Local-Business
PRAN-RFL bags 5 nat’l export trophies
Five companies of PRAN-RFL Group have received national export trophies for outstanding contributions in the export segment for FY 2019-20.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi handed over the trophies to PRAN-RFL Group at hotel intercontinental in Dhaka on Sunday.
The country’s leading conglomerate earned trophies for exporting agro-processing and plastic goods.
Now, the Government of Bangladesh awarded ‘National Export Trophy’ to PRAN-RFL Group as the highest exporter for the last 19 consecutive years.
PRAN got all awards in agro processing sector. PRAN Dairy Ltd. PRAN Agro Ltd. and Habiganj agro Ltd. obtained gold, silver and bronze trophies, respectively.
Durable Plastic Ltd. and Banga Plastic International Ltd. of RFL Group got silver and bronze trophies respectively in plastic goods sector.
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of PRAN-RFL Group received the gold trophy on behalf of PRAN Dairy while AKM Moinul Islam Moin, Executive Director and Animesh Saha, Executive Director of the group received the award on behalf of PRAN Agro and Habiganj Agro, respectively.
Toukirul Islam, Executive Director of Durable Plastic and Mohammad Kazi Abdul Quiyum, Executive Director of Banga Plastic International received the award on behalf their organizations.
US-Bangla will be the first international flight to use new terminal of Chennai Airport
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going to launch operations by handling US-Bangla Airlines flights from April 20 as part of a trial run of the newly inaugurated new terminal at Chennai Airport.
The AAI will operate an international flight through the new terminal as part of the trial before shifting full operations.
Local US-Bangla Authority expressed their gratefulness to AAI for choosing US-Bangla Airlines, according to a US-Bangla media release signed by Md Kamrul Islam, general manager (PR) of the organisation.
US-Bangla Airlines has been operating flights from Dhaka to Chennai continuously every week since 2018.
"This will be a trial to find out if all the systems are working properly as everything is new. It will also help us to find out if passengers are facing any inconvenience," Sharad Kumar, director at Chennai Airport, said.
Currently, the US-Bangla Airlines is operating flights from Dhaka to Chennai route with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Also, it operates daily flights to Kolkata from Dhaka and Chittagong.
Bangladesh Bank has revolutionised digitalisation of financial sector: Dr Atiur
Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman today said the central bank is doing a tremendous job at digitalising the financial sector of the country.
As a result, transaction of around Tk 3000 crore is being done daily by mobile financial services (MFS) and people of all income groups, in both rural and urban areas, are able to use digital services, he said.
Dr Atiur said this while speaking at a seminar as the chief guest today. The seminar, held at a Dhaka hotel, was on ‘Transformation of the Paper Money to Digital: Taking from and Making of Central Bank Digital Currency’, organised by Scholars Bangladesh, a society of non-resident Bangladeshis.
The former Bangladesh Bank governor focused on development of interoperable facility among mobile financial services and banks which will accelerate inclusion of more people on the digital platform.
He also suggested the central bank for developing a digital infrastructure where it will easily possible to detect real transactions and financial crimes.
Jamaluddin Ahmed FCA, PhD presented a keynote paper on the topic of the seminar. In the paper, he mentioned a study of IMF and Financial Intelligent Unit report that Bangladesh lost around US$ 50 billion in six years, from 2009 to 2015.
It shows that money laundering activities has increased by 62.33 percent through over and under invoicing.
Kamal S. Quadir, chief executive officer of bKash spoke at the seminar as the special guest.
Quadir suggested four key fundamental activities for developing stronger digital transaction systems such as unified legal frame, proper tracking or identifying the nationality of individuals, robust and global up to the mark technology used, and proper governance.
Professors and technology experts joined the seminar in person and virtually from different countries.
Nagad hands over more than 2000 gifts to winners under mega campaign
Nagad is spreading the joy of Eid to its customers ahead of this biggest religious festival in the form of many exciting gifts under a mega campaign.
The mobile money operator has so far handed over 2000 gifts, including more than 100 motorcycles and refrigerators, to its winners.
