Business
Eid: No trade activities via Sonamasjid land port for 4 days
All import and export activities between Bangladesh and India through the Sonamasjid land port will remain suspended for four days during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
Abdur Rashid, general secretary of the Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agents Association, said that trade activities will remain suspended from July 9 to 12 and resume on July 13.
How to Ace Government Examinations Without Coaching: The Sure-fire Way
Government jobs are some of the most lucrative opportunities out there. Every year, hundreds and thousands of graduates participate in some of the most competitive exams leading to prestigious positions. The fierce competition has given rise to so-called government job coaching centers. Some of whom are focused on cash grab opportunities rather than being an actual guide for the candidates. In that respect, the question arises, do students really need coaching to qualify in the government job examinations? The short answer is no and we’ll tell you why.
Step by Step Guide to Ace Government Examinations Without Coaching
First, ask yourself, why does anyone go to coaching centers for government examinations? Most of the examinations are aptitude based with a syllabus set from what the students have already learned in their 16 years of education before graduation. So why coaching centers?
First of all, the coaching centers are geared to be a guideline that will keep the students on track. It's normal to lose focus or procrastinate with the preparation while doing it on your own. A coaching center aims to eliminate the narcissistic approach and reign in the preparation.
Read Overcoming Exam Phobia: 10 ways to handle anxiety, fear of examinations
Now coming back to the point of not needing a coaching center, a student simply has to ensure that they don’t get sidetracked. As long as the students can keep their focus on the goal, coaching centers are simply a waste of money.
With that in mind, self-preparation can be divided into three stages.
Initial Stage – The Plan
The first stage will focus on gathering information and motivation. Start by the following.
Understand the Exam
Every government job examination has a fixed syllabus and question pattern. The first thing is to collect and go through the syllabus in detail. Another approach would be to buy a job solution guide that lists the previous year’s questions and their solution. Understanding the syllabus is key to planning the next strategies.
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Collect Resources
Resources include study materials. There are tons of study materials that all claim to be the best in the market. Truth is, almost all of them are more or less the same. In this regard, focus on quality, not quantity.
Buy any one or two books as reference for each subject rather than going all out. This will not only keep you on track for a comprehensive preparation but also be light on your pocket. Check previous topper interviews. They often tend to list their study resources.
Secondary Stage – The Preparation
If you’re done with checking the syllabus and getting the resources, it’s time to move on to the next stage – the preparation.
Make a Routine
The most important aspect of government job preparation is simply being consistent with the preparation. And it all starts with making a feasible routine. Make an adequate 5 to 6 hours of study plan every day. A routine will immensely help to stay on track and be strategic with the preparation.
Read Goldilock Rule: How to stay motivated, take challenges in life, career, business
Set a Weekly Goal
The next target is to make small goals. Make a list of weekly learning targets and test yourself on the same. Study shows that human minds respond best when there is a sense of urgency involved. So a weekly targeted study will keep a student right on track.
Cutting Off Distractions
There can be a lot of distractions to studies. Part of the reason why most students go for coaching is to focus on studies staying away from distractions.
Some of the more common distractions include browsing social media, watching Netflix or Youtube, hanging out with friends, etc. Before you even realize it, they can severely hamper your preparation and create a backlog.
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So it's important to effectively cut off distractions during the preparation period leading up to the examinations. This is where a student will have to realize the opportunity cost of giving up socialization for securing a prestigious job opportunity.
Take Notes
From the context of Bangladesh, the government job examinations are more or less similar. They all follow a standard aptitude test style involving subjects covered in the secondary and higher secondary curriculum. Some specialized positions will have a specialized syllabus but for general positions, the syllabus remains more or less the same.
The reason why this is advantageous is that a student can appear in multiple examinations with a single combined preparation. In that regard, it is important to make notes. It's only human nature to forget things. Keeping a note will help to etch out important information in the head and revisit it when necessary.
Read How to ace a Job Interview?
The Stage-Wise Preparation
Most government jobs in Bangladesh hold their recruitment in three stages – preliminary exams, written and then viva. The period from one exam to the other is relatively less. So rather than just focusing on say just the preliminaries, make sure to go after the written and viva preparations as well.
Final Stage – The Execution
Revision
The final stages of the preparation shouldn’t be focused on learning new things. Instead, focus on revising what you have already learned and revisit them topically. Job examinations cover a wide range of topics so it's important to focus on what's already been learned rather than learning new things at the last moment.
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Practice
Practice is important for technical aspects like mathematics and critical reasoning. The more you practice, the better your chances become of acing the exam. So set aside a certain time each day for practice.
