Local-Business
BMCCI holds seminar on 'Legal Framework of Doing Business in Bangladesh'
The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) Saturday organised its 6th LegalTalk seminar on doing business in Bangladesh
Barrister Nihad Kabir, senior partner at Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and Associates, discussed the relevant legal issues and guidelines on several policies that make doing business easier in Bangladesh.
BMCCI Senior Vice-President Shabbir Ahmed Khan said the seminar was organised for those who want to understand the law that corresponds with doing business in Bangladesh.
The participants got to know about the Competition Act, dispute resolution, and other issues like company law, Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, and technical know-how related to doing business in Bangladesh.
Read more: 5th BMCCI LegalTalk seminar on tax law, foreign investment held
FBCCI partners with Brazilian counterpart to boost trade
A Memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been inked between the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEXBRASIL) at the headquarters of ApexBrasil in Brazil recently to boost bilateral trade relations.
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and ApexBrasil Business Director Ana Paula Repezza inked the pact on behalf of their respective organisations, according to an FBCCI press release signed by Tanzid Basunia, head of Public Relations and Communications of the business organisation.
Bangladesh and Brazil will work together for the further expansion of bilateral trade relations while the both sides will also support the industries under joint venture and joint collaboration.
As per the deal, the FBCCI and ApexBrasil will exchange information about the economic development of the countries to usher possibilities for increasing trade and for the expansion of economic and industrial cooperation among the enterprises and organisations.
The organisations will cooperate in the sharing of best practices, information, knowledge, methodologies, and expertise on trade promotion and investment attraction.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks Brazilian investment in energy, infrastructure, ICT sectors
Apart from this, they will share ideas and experiences in relation to supporting and facilitating the exchange between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), startups, incubation centers, research institutes, investors and other relevant stakeholders of both the countries.
The countries will assist and facilitate visits of trade and economic delegations to the other countries and will render maximum cooperation for establishing business contacts.
Production stops at another sugar mill due to sugarcane shortage
The Darshana Carew & Company Sugar Mill suspended operations on Friday morning due to a shortage of sugarcane, according to officials.
The mill started operating on December 23 last year to produce 3,884 metric tonnes of sugar by crushing 62,000 metric tonnes of sugarcane during its 53-day operational period.
But it produced 2,270 metric tonnes of sugar by crushing 46,937 metric tonnes of sugarcane in 42 days, the officials said.
Mosharraf Hossain, managing director (MD) of Carew & Co, said the supply of sugarcane was not enough to continue the production for the remaining thirteen days.
This sector may suffer losses this time too, he said, adding that details will be informed later.
This is the first time since the establishment of the mill in 1938 that the authority suspended sugar crushing after only 42 working days.
Earlier on January 19, the Joypurhat Sugar Mill suspended its operations for the same reason.
According to the mill sources, the largest state-owned sugar mill had suffered a loss of Tk 66.17 crore in the previous season.
Apparel, textile sector development: Bangladesh, Taiwan can thrive together, says BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said Bangladesh and Taiwan have great potential to complement each other for the development of the apparel and textile industries of the countries.
The organisation made the observation when a delegation of the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) led by its President Justin Huang called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Thursday.
They discussed various issues of mutual interest regarding the apparel and textile industries.
The two sides talked about how both associations could work together to build interactive connections between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan to facilitate meaningful business interactions.
Faruque said Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of readymade garments (RMG) in the world whereas Taiwan has a strong textile industry, particularly with considerable strengths in the non-cotton segment.
Read more: Netflix Movie: BGMEA protests derogatory remarks on Bangladesh RMG sector
Since Bangladesh is strongly focusing on shifting from cotton to non-cotton products and value-added products, Taiwan with its big textile industry producing man-made fibres, polyester filament, nylon fibre and other fabrics can meet the demand of Bangladesh's RMG sector, he added.
Also, the BGMEA and TTF expressed interest in organising trade exhibitions to develop ties between RMG and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan so that both sides can work together to create a win-win situation.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim, directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Timothy WD Tso, director at TTF and Emily Chen of the Promotion Section at TTF were also present at the meeting.
Rangpur Metal Industries brings 'premium quality' handcrafted kitchen sink
Rangpur Metal Industries Limited (RMIL), a concern of business conglomerate RFL Group, has launched a "premium quality" handcrafted kitchen sink.
RN Paul, managing director of RFL Group, recently unveiled the "Delight" kitchen sink at a hotel in the capital, said a media statement Thursday.
RMIL Director Md Moniruzzaman said: "Currently, there are two types of kitchen sinks available in the country's market; one is handcrafted, and the other is made using a hydraulic machine. The biggest difference between the two is the diameter, depth and thickness of the bowl."
Read more: Pran-RFL launches food delivery service Foodano
"Handcrafted kitchen sinks have more bowl depth and their stainless steel is also much thicker. As a result, the sinks are 100 percent rust resistant and last longer."
"Delight kitchen sink is made of durable 304-grade food-grade stainless steel. Furthermore, it has a high-quality rubber guard that makes no noise during the use of the sink," Moniruzzaman said.
Delight kitchen sink is now available in two sizes. The double bowl sink costs Tk11,000 and the single bowl Tk6,125.