The joy of those winners has doubled when they received such gifts from their favorite stars, like Mishu Sabbir, Ziaul Hoque Polash, and Parsa Evana.
Under the ongoing mega campaign, on April 8, Krishnachandra Roy of Jashore received a motorcycle from actor Mishu Sabbir, and on April 5, Mahe Alam of Gazipur got a motorcycle from actor Ziaul Hoque Palash, while Kamrul Hasan of Narayanganj received his motorcycle from actress Parsa Evana on April 2, according to a press release.
After receiving his gift, Krishnachandra Roy said, “For belonging to a middle-class family, I struggle to make ends meet at times, let alone buying a motorbike. Nagad has now fulfilled my long-awaited dream of having a motorbike.”
“My trust in Nagad has now increased all the more,” he also said, adding, “After traveling 250 kilometers; Nagad took the motorcycle to my home. I am grateful to Nagad for that.”
Nagad has so far distributed more than 457 bikes, refrigerators, smart televisions, mobile phones and tabs under the mega campaign that started on 23 March. Besides, 850 headphones and smartphones were instantly handed over to the winners at shopping malls. Moreover, 785 headphones and smartphones were given to winners through couriers. In all, Nagad has handed out more than 2000 gifts as of now.
Sadat Adnan Ahmad, chief marketing officer of Nagad said, “Nagad’s mega campaign has appeared as a reason for happiness for our customers.”
“We are getting a huge response from people across the country. Every day winners receive their winning gifts. We want people to get used to digital payments and save their hard-earned money,” he added.
Under the campaign, customers have opportunities to win various exciting gifts only by buying products worth a minimum of Tk 500 from specific merchants using their Nagad wallets.
Besides, every hour 10 customers are getting a cashback of up to 100 percent or a maximum of Tk 2,000 on Nagad payments from 10 am to 11.59 pm during each campaign day. The cashback amount is sent to their Nagad wallets the next working day.
During this Eid campaign that will continue till 30 June, a customer will enjoy cash back a maximum of three times, while they will be eligible for the mega offer for once.
EDF loan ceiling reset as per IMF condition
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has reset the ceiling of the loans in US dollars from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to manufacturers and exporters for input procurements.The central bank took the decision implementing the guidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with a view to stopping a further fall in foreign currency reserves.The foreign exchange policy department of BB on Sunday issued a notification in this regard and sent it to the top executives of the banks for immediate execution.The circular stated that Bangladesh Bank has decided to reset the ceiling to $10 million from $15 million for input procurements under back to backLCs (BBLCs) against relevant export orders.The limit for imports under BBLCs by individual member mills of BGMEA and BKMEA is set at $20 million and $15 million, respectively, including $15 million for individual exporters of leather goods and footwear sectors.In addition, the maximum eligible limit for bulk imports by a member of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association has been kept unchanged at $20 million, where it was slashed for a member of the Bangladesh Dyed Yarn Exporters Association to $10 million from $20 million.
IBBL distributes food among 31000 underprivileged children
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has distributed food among 31000 underprivileged children across the country during the holy month of Ramadan.
As part of this, Additional Managing Director of the bank Md. Altaf Hossain distributed food on Sunday among underprivileged children at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasha, Baridhara, in Dhaka.
Md. Maksudur Rahman, Senior Executive Vice President, Bashir Ahamed, and Md. Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, Executive Vice President, Md. Abul Hasan and Nazrul Islam, Senior Vice Presidents, and Maulana Abdul Alim Faridi, Principal of Jamia Ashrafia Madrasha and Md. Shafiqul Islam president of Baitun Noor Jame Masjid attended the programme.
Top executives and employees of head office of IBBL attended the programme.
Earlier, on 1st Ramadan different zones of the bank distributed food and iftar among 30,665 underprivileged children and orphanages across the country, said press release.
Samsung’s exciting Eid-ul-Fitr campaign promises to elevate celebrations
Capturing the essence of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festivities, Samsung is here with yet another magnificent Eid campaign– ‘Ghor Bhorti Eid Furti’, Offering an incredible range of offers and promotional prices on TV, Refrigerator & Washing Machine.
