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Bangladesh now has 204 'green' factories in RMG sector
Bangladesh has strengthened its position as the global leader in 'green' i.e. environmentally-friendly apparel factories, with 204 factories in the sector now boasting United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification (certificate for green factories).
One more Bangladeshi garment factory ttained green building certification from the USGBC in the gold category in December, according to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The green certified factory is ‘Integra Dresses Limited’ of Gazipur with 99 out of 110 points.
Bangladesh achieved 27 green building certifications in 2022, including 13 in platinum category which is the highest in a year.
Of the total 204 green certified factories, 74 are platinum-rated, 116 gold-rated and the rest are other-rated. 500 more factories are in the pipeline get the USGBC’s LEED certification.
Fifty-four out of globally top 100 highest-rated LEED green factories are in Bangladesh. Not only that, 9 out of globally top 10, and 18 out of globally top 20 LEED certified factories are in Bangladesh. And it’s truly a matter of pride that the highest scoring factory in the world is in Bangladesh with a score of 104.
USGBC honours factories based on several criteria – transformation performance, energy, water, and waste management. The best performers are rated with platinum, followed by gold and silver.
Training on human rights, environmental diligence for factories held in Dhaka
The Responsible Business Hub (RBH), established by BGMEA with GIZ support, conducted two impactful training sessions titled "Training on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence."
The sessions, aimed at onboarding 25 factories, engaging 44 participants, to enhance their understanding of compliance with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, specifically focusing on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD), held at BGMEA Complex.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan handed over certificates to the participants who have completed the sessions.
BGMEA Senior Vice President S. M. Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Faisal Samad, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Navidul Huq, and Rajiv Chowdhury and Chair of BGMEA Standing Comm on Trade Fair Mohammad Kamal Uddin were also present at the certificate handover ceremony on Thursday.
The training, led by RBH, focused on capacity building for compliance, environment, and sustainability managers from diverse factories.
These sessions equipped participants with valuable insights into terminologies and processes related to human rights and environmental due diligence.
The trained factory managers are now capable of assessing risks within their operations and supply chains.
This initiative is expected to assist factories in establishing responsible policies, contributing to a more sustainable and ethical approach in Bangladesh's RMG sector.
Walton installs 1155 Access Control devices in Sonali Bank for hassle-free office attendance
The Assent Access Control device of the country’s leading tech product manufacturer Walton is being used on various branches of the state-owned Sonali Bank.
Walton is installing a total of 1155 Access Control devices in 1080 branches of Sonali Bank across the country, said a press release.
The Walton access control devices, which are marketed in ASSENT brand packaging, are being used to ensure hassle-free office attendance and also make the HR-related activities of the bank more accurate and swifter.
Read: Islami Bank bags Mastercard Excellence Award 2023
An agreement between Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited and Sonali Bank was inked in this regard last August. According to the agreement, Walton is providing and installing access control devices in various branches of Sonali Bank across the country.
Technology products of Walton including access control devices are being used in various government and private organizations of the country which helps in saving foreign currencies along with contributing to employment growth and the development of the domestic technology manufacturing industry.
At present, 4 models of Assent access control devices are available in the market. Of which, the WAC11 model is priced at Tk 6,715, WAC22 model Tk 11,007 and the WAC33 model is available at Tk 12,282. Walton has also launched another new model WAC34 in the market.
Read: Al-Arafah Bank sponsors six students for Thailand Science Olympiad
The Walton Assent access control devices are designed with all the latest features including fingerprint, card punch and password. Device respond is less than 0.5 seconds and has the storage capacity for 3,000 users and 70,000 records. These access control devices have the facility to integrate HRMS software, payroll, attendance reports etc. The devices are featured with exit button, door magnet, reader interface, and Wigand input.
Walton access control device is designed with an API system for integration with any other HRMS or ERP software. In addition, these devices can be used in parallel with the access control devices already in use in any organization.
Islami Bank bags Mastercard Excellence Award 2023
Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has earned the “Excellence in Mastercard Prepaid Business (Domestic) Award 2022-2023” at the Mastercard Excellence Award 2023.
