion in local and international arenas that need to be raised to $10 billion over the next nine years.”

IBU President Edward Kim said the export volume of Walton products was less than $1 million in 2018 and 2019. “But in 2020, exports increased to $14 million. Despite the Covid-19 situation, new export markets for Walton products have been created in 14 countries, including nine in Europe.”

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Friday expressed grave concern over the central bank’s directive seeking bank account details of 11 journalist leaders.

This concern was expressed at a meeting of the Executive Council of the DUJ on Friday afternoon.

“DUJ thinks it is unprecedented and ill motivated to summon bank accounts of the elected top leaders of a particular profession,” read a press release.

“This has created a scary atmosphere in the entire journalistic community and this incident is a threat to independent journalism,” observed the meeting.

DUJ has decided to exchange views with former and current journalist leaders next Sunday afternoon over the matter.

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the Bangladesh Bank issued letters to the commercial banks asking for details of bank accounts of 11 journalist leaders last week.

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said journalist leaders have no reason to be worried about their bank account details sought by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of a faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), the minister also said the government is trying to bring discipline in the mass media by removing various problems.

Dr Hasan said he tried to look into the matter after seeing a report in the newspaper on seeking bank account details of 11 journalist leaders by the BFIU.

“The government can of course seek bank account details of anybody for any reason. But I don’t think there’s any reason to be worried about it. I know those whose bank account details have been sought. I also know the financial condition of many of them,” he said.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A fire broke out at Notunpara Jamia Islamia Rafiqia Madrasa Market in Sunamganj’s Bisshomvorpur upazila Friday morning.

The fire started at around 11am and gutted three shops. However, no casualties were reported.

Upon information from a journalist, a unit of Bisshomvorpur fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.

The owners of the burnt shops claimed that their losses amount to Tk 10 lakh.

Traffic on the Bisshomvorpur to Tahirpur road was temporarily disrupted due to the incident, said police station sources.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A strong and modern UK-Bangladesh financial sector partnership has potential for mutual benefits, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP said recently.

“The basic ingredients already exist: Bangladeshi banks are present in the UK, and British financial services companies like HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank, operate in Bangladesh. Others, including insurance companies, are exploring the market,” she added.

Rushanara also applauded the economic goals Bangladesh has set to reach an upper-middle-income status by 2031 and high-income status by 2041.

The British High Commission in Bangladesh recently organised a webinar titled “Bangladesh Capital Markets: A New Frontier.”

Planning Minister MA Mannan attended the event as chief guest. He was joined by Rushanara Ali.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson delivered the welcome remarks. Deputy British High Commissioner Javed Patel and Development Director Judith Herbertson moderated different sessions.

The webinar explored the functioning of Bangladesh’s capital markets and looked at how capital market reform and financial sector modernisation in partnership with the UK can support increased private sector investment and help Bangladesh achieve sustained economic growth as it enters its next 50 years.

Also, the event highlighted the need for broadening and deepening Bangladeshi capital markets and the opportunities for investors and issuers that reforms could bring.

Participants shared insights on the role of regulators, the important role pension funds and institutional investors could play, the private equity and start-up ecosystem, and the current state of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market.

The discussion demonstrated how well the Bangladesh economy is performing relative to its neighbours and how best it can build on that success and improve its attractiveness to investors.

HSBC Bangladesh CEO Md Mahbubur Rahman said: “Despite challenges, Bangladesh’s economy has proved to be resilient with consistently high growth in the last decade and growth volatility below the regional average. With constraints to investment by the public and private sectors like power and infrastructure gradually being addressed, Bangladesh has momentum in its favour as the country graduates from a least developed country to a developing one in 2026.”

Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh CEO Naser Ezaz Bijoy said, “Bangladesh is getting ripe for M&A activities on the back of a probable post-pandemic K-shaped economic recovery, consolidation of market players, and significant unrealised potential of the country. However, the scope of M&A activities is much wider than the sale of distressed assets, and can enable both private and public sector companies to unlock greater value for themselves and their clients.”