This Eid-ul-Fitr, Samsung has got a wide range of Cashback and Exchange Offers via the ‘Ghor Bhorti Eid Furti’ campaign, read a media release.
“On TV models, Samsung is offering up to BDT 30,000 discount! For instance, Samsung’s 43” 4K UHD TV (AU7500) is now priced at BDT 49,900 only, while 55” QLED 4K Smart TV (55Q60A) is priced at BDT 121,900!” it said.
Samsung’s Eid campaign also covers other household appliances like Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwave Ovens and Air Conditioners.
“On Samsung’s Refrigerator models, customers can enjoy Cashback up to BDT 30,000 and Exchange Offer up to BDT 16,000! The 700L Side by Side Refrigerator (RS72) is now up for grabs at BDT 149,900 only! Owing to the offer, Samsung’s Washing Machine price starts at BDT 38,000, with discount offers on selected Washing Machine models,” it said.
“Customers can avail of top-quality home appliances at offered prices with up to 36 months of EMI and free home installation and delivery. The ‘Ghor Bhorti Eid Furti’ boasts up to BDT 30,000 on Cashback Offers and up to BDT 16,000 on Exchange Offers,” it added.
Shahriar Bin Lutfor, Director & Head of Business, Consumer Electronics Division, said, “Eid is a time of utter joy and celebration when people throughout the country are seeking to revamp their homes. During this time, a campaign such as this one will allow people to experience Samsung’s stunning technologies and enjoy the Eid festivities in a hassle-free manner.”
Nagad to donate mega campaign earnings to Bangabazar fire victims
Mobile financial services (MFS) provider Nagad Thursday said it will stand by Bangabazar traders who lost their livelihoods to a massive fire incident.
Tanvir A Mishuk, managing director of Nagad, said Nagad will donate all earnings from its ongoing mega campaign to help the fire-hit businesses bounce back from the heavy losses that the recent fire inflicted on them by burning their shops to ashes.
Nagad launched a campaign ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, offering its customers opportunities to win cars, motorbikes, smartphones, notepads, refrigerators, televisions, smartwatches, headphones, and more.
Tanvir said they will give away all the money earned through the campaign to Bangabazar fire victims.
Nagad said as of Wednesday night its earnings from the campaign amounted to Tk1,965,750.
IBBL launches new website, two new investment schemes
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has launched a new website and two new products - Overseas Employment Investment Scheme -Swapnojatra -Health Care Investment Scheme.
Mohammed Monirul Moula, Managing Director and CEO of the bank, inaugurated the new website and investment schemes as the chief guest through a virtual platform on Thursday.
Muhammad Qaisar Ali, Additional Managing Director was present at the function as a special guest. Md. Altaf Hossain, Additional Managing Director of the bank, presided over the function. Senior officials of the banks and heads of zones, heads of branches, and sub-branch’s in-charges joined event virually .
The new user-friendly website will provide customers with wide information regarding of the bank. It is also interactive, device adaptable, and accessible for visual and hearing-challenged persons, a press release said.
Under the newly launched Overseas Employment Investment Scheme, people who are willing to go abroad for employment can avail of up to Tk 10 lakh investment for purchasing a job visa, payment of agency fees, and other services for employment in abroad.
Under the Health Care Investment Scheme up to Tk 30 lakh can be availed for medical expenses including diagnosis fee, hospital bill, operation bill, cost of medicine, artificial organ replacement, medical supplies, and air ticket for going abroad for medical purposes.
ICC,B condoles demise of its Vice President Rokia Afzal Rahman
International Chambers of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC,B) Executive Board and its members have expressed deep shock at the demise of ICC Bangladesh Vice President Rokia Afzal Rahman.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened at the sad demise of ICC Bangladesh Vice President Rokia Afzal Rahman,” ICC.B said in a media release on Thursday.
She died at the Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore at 2am on 5 April and left behind two daughters, one son and a number of grandsons and daughters.
ICC Bangladesh prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and offered condolences to the grieving family.