Business
US-Bangla Airlines wins Best Domestic Airlines award
Country’s Leading private airlines US-Bangla Airlines received “Best Domestic Airline of the Year-2022” award for its consistent quality service in air transport sector.
Besides, US-Bangla Airlines also received Silver Award in ‘Best Regional Airline’ and ‘Best On-time Flight Departure’ category and Bronze Award in ‘Best Economic Class Food’ category.
The Bangladesh Monitor, one of the travel related fortnights of Bangladesh, awarded US-Bangla for maintaining stability in-flight service, number of passengers on domestic routes, on-time departures, number of flights and increased connectivity in the country's air routes.
Managing Director of US-Bangla Airlines Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun received the award from the Chief Guest of the ceremony, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md. Mahbub Ali were present at the award giving ceremony held on Friday in the capital..
Mohammed Abdullah Al Mamun, MD of the airline, said all recognitions US-Bangla Airlines received are a reward for the confidence of the passengers.
Earlier, US-Bangla Airlines was awarded 'Best Domestic Airline' by Bangladesh Monitor, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Bangladesh Chapter "Airline of the Year" in 2016.
Ban on display, sale of tobacco products on passenger ships demanded
The leaders of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger Carrier) Association (BIWPCA) strongly demanded the speedy passage of the amended draft of the Tobacco Control Act.
The leaders of the organization made this demand in a joint discussion with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission on Saturday at Purana Paltan.
They observed that smoking is now permitted on many cruise ships. Apart from this, the display and sale of tobacco products continue on boats.
“As there is no direct obstacle in this regard in the law, the parties concerned are not able to take necessary measures”, said Senior Vice President of the organisation Alhaj Md. Badiuzzaman Badal while presiding over the meeting.
Abdus Salam Mia, Grants Manager of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh, Vice President of BIWPCA Abul Kalam Khan, Director SM Abdul Jabbar, Members Md. Mamun Or Rashid, Abdul Qayyum Sheikh, Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Patwari, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector Deputy Director Md Mokhleshur Rahman were present in the meeting.
Several loopholes in the existing tobacco control law were highlighted in the discussion.
Abdus Salam Miah said that if the amended draft tobacco control law is passed, the gaps in the tobacco control law will be minimized.
Besides, tobacco use will decrease and new ones will be discouraged to take up tobacco. On the other hand, it will be possible to completely stop smoking in public transport including launches, he added.
NOVOAIR wins ‘Best On Time Performance’ award
Leading private airline NOVOAIR has received the “Best On time performance of the Year- 2022” Gold award in domestic flight operation.
The airline has also won a Silver award in the “Best Domestic Airline” category.
The award-giving ceremony was held at a hotel in the capital on Friday. Mes-Bah-Ul Islam, Head of Marketing and Sales of NOVOAIR, received the awards from Mahbub Ali MP, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism during the event.
The awards were given based on the online survey of regular passengers organized by Travel and Tourism publication “The Bangladesh Monitor”.
Speaking at the program, Mes-Bah-Ul said that this recognition will encourage NOVOAIR to provide quality service in the future.
“NOVOAIR is committed to provide the highest level of service since its beginning. NOVOAIR has earned passengers’ trust for safe air travel and on time flight operation. Our commitment to provide passenger satisfaction and superior service will continue at all levels of our operations,” the marketing head said.
NOVOAIR is currently operating daily flights from Dhaka to Chattogram, Cox's Bazar,Saidpur, Jashore, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Kolkata.
Job Circular: 15 job opportunities in Walton
Walton Hi-Tech Industries has released recruitment circular. The organization has published this job circular for the recruitment of manpower for the post of 'Customer Relation Executive'. Walton will appoint 20 people in this position. According to the circular, anyone can join the posts subject to fulfilling the qualifications.
Educational Qualification: Graduation must be passed.
Salary: Salary for the post of 'Customer Relationship Executive' will be negotiable.
