The 22nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) was held Sunday at a Dhaka hotel. Md Anwar Shawkat Afser, president of DBCCI, presided over the meeting. He highlighted the upcoming event of DBCCI, namely the "BIDA-DBCCI Trade and Investment Delegation to the Netherlands 2022." The DBCCI president also mentioned the chamber's plan for the celebration of its 24 years, where a significant number of foreign direct investments may be attracted from Europe to Bangladesh. Read: Momen urges BBCCI to help attract more FDI to Bangladesh Md Atiqul Haque, senior vice president, Shakawat Hossain Mamun, vice president-1, Md Shahid Alam, vice president-2, Ataus Sopan Malik, secretary general, Muhammad Risalat Siddique, joint secretary general, and Noafel Bin Reza, director (finance), were present at the AGM. Other board of directors Ahmed Robin Ispahani, Md Nazmul Haque, Md Shah Alam, Mir Muhammad Nasir, M Rabiul Hossain, Md Sayem Faroky, Mazharul Haque Chowdhury, and Md Haroon-ur-Rashid also joined the meeting. The mission of DBCCI is to facilitate and foster trade, investment and opportunities between the Netherlands and Bangladesh and to encourage joint ventures and the exchange of knowledge.

Md Anwar Shawkat Afser, managing director of Sakhi Lines (Sakhi Group), has been re-elected president of the Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) for 2022-2024. He assumed the role for the third time. Ataus Sopan Malik has been elected the new secretary general of the DBCCI, according to a media statement. Afser is a social activist and was the former district governor of Lions Clubs International District 315-B4, Bangladesh (2005-06); former council chairperson of Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 315, Bangladesh (2006-07), vice-president of Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (Chittagong). Read: Sustainable Development: Separate ministry for blue economy proposed Md. Atiqul Haque has been elected senior vice-president, and Shakawat Hossain Mamun and Md Shahid Alam vice-presidents. Muhammad Risalat Siddique has been elected joint secretary general and Noafel Bin Reza director (finance). Other elected directors are Nazmul Haque, Dr Ahmed Robin Ispahani, M Rabiul Hossain, Md Shah Alam, Md Sayem Faroky, Mir Muhammad Nasir, Mazharul Haque Chowdhury and Md Haroon-ur-Rashid.  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday sounded hopeful regarding collection of Covid-19 jabs, saying Bangladesh is on track to get 24 crore vaccines either in March or April next year.   "Vaccine doses are coming under the COVAX facility, as gifts and from other sources," the Foreign Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the 'Fifth International Conference on Inclusive Business' organised by the Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DBCCI) in Dhaka. Read: UK OKs vaccines for 12 year olds, aims to avoid lockdowns Dr Momen said that Bangladesh needs 26 crore vaccine doses and some jabs would be produced at home too. "However, there is no update on vaccine cooperation with Russia due to the Covid-19 situation in the country." Dr Momen said that half of the 16 crore people are young, while 2.22 crore people have already been vaccinated. "Despite significant vaccination in Bangladesh, the United Kingdom kept Bangladesh in the red list which is very unfortunate," he said.

Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has hailed Dhaka as a city of opportunity, declaring there are plenty of opportunities to come in the days ahead.