Self-Motivation
It's normal to feel panicked as the exam days close. Rather than panicking and feeling lost, try to motivate yourself to stay focused. In your free time, you can do yoga or watch motivational videos for mental peace. Overall, try to stay calm and not take unnecessary pressure.
Adequate Rest
The importance of rest cannot be stressed enough. Sometimes students get so carried away with last-minute preparation that they completely ignore rest and self-care. However, this does more harm than good. Adequate rest should be ensured for a clear and efficient mind during the exam.
Read Best Job Searching Websites in Bangladesh
Final Words
On the whole, whether students need coaching to succeed in the government job examinations, depends on style of hard work and preparation. Government job examinations are some of the toughest and most competitive exams out there. With the sheer volume of applicants against each opening, it doesn’t need much to say about the competition that goes behind. In such a scenario, a student can still ace them without having to spend sizable money for the coaching. All they need is the mental will, focus, and concerted effort as listed above.
Marcel provides up to Tk 8,000 discounts on television
Marcel is providing up to Tk 8,000 discounts on its 24–43-inch basic LED and Android smart television sets.
The customer benefits are being given under the ‘Best TV Deal’ campaign which can be availed by buying TV sets from any Marcel showroom across the country from July 1 and will be continued until further notice, the company said in a statement.
It said a discount of Tk 8,000 is being given on 43-inch basic LED TV. Customers can now buy the TV at only Tk 27,900. Another discount of Tk 6,090 is applicable for its 43-inch Android TV and customers are getting it at Tk 32,900. A discount of Tk 5, 000 is being given on Marcel's 32-inch Basic LED and Android TVs which now cost Tk 13,900 and Tk 22,900 respectively.
Also Read: Eid: Marcel Digital Campaign Season 15 begins
Meanwhile, a discount of Tk 5,000 is applied for Marcel's 40-inch basic LED TV. Customers are getting it at Tk 25,900 while Tk 4,000 discount is available for 40-inch Android TV and it costs only Tk 28,900. The 24-inch LED TV has been priced at Tk 11,900 under the Best TV Deal campaign.
Shakhawat Hossen, Head of Sales at Marcel, said, “Marcel televisions are enriched with the latest technology and features. TV sets of Marcel have gained huge popularity all over the country for affordable prices and the best after-sales services. Marcel TV features best screen quality, Dolby surrounds sound system, Google Android certification, and 178-degree large viewing angle along with many other technology and features.”
Currently, Marcel has a total of 25 models of basic LED and Android smart TVs ranging from 24 to 55 inches with prices ranging from Tk 11,900 to Tk 94,900.
Read Marcel feature phones hit local market
BB asks banks to keep branches open in Dhaka cattle market areas on July 8,9
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has instructed banks to keep open their branches and sub-branches in nearby areas of cattle markets in Dhaka north and south city corporations on Friday and Saturday.
The central bank set banking hours in these areas from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm on July 8 and 9 (Friday & Saturday) to facilitate the sacrificial animals’ traders.
The Banking Regulations and Policy Department (BRPD) of BB on Tuesday issued a circular in this regard and sent to the top executives of all the scheduled banks to take necessary measures.
Read: BB re-fixes mobile financial service money transaction limit
The circular stated that cattle traders are arriving in the capital from different parts of the country and banks have to arrange secured transfers of their money through banking service.
The BB also instructed banks to set bank booths at the cattle markets to secure transactions of money.
Banks are asked to maintain Covid-19 health guidelines at the bank booths as infections are increasing, the circular stated.
IBBL holds executive development program
Islami Bank Training and Research Academy (IBTRA) organised an executive development program on ‘Post Pandemic World Economic Scenario and Challenges of the Banking Sector of Bangladesh” through virtual platform recently.
Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director & CEO of the Bank addressed the program as the chief guest while Md Habibur Rahman, chief economist of Bangladesh Bank presented the key discussion.
Read: IBBL inaugurates ATM Booth at Kamalapur Railway Station
Additional Managing Directors Muhammad Qaisar Ali and Md Omar Faruk Khan, and Deputy Managing Director Md Mostafizur Rahman Siddiquee also addressed the program.
IBTRA Principal SM Rabiul Hassan presided over the program and executives of the Bank participated in the program.
Nagad launches service for paying Mastercard Credit Card Bill
Nagad, the Mobile Financial Service of Bangladesh Postal Department, Southeast Bank Limited and Mastercard introduced a new feature to instantly pay any Mastercard credit card bills, issued in Bangladesh, through the Nagad app.
The announcement was made during a ceremony arranged at Bangladesh Secretariat.
