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World Bank VP visits footwear cluster
World Bank Vice President for South Asia Region Hartwig Schafer on Wednesday visited the footwear microenterprises cluster at Bhairab in Kishoreganj.
Under the Sustainable Enterprise Project (SEP), co-financed by The World Bank, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is supporting the footwear-producing microenterprise cluster where around 200,000 pairs of footwear are manufactured a day.
Bhairab is home to more than 10,000 footwear microenterprises, employing over 120,000 people.
Read: Bangladesh's economy doing better to recover from Covid-19 shocks: WB Vice President
Schafer expressed satisfaction at the SEP’s role in sustainable expansion of the footwear-manufacturing microenterprises.
“It is great to see what can be done when you empower communities and when you start small,” he said.
During the visit, he was accompanied by Managing Director Dr Nomita Halder, World Bank Country Director Mercy Miyang Tembon, Additional Managing Director of PKSF Md Fazlul Kader, and other representatives from the government, The World Bank and project-implementing partner organization of PKSF, according to a press release.
They visited SEP supported footwear common service center to support the footwear-producing microenterprises in Bhairab.
They talked to the service providers and have had been explained the services there. Later, they also talked to some of the SEP-supported micro-entrepreneurs.
PKSF Managing Director Dr Nomita Halder said that in addition to inclusive financing, capacity building, technology transfer, value chain development and other technical services are being provided to help the low-income people to get out from the vicious cycle of low productivity.
“Additionally, in all its project area, PKSF ensures safe environment for the female workers like what is done in the SEP,” she said.
She also said that the PKSF made it flexible for the microentrepreneurs who suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read: WB delays decision to fund road safety project: Obaidul Quader
“Because we want to eradicate poverty not only by lending money but also by creating employment opportunity,” she said.
The PKSF MD said that Promoting decent workplace, the government want to ensure good business but also sustainable business.
“Money alone cannot solve problems. It requires commitment and partnership like we have between The World Bank and PKSF.”
Appreciating the effort and enthusiasm of the female micro-entrepreneurs World Bank country director Mercy Miyang Tembon said that she was very happy to meet the women who are not only working for themselves but also employing other women.
“That is why SEP is very important. PKSF is doing a wonderful job as they are doing it all over the country.”
Additional Managing Director of PKSF Fazlul Kader presented on the SEP’s interventions with particular focus on the footwear-producing cluster.
To assist the microenterprises of Bangladesh in enhancing their marketing and brand development capacity and adopting environmentally sustainable practices, PKSF is implementing the SEP, jointly financed by PKSF and The World Bank with support from the government of Bangladesh.
The total budget of this five-year project is USD 130 million, of which the World Bank and PKSF will finance USD 110 million and USD 20 million respectively.
To implement the project, the lead business clusters, based in the lead sub-sectors of the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors, are provided financial and technical support.
A total of 64 sub-projects have been undertaken from 30 different sub-sectors under the project.
People’s Oriented Program Implementation (POPI), a partner organization of PKSF, is implementing one of the sub-projects, titled ‘Establishing Environmental Practices in Hazardous Footwear Microenterprises in Bhairab.
BRAC Bank, BFDS ink MoU to ease banking services for freelancers
BRAC Bank and Bangladesh Freelancer Development Society (BFDS) have partnered to ensure easy and smooth banking services for the freelancers of the country.
BRAC Bank and BFDS, the forum that facilitates works and ventures of the freelancer community, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), a collaboration that reflects strong commitment of the two organizations to the promising freelancing industry, according to a press release.
Read:Brac Bank scraps transaction pacts with 10 virtual shops
The partnership followed BRAC Bank’s launch of the country’s first ever Freelancer Account a week earlier aiming at widening the opportunities for the professionals of the promising gig economy.
Dr. Tanjiba Rahman, Chairman; Jashim Uddin Joy, Senior Vice Chairman; Mahfuzur Rahman, General Secretary of BFDS; and Md. Mahiul Islam, Head of Retail Banking, BRAC Bank, signed the MoU at the bank’s Head Office in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, Sarah Anam, Head of Deposits & NFB, BRAC Bank, and senior officials of the two organizations were also present, along with officials from Visa, the global leader in digital payments.
At the signing ceremony, Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director and CEO, BRAC Bank, handed over the first batch of Freelancer Matrix Visa Debit Cards to freelancers who are members of BFDS.
Read: Brac to empower women at the grassroots
“We believe in the talent and potential the freelancers possess and the promise the freelancing industry holds. That’s why we have partnered with BFDS so that the freelancers can avail banking services easily without any hassle and turn their passion into successful venture,” Selim R. F. Hussain said.
He said that this was an important partnership for them as they want to play an active role in making Bangladesh a global hub for freelancing and contribute significantly to boost foreign exchange earnings.
