local-business
DITF: Up to 22% discount on Nagad payments
Mobile financial services provider Nagad has come up with a cashback or discount of up 22 percent on the purchase of goods from specific merchants at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2023.
Customers can enjoy the offer while making payments through Nagad app or USSD *167# on the purchase of lifestyle products, home appliances, food items, and others.The offer will remain valid till January 31.
Nagad users will get up to 22 percent discount more than once on the purchase of products bought from the stall of Vista Electronics using Nagad.
Customers will get 12 percent cashback while making payments for products purchased from Providence, a lifestyle brand, using Nagad. There is a 10 percent cashback offer at the stalls of Vision, Walker, Best Buy and Regal.
There is also a cashback of up to Tk150 on making payments using Nagad on the purchase of products worth at least Tk2,000 from Gazi Home Appliance.
Besides, customers will get a cashback of up to Tk50 on Nagad payments for a minimum purchase of goods worth Tk1,000 from Daily Shopping.
Moreover, there is a cashback of 12 percent for making payments for food items bought from Coopers and Tasty Treat using Nagad.
The month-long DITF began on January 1 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in the capital's Purbachal.
Annual business conference of National Bank held
The annual business conference of National Bank Limited concluded on Sunday, held at Le Meridien in Dhaka.
The Managing Director & CEO of NBL, Md. Mehmood Husain chaired the event. The managers of 221 branches of the bank, regional managers and divisional heads joined the function. Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Shafiqur Rahman, director of NBL spoke in the conference giving direction to achieve customer satisfaction through providing good services in the New Year.
The action plan for this year was discussed in detail. On this occasion, awards were given to the branch managers who achieved the target of 2022. Deputy Managing Directors of NBL Syed Rois Uddin and Hossain Akhtar Chowdhury were also present at the conference.
Pran joins DITF 2023 with 800 products
Pran has joined the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2023 with 800 products at eight pavilions and stalls.
This year, the group has brought around 200 new products to the fair. It is also offering discounts on all products.
Pran is displaying more than 500 products at its three-storey pavilion.
Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury re-elected BCI president
Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), chairman of Evince Group, has been re-elected as president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) for the term of 2023-2025.
Besides, Priti Chakraborty, chairman of Universal Medical College & Hospital Ltd, Mohammed Younus, managing director of Younus Group and chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited have been elected Senior Vice-President and Vice-President respectively.
The newly elected directors are Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Priti Chakraborty, Mr. Mohammed Younus, Shahidul Islam Niru, Dr. Delowar Hossain Raja, Ranjan Chowdhury, Mohammad Ismail Hossain, Mr. Zia Hayder Mithu, Mohd. Mohabbat Ullah, Shah Alam Litu, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Nazmul Anwar, M. A. RazzakKhan, Mohd. Ishaqul Hossain Sweet, Abul Kalam Bhuiyan, Md. Salim Jahan, S.M. Shah Alam Mukul, Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, Md. Shahid Alam, K.M. Rifatuzzaman, Ruslan Nasir, Md. Khayer Mia, Sohana Rouf Chowdhury, and Md. Mafuzur Rahman.
Read More: HC seeks BCIC’s explanation over embezzlement of 72,000 tonnes fertiliser
The newly elected board of directors took over the charge on Saturday (January 14, 2023).
Shahedul Islam Helel, Former President, BCI was present.
Newly elected president, Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) said the newly elected committee will take proper initiatives for the development of CMSEs as well as creating new entrepreneurs.
Abdul Haque, chairman, BCI Election Board announced the result of the election while Md. Kohinoor Islam, Member, Election Board, Mr. Hafez Haroon-or-Rashid, Member, Election Appeal Board, Mrs. Priti Chakraborty, Senior Vice President, Mr. Shahidul Islam Niru, Former Vice President, BCI among others were present on the occasion.
Read More: Present tax system is not in favour of industrial development: BCI
Regaining customer trust a must to boost insurance sector's growth: FBCCI
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) has said regaining customer trust is a must for the insurance sector to boost its growth.
