News Briefs-(27-06-2019)

Govt takes Tk 1.58b project to develop handloom industry

Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi on Wednesday informed the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that the government has taken a project involving Tk 1.58 billion to provide running capital and modernise handlooms for improving the socioeconomic condition of the weavers. A total of 119,673 handlooms out of 320,781 are now remain closed across the country, he said, adding that the government has given Tk 750.6 million loan to 44,240 weavers against 65,451 handlooms under a project titled 'Microcredit Programme for Weavers' to reopen the closed handlooms. The minister was replying to a tabled question from treasury bench lawmaker M Abdul Latif of Chattogram-11 in the House. Additional duty above 5.0 per cent and total value added tax (VAT) on importing thread, color and some others materials were exempted to give the weavers duty-free import facility, Gazi said. Besides, the government has taken a project to set up 'Sheikh Hasina Handloom Village' at Shibchar upazila in Madaripur, he informed the House. — BSS.

NRBC Bank launches mobile banking app

NRB Commercial Bank Limited on Wednesday launched its mobile app "NRBC PLANET" to bring comfort and mobility in the banking services. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Sheikh Fazle Fahim inaugurated the app as the chief guest at a function at the bank's head office in the city, said a press release. Through this mobile app, account holders will get numerous banking services such as notifications , fund transfer, credit card bill payment, top-up services, balance inquiry, touch point locator, product information, branch information, EMI/ discount partners easily. For the first time, the NRBC customers can withdraw cash from any branch or booth using App QR code facility. — BSS