Nuzhat Anwar, the International Finance Corporation’s acting country manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, said: “Well-developed domestic capital markets can be key to building more resilient financial systems – systems that better mobilise local currency finance from domestic and foreign investors and connect them to investments.”

Srini Nagarajan, head of Asia for CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, said: “Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and we believe it could emerge as one of the strongest economies in South Asia. Since 2020, it has increased its market capitalisation by over a third. The opportunities for investors and businesses are abundant, and greater coordination between institutional investors, regulators, entrepreneurs and corporates, and banks will further support capital market development in Bangladesh.”

Robert Chatterton Dickson highlighted the role London can play in helping to bridge the investment needs of Bangladesh’s private sector.

He said: “Private capital investment in business and infrastructure will play an increasing role in powering the next stage of Bangladesh’s growth after the country’s graduation from the least developed category. Developing new channels of investment finance, both domestic and international, will spur business growth and job creation.”

“London, as a preeminent global financial centre and home to some of the world’s deepest and most sophisticated international capital markets, can play an important part in providing Bangladesh’s government and private sector with a gateway to capital markets and investors,” he added.

The webinar was also attended by senior government officials and representatives from private and public sector organisations including Sultana Afroz, secretary and CEO of Public Private Partnership Authority, Prime Minister’s Office; Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, Henry Tillman, chairman of Grisons Peak Services, Ifty Islam, chairman of Asian Tiger Capital, Fahim Ahmed, president of Pathao, Nishant Kumar, managing director of Asia at GuarantCo, Fiona Stewart, lead financial sector specialist at the World Bank, and Tarique Amin Bhuiyan, managing director of the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) has been offered job opportunities. PDB will recruit 31 people in 2 posts. According to the recruitment notification, the application will start on September 5. Interested candidates can apply till September 30.

Job Description and Salary Scale

Assistant Director (Accounts / Finance / Audit / Commercial Management).

Number of posts: 11.

Salary Scale: TK.22,000–TK. 53,060. Apart from this, there are other common facilities.

Educational Qualification: Post Graduate in Commerce. However, interested candidates will not be able to apply if the result is below the second class in any examination. Experience is required in case of departmental candidates.

Job type: Permanent

Candidate Type: Male-Female

Workplace: Any place

Age Limit:

The job notification said that the candidates who have completed 30 years of age on March 25 last year will also be eligible to apply. However, the maximum age limit for children of freedom fighters and physically challenged applicants is 32 years on the same day.

Must be 40 years in departmental field. Affidavits will not be admissible in case of proof of age.

Rules of application

Interested candidates can apply through the website www.bpdb.teletalk.com.bd. Scan 300-300 size photo and 300-60 size signature should be attached with the application.

Application fee

Application fee of Tk 800 should be sent through Teletalk SIM within 72 hours.

Application Deadline:

Interested candidates can apply till 5 pm on September 30.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

After a flip-flop, the Bangladesh government has finally decided to keep CNG refuelling stations across the country closed for four hours daily from Sunday.

The CNG pumps will remain closed from 6pm to 10pm daily from September 19, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said in a notification on Wednesday night.

Earlier, a decision was taken to keep the CNG refuelling stations closed for six hours, from 5pm to 11pm from September 15.

But that decision was later shelved and the new one was taken only after consultations with the owners of CNG stations.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Thursday dismissed a rule issued upon a writ petition filed over appointing 1650 deputy assistant agriculture officers at the Department of Agricultural Extension.

A HC bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order during a final hearing on the rule issued in this regard..

Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed said with this order the appointment process of those officers has become legal.

Barrister Rokon Udin Mahmud, advocate Prabir Niogi, Subrata Kumar Kundu and Salauddin Regan presented the petitioner’s side at the court while Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed and Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Ray stood for the state.

On January 23, 2018 a notification was published to appoint 1,650 deputy assistant agriculture officers.

