The PRAN has been collecting cassava from its 2,000 contractual farmers with an aim to collect around 30000 tons of cassava in the current season.     

Also read:PRAN-RFL stands by another 11,000 families during pandemic

The farmers were showing interest to harvest cassava with the assistance of PRAN, said a press release.

Cassava is a root crop which is planted in fallow lands and hilly areas with a little cost and labor which in Bangladesh, is popularly known as `Shimul Alu’.

Also read:PRAN-RFL provides food to corona affected 6,000 families

Mahatab Uddin, Chief Operating Officer at PRAN Agro Business, said “PRAN introduced contract farming of cassava in 2014. The conglomerate has been encouraging the farmers to grow the new crop under its contract farming. Through the cassava project, the hilly and fallow lands are being used and the famers are also being benefitted economically.”

Also read:PRAN collects 19, 000 tons cassava from contractual farmers

He also said “Till December last year, we have collected 5000 tons of cassava. Farmers are now showing interest to cultivate cassava because they are being benefitted economically and getting more crops.”

The Chief Operating Officer also said “PRAN’s contractual farmers have harvested cassava around 5500 acres of land this season and our aim is to collect 30000 tons of cassava from the land.”

Also read:PRAN Milk Powder launches 'Amar Little Star' campaign

Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director at PRAN-RFL Group, said “PRAN has a cassava processing plant in Habiganj Industrial Park under its sister concern Sylvan agriculture Limited where sixty thousand tons of cassava can be processed in a year.”

Also read:PRAN-RFL Group to generate 5,000 jobs in Rajshahi

“PRAN is manufacturing starch from Cassava and the starch is now being widely used in garment, pharmaceuticals and processed food industries. Besides, it can be used as a boiled food and animal foods. So, people can cultivate cassava in fallow lands around their house and it will to help our economy.”, he said. 

Allowances from the Ministry of Social Welfare under the Social Safety Net Program of the government will now easily reach the beneficiaries through bKash by G2P (Government to Person) system.

Around 2 million beneficiaries in 24 districts across the country will get Old Age Allowance, Allowances for the Widowed, Deserted and Destitute Women, Allowances for the Financially Insolvent Disabled and Stipend for Disabled Students under the Social Safety Net Program, according to a press release from bKash.

Also read: bKash initiates interaction with CID to ensure customer safety

Recently, bKash, the country's largest mobile financial service provider, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Social Welfare to facilitate the beneficiaries.

Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed was present as the chief guest at the signing ceremony held at the conference room of the ministry. Mohammad Zainul Bari, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, was also present on the occasion.

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bKash CEO Kamal Quadir and Major General (retd) Sheikh Md Monirul Islam, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash, were present at the event.

This allowance was introduced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the rate of Tk 100 per person in fiscal year 1997-98. The incumbent government has gradually increased the per capita allowance to Tk 500 in the fiscal year 2016-2017. However, people with disabilities get allowance of Tk 750 each.

Also read: bKash offers cashback up to 20 pc at 4500 outlets

These marginalised people who get social safety net allowances can easily cash out the money through bKash at any part of the country without any additional cost.

Prior to this, allowances were distributed among the beneficiaries under pilot project through G2P system. bKash, the country’s largest MFS provider, has been able to successfully distribute allowances in this pilot project.

Also read: bKash holds workshop on sustainable growth for mobile money

Following the successful experience of distributing stipends at secondary level, bKash will disburse these allowances efficiently. The use of technology in the distribution of allowances will play a vital role in ensuring transparency, speed and security.

Since 2016, bKash has successfully handed over financial aid of various government projects to more than 7 million beneficiaries.

Also read: Social Safety Net: Expanded coverage to include 17 lakh more under existing schemes

Islami Bank Training and Research Academy (IBTRA) virtually inaugurated its Internship Programme for the students of public and private universities on Monday.

Mohammed Monirul Moula, Managing Director and CEO of the bank, inaugurated the programme as the chief guest. SM Rabiul Hassan, Director General of IBTRA, presided over the programme.

Also read: IBBL inaugurates 5 new branches

Md Mostafizur Rahman Siddiquee, Deputy Managing Director of the bank, addressed the programme as special guest while Md Motiar Rahman, Senior Executive Vice President of the bank, gave the welcome speech.

Also read: IBBL opens its 348th Branch at Banglamotor, Dhaka

A total of 98 students from different public and private universities are participating the internship programme, the bank said in a press release.

Also read: Islami Bank holds conference on foreign exchange

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) is going to organise the first and largest virtual B2B conclave from Jan 5-7 to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

The other goals of this conclave are joint ventures, sourcing cost-efficient destinations for import, exploring potential export destinations and increasing business to business interactions globally, especially in the wake of new normal when the nations see lack of physical interactions and business meetings.

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In this virtual “DCCI Business Conclave-2020” representatives from 227 companies from 10 countries including Bangladesh will be participating. Among the participants, 90 are from Bangladesh and 137 from nine other countries, according to a press release issued Sunday.

The participating countries are- Algeria, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Turkey, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Total 176 B2B match-making will take place in three days. Participating companies are mainly from apparel and textile, light engineering, medicine, leather goods, plastic products, agro and food processing, IT and ITES sectors.

Also Read- Policy reforms underway to attract more FDI: Salman

In the ‘new normal’ situation, when physical connectivity and direct business to business interactions are halted, DCCI said it took this initiative to bring entrepreneurs across the globe under a single platform to discuss and find possible business explorations for the sake of greater economic development.

B2B match-making will be followed by a virtual inaugural ceremony where Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join as the chief guest while Md Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), will join as the special guest at 11am on Jan 5.

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DCCI believes that through this virtual conclave, foreign investors will be able to find potential sectors to invest in Bangladesh having direct consultation with their counterparts. They will also be able to know about the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives provided by the government.

The conclave will help the local entrepreneurs explore cost effective sources for import and find out potential market for export.

bKash has won the country's Best Brand Award for the second time in a row in a consumer survey conducted by Bangladesh Brand Forum.

Also read: bKash holds workshop on sustainable growth for mobile money

A total of 105 brands were recognized in 37 categories and bKash was selected as the ‘Overall Best Brand 2020’ by consumers.

At the same time, bKash has been selected as the ‘No. 1 Mobile Financial Services Brand 2020’ for the fourth time in a row in the MFS category.

Also read: bKash offers cashback up to 20 pc at 4500 outlets

Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF), powered by AIUB, in partnership with Nielsen Bangladesh and in association with The Daily Star, organised the event virtually on Wednesday, said a press release.

The survey was conducted by Nielsen's world-class survey method 'Winning Brands'. This time, around 7,600 consumers across the country participated in the survey.

Also read:bKash tops 'Employer of Choice' - United News Bangladesh

To inspire the brands of the country, Bangladesh Brand Forum has been honoring the most loved brands through Best Brand Award for the last 12 years.

The objective of the Best Brand Award is to demonstrate and celebrate the success of the brands, achieved through tough and effortful initiatives.

Also read: bKash app introduces map - United News Bangladesh

Closeup and Ispahani came in second and third position among the top 15 brands overall, after bKash.

Recently, BBA final year and MBA students from 16 top universities of the country have selected bKash as the best 'Employer of Choice' through the 'Campus Track Survey 2020' conducted by Nielsen.

Also read: bKash initiates interaction with CID to ensure customer safety