At a meeting of its standing committee on insurance Thursday in the capital, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said: "Insurance is one of the important sectors of the country's economy. However, a big challenge for this sector is a lack of confidence in it."
"We have to find a way out of this situation. All the stakeholders of this sector should play an active role to change customers' negative perceptions of it," he added.
"Also, we have not been able to use the potential of this sector; there is no alternative to developing a skilled workforce for future growth of the sector," the FBCCI president said.
FBCCI Vice-President MA Momen said, "It is very important now to go for the modernisation of the insurance sector as the time has changed."
Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, secretary general of FBCCI and former managing director of Life Insurance Corporation, said it is important to have actuaries for the development of the insurance sector. "If the sector comes under automation, many of the existing problems will be solved."
Read more: Experts for inclusive insurance, risk financing for all
BGMEA for Bangladesh mission's support for explore more trade opportunities in Canada
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada to explore more trade opportunities, including apparel exports, in the North American country.
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman paid a visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Wednesday.
Read more: BGMEA, GarmentTechBD to collaborate in improving supply chain management skills
BGMEA Vice-President Shahiduallah Azim, Director Abdullah Hil Rakib and BGMEA Standing Committee on UD-Woven and Knit Chair Md Nurul Islam were also present at the meeting.
They talked about the current state of affairs in the readymade garments (RMG) industry, especially how the sector had been navigating through a rough patch in recent times amid a depressed global economy and rising inflation.
Their talks also focused on trade opportunities in Canada and ways to seize them.
Faruque requested the high commissioner to step up diplomatic efforts to boost the ties between the two countries and ensure trade benefits for Bangladesh in the Canadian market after it graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category.
The BGMEA president also sought cooperation from Dr Khalilur Rahman in promoting Bangladesh and its RMG industry in Canada.
Read more: Bangladesh's RMG bracing for next phase of growth: BGMEA
Padma Bank to loan farmers on easy terms for food security
The Padma Bank Limited will provide loans at 4 percent interest rate to farmers to increase production in the agricultural sector in the country.
This loan will be given under a fund titled "5000 crore refinancing scheme for agriculture sector to ensure food security of the country" formed by Bangladesh Bank (BB), said a press release on Wednesday.
It said an agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Bank and the Padma Bank to disburse the loans on easy terms.
Read more: Money transfer from Padma Bank to bKash made easy
In November last year, the central bank formed a refinance scheme of Tk5,000 crore for farmers as part of the government’s efforts to stave off food scarcity amid a looming global crisis in 2023 stemmed from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Abul Kalam Azad, director to Agriculture Credit Division of the central bank and Faisal Ahsan Chowdhury, managing director (Current Charge) of Padma Bank, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations in the presence of BB Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar at Jahangir Alam Conference Hall of the BB’s head office.
AKM Sajedur Rahman Khan, deputy governor of the central bank, its Executive Director (Agricultural Credit Department) Md Anwarul Islam and senior officials from both organisations were present during the signing ceremony.
Read more: BB releases Tk100 commemorative notes to mark Padma Bridge opening
Farmers will be able to take loans for production of paddy, fisheries, vegetables, fruits, flowers, poultry and dairy items under the livestock sector.
BARVIDA for rationalising `vehicle registration fee’, abolishing ‘dual registration system’
BARVIDA (Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association) urged the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to rationalize vehicle registration fee increased last week by an order.
BARVIDA also demanded abolishing the ‘dual registration system’ which is currently active in the country for the importers and also for the buyers, according to a press release.
The BARVIDA delegation led by its President Md Habib Ullah Dawn requested the BRTA Chairman to phase out the 15-20 years old vehicles gradually from the capital to make a healthier Dhaka.
Read more: BARVIDA election to be held June 18
The BARVIDA leaders also requested BRTA to include BARVIDA in the vehicle registration process.
The BRTA Chairman accepted the BARVIDA proposals positively and assured them of implementing those after necessary examination.