On January 17, 2020 after written exam and viva voce the results for the job examination were published.

Thirty-four of the attendees at the viva exam sent a petition to the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Agriculture secretary complaining of not following the quota system properly during the appointments.

Later Md Rashedul Islam and other candidates for the post filed a writ petition at the court after receiving no reply from the authorities.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

We are looking for experienced, well skills, Senior Digital Marketing Executive to assist in the planning, execution and optimization of our online marketing efforts. The promotion of products and operating an online news portal through digital channels is a complex procedure with great potential which becomes increasingly useful for companies such as ours.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for all things marketing and technology.

Job Position: Digital Marketing Specialist

Job Responsibilities

Executes all web, SEO/SEM, social media, and display advertising campaigns.

Designs, builds, and maintains Companies social media presence.

Brainstorms new and creative growth strategies through digital marketing.

Collaborates with internal teams and maintaining good communication

Have to do work on time and able to meet the deadline

Able to increase revenue by company products and others sources

Able to directly work with a manager and able to complete on time given assignments

Must be able to do individually Off/On Page SEO, A/B Test, Backlink, BR, CTA, Hub spot , Affinities

Able to increase subscribers on company`s youtube, increase the followers on SM

Expertise on Books, Arts etc marketing on digital platforms.

Able to perform on SS

Expertise and practical knowledge on Google Search Console

Promote company’s products in the digital space.

Measure performance of digital marketing efforts using a variety of Web analytics tools (Google Analytics, etc.)

Develop strategies that drive audience to the website

Coordinate closely with relevant teams (i.e. sales, product, and technical) to plan and execute effective campaigns.

Operating all social media presence across all digital channels

Brainstorm new and creative growth strategies

Able to execute the plans to sale products like books, arts work and work together with online News portal

Analyze digital data to draw key recommendations around website optimization

Expertise and Practically implement of SEO, and Google all technical activities

Idea Generating of producing visual content

Conduct web audits individually to ensure best practices are being used

Achieve audience engagement, website traffic, and revenue by exploiting all digital marketing aspects of social media marketing roadmap.

Conduction routine tasks assigned by the management and providing feedback to the management as per company requirement.

Requirements

Must be certified in different skills of digital marketing with practical technical issues

Proven experience as Digital Marketer role

Able to play the role of a team members

Excellent understanding of digital marketing concepts and best practices

Experience with B2C social media, SEO/SEM

Perfect knowledge of web analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Web technical issues etc )

Skills and experience in creative content writing

Analytical mindset and critical thinking

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Full understanding of all social media platforms

Problem solving skills

Knowledge of content management systems

Experience and practical works:

At least 6-10 years’ experience of practical works in digital marketing

Education:

At least BBA in Marketing and must be fluent in English

Employment Status: Full-time

Workplace: Work at office

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: Negotiable

Application Deadline: 23 September, 2021

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said journalist leaders have no reason to be worried about their bank account details sought by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of a faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), the minister also said the government is trying to bring discipline in the mass media by removing various problems.

Dr Hasan said he tried to look into the matter after seeing a report in the newspaper on seeking bank account details of 11 journalist leaders by the BFIU.

“The government can of course seek bank account details of anybody for any reason. But I don’t think there’s any reason to be worried about it. I know those whose bank account details have been sought. I also know the financial condition of many of them,” he said.

The DUJ’s AGM was held at the Jatiya Press Club with its president Quddus Afrad in the chair.

The BFIU of the Bangladesh Bank issued letters to the commercial banks asking for details of bank accounts of 11 journalist leaders last week.

The ministers said journalists themselves demanded removing chaos in the mass media and he is trying to do it in consultation with media persons. “This process is going on, and discipline has already been restored in many cases.”

He said the government is going to enforce the existing laws in the country so that foreign channels cannot show any advertisement without permission from October next.

Dr Hasan said they are also trying to ensure discipline in the case of IP TV as its registration process will start very soon.