Job Type: Contractual
Application Age: The age of the applying candidate should be between 22 to 28 years.
Read: Job Circular in Polli Bidyut: Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board will recruit 94 people
Work Place: Anywhere in Bangladesh.
Application Rules: Interested candidates can apply online. Click here for application details (https://jobs.bdjobs.com/jobdetails.asp?id=1086722)
Application Deadline: Interested candidates can apply online till 5th October.
Dedicated SEZ for US Companies: FBCCI seeks investment in ICT sector
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) has invited the US entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh‘s ICT sector after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared to establish a dedicated economic zone for the US companies.
The PM made the announcement in New York at U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council meeting organized by the US Chamber of Commerce on September 22, said the apex trade body in a press release Friday.
Read: FBCCI wants testing lab at ports for ease of doing business
FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin said the USA should take the advantage of investing in Bangladesh, the fastest growing economy in South Asia, regional supply chains and its demographic dividend.
Bangladesh could also benefit from America’s expertise in research and service innovation, he said.
The FBCCI President said he expects that the relationship between the USA and Bangladesh will expand beyond the traditional areas and both sides would explore growing prospects in frontier technologies, robotics and block chain, space, bio-health, and others.
"At your request, Bangladesh would be happy to offer a dedicated ‘Special Economic Zone’ (SEZ) solely for the US investors," the FBCCI quoted the PM as saying.
Read: FBCCI-led 62-member delegation in India to elevate bilateral trade ties
PM Hasina is currently visiting the USA to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
The PM invited US businesses to invest in Bangladesh specially in 100 ‘Special Economic Zones’ (SEZs), and the several Hi-tech Parks.
With more than 600,000 freelancing IT professionals, she said “Bangladesh is the right destination for IT investments. Moreover, availability of young, skilled workers at a competitive wage is an added advantage”.
Dollar crisis: Bangladesh Bank allows return of six banks' treasury chiefs
The Bangladesh Bank has allowed the return of the treasury chiefs of six banks, who were removed from their positions for making "excessive profits by trading dollars, ignoring banking norms amid a volatile foreign exchange market."
Also, the banks have been asked to spend 50 percent of the profits that they had earned from foreign exchange business from May to June this year, on corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Earlier, the Bangladesh Bank asked the lenders to set aside their May and June foreign exchange business profits in a separate account.
On August 8, the central bank ordered the removal of the treasury heads of Prime, Brac, City, Dutch-Bangla, Southeast, and Standard Chartered from their positions.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Serajul Islam said the treasury chiefs of the banks apologised for their involvement in dollar market manipulation and promised not to do it in future.
"The issue has been resolved. So, the treasury chiefs of these six banks can now return to their positions," he added.
Hotel Agrabad to celebrate its 50 years of journey Saturday
Hotel Agrabad is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of programmes on September 24.
Hotel Agrabad Managing Director HM Hakim Ali on Thursday said that Hotel Agrabad, which is one with Chattogram’s tradition and culture, will complete 50 years of its glorious journey on Saturday.
Director of Hotel Agrabad Mohammad Irad Ali, Assistant General Manager Hasanul Islam, Manager Human Resources and Administration Saiful Rahman and heads of departments were present at the press conference in the Ichamati Ball room of the hotel.
Hakim Ali said with hills, rivers, plains and the sea, Chattogram is a beautiful natural landscape and its sea port built on a natural harbor is the main driving force of Bangladesh's import and export trade.
“Therefore, domestic and foreign tourists and businessmen had a special attraction towards Chattogram, but they did not feel comfortable coming to Chattogram due to the difficulty of accommodation and food,” he said.
To overcome this difficulty, Hakim Ali said, his late elder brother Alhaj Sabdar Ali built a residential hotel with all modern facilities in the commercial area of Agrabad and managed it with reputation and success.