“We will continue to explore new ways to cater to the evolving needs of the freelancers,” he continued.
Earlier on November 30, BRAC Bank launched ERQ account solution styled ‘BRAC Bank Freelancer Matrix Account’. It provides big convenience for receiving foreign currency income and smooth day-to-day transaction as well.
The proposition came as much delight to more than 650,000 freelancing professionals who would enjoy hassle-free banking experience.
They now get an international Visa debit card that is widely accepted, for BRAC Bank Freelancer Matrix account which allow them to seamlessly receive their remittance earnings in US Dollar and easily convert it into local currency (BDT) with a linked transactional account.
They will be able to conduct cross border eCommerce, POS & ATM transactions for business purposes such as cloud based solutions, domain hosting etc. This account comes bundled with exclusive benefits of the Visa International Debit Card.
Sreda launches training on solar power system
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) has launched a special programme to create master trainers for six power distribution utilities who will train up their own engineers.
As per a concept paper of the programme, the trained engineers will act as master trainer at their respective utilities.
Twenty engineers are participating in the first batch.
On this occasion, an opening ceremony was held at Sreda Auditorium in the city on Wednesday, presided over by the organisation’s chairman Mohammad Alauddin.
READ: Bangladesh seeks EU support for regional hydropower, solar projects
Chairman of Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Satyajit Karmaker was present at the function as the chief guest while it was also addressed by Sreda members Selima Jahan and Mohammad Golam Sarware Kainat.
Addressing the function, Mohammad Alauddin said the government had set targets of 10 percent electricity generation from renewable energy of its total generation capacity by 2020.
But scarcity of land and the complex process in acquiring lands are hampering solar power generation, he added.
“To overcome the issues and continue with more electricity generation from solar power, net metering guideline was introduced in July 2018,”he said
He mentioned that this guideline allows the rooftops of industries, commercial and residential buildings to be used for grid-connected renewable energy which can significantly contribute to achieving the target.
He said the training programme will help utilities to promote the owners of industries and commercial buildings to meet part of their electricity demand at a cheaper price and to reduce electricity and fuel costs.
READ: Hasan Mahmud calls for foreign funding to boost use of solar energy in agriculture
The Sreda chairman mentioned that electricity distribution utilities like DESCO, DPDC, BREB, BPDB, WZPDCL and NESCO are working to implement Rooftop Solar programme.
For smooth implementation of rooftop solar projects distribution utilities should have clear understanding about the solar system and benefit of investment in the system, he added.
Dengue: 60 more hospitalized in 24 hrs
Sixty new dengue patients were hospitalized in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, health authorities said.
The number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 100 as no new death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Ninety-two people died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions.
Thirty-three new patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 27 cases have been reported from outside the division.
Some 234 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Wednesday.
Of them, 177 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 57 were listed outside Dhaka.
Since January, some 27,839 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue in the country. So far, 27,505 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
What experts say
Experts attribute the unusually high dengue cases during the dry season, mainly in Dhaka, to the prolonged rainy season, sporadic rainfall, and high humidity and temperature, Aedes mosquitoes' reproductive and behavioural changes caused by climate change and lack of people’s awareness and poor controlling measures by the two city corporations of the capital.
They also said the climate conditions of Bangladesh are becoming more favourable for the Aedes mosquitos to prevail in all seasons with high or low intensity mainly for the increase in temperature and breeding sources.
MoFA to celebrate Digital Bangladesh Day-2021 at home, abroad
Digital Bangladesh Day-2021 is set to be celebrated on December 12 through various programmes across the country and Bangladesh Missions abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has undertaken an ambitious set of ICT reforms and application building, complementing the Digital Bangladesh initiative of the government.
READ: 'Charer Master' applauded for highlighting Digital Bangladesh
The day is of special significance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry has arranged a set of programmes to celebrate the 5th “The Digital Bangladesh Day-2021.”
The programmes will include a debate competition, an essay writing competition on various aspects of digital Bangladesh, a global 50-word short story contest on the Bangladesh dream and a 4IR themed webinar on December 12, said MoFA on Wednesday.
READ: KOICA helped establish pillars of Digital Bangladesh: Zunaid Palak
No winter vacation at Barishal University this year
Barishal University authorities have canceled the winter vacation of 2021-22 academic years to avoid session jam.
The decision was taken at the 37th meeting of the academic council, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Md. Sadequl Arefin on Wednesday afternoon.
READ: Barishal University: 82, inc. 40 teachers, earn promotions
Public relations officer Faisal Rumi said the decision was made to compensate the academic loss caused by the closure of educational institutions for Covid 19 pandemic.