About journalists’ concern about the Digital Security Act, he said this law has been enacted to ensure digital security to all people of the country. “There’re such laws all over the world, including in our neighbouring countries. Even, there’re tougher laws there.”

The minister said journalists or anyone else can get redress under this law if they are subjected to character assassination digitally. “So, the Digital Security Act is needed. At the same time, it should be ensured that this law does not hinder the professional duty of journalists.”

Speaking at the programme, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said those who engaged in the great profession of journalism have a deep responsibility and duty towards the country and the nation.

He called upon the journalists to brighten the country’s image in the international arena through depicting the real scenario of the country through objective journalism.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

A joint communication on the “EU Strategy” for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific has been adopted saying the European Union is stepping up its strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region as the region is increasing its strategic importance for Europe.

The joint communication adopted by the Commission and the High Representative on Thursday contains concrete actions to reinforce the strategic engagement with the region, as tasked by the Council on 19 April 2021.

The EU will deepen its engagement with partners in the Indo-Pacific to respond to emerging dynamics that are affecting regional stability.

“The economic, demographic, and political weight of the Indo-Pacific region is expanding, from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific island states,” said President Ursula von der Leyen.

With today’s proposals, and guided by values, Leyen said they are offering a strengthened partnership to advance trade, investment and connectivity, while addressing common global challenges and reinforcing the rules-based international order.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said the world’s centre of gravity is moving towards the Indo Pacific, both in geo-economic and geo-political terms.

“The futures of the EU and the Indo-Pacific are interlinked. The EU is already the top investor, the leading development cooperation partner and one of the biggest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Borrell said.

The High Representative said their engagement aims at maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, while building strong and lasting partnerships to cooperate on matters from the green transition, ocean governance or the digital agenda to security and defence.

The EU and the Indo-Pacific are highly interconnected, with many shared interests and solid ties, from trade and investments to research and innovation, as well as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity protection and security.

Its growing economic, demographic, and political weight makes it a key player in shaping the rules-based international order and in addressing global challenges.

The EU aims to contribute to the region’s stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, in line with the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law, according to a statement issued from Brussels.

The implementation of the EU Strategy will include in particular the following actions: completing EU trade negotiations with Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand; resuming trade negotiations and starting investment negotiations with India; completing an Economic Partnership Agreement with the East Africa Community; assessing the possible resumption of trade negotiations with Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, and the eventual negotiation of a region-to-region trade agreement with ASEAN.

The EU mentioned concluding Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCA) with Malaysia and Thailand; starting PCA negotiations with the Maldives, and bringing the EU’s upcoming new Partnership Agreement with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (ACP) to full fruition.

It also mentioned about concluding Green Alliances and Partnerships with willing and ambitious Indo-Pacific partners to fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

The first has been agreed with Japan in May 2021.

Strengthening ocean governance in the region, including increasing the EU’s support for Indo-Pacific countries’ fisheries management and control systems, the fight against Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the implementation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements and expanding the network of digital partnerships with Indo-Pacific partners, as well as exploring the possibility of new Digital Partnership Agreements with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are also part of the particular plan of action.

The EU will step up implementation of the Connectivity Partnerships with Japan and India; supporting partners in establishing an appropriate regulatory environment and facilitating the mobilisation of the necessary funding to improve connectivity on the ground between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

It will also strengthen cooperation on research and innovation under ‘Horizon Europe’; explore the association to this programme of eligible likeminded Indo-Pacific partners such as Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore.

The EU will explore ways to ensure enhanced naval deployments by EU Member States to help protect the sea lines of communication and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific while boosting Indo-Pacific partners’ capacity to ensure maritime security.

It will reinforce support to healthcare systems and pandemic preparedness for the least developed countries in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing collaborative research on communicable diseases in the context of the Horizon Europe research programme.

The adoption of the Joint Communication follows Council Conclusions on an EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific adopted on 19 April 2021.

Source: United News of Bangladesh