Government determined to ensure safe working environment: Salman
The government is determined to prevent accidents and ensure a safe working environment in factories, industries and commercial establishments, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman said Wednesday.
"Seventeen institutions scored below 25 percent in the specified criteria; they will get three months to improve their overall situation," he said at the end of the second meeting of the national committee for preventing accidents and ensuring a safe working environment in commercial establishments.
"If there is no certain improvement within this time, these companies will be sealed off," he told the meeting held at the secretariat.
"Two hundred and six companies scoring 50 percent of the criteria will get six months to improve their overall situation," the adviser added. "Action will be taken against industrial establishments failing to improve their working environment within the specified time."
All inspected industrial establishments will be notified of their existing defects and instructed to correct them within a specified period.
Also, all concerned authorities, divisional commissioners/deputy commissioners/upazila nirbahi officers, local public representatives and concerned associations will be informed about the inspection reports and instructions.
Salman said 5,206 establishments of nearly half a million industrial establishments were visited under the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority's supervision and through the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments.
"We plan to inspect another 10,000 factories," he added.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam and State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Mannujan Sufian were present in the meeting which also discussed turning the Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishments into an authority by increasing its workforce and jurisdiction.
Read more: Occupational safety, health of all workers must be a national priority: ILO
DITF 2023: Walton scoops up 'Best Innovation,' 'Best Electronics Stall' awards
The 27th edition of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) drew to a close Tuesday.
Walton won the "Best Innovation" and the "Best Electronics Stall" awards at the DITF.
The awards were handed over to Walton representatives at the concluding ceremony of the DITF at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal yesterday.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi attended the function as the chief guest. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries Senior Vice-President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu were also present.
Walton deputy managing directors Eva Rizwana Nilu and Md Humayun Kabir received the crests and certificates.
Forty-seven organisations were awarded in 14 categories at the 27th DITF.
The fair's organisers – the commerce ministry and the Export Promotion Bureau – introduced the innovation award at this year's DITF for the first time.
Read more: RFL showcases products 6400 products at DITF 2023
Zinnia Huq new Unilever Bangladesh finance director
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company Unilever Bangladesh has appointed Zinnia Huq as its new finance director.
She previously served as the director of finance for beauty and wellbeing and personal care business divisions. With this appointment, Zinnia joined the management committee of Unilever Bangladesh and is the first female finance director of the company.
Zinnia took over from Zahidul Islam Malita, who was appointed as procurement finance director in Singapore at the same time.
Read more: Unilever Bangladesh wins 'Asia's Best Employer Brands 2022' award
With over 22 years in the industry, she has experience in finance, regional operations, and manufacturing.
"In 2019, Zinnia joined UBL where she led the integration of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and integrated it into Unilever's processes and systems," Unilever said Wednesday.
Before joining Unilever, Zinnia served as the finance director at GSK Bangladesh from 2014 and worked with BAT Bangladesh, where she held various roles in corporate finance and international audit, headed the supply chain finance and served as the regional finance project lead in Singapore for Asia Pacific.
Read More: Top FMCG Companies in Bangladesh: At a Glance
BGMEA wants ethical prices from buyers
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called upon global buyers to collaborate with their suppliers and pay ethical prices to enable and encourage the factories to take more initiatives for the welfare of garment workers.
"Nobody can justify lower prices for producing socially fair goods," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, said.
He was speaking at a stakeholder engagement session of the "RESPECT" programme organised by Tesco, a UK-based retail company, said a media statement Wednesday.
The representatives of the factories which participated in the RESPECT programme were also present, it added.
The RESPECT programme aims to create a culture of respect and fair treatment among staff in garment factories.
Also Read: BGMEA President calls on Primark to step up partnership with Bangladeshi suppliers in product diversification, sustainability
Global buyers feel more confident and interested in sourcing garments with a "Made in Bangladesh" tag because they know their products are manufactured in factories which are safe and environmentally sustainable where workers are empowered and have a convenient working atmosphere, Faruque said.
"Massive safety initiatives along with extensive awareness-raising training programmes have led to a remarkable transformation in Bangladesh's RMG sector. The workers are more empowered and aware of their rights and welfare than ever," he added.
Victoria Wellings, group quality director of Tesco, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice-president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Munir Uddin Shamim, programme manager at Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Bangladesh, also spoke at the event.
Turaag Active teams up with Daraz, Foodpanda to promote 'active lifestyle'
Turaag Active, a brand of Wave Riders, has partnered with online marketplaces Daraz and Foodpanda to promote an "active lifestyle."
The brand recently signed two separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Daraz and Foodpanda.
These partnerships will allow Turaag Active to bring athleisure right to everyone's doorstep, according to a media statement.
Turaag Active is offering performance-enhancing fashionable activewear – casual clothing that is suitable for exercise or sport, for both men and women.
The brand's activewear, including polo shirts, sportswear, leggings, sweatshirts, jackets, and joggers, will now be available on Daraz and Foodpanda.
Faiaz Rahman, founder and director of Turaag Active, said: "We are changing the athleisure business by producing trendy gear for men and women that improves performance."
"We focus on fashion, functionality, and versatility while designing sportswear to create a line that you can wear daily," he added.
Read more: Daraz organises roadshow to celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence