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Standard Chartered unveils special deals, offers Ramadan-Eid to promote cashless experience
Standard Chartered Bangladesh has unveiled special offers for customers on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
The multinational bank has set partnerships with vendors of different sectors to provide exclusive offers to clients and customers across the country.
This initiative has been taken to add a different dimension to the festival of the customers in view of Ramadan and Eid and to give an experience of cashless purchase, according to a press release.
All debit and credit card users of the bank can enjoy this service. Under this offer, customers will get special discounts on Iftar, dinner, and Sehri through card and online payment. Customers of Standard Chartered Bang will get this offer at domestic and foreign hotels and restaurants.
This special discount offer will run throughout the month of Ramadan.
Customers will also be able to get up to 50 percent off when shopping for lifestyle goods and up to 30 percent off when making beauty and personal care purchases.
These fantastic discounts on clothing, accessories, jewellery, and self-care products will enable customers to get ready for celebrations with family and friends. Offers on gadgets, home appliances, furniture, and other electronics will equip individuals to indulge in home improvements and upgrades.
Offers are also available with online/e-commerce partners to make shopping from the comfort of home.
Workshop on cross-border e-commerce unveils global export opportunities for local entrepreneurs through Alibaba platform
A workshop titled ‘Trading Beyond Border’ was held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka on Sunday, aiming to foster global outreach for local manufacturers and entrepreneurs through the Alibaba platform. The event, orchestrated by Alibaba’s Bangladesh channel partner SkyTech Solutions in collaboration with the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), drew participation from approximately 250 e-commerce manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Saidur Rahman, Director of the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), highlighting the potential for domestic e-commerce entrepreneurs to earn remittances by exporting products internationally. Rahman also touched upon the importance of cross-border e-commerce policy.
Kamrul Hasan, Head of Digital Marketing at SkyTech, delved into strategies for transitioning from local to global business, contrasting the local and international markets, outlining export procedures, and emphasizing the necessity for marketing, logistics, and company registration.
Hasan also shared inspirational success stories of entrepreneurs who have ventured into global markets through platforms like Alibaba, eBay, and Amazon, followed by a Q&A session addressing the entrepreneurs' queries.
Faisal Dolan's session illuminated the process of launching a business on Alibaba, covering membership benefits, account and store setup, storefront creation, product uploads, store management, buyer acquisition, and order fulfillment.
Nasri Ma, Alibaba’s Business Manager for Bangladesh, presented the keynote speech, shedding light on the expansive business opportunities available through Alibaba's Business-to-Business (B2B) platform and its sister concerns, including Taobao and Alipay.
Concluding the workshop, Musnad Ahmed, CEO of SkyTech Solutions, assured comprehensive support for businesses aspiring to leverage Alibaba, including account opening, company registration, and store management. He announced forthcoming workshops and personalized sessions for participants eager to navigate Alibaba's export opportunities.
Demand for Walton TVs constantly going up in European market
Demands for 'Made in Bangladesh' tagged televisions, manufactured by the country's super television brand 'Walton', is constantly going up in the European market. Thus, the exports of Walton made TVs has been increasing in more than 14 European countries.
In continuation of this, Walton has exported TV to the market of Ireland, a country in the northwest of Europe, for the seventh time, according to a media statement.
Saeed Al Imran, vice-president of Walton's global business unit and also in-charge of the European market, said that Walton started TV export operations in Ireland in 2019 under the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) method.
TexTIMe explores how innovation in denim takes to pinnacle
Walton made TV's European standards and design, high picture quality, advanced features, durability and timely marketing strategy drew the attention of the Irish people in a very short time, noting it he added, thus the demands for Walton TVs is increasing in the Ireland market day by day.
As a result, he said, this month Walton has completed the shipment of TV exports to Ireland for the seventh time through a repeat order.
Engineer Mostafa Nahid Hossain, chief business officer of Walton TV, said, "We started TV exports to the European market in 2019. Walton TV is winning the hearts of buyers in the European market in a very short time. At present, about 95 percent of Walton TV's export revenue comes from the European market."
CIS-BCCI holds its annual general meeting
Despite the adverse global trade condition following the effects of Corona epidemic, instability in the European market centering the Russia-Ukraine war, Walton has exported more than 100,000 units of TVs to the European market, he noted adding that about US$10 million came to the reserve of Bangladesh.