By integrating the Nagad app into Mastercard's MoneySend platform via Southeast bank, customers will be able to enjoy this service.
Read: CMP to provide security to Nagad customer’s financial transactions
This service is available to any Bangladeshi bank's Mastercard credit cardholders for domestic payments only.
Speaking as the chief guest, Posts and Telecommunications Mustafa Jabbar said, "It will save people's time and money; making their lives easier. I congratulate the concerned involved for taking such an initiative."
Tanvir A Mishuk, managing director of Nagad Limited said, "Our partnership with Mastercard and Southeast Bank Limited is yet another significant achievement for us to enable our valued customers to pay their Mastercard credit card bills at their own convenience, from anywhere.”
Read:Nagad offers cashback of up to Tk50 on railway ticket
Meanwhile, Mastercard Country Manager Syed Mohammad Kamal said this collaboration with Nagad and Southeast Bank is another milestone in the partnership with the mobile financial services (MFS) sector.
Kamal Hossain, managing director of Southeast Bank, said, "We are here to accelerate our drive to migrate our nation into a developing nation by 2026. Furthermore, this collaboration will take financial inclusion a step forward in ensuring that everyone has access to financial services.”
This service will ease the interoperability between cards and mobile wallets in the country eliminating excessive rush at bill deposit counters and save consumers’ valuable time.
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This service will also enable Nagad users and Mastercard cardholders to save their card information in the Nagad App and pay any amount of bill using their saved cards by tapping the Bill Pay icon on the Nagad App. Customers will no longer require to provide their card information every time they make a bill payment.
The event was also attended by Executive Director of Nagad Limited Md. Shafayet Alam, Chief Operating Officer of South Asia of Mastercard Vikas Varma, and other higher officials from the organisations.
BB re-fixes mobile financial service money transaction limit
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has re-fixed the Mobile Financial Services (MFS) Transaction limit.
The central bank has re-fixed the daily money transfer from Mobile Financial Service (MFS) to a bank account at Tk 50,000 and withdraws the number of daily transaction time’s limit.
The payment system department of BB on Tuesday issued a circular in this regard and sent it to the top executives of all banks and mobile financial service providers.
The central bank has also fixed monthly such money transfer limits at Tk 30,0000.
Read: Ensure 'no mask no service' policy in banks as Covid cases rising: BB
The BB earlier on April 25 withdrew the number of daily transaction times and fixed the daily cash-out limit at Taka 25,000 from agent point while the monthly transaction limit is Taka 150,000.
The cash-in limit remained unchanged at Tk 30,000 while the monthly limit was set at Tk 2,00,000, the person to person (p2p) cash transfer limit set at TK 25,000 daily and Tk200,000 monthly.
The MFS account can keep a maximum balance of Taka 300,000 in each account.
The bank account to mobile financial service daily money transfer limit set at Taka 50,000 while monthly limit at Taka 300,000 also unchanged.
Asia shares rise on optimism about easing COVID restrictions
Asian shares advanced Monday across the board as buying set in after the lull of a U.S. national holiday.
Analysts said the optimism may be driven by expectations the U.S. may decide to cut Chinese tariffs, a welcome move that would also help tame inflation.
China’s Commerce Ministry said Tuesday that Vice Premier Liu He spoke with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about coordinating economic policy between the two biggest economies and maintaining the stability of supply chains.
In a statement, it also said the Chinese side “expressed its concern over issues such as the removal of additional tariffs and sanctions imposed by the United States on China and fair treatment of Chinese companies.” The two sides agreed to continue their discussions, it said.
Investors also have been encouraged by the lifting of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic across the region, including in Japan, which had been booming with tourists from abroad ahead of the pandemic.
“The quiet economic calendar yesterday brings sentiments to focus on the single relief headline of a potential US tariff-easing decision, which could run the risks of a sharp paring back in speculative bullish bets in the event of any inaction,” in taming inflation,” Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG in Singapore, said in a commentary.
But risks remain because of inflation and slowing economic activity in some countries. A resurgence in COVID-19 infections in Europe, the U.S. and parts of Asia is also looming, bringing the threat of a reversion to pandemic precautions.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added nearly 1.0% in morning trading to 26,404.90. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3% to 6,632.00. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.8% to 2,342.24. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.8% to 21,997.04, while the Shanghai Composite inched up 0.1% to 3,409.95.
Market players are also closely watching for an interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia. It is expected to raise its key rate by 50 basis-points. Minutes of the latest policy meeting of the Federal Reserve are also due out on Wednesday and could bring hints on future policy.