BARVIDA Secretary General Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Vice President - 1 Md Aslam Serniabath, Vice President - 2 Reaz Rahman, Treasurer Mohammed Anisur Rahman and Executive members Mohd. Saiful Islam (Samrat), Abu Hossain Bhuiyan (Ranu) and Punom Sharmin Jhilmil and general member Akter hossain Mazumdar attended the meeting.
High officials of BRTA also attended the meeting.
Read more: Habib becomes Barvida president, Shahidul secretary-general
NOVOAIR celebrates its 10th Anniversary
NOVOAIR, country’s leading private airline has successfully completed its 10 years of operation and is celebrating 10th anniversary through various programs.
NOVOAIR started the 1st flight on January 9, 2013, from Dhaka to Chattogram route, said a press release issued on Monday.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary, Mr. Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director of NOVOAIR, acknowledged the concerned authorities, business associates, and esteemed passengers for being with NOVOAIR for 10 years journey.
"Our journey began with the promise of providing world-class service. Ensuring on-time flight operations and safe travel is the highest prerogative of our business philosophy. We give equal importance to these two main mantras, safety, and service,” he said.
“NOVOAIR has served more than 5.5 million passengers by operating more than 1 lakh flights in 10 years by overcoming various challenges and adversities and has been established as a trustworthy, reliable, and trusted airline. Entering the New Year, we commit to ensuring enhanced passenger service through the expansion of domestic and international destinations in line with the needs of our esteemed passengers, and the addition of more aircraft to the fleet”, he added.
NOVOAIR is currently operating flights from Dhaka on domestic routes to Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Jashore, Saidpur, Rajshahi, and international routes to Kolkata.
Besides, it is transporting passengers directly from Jashore to Cox's Bazar route and from Rajshahi to Cox's Bazar route.
NOVOAIR always strives to improve the quality of passenger service by adding new services.
To that end, as the country's first airline to offer special services to passengers, frequent flyer program Smiles, NOVOAIR-EBL co-branded prepaid MasterCard, a mobile app for easy ticket purchase and web check-in to make the check-in process hassle-free, NOVOAIR-MTB co-branded credit Activates the card service.
NOVOAIR was awarded Best Domestic Airlines in 2014, Best Domestic Airlines in 2019, and Best Ontime Performance Airlines in 2021 by the fortnightly travel magazine The Bangladesh Monitor.
Govt formulating policy to appoint MDs, senior posts at SCBs
The financial institution division (FID), a wing of the Ministry of Finance is formulating 'The Employment, Promotion and Posting Policy-2023' for the appointment and promotion of senior officers of state-owned commercial banks of Bangladesh.
A committee led by the finance minister will appoint and promote people to these posts based on the basis of 100 marks in 8 categories, a source of the ministry told UNB on Sunday.
Apart from this, the candidates will be scrutinized before the appointment. A committee of 6 members will be formed, led by the finance minister.
Read: Investors’ financial literacy must to boost capital market: Commerce Minister
According to the sources, contractual recruitment and posting for a maximum of three years will be made for the posts of Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) through selection from among the Managing Directors working in state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks, and financial institutions or through promotion from Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs).
Sources of FID said recommendations will be made by the selection committee following the seniority, experience, report of the NSI and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the circular issued by Bangladesh Bank from time to time.
Contractual appointments will be made to the posts of Managing Director and CEO with the recommendation of the committee with the approval of the Prime Minister.
Read: Bangladesh earned $27.22b from exports in July-Dec amid new records
A senior official of FID said apart from this, promotion, appointment, posting and inter-bank transfers to the post of Deputy Managing Director in specialized banks and financial institutions will be restricted to specialized banks and financial institutions.
However, in the interest of the state, posting and inter-bank transfer can be made from among the deputy managing directors of state-owned commercial banks to the post of deputy managing directors in specialized banks and financial institutions.
As per the policy, in the case of promotion, the candidates eligible for promotion-educational qualification mark 15, length of service in a bank or financial institution -5, banking diploma-5, professional degree-5, professional publications -5, employment record 5, annual confidential application -40 and interview -15), etc will be selected by the committee on the basis of their mark out of a total 100 marks.
Read More: Govt to save Tk10,000 cr annually from importing edible oil: Agri Minister.