On Saturday, Hotel Agrabad will hold a day-long blood donation programme, distribution of prizes among the winners of a painting competition, honoring of guests, entertainment and interesting cultural programmes.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali will be present as the chief guest and DC Mohammad Ashraf Uddin as special guest.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this traditional heritage hotel, Chattogram Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry will organize a fashion show to highlight the art and culture of Chattogram.
Besides, there will be a day-long exhibition titled Made in Chattogram with the traditional food and products of Chittagong.
20% year-on-year growth: NBR collected record Tk 8,733cr VAT in Aug
National Board of Revenue (NBR) collected Tk 8,733 crore of revenue from value added tax (VAT) in August – showing a 20 percent year-on-year growth.
NBR’s collected VAT revenue in August is Tk 519 crore more than the target.
In this regard, NBR member (VAT) Moinul Khan said that government expenditure has decreased due to cost-cutting measures. Still, due to various initiatives and efforts, more VAT has been collected.
Read: Tax return document not needed for loans up to Tk 20 lakh: NBR
Generally, more VAT is collected from government purchases than from the private sector. This time there is an exception, he said.
In the first two months of the current financial year, collection of income tax, VAT, and customs amounts to Tk 40,270 crore, which is Tk 3,319 crore less than the target. In the current financial year, the total revenue target is Tk 3.70 lakh crore.
Read: Black money whitening got little response in FY 22: NBR data
According to NBR sources, in the first two months, Tk 10,373 crore have been collected in the income tax sector and Tk 14,863 crore in the customs sector.
In July-August, VAT from 30 small sectors amounted to Tk 4,869 crore. On the other hand, Tk 10,165 crore VAT has been collected from the private sector – retail and wholesale, rod-cement, hotels, and restaurants.
Bangladesh Bank yet to allow Indian rupee in foreign trade
Bangladeshi businesses cannot use Indian rupee for foreign trade as Bangladesh Bank is yet to enlist the currency to settle letters of credit (LCs).
BB spokesperson and executive director Md Serajul Islam told UNB that the central bank is yet enlisted Rupee for foreign trade.
He said that Bangladesh Bank is reviewing currency diversification in foreign trade to reduce sole dependence on the US dollar.
Read:“Use rupee, taka”: India asks exporters to refrain from trading in dollars with Bangladesh
Before allowing any foreign currency for trading, the central bank has maintained an exchange stander, and stability in line with the IMF standard, he said.
Businesses said if trade between Bangladesh and India happen in local currencies, pressure from falling US dollar reserves and associated ongoing forex market instability can be reduced.
They said India is the second largest source of imports of raw materials and other goods for Bangladesh. Industrial raw materials, capital machinery, cotton, yarn, fabrics, and chemicals worth USD 16.19 billion were imported from India in the fiscal year 2021-22.
Read:Bangladesh’s forex reserves now $36.90 billion
At the same time, Bangladesh exported goods worth USD2 billion to the neighbouring country.
On September 15, Bangladesh Bank allowed banks to open accounts in the Chinese currency yuan.
IMF has recognized five countries’ currencies as “high-value”. The Chinese yuan was admitted to IMF’s high-value currency basket in 2016. Since then, the yuan has become stronger than ever as per a currency review by the IMF.
Read Sri Lanka hopes to reach initial agreement with IMF for help
Age limit raised by 3 years and 3 months for entering govt service; not applicable for BCS
Considering the Covid-19 fallout, the government has raised the maximum age limit by three years and three months for entering government service.
The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard today.
This will not be applicable for BCS exams under Public Service Commission (PSC), said the circular.
As per the notification, job seekers who reached the highest age limit on March 25, 2020 can apply at government offices – including ministries, departments and subordinate offices, autonomous and nationalised institutions – that were unable to issue recruitment circular due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
They can apply for government job circulars issued until June 30, 2023.
Read:40th BCS final results published
According to Public Administration Ministry, the government offices could not publish any recruitment circular in recent months due to the pandemic.
During this period, many aspirants have become ineligible for government jobs due to the prevailing age restrictions.