READ: Barishal University students continue protests for 2nd day
Man held with over 2000 Yaba pills in stomach at Dhaka airport
Airport Armed Police have detained a man who was carrying 2,035 Yaba pills in his stomach from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
The detainee was identified as Sanjay Kumar, 32, a passenger of Novoair flight VQ 934 from Cox's Bazar to Dhaka.
Read: 2 held with gold worth over Tk 2cr in separate drives at Dhaka airport
Additional Superintendent of Airport Armed Police Md Ziaul Haque said AAPBn members detained Sanjay on suspicion around 6:30pm on Tuesday.
During preliminary interrogation, Sanjay revealed that he had kept the Yaba pills in his stomach.
Later, an X-ray was carried out in his abdomen at a nearby hospital when 2,035 Yaba pills were detected in his stomach.
Read: Man held with 8k Yaba pills at Dhaka airport
Sanjay received the contraband from a person named Shafiq before boarding the flight from Cox's Bazar and was supposed to deliver those to Md Arman at Dhaka, Ziaul Haque said.
A case was filed at the Airport Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act, the official added.
Forbes features Hasina at 43 on its most powerful women list
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been ranked 43rd on Forbes' list of the most powerful women in the world.
MacKenzie Scott, Kamala Harris and Christine Lagarde have been ranked first, second and third respectively.
Queen Elizabeth II is ranked 70 in the list.
The American business magazine says Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh, is currently serving her fourth term.
READ: Bangladeshis dominate Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2021 list
She won the fourth term, which is also her third consecutive term, after her party, Bangladesh Awami League, won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats.
“During what she believes will be her final term, Hasina plans to focus on issues such as food security and access to education and healthcare,” the magazine adds.
It also mentions that an ongoing struggle for Hasina has been establishing a firm democracy in Bangladesh.
READ: PM Hasina in Forbes’ list of most powerful women
Every year, this business magazine releases a list of 100 powerful women of the world. This year, the 18th annual list of power women included 40 CEOs, the most since 2015, who, according to the magazine, "oversee a record $3.3 trillion in revenue." The list also included 19 world leaders, an immunologist.
Samdani Art Foundation, CRI to exhibit unseen photographs of 1971-72
Samdani Art Foundation and Centre for Research and Information (CRI) are going to exhibit rare photographs on the birth of the nation from 1971-72 captured by French photojournalist Anne de Henning marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence.
The exhibition of rare and never before exhibited images, which are later curated by Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury, will be held from December 10-31 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The photojournalist’s remarkable private archive of unseen photographs is a unique record of the pivotal years which witnessed the transformation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan. In her powerful images the humanity of her subjects is combined with the grit of traditional photojournalism.
Read:Art exhibition, Pitha Utsab held at FSA
Anne’s first visit to Bangladesh was at the age of her 26 in 1971 when the Pakistani authorities in Dhaka were not letting foreign journalists into the country.
Travelling through the country during the Liberation War, her photographs captured life in the war zone – from freedom fighters to men, women and children boarding refugee trains and fleeing from their villages.
While recalling Anne’s first encounter with the Mukti Bahini she said, “I saw a handful of young Mukti Bahinis stepping out of their makeshift observation post flanked by a tall bamboo pole flying the green, red and yellow Bangladesh flag. They greeted me by saying with a broad smile: ‘You are now in free Bangladesh’!”
She also said, “The first striking memory I have is of my crossing to East Pakistan from India in the blistering heat and dead silence.”
Bangladesh reports 6 more Covid-linked deaths with 277 cases
Bangladesh logged six more Covid-related deaths along with 277 fresh cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
With the latest cases, the daily-case positivity rate declined to 1.35 per cent from Tuesday’s 1.45 per cent, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the fresh numbers, the total fatalities rose to 28,016 while the caseload mounted to 15,78,288.
Read: Over 129 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in India so far, says government
Among the latest deceased, four were men and two women. Three deaths were reported from Dhaka division while one each was from Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.78 per cent during the period.
The fresh cases were detected after testing 20,644 samples, amid the growing concern over the new ‘Omicron’ variant of coronavirus.
Besides, the recovery rate remained unchanged at 97.78 per cent with the recovery of 296 more patients during the 24-hour period.
On November 20, Bangladesh logged this year’s first zero Covid-linked death with 178 cases.
Bangladesh reported the highest number of daily fatalities of 264 on August 5 this year, while the highest daily caseload was 16,230 on July 28 this year.
Read: Covid-19: Hasina places 5 proposals to deal with impacts on public health, nutrition
So far, 3,96,58,932 people have fully been vaccinated in the country while 6,56,18,894 received the first dose as of Tuesday, according to the DGHS.
Among them, 1,65,072 students, aged from 12-17, have fully been vaccinated while 10,10,083 students received the first dose so far.