Abul Faiz Muhammad Kamaluddin, Deputy Managing Director of the Bank received the award from Atiur Rahman, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank in a function held at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel recently, said a press release.
Read: BGMEA provides financial support to family of deceased garment worker
Helen LaFave, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Syed Mohammad Kamal, country manager, Mastercard Bangladesh, Md. Sharafat Ullah Kahan, director of Payment Systems Department at Bangladesh Bank, Nazim Uddin Talukdar; Mohammad Manzurul Haque, senior vice presidents, Md. Osman Gani Vice-president A.N.M. Tawhidul Islam, and Assistant vice presidents of Islami Bank were present, among others on the occasion, reads the release.
Taxpayers’ number should reach one crore considering individual income: NBR Chairman
Up to 35 lakh people submit annual tax returns in the country even though the number should reach more than one crore given the individual income, said NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem on Thursday.
The number can be raised if the people having taxable income come forward as their responsibility to the country, he said. Tax officials cannot force everyone to submit income tax returns.
Muneem was speaking at a seminar on income tax returns, held at the NBR Building in Agargaon.
He said that many consider submitting income tax returns as a burden. Sometimes taxpayers feel that the government is collecting taxes unfairly.
“We want to maintain a good relationship with the taxpayers. We don’t want to scare taxpayers. We trust taxpayers, but taxpayers also have to keep that trust on us,” he added.
The NBR Chairman said TRP has been appointed to increase the number of income tax return filing. They will help the taxpayers on behalf of NBR.
“You will pay taxes to build a prosperous Bangladesh. Infrastructural development, including roads are getting the benefit of tax money. People should understand that,” he said.
Attorney General Abu Mohammad Amin Uddin was present as the chief guest at the seminar. Member of the tax policy department Shams Uddin Ahmed presented the keynote paper on 'New Income Tax Law and Tax Compliance in the seminar.
END/UNB/AI/F
BGMEA provides financial support to family of deceased garment worker
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has come forward with financial assistance to support the family of a readymade garment worker who died recently.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan handed over the assistance cheque of Tk 5 lakh to the family of Md. Jalaluddin.
Also read: RAJUK’s support sought to enhance road connectivity with BGMEA Complex in Uttara
BGMEA Senior Vice President S M Mannan (Kochi) and Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam were also present at the cheque handover ceremony held at the BGMEA Complex on Tuesday, a press release said.
Al-Arafah Bank sponsors six students for Thailand Science Olympiad
Six students selected through the Al-Arafah Islami Bank 9th Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad across the country will participate in the 20th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2023).
Students from 55 countries around the world are going to participate in this Olympiad, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, starting on December 1, 2023, according to a press release.
Also read: Al-Arafah Islami Bank approves 15% dividend
Bangladesh Science Popularisation Society Vice President Munir Hasan introduced the members of the Bangladesh team at a function at the society office.
The members are Taslima Tasnim Lamia and Sirazus Salekin Sameen from Cumilla Victoria Government College; Faiz Ahmed from Govt Laboratory High School, Rajshahi; Shubashish Halder from Notredame College; Manami Zaman from Vikarunnisa Noon School and College; and Sabil Islam from Dhaka Residential Model College.
Also read: Al-Arafah Islami Bank sponsors 9th Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Professor Farseem Mannan Mohammadi is the main leader of the Bangladesh team.
Al-Arafah Islami Bank Senior Vice President Jalal Ahmed and Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad academic member Abidur Rahman will also lead the team.
RAJUK’s support sought to enhance road connectivity with BGMEA Complex in Uttara
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has underscored the significance of the BGMEA Complex as a landmark in Uttara, highlighting the pivotal role played by BGMEA in the development of the readymade garment industry, a crucial pillar of Bangladesh’s economy.
He elaborated on the essential services provided by BGMEA to export-oriented garment factories, including the issuance of Utilisation Declaration (UD), which is vital for the industry.