He said, "Walton is now the country's top TV exporter. Our goal is to make Bangladesh's image brighter in the global arena by exporting 'Made in Bangladesh' tag television in every corner of the world. To achieve that goal, we are moving forward with the mission of reaching the list of the top 5 television manufacturers in the world.
According to the Walton Global Business Unit, Walton is exporting 'Made in Bangladesh' tag TVs to more than 35 countries through hundreds of business partners.
Tahsan made ORAIMO’s new brand ambassador
Out of the total export earnings of Walton TVs, 34 percent came from Denmark, 18 percent from Germany, 22 percent from Greece, 15 percent from Croatia and Ireland, six percent from Poland and five percent came from Africa and other countries.
89 percent turnout at BGMEA election, counting in progress
The vote counting is underway after 89 percent of the electorate cast their votes in the election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the term of 2024-26.
Earlier, the polling took place at the BGMEA Building in Uttara peacefully from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday.
After ending the polling, Election Management Board’s Chairman Jahangir Alamin told reporters that 89 percent of votes were cast in this year's election, which was held in a free and fair environment. There were no major complaints.
Around 2226 out of a total of 2496 voters voted in this election, which is more than 89 percent.
Among them, 1839 people or above 90 percent (90.50 percent) voted out of 2032 voters in Dhaka. In Chattogram, out of 464 voters, 387 voted, which is about 83.40 percent.
In this election, 70 candidates are fighting against 35 director posts in Dhaka and Chattagram. Two panels the Forum and the Combined Council (Sammilito Parishad) are contesting the election of the BGMEA Board of Directors.
SM Mannan Kochi, of Seha Designs chairman, led the Sammilito Parishad, who is the current senior vice-president of BGMEA. Another panel forum is led by Faisal Samad, director of Surma Garments. He is also the current director of the committee; besides he has once served as vice-president.
Two new deputy governors pay homage to Bangabandhu at Tungipara
Newly appointed two deputy governors of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Khurshid Alam and Dr Md. Habibur Rahman paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj on Friday.
They placed a wreath at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation.
They also offered Fateha and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage and during the liberation war
TexTIMe explores how innovation in denim takes to pinnacle
Speakers in a discussion meeting said on Thursday that with a consistent effort on quality improvement and value addition, adoption of updated denim technologies, and commitment towards a safe and sustainable industry, Bangladesh has become the world's number one denim supplier.
They said this at a discussion meeting on ‘Innovation in Denim’ as a part of its TexTIMe Episode-25, organised by Textile Today Innovation Hub (TTIH), held at the International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka.
The programme was held in the sideline of the 6th Dhaka International Denim Show 2024 and the 21st Dhaka International Yarn & Fabric Show 2024, said a press release.
TexTIMe (Textile Today Innovation Meets) is a regular event of Textile Today Innovation Hub – engaging industry leaders and policymakers to find out the pathways to tackle critical challenges and future prospects to sustain and grow.
The discussion, moderated by Tareq Amin, Founder & CEO of TTIH, brought together leading figures from the denim industry in Bangladesh, like - Shovon Islam, Managing Director of Sparrow Group; Rafee Mahmood, Chairman of Mahmud Group; Usman Maqsood, Director of Experience Group; Ferdaush Imtiaz, General Manager (Fabrics) of Poeticgem International ltd. and Md. Meherul Islam (Sohel), DGM (Fabric Tech & Sourcing) of Hirdaramani Bangladesh.
Experts opined that innovation in the denim sector is happening in making different products encompassing fabrics, garments, threads, machinery, finishing equipment, and accessories.
To lead the way in denim innovation, the panel explored some critical issues facing the denim industry, with a particular focus on sustainability.
The discussion also delved into strategies for increasing the value of denim products, ensuring smart negotiation skills, catering to evolving market demands, having policy support from the government, etc.
No possibility to increase sugar price: State Minister for Commerce
State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said on Thursday that there is no possibility of short supply of sugar or price hike in the market due to fire in S Alam’s sugar mill or any other reason.
“I tell the businessmen, they should not try to exploit the crisis,” he said.
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His remark came during the opening ceremony of the second phase of a sales campaign by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) on Thursday (March 7). The programme was held at ward no 24 of Dhaka North City Corporation.