Read: Asian shares gain as investors shrug off downbeat data
Global investors have been worried about surging inflation and the possibility that higher interest rates could bring on a recession in some economies. U.S. trading was closed Monday for Independence Day.
The futures for the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 were both up 0.4% early Tuesday.
Shares ended last week with a rally, with the S&P 500 surging 1.1%. The Dow gained 1% and the Nasdaq rose 0.9%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies gained 1.2%.
In the first half of this year, the S&P 500 had its worst performance since the first six months in 1970. It’s now down 20.2% from the peak it set at the beginning of this year.
The risk of a recession is simmering as the U.S. Federal Reserve aggressively hikes interest rates. The Fed is raising rates to purposefully slow economic growth to help cool inflation, but could potentially go too far and bring on a recession.
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz gathered top employer and labor union representatives at his Berlin office Monday to seek ways of addressing the impact of rising prices while preventing a spiral of inflation in Europe’s biggest economy.
In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude surged $1.87 to $110.30 a barrel. It gained $2.67 on Friday to $108.43 a barrel. Trading was closed Monday. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 3 cents to $113.47 a barrel.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar edged up to 136.15 Japanese yen from 135.69 yen. The euro cost $1.0434, up from $1.0423.
BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to provide green channel facility to RMG exporters to ensure faster delivery of imported garment raw materials through coordination between the Customs and port authorities.
He also called on the NBR to issue a self-clearance licence to RMG exporters to allow them to take quick delivery of imported raw materials from the ports.
The BGMEA chief made the request during a meeting with NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem held at NBR office in the city on Monday.
Also read: Workers' well-being: BGMEA encourages dialogue
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Director Asif Ashraf and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present at the meeting.
The BGMEA leaders stressed on the importance of simplifying business procedures for the export-oriented apparel industry in order to retain its competitiveness in the global market.
They requested the NBR to remove customs and bond related hindrances from the business proceedings to accelerate the growth of the RMG industry.
Faruque Hassan said simplified business procedures will reduce lead time, thus will make the apparel industry of Bangladesh more competitive.
It will pave the way of seizing new opportunities that are lying ahead of the RMG industry, he added.
Also read: BGMEA chief appraises US govt officials about the significant strides made by RMG industry
NBR Chairman Muneem congratulated the RMG sector on making outstanding contributions to the total export earnings of Bangladesh that reached USD 52.08 billion in 2021-2022 financial years where the apparel industry alone fetched USD 42.61 billion.
This is a great achievement and milestone for Bangladesh in the year after the country celebrated its 50th anniversary, he said.
OPPO to celebrate Eid with grand offers
OPPO Bangladesh introduced exciting offers for its customers to celebrate the spirit of Eid-ul-Azha with all its glory.
The offer went live on July 02 and is scheduled to run till July 9,. During the campaign period, customers can win exciting gifts and avail lucrative offers through lottery.
For purchase of any device among OPPO A16e, OPPO A16, OPPO A54, OPPO A76, OPPO A95, OPPO F21 Pro and OPPO F21 Pro 5G, customers will have a chance to win a Suzuki Motorbike, throughout the Eid offer period.
Also read: Oppo Bangladesh wins Golden Globe Tigers Award
Besides, customers can win exciting home appliances including fridge, microwave oven and coffee maker through lucky draw. They can also win Enco W11 TWS Headphones, up to 5000 TK cashback, Internet data bundle and 15% Extra SWAP exchange offer.
Moreover, customers who buy devices from the F21 Pro series (OPPO F21 Pro or F21 Pro 5G) will win a sure shot Gift Box consisting of exciting gifts.
To be eligible for these gifts and offers, customers will need to visit https://oppobangladesh.com/lottery/ and fill up the required boxes with relevant information, and click the green bar saying “Redeem Your Luck”. Customers from any region of the country can participate and avail these exciting offers.
Also read: Oppo to bring F21 Pro 5G to Bangladesh Thursday
Liu Feng, Head of Brand of OPPO Bangladesh Authorized Exclusive Distributor, said, “As an effort to add a bit more excitement to the Eid celebrations, we have come up with these offers. We believe that our customers will truly enjoy the gifts along with their desired smartphone purchases.”
OPPO has recently introduced its latest addition to the F series of devices ,the OPPO F21 Pro 5G in the Bangladesh market. The OPPO F21 Pro 5G comes equipped with Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 695 5G Mobile Platform 6nm Chipset which supports super-fast internet 4G+. The device features an Ultra-Thin Flat Edge Retro Design and Dual Orbit Lights with a massive 4,500mAh battery and 33W SUPERVOOC flash charging.