Md. Anisur Rahman Miah, Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), had a courtesy meeting Faruque Hassan, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on November 28.
Md. Siddiqur Rahman, former President of BGMEA, and S.M. Mannan (Kochi), Senior Vice President of BGMEA, were present at the meeting.
From RAJUK, Mohammed Nurul Islam, Member (Estate and Land); Major (Engr) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury (Retd), Member (Development); Md. Nasir Uddin, Member (Planning); ASM Raihanul Ferdous, Chief Engineer; and Tajina Sarowar, Director (Zone 3) were also present.
They had discussions about various issues, with a focus on enhancing road connections to the BGMEA Complex at Uttara in Dhaka, said a media release on Wednesday.
Mentioning the substantial number of officials from different garment factories commuting to the BGMEA Complex daily, President Faruque Hassan expressed thanks to RAJUK for their efforts in constructing and repairing roads, particularly the one connecting Sector 12 of Uttara to the BGMEA Complex.
The improvements in roads have significantly eased communication for daily commuters in the area.
In the meeting, President Faruque Hassan emphasized the need for a road connecting Uttara Jasimuddin with the BGMEA Complex and sought RAJUK’s support in its construction.
He also called for assistance in preserving the lake surrounding the BGMEA Complex.
RAJUK Chairman Anisur Rahman Miah noted the concerns raised by BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and assured him of all necessary support and cooperation in improving road communications in the specified areas.
Bangladesh's useable forex reserves drop to $15.82 billion: Sources
Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves continued to fall with the usable reserves standing now at USD $ 15.82 billion as per IMF guideline, according to banking sources familiar with the development on Tuesday (November 28, 2023).
During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, the reserves had soared to $48 billion, thanks to greater inflow of remittances amid reduced import demand. The reserves started decreasing since the eased import restrictions and impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Also read: Forex reserves below $20 billion after paying ACU
The latest foreign exchange report of Bangladesh Bank (BB) revealed that the country's reserves on 23 November stood at $19.52 billion based on the IMF formula (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual) or BPM6.
As per the formula, the net reserves will be $3.7 billion less than the total reserve amount, the BB sources said.
The BB spokesperson Mezbaul Haque in this regard told UNB that foreign exchange from reserves is spent and deposited every day.
Also read: IMF relaxes forex reserve and revenue targets for $4.70 billion loan
It is a continuous process of a country, he said advising common people not to panic at the news of decreasing foreign exchange.
In July, Bangladesh started calculating its foreign reserves according to a formula suggested by the International Monetary Fund – BPM6.
Following the new calculation, Bangladesh's gross foreign exchange reserves that time dropped by $26.44bn to $23.56bn.
Also read: Bangladesh stands on the edge of deep ditch before the polls: Dr Debapriya
BGMEA chief for stepping up economic diplomacy to boost Bangladesh-US trade
President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has underscored the need for stepping up economic diplomacy in exploring more trade and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and the United States.
In a meeting with Md. Fazle Rabbi, the newly appointed Economic Minister (Designate) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C., Faruque Hassan emphasized the pivotal role of diplomatic efforts in promoting Bangladesh and its readymade garment industry in the U.S.
Also read: LafargeHolcim and BGMEA sign Mou for sustainable waste management
During the discussions held at the BGMEA Complex on November 26, President Faruque Hassan briefed the Economic Minister on the current state of the apparel industry, its growth prospects, and strategies to enhance global competitiveness.
He urged the Economic Minister to effectively communicate the compelling narratives and strengths of Bangladesh’s apparel sector to key stakeholders in the U.S.
President Faruque Hassan underscored the important role of the embassy in the U.S. in promoting the interests of Bangladesh’s garment industry and elevating its brand image on the international stage, according to BGMEA.
Also read: Peaceful working environment is prevailing in factories: BGMEA
He called upon Minister Fazle Rabbi to showcase Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination for U.S. investors, stressing the significance of collaboration between the two countries for mutual economic benefit.
BGMEA looks forward to working collaboratively with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C. to strengthen economic relations between Bangladesh and the United States, he added.