The TCB is selling five products including dates at subsidised rate for 1 crore family card holders across the country.
“I see in the news that there is an attempt to increase the price of sugar in one or two places, none of the traders should do so, because the price of sugar will not increase even in mill gate.”
The concerned sugar mill owners of the country have promised this to the Ministry of Commerce, he said.
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He also pointed out that the government never wants to destroy the orderly environment of the supply chain and market with police and law enforcers.
“If the market has normal momentum, and it runs smoothly, I believe products will be available at a fair price. We are trying that. But if not, we will take all kinds of strict measures,” he warned.
CIS-BCCI holds its annual general meeting
The 10th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Commonwealth of Independent States-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CIS-BCCI) was held on Tuesday at Dhaka Club in the city.
During the AGM, CIS-BCCI President Mohammad Ali Deen presented the annual report of 2023 and explained the future plan of the chamber along with past activities.
Rashadul Hossain Chowdhury, Senior Vice President of the chamber, presented the financial report of the chamber for the year 2023.
The general members along with the board of directors and advisers were present in the meeting and actively participated in the discussion on the annual report and audited financial report and approved it unanimously.
The Meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Vice President of the Chamber Jadab Debnath.
The CIS-BCCI, a registered trade body under T.O Rules of Ministry of Commerce, is working to promote bilateral trade relation between Bangladesh and CIS countries including Russia.
CIS-BCCI regularly interacts with the related agencies of the government and with respective diplomatic missions to explore CIS market including Russia as the third front of our export destination after the USA and the EU, said a press release.
Tahsan made ORAIMO’s new brand ambassador
Renowned musician and actor Tahsan Rahman Khan has joined hands with ORAIMO Bangladesh.
This popular star has become the brand ambassador of ORAIMO, a smart accessories company catering the needs of the youth worldwide.
This was announced at a function organized for dealers at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the capital on Tuesday night.
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At that time, apart from ORAIMO’s Brand Ambassador Tahsan Khan, ORAIMO’s Global Brand Director Zoey Zeng Yi; Overseas Sales Director Justin Ye; Country Manager Tanbir Hossain Mazumder and other senior officials of ORAIMO were present.
In the future, consumer electronics of ORAIMO available in Bangladesh – such as TWS, smart watch, headphones, trimmer & charger – will feature Tahsan Khan. This popular star was showered with good wishes and love from fans for this new journey. Oraimo started its journey in Bangladesh in 2018.
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ORAIMO Country Manager Tanbir Majumder said, “We are very happy that popular musician Tahsan Khan and ORAIMO will work together in future. A talented artiste like Tahsan Khan has countless fans and viewers. We hope that ORAIMO will get an uplift through those fans among the youth. ORAIMO’s journey with him will be a memorable one.”
Textile engineers, entrepreneurs unite to tackle RMG industry challenges
Leading figures from Bangladesh's RMG and textile industry gathered at a forum on March 3 to address critical challenges facing the sector.
The event, titled "Present Business Challenges & Possible Solutions," brought together over 40 textile engineer-entrepreneurs who collectively manage companies responsible for over $3 billion in annual exports, according to a press release.
Organized by the Institute of Textile Engineers & Technicians (ITET) and facilitated by Textile Today Innovation Hub, the forum aimed to foster collaboration and brainstorm solutions to the industry's top five challenges, it said
These challenges were identified as:
Skills gap and trust issues between employees and employers.
Rising operational costs coupled with declining selling prices.
Unreliable utilities and high energy costs.
Challenges from government agencies, including customs, VAT, and fire safety regulations.
Difficulties with non-government agencies, such as trade unions, banks, and vendors.
Through facilitated breakout sessions, attendees actively participated in generating potential solutions and sharing their expertise. Industry leaders, including Prof. Dr. Shah Alimuzzaman, Vice Chancellor of BUTEX, and Engr. Md. Shamsuzzaman, Managing Director of Micro Fibre Group, provided valuable insights on the discussed issues.
The forum served as a valuable platform for textile engineers and entrepreneurs to come together, share experiences, and work collaboratively towards addressing the industry's pressing issues. This collaborative approach holds the potential to drive positive change and ensure the continued success of Bangladesh's RMG and textile.